Some surprise Steely Dan for you guys! Adam said he really wanted to show Alex this song and decided to throw the camera up!! Adam’s the guy who produces for Alex’s band, I put his Spotify and Instagram link in the video description for anybody who may want to follow him or check out his music, cheers all see you Monday! 🙌🏻🔥
Can't go wrong with any Steely Dan... try "Deacon Blues", "Show Biz Kids, "My Old School", and of course, the epic masterpiece (title of the album) "Aja" with legendary drummer Steve Gadd giving a notable solo.
This album is one of the best of all time. Just put it on and let it rip. You should do this as one of your full-album vids. [edit] And if you ever get a new stereo system or speakers, this is the album to put on to test the dynamic range. The recording is impeccable. [edit again] - I typed the "new stereo" comment before Adam said it in the video. Confirmed.
Dudes nothing against Adam but he's wrong when Aja came out, albums were $7 to $9. $12 for a double album. You could not have sold a rock and roll album for $20 in 1977.
To me, "yacht rock" has a pejorative connotation kind of like "elevator music" and Steely Dan is neither IMO. Other than their early years, Steely Dan wasn't even really a band. It was Donald Fagan, Walter Becker and whatever studio musicians or recording artists they recruited for a song. They might record a song and then bring a whole new band in for another. Unconventional to be sure but I'm certainly not going to argue with the results. I own everything they put out and I think Steely Dan is fantastic!
In general, almost nothing in this world relies very much on nuance, so in marketing and journalism things get broadly labeled as shorthand, with most of the relevant things brushed away for convenience. I worked in both journalism and marketing, so I've practiced and seen it happening. Try to write a headline that captures the meaning of a story in a short column space and try to write one so the noun and the verb splits correctly on two lines, and you see what people are up against. Subtlety ain't a thing in the world of mass communication. We now call it clickbaiting in the era of RU-vid and Twitter.
As far as I know I've never met a Steely Dan fan who likes black jack or slot machines or yachts. The Steely Dan fans I knew were usually the long haired unkempt intellectual stoner types who read beatnik literature. Kind of cynical and kind of snobbish about music. They liked jazz and Joni Mitchell etc... Kind of like Becker and Fagan. There was no such thing as Yacht rock. That is a very recent term.
To me, the music of Steely Dan is a bit too sophisticated, both lyrically and musically, to qualify as typical "yacht rock", although it does perhaps share some textural qualities with that genre. The r&b and jazz elements in Steely Dan music are much more pronounced than what you will find in "yacht rock".
"it makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been" is the quote of the day, dude and that's on a day with "Steely Dan sounds like leather smells" Welcome aboard.
I know, right?!? Can't believe their buddy Adam totally neglected to mention it. Love the Cow, love the Deacon, but the title track is their crowning jewel.
Adam is correct - "Aja" definitely ranks as one of the greatest albums of all time, and is arguably Steely Dan's most jazz oriented. Putting albums on the turntable and letting it rip from front to back is the way we all used to do it - maybe cassette for playing on a yacht, I wouldn't know XD
Aja is one of those examples of what I would call a perfect album, where every single song is a masterpiece. Every song is great. Take your pick as to which one should be the next one on the album to listen to.
Brilliant album. My vote for next song to listen to would be the title track “Aja”. I find it hard to find the words to describe how good that song is and the drumming of Steve Gadd is second to none.
Alex, so amazing that someone a whole generation younger than mine would identify Steely Dan and ELO as two of their favorite first-time listens! My progression of musical artists that I became huge fans of during my youth: Beatles-->Elton John-->The Who-->Linda Ronstadt-->ELO-->Fleetwood Mac-->Steely Dan. Not young enough to ever catch the Beatles in concert, but have seen all the other acts multiple times in concert. I can highly highly recommend seeing ELO if they ever come around again--saw them last year, and was blown away at how good they sound--vocals are amazingly spot on!
"It makes me nostalgic for a place I've never been" is exactly right. I have hardly been outside of Scotland in my whole life, and I'm 63. I have been a fan of Steely Dan nearly from the start and they have made me feel like I have been in a New York Jazz club. I may do it some day but my feeling is, that if I did it, I would be disappointed as I doubt it would live up to the expectation as the bar has been set so high. Anyway, try "Deacon Blues", "Home at Last", Don't take me Alive". I could go on. There is a double CD out there titled "Aja Vs the Scam", which is both albums live. I have seen them live 4 times, they are awesome.
