Watched the documentary last night. First time I heard the term was on AXS TV, a Canadian-owned American cable channel that doesn't know exactly what it is. Rock interviews, packaged top 10 shows, concerts, Cash Cab & offshoots, country music & related programming, wrestling, candid camera type prank shows, a substandard video quiz, &other oddities seem to be the norm.
Even after learning that the term started as a joke, I began to see the similarity of the music included in the "Yacht Rock" label. I wouldn't put it in the same frame as Heavy Metal, Art Rock, Prog Rock, etc., but I see the common threads of the styles incorporated within the output of bands from the era designated with this label. Is it a respectable one? Not according to Donald Fagan, who was contacted by an ill-intentioned joker who claimed Steely Dan's music WAS DEFINITELY Yacht Rock. Fagan hung up on the dude.
I wouldn’t know anything about yacht rock, being a Bronx boy and all, and I’m not a fan of any of the mentioned artists, but please…there would be no such genre (real or imagined) without John Fred and his Texas Playboys or Every Mother’s Son.
I'm not a fan of pigeonholes in music, but somehow 'Yacht Rock' is so descriptive, not necessarily of the music itself but the demographic it appeals (appealed?) to. People who want to appear sophisticated by liking 'jazz' but are spinning the Crusaders because they have no patience for Thelonious Monk? (Nothing against the Crusaders).
As for Steely Dan (in my not-so-humble opinion): Much like The Beatles, they dabbled in - and occasionally defined or created - entire genres of music as casually as you or I might script a note for Substack. In other words, genius, outside the boundaries of 'classic rock,' 'yacht rock,' or any other category.
Had to sell my yacht a few years ago to buy more records.
Yea, verily. When I score a yacht, I will most definitely be playing Steely Dan as I step upon the platform (deck). And you're right that Quantum Criminals is the best book on them yet -- a recommendation I most likely read on Critical Conditions. Unrelatedly, that video with Jim Messina (or was it Kenny Loggins?) puking in the alley was pretty effing funny.
Brilliant writing, so funny, so illustrative of some of my least favorites — except, of course, Steely Dan. Now to watch the film!
Watched the documentary last night. First time I heard the term was on AXS TV, a Canadian-owned American cable channel that doesn't know exactly what it is. Rock interviews, packaged top 10 shows, concerts, Cash Cab & offshoots, country music & related programming, wrestling, candid camera type prank shows, a substandard video quiz, &other oddities seem to be the norm.
Even after learning that the term started as a joke, I began to see the similarity of the music included in the "Yacht Rock" label. I wouldn't put it in the same frame as Heavy Metal, Art Rock, Prog Rock, etc., but I see the common threads of the styles incorporated within the output of bands from the era designated with this label. Is it a respectable one? Not according to Donald Fagan, who was contacted by an ill-intentioned joker who claimed Steely Dan's music WAS DEFINITELY Yacht Rock. Fagan hung up on the dude.
I wouldn’t know anything about yacht rock, being a Bronx boy and all, and I’m not a fan of any of the mentioned artists, but please…there would be no such genre (real or imagined) without John Fred and his Texas Playboys or Every Mother’s Son.
Great piece Wayne, you had me laughing out loud!
I'm not a fan of pigeonholes in music, but somehow 'Yacht Rock' is so descriptive, not necessarily of the music itself but the demographic it appeals (appealed?) to. People who want to appear sophisticated by liking 'jazz' but are spinning the Crusaders because they have no patience for Thelonious Monk? (Nothing against the Crusaders).
As for Steely Dan (in my not-so-humble opinion): Much like The Beatles, they dabbled in - and occasionally defined or created - entire genres of music as casually as you or I might script a note for Substack. In other words, genius, outside the boundaries of 'classic rock,' 'yacht rock,' or any other category.
Had to sell my yacht a few years ago to buy more records.
Yea, verily. When I score a yacht, I will most definitely be playing Steely Dan as I step upon the platform (deck). And you're right that Quantum Criminals is the best book on them yet -- a recommendation I most likely read on Critical Conditions. Unrelatedly, that video with Jim Messina (or was it Kenny Loggins?) puking in the alley was pretty effing funny.
Verily indeed, Cathy! Thanks for the note.