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Steely Dan — East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Album: Pretzel Logic
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1419









Released: 1974
Length: 2:43
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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(Instrumental)
Comments (133)add comment
Aaaaarrrggghhh oh no

track starts playing and I think “this is interesting in a good way”

I check it out

Horror: it’s Steely Dan and isn’t dull or forgettable… another cherished prejudice slain. At this rate I’ll accidentally like Grateful Dead
Posted 2 weeks ago by petecallaghan    [ Reply ]
this was often spinning on the turntable in my room during my high school years and my Dad would say - you kids and your music...what the...?
Posted 3 months ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
 mgoldman wrote:

Just a note for all of you haters.  The tune was written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley and originally released in 1926. 



Yes. So let's hear the original instead of this.
Posted 3 months ago by DelightedIdiot    [ Reply ]
Pedal steel!
Posted 3 months ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
anyone catching the star wars cantina band vibe?
Posted 3 months ago by sjmorrison2    [ Reply ]
 joejennings wrote:
I have aged well - - this song has not.  Bite me!!


You got a mirror?  ...you probably have NOT aged well also!


Posted 3 months ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 mgoldman wrote:

Just a note for all of you haters.  The tune was written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley and originally released in 1926. 

Damn, how I hate haters.  Oops. Wad I say?



Posted 5 months ago by dougalbumski    [ Reply ]
 jjbix37 wrote:

IMHO their  music has not aged well . . 




You got a mirror?  ...you probably have NOT aged well also!
Posted 5 months ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Listen,

If you tried to walk the way, this song sounds  on the streets of East St Louis...you would be in a heap of trouble. 

Take my word. I was born there. Many moons ago. 

And ...Don't forget the two suburbs to ESTL:  Lovejoy and Venice.

Lovejoy was home to Albert King.
Posted 6 months ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Just a plain 10 for me.
Pure delight
Posted 7 months ago by mylokline    [ Reply ]
I LOVE this tune. And I LOVE this band. Yep this is a fun/wacky detour for them ... hay just like RP!...
Posted 8 months ago by CryLove    [ Reply ]
Interesting this is on at the exact moment tornado warnings are out for East St Louis (4/15/2023).  Big storms ongoing.
Posted 1 year ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Ah, the intro and fade out music to the radio show called Hall's Bar and Grill featured 40 some odd years ago on WHFS 102.3 FM in Bethesda MD.
Posted 1 year ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
IMHO their  music has not aged well . . 
Posted 1 year ago by jjbix37    [ Reply ]
 mgoldman wrote:

Just a note for all of you haters.  The tune was written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley and originally released in 1926. 



AAAAAAAND

no one can hate them???
Posted 1 year ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
Stupid song, but very well played.
Posted 1 year ago by joko63808    [ Reply ]
you see..if you  were born there, grew up nearby...swim in that old river...

you knew how to do the Toodle-oo
Posted 1 year ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
 bimmerfan739 wrote:


Any idea who it is?


Jeff Skunk Baxter.
Posted 1 year ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
The last segment before the final refrain  (saxophones, clarinet?) is creepily reminiscent of the Star Wars Cantina band. Does anyone else hear that? 😆 
Posted 1 year ago by Roguewarer    [ Reply ]
 talexb wrote:

Sublime steel guitar. 100% for the whole track.



Any idea who it is?
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
I wonder who's on steel?
Posted 1 year ago by bimmerfan739    [ Reply ]
 talexb wrote:

Sublime steel guitar. 100% for the whole track.




I Agree completely! It is a great rendition of a 1926 Duke Ellington tune!  Thank You RP!
Posted 1 year ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Lonestar wrote:
Get me off this nightmare ride!

 rgio wrote:

Relax...you'll mature soon.

Wait! While the musicianship is pretty good, the tune and style remind me of a merry-go-round ride and it does go on. Add a guy in a clown suit taking tickets and I could see why Lonestar thought he was on a nightmare ride :)
Posted 2 years ago by sunward    [ Reply ]


Mmmm, I would sure like a hot pretzel right now. Thanks a lot Bill!

Posted 2 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
 mgoldman wrote:

Just a note for all of you haters.  The tune was written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley and originally released in 1926. 



