Danny Steel - Private Eye

My new year resolutions included playing more guitar, playing with other people and ceasing writing rubbish songs - this affectionate pastiche of film noir and the work of a couple of old heavy rollers ticks at least a couple of those boxes. With apologies to Don and Walt.

Could have done with an authentic gravelly American voice for the spoken word sections instead of my unconvincing impersonation, but.....hey ho.

The lyric (or what passes for it):

I hear you got trouble
I know just the man
Hangs out Harlem way
Or anywhere he can

He's got an address
Up at The Blue Cockateil (you know where that is)
Ask for Danny
Yeah Danny
Danny Steel

(you look after yourself, yeah?)

This city's crazy
Full of hustlers and pimps
We need guys like Danny, yeah
Sort 'em out
Put it all right
You know what I mean?

Danny
Danny Steel
Danny
He's the real deal
He will bust your ass
With just his sex appeal

Corruption
Extortion
Blackmail
Call Danny
Danny Steel.

Hey Danny!

• play
• pause
• min volume
• max volume

posted by MajorDundee (6 comments total)

Your songs aren't rubbish. I'm putting together a MajorDundee playlist, that's my resolution.
posted by AppleSeed at 5:11 AM on January 28, 2010

Your productions are always so immaculate.
I don't know which sound I like more, the kicking bass or the great guitar tone.
I think you out-Steely'd them.
posted by chococat at 2:31 PM on January 30, 2010

Thanks chococat! The guitar is a 335 through a Fender SuperChamp. No pedals or boxes - I used to use loads of effects, but over the last few years I've dispensed with all of them in favour of a natural sound. Amp was mic'd up with an SM57 (close to the grille) and an AKG C414 about 18 inches away.
posted by MajorDundee at 3:22 PM on January 30, 2010

YES! Man, the 335 is a great guitar and you really put it to good use here. Good stuff!
posted by snsranch at 2:24 PM on January 31, 2010

I agree with chococat, your recordings always sound professional. Even your demos sound like professionally recorded demos.

And that chorus sounds like it could be a massive hit. You'll remember us when you are rich won't you?
posted by micayetoca at 10:01 AM on February 16, 2010

Like an outtake from "Goucho", maybe this album to be called "Groucho". Ha.
posted by gallus at 10:58 AM on July 19, 2011