Best Oliver Pyper Podcasts (2024)

1
Throw Back the Little Ones 1:21:38

7M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

In which the Dan tackle cultural appropriation, Oli unveils a fast-moving, MIDI-powered new segment and Andrew receives the greatest gift of all: a bit of time off. *Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and lots of love to those who don't.*By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Any World (That I’m Welcome To) 1:09:19

7M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Join your trusty exegetes as they avoid talking about Steely Dan's saddest song (as voted in Metal Leg Fanzine's infamous 'Ladies of Dan' poll). Among the distractions are cat-borne diseases, parenthetical song titles and a shocking revelation about Andrew's true heritage.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Chain Lightning 56:44

8M ago56:44

56:44

Oli and Andrew agree about something. How will they cope? [Donald Fagen - Concepts for Jazz/Rock Piano: https://youtu.be/rR6OsrzbHHY]By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Your Gold Teeth II 1:02:43

8M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Our hosts throw another classic onto the exegetical pyre. Tune in to hear 24-carat Danchat, teenage poetry and Andrew's run-in with a mysterious podiatrist.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Everyone’s Gone to the Movies (feat. Steely Ann) 1:00:32

8M ago1:00:32

1:00:32

Our hosts are joined by SPECIAL GUESTS Ann and Rachel from STEELY ANN: the greatest female-fronted Steely Dan tribute band in the history of South Central Minnesota. United in scepticism and tenacity, they attempt to navigate one of the Dan's stinkiest lyrical swamps. [Audio is a little ropey in this one. Blame Oli.]…

1
Doctor Wu 53:19

8M ago53:19

53:19

Oli is ready to discuss one of his favourite things. Andrew is not. But their commitment to the podcast knows no bounds and they manage to eke out 53 minutes of edutational chat.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Daddy Don’t Live In That New York City No More 55:30

9M ago55:30

55:30

An attempt is made to discuss Katy Lied's groovy trou normand, Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More. Andrew, however, is more interested in mid-price, off-the-shelf cocktails.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Rose Darling 57:33

9M ago57:33

57:33

Could it be true – a real, bona fide Steely Dan love song? In this episode, your hosts smack a sexy piñata until it spits out William Blake, a long-lost billet-doux and something Donald Fagen has 'found'.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Bad Sneakers (feat. Ben Jones) 59:45

9M ago59:45

59:45

Our hosts brave the harsh morning light to discuss Bad Sneakers, drink pina coladas and swap footwear. Friend of the Show Ben Jones joins to share his thoughts and a song. Recorded live in Bad Sniekers, Lower Franconia.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
Black Friday 1:03:10

9M ago1:03:10

1:03:10

What do you mean it's been eight months? For their Earth-shattering comeback episode, the Danlads carry on as if nothing ever happened. Join them as they dive ears-first into a world of faulty dbx systems and financial chicanery.By Countdown to Exegesis

1
David Crosby: a Tribute 1:00:21

1+ y ago1:00:21

1:00:21

In 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 N…

1
Monkey in Your Soul (feat. Brian Rosten) 1:14:12

2y ago1:14:12

1:14:12

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 Jo…

1
Charlie Freak (Christmas Special) 1:04:46

2y ago1:04:46

1:04:46

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 M…

1
With a Gun 1:00:25

2y ago1:00:25

1:00:25

Hello 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…

1
Pretzel Logic 1:06:19

2y ago1:06:19

1:06:19

The 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 St…

1
Through With Buzz 58:47

2y ago58:47

58:47

It'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 O…

1
Parker’s Band 1:07:06

2y ago1:07:06

1:07:06

The 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 Who…

1
East St. Louis Toodle-Oo 57:53

2y ago57:53

57:53

Andrew 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-O…

1
Barrytown 1:03:07

2y ago1:03:07

1:03:07

The "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 4t…

1
Any Major Dude Will Tell You 1:02:28

2y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

The 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…

1
Night By Night 1:18:04

2y ago1:18:04

1:18:04

In 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…

1
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number 1:06:47

2y ago1:06:47

1:06:47

Our 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 T…

1
King of the World (Christmas Special) 1:17:31

2+ y ago1:17:31

1:17:31

'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 boo…

1
Pearl of the Quarter 58:34

2+ y ago58:34

58:34

Voulez 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…

1
My Old School (feat. Pen Jones) 1:06:08

2+ y ago1:06:08

1:06:08

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 Abou…

1
Show Biz Kids (feat. Chris Butler) 1:00:25

2+ y ago1:00:25

1:00:25

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 - S…

1
Your Gold Teeth 59:25

2+ y ago59:25

59:25

An 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 - Strips…

1
The Boston Rag 1:09:30

2+ y ago1:09:30

1:09:30

Andrew 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 Mi…

1
Razor Boy 59:47

2+ y ago59:47

59:47

Is 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…

1
Bodhisattva 59:47

2+ y ago59:47

59:47

It'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…

1
Turn That Heartbeat Over Again 1:22:11

3y ago1:22:11

1:22:11

A 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 …

1
Change of the Guard (feat. Pen Jones) 59:39

3y ago59:39

59:39

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…

1
Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me) 59:41

3y ago59:41

59:41

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 Beck…

1
Fire In the Hole 56:22

3y ago56:22

56:22

A.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 LurieBy Oliver Pyper

1
Reelin' In the Years 1:00:34

3y ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Side 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 refres…

1
Only a Fool Would Say That 59:53

3y ago59:53

59:53

Side 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 - On…

1
Midnite Cruiser 53:54

3y ago53:54

53:54

Strolling 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."By Oliver Pyper

1
Kings 57:39

3y ago57:39

57:39

This 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…

1
Dirty Work 58:09

3y ago58:09

58:09

Oli 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 …

1
Do It Again 57:57

3y ago57:57

57:57

Andrew 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…

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