BRAVO !
Posted 2 years ago by rprovento    [ Reply ]
Duke Ellington!
Posted 2 years ago by 3Chords    [ Reply ]
I'd like to see an algorithm pull off that mix!!
Posted 2 years ago by sonicsurfer    [ Reply ]
Sublime steel guitar. 100% for the whole track.
Posted 3 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
 Lonestar wrote:
Get me off this nightmare ride!
 
Relax...you'll mature soon.
Posted 3 years ago by rgio    [ Reply ]
Get me off this nightmare ride!
Posted 3 years ago by Lonestar    [ Reply ]
I keep waiting for this to turn into "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby"
Posted 3 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
 ppopp wrote:
SD are like Coldplay - sounds good to these ears until the singing starts.
 

Perhaps the vocals on this track should be lowered in the mix. 
Posted 4 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
The wah-wah guitar has lips!
Posted 4 years ago by gmichaelt    [ Reply ]
Posted 4 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
As a person who was born there,  I know a few things  about the ole Toodle -Oo. 

You got to watch out for it. It can sneak up on you.  
Posted 4 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Love the piano solo on this one
Posted 4 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
SD are like Coldplay - sounds good to these ears until the singing starts.
Posted 4 years ago by ppopp    [ Reply ]
Too bad the PSD button doesn't stand for Play Steely Dan.
Posted 4 years ago by Laptopdog    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:
of all the AWESOME Steely songs....
This one? Really?....... 
 
He Plays All Of Steely Dan - This song is is welcome in my world. 
Posted 4 years ago by rockroll360    [ Reply ]
I always imagined hearing this when the bar closed down and the manager was flashing the lights as we danced out to the street holding hands and laughing. 10
Posted 4 years ago by jimtyrrell    [ Reply ]
Thank the Lord my college roommate turned me on to the Dan.  They're not rock and roll ... or are they?
Posted 4 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
this sounds like the music accompanying a long goofy Red Skelton pantomime
Posted 4 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Always loved this Steely Dan adaption. Genius and playful wonder.
Posted 4 years ago by fredphoesh    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

Yah, written by some hack known as Juke Ellingson, or some such nonsense.
What crap! 
 
True ignorance on display there- thought RP had a more savvy audience - if tou can't get Steely Dan it makes me wonder what all else gets by you-plenty, I'm sure
Posted 5 years ago by halpinappraisal    [ Reply ]
I couldn't disagree more with my fellow RP listeners... Absolutely fantastic, unique and toe tappingly good
Posted 5 years ago by mccaindesign8034    [ Reply ]
 veegez wrote:
There are plenty of songs that fit RP better from SD's Pretzel Logic album. "Any Major Dude" and "Night By Night" come to mind. Oh and there was this song called "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"....
 
Two of those songs are on the RP playlist.
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Loved it!
Posted 5 years ago by valr9    [ Reply ]
 rommesw wrote:
One of my favourite bands, but this is the one I do not like at all. Never got the meaning of it, you can skip it pls ..
 
Yeah, written by some hack known as Juke Ellingson, or some such nonsense.
What crap! 
(Apparently I need to add the caveat that I am joking. The Dan and the Duke rule.)
Posted 5 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
One of my favourite bands, but this is the one I do not like at all. Never got the meaning of it, you can skip it pls ..
Posted 6 years ago by rommesw    [ Reply ]
 socalhol wrote:
Whoa!  thought the Muppets band took over the airwaves......

 
Or you just walked into the cantina bar in Star Wars - Steely Dan rule!
Posted 7 years ago by Jakethemuss    [ Reply ]
Whatever cover or not, this is just simply brilliant music.
Posted 7 years ago by eveliko    [ Reply ]
It was DJ John Hall of the long lost and much revered WHFS in Bethesda Maryland who used that track as the intro to his program slot called Hall's Bar and Grill. You of a certain age in the D.C. region will fondly recall WHFS and WGTB from back in the day. I'm going back 35 - 40 years. Fortunately we now have RadioParadise on the interwebs. You could also support your local gray pony tailed D.C. hippies who began an internet station in their suburban yurt at http:www.hober.com where they serve up awesome  grassroots and world music.
Posted 7 years ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 wycado wrote:
This is such a curveball from a band that likes to throw that pitch. Always liked that about these guys.

