Shows
Monsters, Madness and MagicEP#245: Eternal Days and Forever Knights - An Interview with Geraint Wyn DaviesJoin Justin as he chats with actor Geraint Wyn Davies about religion, improv, having fun on the stage, his memories filming Forever Knight, and more!Geraint Wyn Davies bio:"Geraint Wyn Davies was born in Swansea, Wales on April 20, 1957. His father is a semi-retired Welsh congregational minister and his mother, a retired teacher, was headmistress at Geraint's first school. At the age of seven, his family moved to Canada where he attended Upper Canada College then the University of Western Ontario where he briefly studied business and economics before leaving to pursue his acting career.
2024-03-0443 min
Countdown to ExegesisDavid Crosby: a TributeIn this special episode, Oli and Andrew pay tribute to the myth, the legend, the cape: David Crosby.
Tracks discussed: The Byrds – Triad / CSNY – Almost Cut My Hair / David Crosby – Laughing / David Crosby in Hook / David Crosby – Yvette in English / Joni Mitchell – Yvette in English / David Crosby – Your Own Ride / David Crosby – Rodriguez for a Night.
Spotify playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2HTSayRNkduFvBx9JIpApe?si=dc891a043ec943fc
"God bless your massive soul."
2023-02-151h 00Countdown to ExegesisMonkey in Your Soul (feat. Brian Rosten)It's the season finale, and the guys are performing circus tricks for Exegesis celebrity Brian Rosten. Meanwhile, Andrew's own simian soul is rudely extricated.
"I had sex with you and now I think that you're a monkey."
Further listening…
The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand
Steely Dan – Monkey in Your Soul (Walter Becker vocal version)
Freedy Johnston – Monkey in Your Soul
Further Brianing…
Brian Rosten's Twitter
Pete vs The City of Chicago (Brian's book)
The Maul (Brian's mag)
2022-08-191h 14Countdown to ExegesisCharlie Freak (Christmas Special)It's Christmas every day* at Exegesis HQ. As the fire roars and the chestnuts crackle, Andrew and Oli discuss golden pigs, shitting logs and Charlie Freak.
* It's not Christmas every day. It's not even Christmas today. The song has sleigh bells, basically.
"You've got to let the love in down the chimney of your heart."
Further listening…
The Mark Masters Ensemble – Charlie Freak
Fauré Quartet – Charlie Freak
Tuesday Island – Charlie Freak
2022-08-081h 04Countdown to ExegesisWith a GunHello schism my old friend.
"Just shoot a harpoon in my face."
Further listening…
Them Fargo Brothers – With a Gun
Nina Cristante – Romance
Paint Your Wagon trailer
The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon
The Beatles – I'm a Loser
The Beatles – Run For Your Life
The Beatles – I'll Cry Instead
Joni Mitchell – Raised on Robbery
2022-08-011h 00Countdown to ExegesisPretzel LogicThe boys make a heartfelt apology and open up about Andrew's charity work. Also, pretzels.
"Everything that has got better is being slowly reversed by these pony fuckers and I just want them all to die all at once."
Further listening…
Joy Wright – Pretzel Logic (and the cover of her album)
The Catman Doodz – Pretzel Logic
The Incomparable Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band – Pretzel Logic
The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
The Jackson 5 – ABC
'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel's Messiah
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – Wooden Ships
Fagen's thoughts on Whiplash
Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone
Bob...
2022-07-251h 06Countdown to ExegesisThrough With BuzzIt's the shortest song in the Dan catalogue, but will it be given short shrift by our exegetes?
"Fagen is fucking with us."
Further listening…
Chicago – If You Leave Me Now
Philip Frobos – Through With Buzz
Afroman – Because I Got High
The Beatles – Happiness is a Warm Gun
The Beatles – Sexy Sadie
The Beatles – I Am the Walrus
The Beatles – Glass Onion
The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (excerpts)
2022-07-1858 minCountdown to ExegesisParker’s BandThe lads mix up their Jims and avoid talking about Parker's Band.
