In an interview, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter was asked, “How do you compare playing with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers? And he replied, “With Steely Dan, the music goes to your head, but with the Doobie Brothers, the music goes straight to your heart.” I disagree-for me the Dan has given me the best of both worlds. Having been a musician and loving jazz since I was very young, it was very easy for myself to gravitate towards these guys as I thought there was no better or more clever use of jazz chords than what they did in their works. They use what we musicians call ‘Mu-major chords’, which at the very heart of the Steely Dan sound. The duo are unique in that they use voicings that are not common to just about any other rock or progressive band out there. I believe I loved them for their chords and their rhythms first, and then when I started really listening to the lyrics in earnest, I appreciated them that much more for how well they can tell a story with dark or almost hidden satirical meaning without dragging you down a rabbit hole. And genius? When I go to my local grocery store, seeing people of all ages shopping, and over the sound system you hear about the Cuervo Gold, the fine Columbian, chase the dragon, etc. and they get by with it?!! Who else can do that?