Earlier this week Trevor Blainey wrote about Steely Dan as part of his ‘Not Quite Bob’ series. It triggered a lot of memories for me spread over the best part of fifty years.
The 32-seconds long, searing guitar introduction to ‘Reelin’ in the years’ imprinted itself on my music mind in 1973. Often incorrectly attributed to regular Dan guitarist Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter, Elliott Randall’s rollicking riff became and remains my all-time favourite song introduction in rock music. I fancy it as a mobile ring tone but I fear it would scare the daylights out of any unsuspecting persons who might be in the vicinity when the phone rings!
The small coffee shop at Flinders Uni back in the day was called ‘The Buttery’. Cappuccinos were 20 cents and the jukebox got a solid working out. In 1970, Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole lotta love’ was on relentless high rotation; in 1973 the coffees were about 25 cents and the chanson de jour was ‘Reelin’ in the years’. In the five decades since that time, the song (and the group) has never faded for me; if anything, its significance expanded as the years rolled by.
As Trevor Blainey pointed out, Steely Dan were prolific throughout the 70s and into the early 80s. Pretzel Logic was probably my favourite album. I listened to ‘Any major dude’ as I drove to and from work along Morphett Road in the early 80s. There was a compilation cassette which played on repeat in the car in the late 80s and into the 90s as we drove out to Blenheim to visit my parents. A decade later it was the Pretzel Logic album while travelling to school along Anzac Avenue on the Redcliffe Peninsula. Two Against Nature and Everything Must Go coincided with a major change in my life circumstances. Steely Dan was always there or thereabouts.
Among other subjects, I used to teach religious studies. My Years 11 and 12 classes were always the most interesting and challenging as minds met, ideas interacted and understandings unfolded – in both directions. Usually I’d pick up a class at the start of their Year 11 and continue with them until they left at the end of Year 12. The first couple of lessons were ‘get to know you’ sessions about interests, hobbies, goals, etc and we built our relationship from there. I’d tell them about their last assignment which would come up 20 months later at the end of Year 12 – an oral presentation to the class about what they hoped to do with their lives.
Fraser came into my class in 2009; I didn’t know much about him; he said that he liked to play guitar. I asked him if he knew the introductory riff to ‘Reelin’ in the years’; no, he didn’t. But, unbeknownst to me, it stuck in his mind. It was a good class which gelled and grew together; Fraser and I developed an understated, mutual respect for each other, even if we didn’t agree on everything. The time flew by.
The time for those final oral presentations came around in October 2010. When Fraser stepped us to present his, he had his acoustic guitar with him, something a bit different. He started by referring back to those first lessons at the start of Year 11 and my mention on ‘Reelin’ in the years’. Then he picked up his guitar and played Elliott Randell’s introduction. It was one of the more beautiful moments of my 37-year career.
About five years later, I met Fraser again at the wedding of his classmates, Hayleigh and Adam (who were also former students of mine). Together with his mate Nick (yet another member of that same cohort) we were seated together at the reception and caught up on ‘old times’ and what had happened since. During the conversation, it emerged that when Fraser was told by Kayleigh that I would be attending her wedding, he asked that he be seated at the same table as me. A humbling moment!
All because of a song that has impacted me one way or another for almost half a century.
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About Ian Hauser
A former teacher with a (very) modest sporting CV enjoying his retirement years. A Queenslander through and through, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, McWilliam's Cream Apera and a glass or three of wine. Footy Almanac's Thursday online editor who moonlights as a hobby editor.
That’s a great story Ian. Terrific to have such an impact on a student. I’m not a teacher but my wife is. Science in secondary. All girls. Umpteen years ago a couple of her students won a science prize initiated by NASA. I, of course, attributed their success to her which she waved away. Just smart kids she said. Last year one of those girls came back to the school now an accomplished science something or other in her profession to address another group of students. In that address she named my wife as someone who had had an influence on her and later sought her out before leaving. Quietly pleased, my wife. You must have felt like that. A different source of inspiration but the same effect. Isn’t music grand!
Much resonance on a few points here Ian.
For starters, Steely Dan’s Reelin’ in the years is just a brilliant song albeit among many of their others. (I can hear its rhythmical energy rocking me in my seat as I type which is a bit of a distraction given the standard of my typing.) Without spoiling a good friendship though, Dirty Work is probably my favourite.
Secondly, a story similar to your Fraser’s. My son Sam discovered early on that Justin Hayward’s Story in Your Eyes was my favourite Moody Blues song. His uncle Wayne bought him an electric guitar and amplifier and many loud arguments followed. One day though, all is forgiven when I arrive home on my birthday and he is playing the song note perfect at full volume. Special, thank you Bruce McAvaney.
Thirdly, re your “humbling moments” and Trevor’s wife’s experience of influence and inspiration to students, I recall Paul’s view on all this. “The life and death of each of us has an influence on others.” (Romans 14/7)
RDL
Love this story Ian, especially with the second pay off catching up at the wedding.
I taught media and drama back in the 80s back in Perth. Fast forward to Jan 2000 and Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros were in Melbourne for the Big Day Out. The band did a show at the Corner and I was there by myself. I figured I’d get a couple of VBs (back when cans were still sold at gigs) and get close to the stage. The Corner was jammed packed. In that setting it would usually take a few minutes at the bar just to order. This night one of the barmaids said, hello Mr Kane. It was a student from a decade before. Everytime I went to the bar I was served very quickly. The show? Well Joe played a bunch of Clash songs so of course it was brilliant!
Cheers
Great stuff. Trev’s music series has been epic.
Can’t recall a good recent piece on the site about current AFL. Then again can’t recall anything good recently in the AFL or professional sport.
Ash Barty Retires – the day the music died?
“The Old Blokes Riffing on Music, Life & Ancient Sport Almanac”?