[Slightly shonky sound in this one. Apologies.]
"I was just imagining Denny Dias as part of a human centipede."
Further listening…
Becker & Fagen – Parker's Band (demo)
Radiohead – Life in a Glasshouse
Radiohead – The National Anthem
John Coltrane – Blue Train
Radiohead – You and Whose Army?
2022-07-111h 07Countdown to ExegesisEast St. Louis Toodle-OoAndrew and Oli indulge in some forced fun before enjoying a cosy conversation about an old jazz standard.
"A reanimated Harryhausen jazz skeleton."
Further listening...
Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo (1927 version)
The Temperance Seven – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Humphrey Littleton – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Mercer Ellington and the Duke Ellington Orchestra – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Emerson Lake and Palmer – Fanfare for the Common Man
Duke Ellington and his Orchestra – East St. Louis Toodle-Oo (1957 version)
2022-06-2757 minCountdown to ExegesisBarrytownThe "third exegete", Ben "Pen" Jones returns to discuss the sorta-Dylan-pastiche Barrytown. This episode also includes the world's best Bob impression and more Dan-inspired fiction by Brian Rosten.
Warning: politics.
"A very teacherly pigeon."
Further listening…
Ben Folds Five - Barrytown
The Beatles - Tell Me What You See
Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street
Bob Dylan - Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again
Randy Newman - Short People
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Tom Peel's Bandcamp
Ben "Pen" Jones's we...
2022-06-201h 03Countdown to ExegesisAny Major Dude Will Tell YouThe boys sink into the giant jazz-pop feather that is Any Major Dude Will Tell You. Will they overcome their single greatest challenge yet – agreement?
"Gary Katz is Mork."
Tayyab Amin's piece about discovering Steely Dan
Wilco - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Schlong - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
The Acoustic Guitar Troubadors - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Die Sterne - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Nancy Wilson - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Randy Newman...
2022-06-131h 02Countdown to ExegesisNight By NightIn the spirit of cultural exchange, our Danizens are joined by retro gaming YouTuber RoseTintedSpectrum to discuss the "gentrified funk" of Night By Night.
This episode also includes some erotic Steely Dan fanfic and possibly the first ever Dan-themed text adventure.
"I need some funk by five o'clock, Andrew Souter."
Further listening…
Yasuko Agawa - Night By Night
Ana Popović - Night by Night
Tous les Oiseaux d'Europe - Night by Night (Spotify link)
Benny Hill - Ernie (the Fastest Milkman in the West
Bob Dyl...
2022-06-061h 18Countdown to ExegesisRikki Don’t Lose That NumberOur exegetes are back, and they're ready to tackle the big questions. Namely, "did Rikki lose that number?", "who is Rikki anyway?" and "to what lows would Oli stoop for Podcast recognition?"
"7408912."
Further listening…
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – My Old School
Kenji Omura – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Botticelli and his Orchestra – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Tom Robinson – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Hank Marvin – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Far Corporation – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Chuck Loeb – Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Th...
2022-05-301h 06Countdown to ExegesisKing of the World (Christmas Special)'Tis the night before Christmas, and our exegetes are gathering round the Bo Tree to swap gifts and make merry. (Or as merry as one can be when discussing a song about nuclear apocalypse.)
This is our first episode recorded IN PERSON (hooray!) and is even more NSFW than usual, as you might expect when you put two Brits in a kitchen with copious booze. Give this one a miss if you tend to wince at the Anglo-Saxon "C" word.
"Donald, remove the last vestiges of emotion from your voice."
Further listening…
Joe Ja...
2021-12-241h 17Countdown to ExegesisPearl of the QuarterVoulez voulez voulez-vous un autre épisode de Countdown to Exegesis? Drift along, dear listener, to the plaintive strains of Pearl of the Quarter, and learn about Andrew's strange encounter in a Chinese takeaway. Ooh la la.
"Fuck off Don; let's get Michael McDonald."