 
My sentiments exactly.  Covers rarely exceed originals in my opinion 
Posted 7 years ago by the_jake    [ Reply ]
This tune introduced me to the magic of Duke Ellington when I was a teenager. Great version but you still can't beat the original. Funny but in my 20s Joe Jackson provided a similar introduction to Thelonious Monk, Louis Jordan & Cab Calloway's music. Rock 'n' Roll.
Posted 8 years ago by Andybob    [ Reply ]
Nice, albeit different, cover of a Duke Ellington song. 

Ah...East St, Louis. Home to Miles Davis, pig ear sandwiches, and a few shootings a week.    
Posted 8 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Steely Dan it seems to be a love hate thang.

I love most of their stuff.....most.
Posted 8 years ago by dickmahoon    [ Reply ]
Snazzzy man!  Got me in a knot Brother!  Like a wild hot thing on a cold day in the park!!!
Posted 11 years ago by Xstar    [ Reply ]
Huh???

Steely Dan? 
Posted 11 years ago by Lakeview    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Could I give this a zero please?

Farging HORRIBLE!

Further proof that Steely Dan SUCKS! 
 
Ignorance at its absolute finest. 
Posted 11 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 gekkosan wrote:
Ah well - I liked it. Lots! |-)
 
me2!
Posted 12 years ago by BowTieDad    [ Reply ]
Ah well - I liked it. Lots! |-)
Posted 12 years ago by gekkosan    [ Reply ]
Whoa!  thought the Muppets band took over the airwaves......
Posted 12 years ago by socalhol    [ Reply ]
This is such a curveball from a band that likes to throw that pitch. Always liked that about these guys.
Posted 12 years ago by wycado    [ Reply ]
I can not put into words how much I can't stand this "band"
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
Been listening to RP for a long time and totally love the music. Great selections. UNtil this song: the first song ever played on RP that I absolutely did not like. A real clunker! Pure cheese.
Posted 12 years ago by EdmoJoe    [ Reply ]
This track is a pleasant surprise on a great album.
Posted 12 years ago by lshinkawa    [ Reply ]
 Bat wrote:

Many years ago I had a superb collection from the Smithsonian of very early Duke Ellington recordings.  According to the liner notes this song, which was recorded in the late '20s, was originally titled "East St. Louis Toad Low", named after an old man named "Toad" who was bent over so low by age that he walked as low as a toad.  The name of the song morphed into Tootle-oo, slang for goodbye.

This was the Duke Ellington Orchestra's signature/theme song in the early years before he wrote songs like "Take the A Train".

What is wah-wah guitar in the Steely Dan version was Bubber Miley playing coronet muted with a toilet plunger wah-wah.



 
Bat, what happened to that collection? And thank you for all this wonderful, valuable information regarding Duke Ellington and the song in question.  I always appreciate the history behind a song or a remake.

Um, and a coronet muted with a toilet plunger - I know I've seen that image before...

Posted 12 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
of all the AWESOME Steely songs....
This one? Really?....... 
Posted 12 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
You do not say Toodle-Oo in East St. Louis. Maybe long ago, not now.
Posted 12 years ago by Lrobby99    [ Reply ]
That was a joke right?
Posted 12 years ago by Canlistener    [ Reply ]
To me this sounds like a guitar imitating Tom Waits' voice.
Posted 12 years ago by GirlFriday    [ Reply ]

Many years ago I had a superb collection from the Smithsonian of very early Duke Ellington recordings.  According to the liner notes this song, which was recorded in the late '20s, was originally titled "East St. Louis Toad Low", named after an old man named "Toad" who was bent over so low by age that he walked as low as a toad.  The name of the song morphed into Tootle-oo, slang for goodbye.

This was the Duke Ellington Orchestra's signature/theme song in the early years before he wrote songs like "Take the A Train".

What is wah-wah guitar in the Steely Dan version was Bubber Miley playing coronet muted with a toilet plunger wah-wah.



