Dean Parks Breaks Down His Most Iconic Guitar Parts

Today we’re sitting down with Dean Parks: the mastermind behind iconic guitar riffs that have shaped generations. In this interview, Dean takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, sharing captivating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from his time recording with some of the biggest names in the industry: Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Babyface and Toni Braxton to name a few.

GEAR USED IN THIS VIDEO
Guitars:
James Tyler 335-style Prototype
Custom-Built Dragge Acoustic
Custom-Built Classical Guitar (Made by Earl Prince)

Amps:
Dr.Z Carmen Ghia (Clean Amp)
Guytron GT100 F/V (Dirty Amp)

Table of Contents:
00:00 Dean Plays “Josie” by Steely Dan
01:04 Recording “Josie” with Steely Dan
08:05 The Story Behind “Haitian Divorce” by Steely Dan
15:02 Recording “Deacon Blues” with Steely Dan
17:48 Dean Plays “Deacon Blues” by Steel Dan
18:42 Dean’s Experience Recording Guitar on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
21:14 Dean Plays “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
22:24 Steely Dan’s “First-Call” Guitarist
23:30 Recording Guitar on “Change the World” by Eric Clapton
27:04 Dean Plays “Change the World” by Eric Clapton
29:12 The Story Behind “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton
32:10 Dean Plays “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton
33:26 Dean’s Preferred Pick for Nylon Guitar
35:55 Recording the Dreamworks Intro Guitar Part
36:44 Recording on Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
38:48 Dean plays “As” by Stevie Wonder
39:46 Recording Guitar on “Inner Visions” by Stevie Wonder
41:13 Dean Explains Iconic Photos from his Career
45:05 Thanks for Watching!

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CREDITS:
Host/Co-Production: Mason Marangella
Interviewee: Dean Parks
Videographer: Ricky Chavez
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Co-Production/Design: Mason Mejia
Audio Engineering: Dean Parks
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison

#deanparks #sessionguitarist #steelydan #ericclapton #steviewonder

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Table of Contents:
00:00 Dean Plays “Josie” by Steely Dan
01:04 Recording “Josie” with Steely Dan
08:05 The Story Behind “Haitian Divorce” by Steely Dan
15:02 Recording “Deacon Blues” with Steely Dan
17:48 Dean Plays “Deacon Blues” by Steel Dan
18:42 Dean’s Experience Recording Guitar on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
21:14 Dean Plays “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
22:24 Steely Dan’s “First-Call” Guitarist
23:30 Recording Guitar on “Change the World” by Eric Clapton
27:04 Dean Plays “Change the World” by Eric Clapton
29:12 The Story Behind “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton
32:10 Dean Plays “Unbreak My Heart” by Toni Braxton
33:26 Dean’s Preferred Pick for Nylon Guitar
35:55 Recording the Dreamworks Intro Guitar Part
36:44 Recording on Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
38:48 Dean plays “As” by Stevie Wonder
39:46 Recording Guitar on “Inner Visions” by Stevie Wonder
41:13 Dean Explains Iconic Photos from his Career
45:05 Thanks for Watching!

[glenturrell]

The world is a better place thanks to Dean Parks. Great, great player and an absolute gentleman. Thanks for this clip!

[johnou]

dean is one of the nicest human beings out there. have met him twice and fed him once off my food truck for an event at LA vintage gear that clif jones hired me for.

[elmerfudd]

Musicians from the 60s and 70s were true masters of their trade. It really was an incredible time to be alive if you loved music...it didnt even matter what style you liked. There were so many great musicians around during that small window of time.

[michael_caz_nyc]

OMG I love Steely Dan. Dean Parks, Denny Dias, Larry Carlton, Jon Herington, Jeff Baxter & Walter Becker/Donald Fagen. Their music is Timeless. This was fantastic.

[stewartcohen]

Nothing but respect for this guy who shows nothing but respect....

[joshyoung]

Love the interviewer’s energy and enthusiasm. Has a Chris Farley “you remember when” vibe. Love it.

[russellr]

Dean Parks is the definition of a beautiful human and virtuoso. Thanks to both of you for memorializing this interview in video.

[skoffco]

In my opinion, the best music we ever had was back in the 70s.

[DanielBarberMusic]

This is amazing for me to watch for several reasons. 1) Dean played guitar AND SAX in my brother's high school stage band in Fort Worth in the mid 60s. They did a spaghetti dinner and concert each year and I remember watching Dean play solos on the sax (I was 6 and 7 and can still picture it). (My brother was the drummer.) 2) I actually WON the Aja album from a giveaway contest with KLBJ in Austin TX the day it came out. Of course, when the album arrived and I stuck it on the turntable, I didn't realize that when the music started, I was listening to my brother's old bandmate. I always knew from the credits that Parks was on it, but I didn't know until now that he played that opening riff. Wild...

Thanks so much for this wonderful interview!

[robgeenumberone]

Absolutely nuts that Dean was asked to play Josie's intro in two separate melodic lines, but then again, those Dan boys were geniuses with a plan. Thank you Mason for giving this well-deserved spotlight to Mr. Parks!

[musicmotorskate]

Thanks for putting the spotlight on these legendary musicians. I can honestly say before today I never knew who Dean was, but he has contributed to so many songs I love. I just want to say thank you Dean for sharing your talent.

[antant]

Goosebumps on the Josie intro. Amazing to see the original dude do it all these years later! Thanks, Dean. Looking forward to the rest.

[robc]

Nothing but legend there. Dean is the definition of an artists artist. Not a lot of guys could read charts back then, let alone write them. This is a great interview.

[climbtibet]

Gentlest soul, smartest, most modest, genuine, instantaneously creative, professional guitar guy and best all around great guy I have ever known. Leagues more educated than just about anyone around him. Can’t say enough about him he is simply and sorry to some folks - Dean is simply the best there is at what he does period. Above that you could never have a more loyal and honest friend !
💪🎸 🤟 Dean is the 👑 King !

[ldhorricks]

Really solid, knowledgable interviewing skills...in the realm of Rick Beato..and Mr Parks is so affable...class act.

[mrreemann]

OMG @ 10:37 he talks about Magnaplayners. They were mylar speakers with a guitar string moving through them that gradiated in thickness. I cant believe he referenced Magnaplayners!❤

[acme.videos]

I am so glad you did this interview of Dean Parks! He is so deserving of more recognition for his brilliant musical achievements! 😉☺
Dean's guitar track for "Ricki Don't Lose That Number" creates such an emotional feeling when I hear those chord changes and melodic lines!! Thank you Dean!!!❤

[dhouse-dl]

Extraordinary talent. That Josie intro is so intelligent..All of them in the room feeding off each other..its the only way and thats why it all sounds so incredible.

[BoulevardRecording]

Thanks for the shoutout Dean !! We are formerly Producers Workshop in Hollywood where much of Aja was recorded. Fantastic !!