Further listening…
Nearly Dan's website
Mark Winkler's story about auditioning for Steely Dan
The Band - In a Station
Spoiler-free show and tell link
2021-12-1358 minCountdown to ExegesisMy Old School (feat. Pen Jones)Ben "Pen" Jones once again joins our Danizens to talk horns and sex maths. DUM-DUM-DUM-DIDDLE-DUM-BAH-DAH-DUM.
"Skunk was next to arrive, wearing some kind of viking helmet."
Further listening…
Ben "Pen" Jones on Instagram
Steely Dan performs "My Old School" on TV
Moonpie - My Old School
Boogie by Boogie (album cover)
Steely Dan - What a Shame About Me
2021-12-061h 06Countdown to ExegesisShow Biz Kids (feat. Chris Butler)The boys are joined by The Waitresses and Tin Huey guitarist Chris Butler for a lesson in American geo-cultural relations.
Apologies for the audio quality on this one. Technical issues meant we had to resort to a safety copy.
"A sort of dirty sprinter."
Further listening…
Chris Butler's Bandcamp
Mark Masters Ensemble - Show Biz Kids
Hannah Boel - Showbizz People
Rickie Lee Jones - Show Biz Kids
Super Furry Animals - The Man Don’t Give a Fuck
The Band - King Harv...
2021-11-291h 00Countdown to ExegesisYour Gold TeethAn episode of strange and macabre things, including a visit to a spooky horror circus and more unsettling correspondence from the Rasiermesserjunge. Some discussion of Steely Dan's "Your Gold Teeth" is also attempted.
"Hats off, Fagen"
Further listening…
Your Gold Teeth, the band
Gil Scott-Heron - Lady Day And John Coltrane
Cathy Berberian - Stripsody
2021-11-2259 minCountdown to ExegesisThe Boston RagAndrew and Oli sweep the playroom and swallow up all they find. In this episode, we learn the identity of Lonnie, why he was the kingpin, and why Andrew doesn't care.
Also revealed: Andrew's dad's opinion of Countdown to Exegesis.
"Like an angry haiku."
Further listening…
Hit-Boy feat. John Legend - WyW
Joni Mitchell - Edith and the Kingpin
Joni Mitchell - In France They Kiss on Main Street
Ted Chippington, for the sake of comparison
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Ohio
Ne...
2021-11-151h 09Countdown to ExegesisRazor BoyIs this… jazz? Bouyed by the sound of vibes and acoustic bass, our exegetes attempt to catch the Razor Boy and make him explain himself. Meanwhile, Andrew receives a suspicious package…
"We've dissected the frog and the frog is dead."
Further listening…
Billy Goodrum - Razor Boy
The Left Banke - Pretty Ballerina
2021-11-0859 minCountdown to ExegesisBodhisattvaIt's the start of a new series, and Oli is excited. Andrew, however, is not.
In this episode, our fact-finding inebriates discover the answers to the following: "is Countdown to Ecstacy Steely Dan's punk album?", "how is Bodhisattva like kedgeree?", and "what does it take to bring Andrew out of a bad mood?".
"There's a single almond on my staircase."
Further listening…
Brian Setzer Orchestra - Bodhisattva
Toto - Bodhisattva
The Late Era episode about Honkin' On Bobo
Denny's story about the synth
2021-11-0159 minCountdown to ExegesisTurn That Heartbeat Over AgainA bumper episode to froth all over Turn That Heartbeat Over Again, and try to navigate its labyrinthine lyrics.
Plus, we wrap up on album one, review our slams and scams, and - most importantly - answer the burning question: "has Can't Buy a Thrill turned Andrew into a Steely Dan fan?"
"Extremely measured fun."
Further listening…
Brooklyn Charmers - Turn That Heartbeat Over Again
Prefab Sprout - Cue Fanfare
2021-07-191h 22Countdown to ExegesisChange of the Guard (feat. Pen Jones)The Danboiz are joined by caricaturist and Pretzel Logic aficionado Ben "Pen" Jones to discuss Change of the Guard. They're ready to sandwich, but is there any meat in this filler?