Posted 13 years ago by Bat    [ Reply ]
Completely concur.  Everyone has those bands that invoke a gag response, Steely Dan does that for me.  But this gets a 7 from me as well.

fredriley wrote:

I'm precisely the opposite. I'd never have guessed this as Steely Dan - I just wish they'd stuck to wah-wah and honky-tonk as more of this would have been nice. This sounds like it should be on the soundtrack to The Sting. 7 from the toe-tapping Nottingham jury.

 


Posted 13 years ago by hokiesfan93    [ Reply ]
This is lame. Unless it is 1920 and I somehow missed the memo.
Posted 13 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
Just a note for all of you haters.  The tune was written by Duke Ellington and Bubber Miley and originally released in 1926. 

Posted 13 years ago by mgoldman    [ Reply ]
 tapatia1072 wrote:
I love Steely Dan, but I hate this song. IMO, It mucks up what is otherwise an outstanding album.
 

Trivia - Rolling Stone designated Pretzel Logic as one of the five best albums of the year when it was released in the early '70's.
Posted 13 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 tapatia1072 wrote:
I love Steely Dan, but I hate this song. IMO, It mucks up what is otherwise an outstanding album.
 
I'm precisely the opposite. I'd never have guessed this as Steely Dan - I just wish they'd stuck to wah-wah and honky-tonk as more of this would have been nice. This sounds like it should be on the soundtrack to The Sting. 7 from the toe-tapping Nottingham jury.

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]
Could I give this a zero please?

Farging HORRIBLE!

Further proof that Steely Dan SUCKS! 
Posted 13 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 tapatia1072 wrote:
I love Steely Dan, but I hate this song. IMO, It mucks up what is otherwise an outstanding album.
 


My thoughts as well. Nice tune, but doesn't work with the rest .
Posted 13 years ago by robbeek    [ Reply ]
I love Steely Dan, but I hate this song. IMO, It mucks up what is otherwise an outstanding album.
Posted 13 years ago by tapatia1072    [ Reply ]
I had come to the conclusion that there was some sort of law that prohibited the playing this sort of thing on the radio: dusting off an obscure album track by a rock band covering a Duke Ellington tune: 4 years' hard labour with Barbie Girl by Aqua played on constant repeat while you break rocks.

It seems not, and the world is a better place for it.

Bang on, Bill... 
Posted 13 years ago by catnip    [ Reply ]
Reminded me of Pate de Fua 

https://www.myspace.com/patedefua

Posted 13 years ago by juanrico    [ Reply ]
Last Played: Mar 22, 2010 - 20:30

And it's now 4/23, 2:15pm

 
Posted 13 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
Does Feb 19 at 6:18am PST count or does it have to be synced with the sun?

Posted 14 years ago by IH574    [ Reply ]
2/19 and it's comes back around on the guitar.

More Dan please.


Posted 14 years ago by hughtwg    [ Reply ]
 jzekeb wrote:

Not so fast there.  It's 8:46pm January 18 PST in Paradise.

 

Curses, foiled again. I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for you pesky kids.
Posted 14 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
 Jamunca wrote:
And lo, it has come to pass. On January 19 in our Lord's year two thousand and ten... the pattern continues. Nicely done Bill, you cheeky monkey.

 
Not so fast there.  It's 8:46pm January 18 PST in Paradise.

Posted 14 years ago by jzekeb    [ Reply ]
And lo, it has come to pass. On January 19 in our Lord's year two thousand and ten... the pattern continues. Nicely done Bill, you cheeky monkey.

Posted 14 years ago by Jamunca    [ Reply ]
 Captn_Pea wrote:
12/18  It's Back again....
So is the progression going to be 1/19? or will he re-set the clock at the new year?
 
Dang, I missed it. Yep, Jan 19 would seem to be the next logical broadcast. Stay tuned . . .

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I'll only buy into the conspiracy if it plays again on Trivember 19th. 
Posted 14 years ago by hermannism    [ Reply ]
12/18  It's Back again....
So is the progression going to be 1/19? or will he re-set the clock at the new year?
Posted 14 years ago by Captn_Pea    [ Reply ]
 the 18th! A conspiracy!!!
It's On_The_Beach wrote:

(insert Twilight Zone music here) . . . Check the playlist on Dec 18!

