"Kid Charlemagne," Steely Dan
This weekend marks the fiftieth anniversary of the release of Steely Dan's fifth album, The Royal Scam, and though it was a retreat from their first four, with more than a few weak moments, it was still a decent album overall, and the kickoff track, "Kid Charlemagne," showed Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in top form.
"Kid Charlemagne" is a song about a drug chemist in San Francisco who makes an escape when the police close in, having been known as a drug maker by his neighbors the whole time. It features a distinctive guitar solo from session player Larry Carlton, who tapped and bent his strings when he played it.
This clip, my Music Video Of the Week, features Becker and Fagen from their 2000 tour to promote their Two Against Nature album. Enjoy.
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