Also discussed: David Palmer, salmon farmer.
"Donald Fagen is my fursona."
Further listening…
Passport - Change of the Guard
Stanley Dee - Change of the Guard
2021-07-1259 minCountdown to ExegesisBrooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)It's Brooklyn time. The boys sit down for some serious analysis, interrupted only by a scene from Andrew's never-to-be-completed C.S.N.Y. biopic.
Also featured: the first appearance of The Steely Dan Dictionary; the most pathetic songfacts of the series; Bob Dylan.
"Get me the number of David Palmer."
Further listening...
Donald Fagen & Walter Becker - Brooklyn (demo)
Fleetwood Mac - Sara
Bob Dylan - Queen Jane Approximately
Bob Dylan - Love Minus Zero
2021-07-0559 minCountdown to ExegesisFire In the HoleA.K.A. 'that episode about Jeff "Skunk" Baxter'.
"A Jools singularity."
Further listening…
O - Made Man
Skero - Fußboi
Five Finger Death Punch - Fire In the Hole
Van Halen - Fire In the Hole
Jools Holland interviewing John Lurie
2021-06-2856 minCountdown to ExegesisReelin' In the YearsSide two kicks off with bona fide hit single and dad rock radio staple Reelin' In the Years. Join our hosts in excitable mood as they get to grips with its slippery charms.
Also: Oli struggles to identify the solo; Andrew recoils at his enjoyment of The Dan so far; both ruin any chance of a lucrative sponshorship deal.
"The finish is dry and refreshing."
Further listening…
Spirit Adrift, High On Fire and Mutoid Man - Reelin' In the Years
Apologetix - Rollin' In the Yeast
Donny and Marie Os...
2021-06-211h 00Countdown to ExegesisOnly a Fool Would Say ThatSide one comes to a close with one of The Dan's breeziest numbers. In celebratory style, our hosts relax into their sun loungers and attempt their most thorough exegesis yet. (Or is it the alcohol talking?)
This one comes with a sincere MATURE WARNING, thanks to Andrew's explanation of his unspeakable canine coitus song.
Further Listening…
Ivy - Only a Fool Would Say That
2021-06-1559 minCountdown to ExegesisMidnite CruiserStrolling a little too far into the backstreets of side one, our hosts discover Midnite Cruiser in tight jeans and 'big, brown shoes'. Neither are particularly pleased about it.
Also covered: Dan memes, Madonna's favourite ale, soft rock séances.
"This is Vantabeige."
2021-06-0753 minCountdown to ExegesisKingsThis week, our hosts investigate 'Kings', Can't Buy a Thrill's self-described "vacuous historical romance."
Lots of honest-to-goodness analysis here, with a short detour into crisis management role play featuring two of Wolverhampton's favourite sons.
"My endive salad is on fire."
Further listening…
The Steely Damned - Kings
2021-05-3157 minCountdown to ExegesisDirty WorkOli and Andrew turn their critical, bloodshot eyes to track two on Can't Buy a Thrill, the single-that-should-have-been 'Dirty Work'
We also hear about the origins of 'Yacht Rock', learn of a few embarassing gig stories, and witness Andrew's chess-based apotheosis.
"Ooh, I sound like a Victorian nurse."
Further listening…
Ian Matthews - Dirty Work
Pointer Sisters - Dirty Work
2021-05-2458 minCountdown to ExegesisDo It AgainAndrew and Oli dive right in with album one, track one - the Latin-flavoured, sitar-seasoned barnstormer 'Do It Again'.
Lots of meta-Danchat to kick us off, including an extended monologue on the album itself and a reduction of Becker and Fagen to schoolyard caricatures. Also our most inebriated episode, by some measure.
"I think you're gonna be on board the choo-choo Dan Train."
Further listening...
Club House - Do It Again Medley With Billie Jean
2021-05-1757 min