 


Posted 14 years ago by LastChance    [ Reply ]
12/18 - right on schedule!!!
Posted 14 years ago by PeteyGreens    [ Reply ]
Yup, 12/18,  it's here.  Nice Bill....nice.
Posted 14 years ago by weez    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

(insert Twilight Zone music here) . . . Check the playlist on Dec 18!

 

and here it is.
yet it does nothing for me.

Posted 14 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:

(insert Twilight Zone music here) . . . Check the playlist on Dec 18!

 

And here it is!
Posted 14 years ago by osbyec    [ Reply ]
 timmus wrote:
No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...
HA!  It came on today, 11/17!  Is Radio Paradise on some sort of robot playlist?
 
(insert Twilight Zone music here) . . . Check the playlist on Dec 18!

Posted 14 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

HA!  It came on today, 11/17!  Is Radio Paradise on some sort of robot playlist?
Posted 14 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 andrewmi wrote:

No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

(sorry, can't help it; I'm an engineer)
 
As a fellow geek, I would like to congratulate you on your prescience.  It did appear to have been played on 9/15, and is now being played on 10/16, which happens to be my DOB.  Good job.  See you on the 17th of November.

Posted 14 years ago by alanthecowboy    [ Reply ]
If you get stuck in East St. Louis say toodle-oo to your life.....
Posted 14 years ago by boober    [ Reply ]
. . . can't wait for 11/17

 andrewmi wrote:

No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

(sorry, can't help it; I'm an engineer)
 


Posted 14 years ago by radams005    [ Reply ]
 andrewmi wrote:

No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

(sorry, can't help it; I'm an engineer)
 

And the beat goes on.
Posted 14 years ago by naplese    [ Reply ]
What? No Muppet videos?

Posted 14 years ago by Jared    [ Reply ]
 andrewmi wrote:

No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

(sorry, can't help it; I'm an engineer)
 

I believe that's called being in monthly rotation.
Posted 14 years ago by rtrudeau    [ Reply ]
'70s Steely Dan: Always, always, always a 10!

Posted 14 years ago by von_Hayek    [ Reply ]
 countyman wrote:

5/11/09 was the first time ever, and WAAAY over due.


 
No, nothing against the song, I was just noting the arithmetic progression - obviously it will next be played on 9/15, then 10/16...

(sorry, can't help it; I'm an engineer)


Posted 14 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
 andrewmi wrote:
This song was played 5/11, 6/12, 7/13, and now 8/14...

?
 
5/11/09 was the first time ever, and WAAAY over due.


Posted 14 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
 mr_toad wrote:
les paul?
  R.I.P. Les - 8.13.09   {#Guitarist}

Posted 14 years ago by countyman    [ Reply ]
I know steely, but this sounds different!?
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
This song was played 5/11, 6/12, 7/13, and now 8/14...

?
Posted 14 years ago by andrewmi    [ Reply ]
Pretty amazing job by Skunk Baxter of making a guitar sound like a muted cornet.
Posted 14 years ago by FrankMc    [ Reply ]

Great, as always!


Posted 14 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Blech!
Posted 14 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Annie Nightingale on Radio One!!!

Posted 14 years ago by dave_porter    [ Reply ]
Major blast from the past.  Used to be the theme song for a DJ at the old WHFS in Bethesda MD.  Back in the day when "free form" radio still existed.

Thanks Bill
Posted 14 years ago by KevH    [ Reply ]
when i first heard the dan (1970?), i thought to myself - these guys are different
don't know too many bands at the time that were doing Duke Ellington covers
rock on
{#Cowboy}
Posted 14 years ago by k_trout    [ Reply ]
Extra double-cool selection Bill!  Thanks to whomever for the upload!
Posted 14 years ago by Steve    [ Reply ]
The Dan do Duke. Sublime—incredible arrangement. If you have a chance, compare this to Ellington's original (the 1927 version). How Becker and Fagan chose to allocate the instruments to the different melody parts is worth the effort.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
les paul?
Posted 14 years ago by mr_toad    [ Reply ]
lisa_bisa wrote:
gag me with a spoon
Naw, RP won't play the Zappas' "Valley Girl," either.
Posted 20 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]