Yesterday was a sad day for music. I don't usually get worked up over celebrity deaths, but this one cut deeper than the rest. Steely Dan was among my first memories of listening to music when I found a cassette tape of their "Pretzel Logic" album under the couch as a young kid. I listened to that tape so much, I broke the spools. Then cried because it was the '90s and YouTube didn't exist to look up "Rikki Don't Lose that Number." As a musician, they shaped my musical style and taste to the nth degree.

They were undoubtably the most diverse, sonically refined band. Ever. Those smooth riffs, the grooves, Peg, and the cleanest rhodes sound on the planet. Nothing will come close to Becker's ability to arrange Steely Dan's music.

I agree. Becker produced most of Fagen's solo work as well. Really talented guy.

Speaking of, Becker's solo work was also really fantastic. Such a sharply defined sound from his 11 Tracks of Whack. Circus Money had a clean reggae sound, and it was all so good. My favorite song from him, I think, might be Book of Liars. Restrained simplicity. Performed live, it's executed to perfection.