I agree with you. Most likely, if you actually visited places/situations their lyrics describe and take you with them, it wouldn't live up to what your imagination has created. I'm glad Steely Dan missed the MTV era, even though I couldn't see them agreeing to make videos. Aja album was my first exposure to Steely Dan back in 1979 and my admiration to their musical genius has grown year after year.
As far as Steely Dan goes, I’ve been listening to their music since 1972 and I’m going to make only one song recommendation - “Bodhisattva”. You’re welcome.
What a great Saturday Surprise!!! Aja is one of the greatest albums ever recorded and it just so happens that Black Cow is my ringtone for my alarm every morning. Thank You Adam for introducing Black Cow to Alex!! Now Josie, Hey Nineteen, FM and Dirty Work are a must listen. And I have to say it again...Chicago's 25 or 6 to 4 live at Tanglewood 1970 is one that without a doubt you must check out. You guys have a Gr00vy Saturday ✌❤🎶🥃
100% agree on Don’t Take Me Alive - Larry Carlton’s blistering lead guitar intro is so incredible. Also some great storytelling lyrics from Becker and Fagan.
How would you describe the music of Steely Dan? SMOOTH No, what genre are they? SMOOTH It's not really rock, so what is it? SMOOTH So you're telling me it's smooth. You got it.
Slight correction: Aja was released in 1977, vinyl album prices from the mid/late 1970s until CDs took over in the mid 1980s were about $6.99 - $8.99. Cassettes for any given album were usually $1 more, and CD prices increased by about $2. No albums when Aja was released had double digit prices except special pressings.
The theme of cigars also came up in this, and all the associations were vibing with me, as yesterday I was listening to Steely Dan and smoking a cigar, a cigar that happened to taste like the smell of leather. I think they need to do this cigar-bar listening thing.
Why do so many people think calling it yacht rock is a bad thing? Embrace the term...own it! Yacht rock means high production values, excellent musicianship and harmonic and rhythmic complexity. It means making the song more important than any musician's ego or need to show off or shred. It's a fantastic musical genre and we need more of it today.
I know, it's just a label someone stuck on a type of music. I just think it has a snobby connotation. Plus, I don't own a yacht, so can I truly appreciate it? ;-)
Yacht rock seems to be one of those genres that doesn’t have an exact definition. I’ve heard people describe it many different ways. I’d agree with you though, whatever it is it’s good!
The definition has improved in stature through the years as more young ears have discovered how much great music, correctly or incorrectly labeled, was recorded before today’s heavy-handed production tweaks to the actual artist performances. I’m not against production at all. But folks are looking for authenticity. Cheers!
The name Steely Dan was taken from a novel called The Naked Lunch by William Burroughs. It was the name a randy woman gave to her mechanical boy friend. The book was banned in many libraries.
I'd call it yacht rock but to me that term has no bad connotations. Smooth sounds, impeccable production/mixing, and proficient instrumental musicianship are what defines the genre.
Seriously Deacon Blues is a must. I have seen Steely Dan live a few times, the last time being in October 2017. Still fantastic despite some of the original members passing on before the tour. And I think a whole album video would be a great holiday present for your fans, fellas.
I absolutely love putting a fireplace video on RU-vid, muting it, and then just chilling out with a drink in one hand and listening to either the Aja album or else Steely Dan Gold (one of their better compilation albums). Steely Dan just soothes my soul, man... it has no peer.
like many of your videos this takes me back to the first time i heard the song - high school summer vacation, rode my bike to Music Time and bought the album, back to the house, got stoned and listened 2x through at full volume -- changed my life
"Bout time! "Hey Nineteen", "Kid Charlemagne", Home At Last" or "Aja" next...and no, this is not "Yacht Rock". I've written on other reactions about this song, so it's only fair that I talk about it with you. Firstly though, it's interesting that his pet peeve is hi hat on the right, when in reality the majority of people are listeners. We THE AUDIENCE want the hi hat on the right because that is our realistic perspective. A million people will view this sonic soundstage and expect a realistic perspective while 5 band members experience the high hat on the left ONLY IF THEY ARE BEHIND THE DRUMMER. Yes, even the members of the band onstage experience the high hat on the right. Sillysilly. Does he get upset when his sonic perception of the soundstage sees a right handed guitarist strumming with his apparent left hand? So silly. But this is clearly the view of someone that hears music predominantly through headphones and rarely if ever has sat down and listened to music through a well set up system in a home environment. I would also presume he owns zero records and has no vinyl playing system at home. So, what is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. The pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th Ave down to 42nd, down to 7th Ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. He is a man who was hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. This is now perhaps his goodbye to her.
No. Steely Dan actually is Yacht Rock (Well their later stuff, like stuff from Aja is). It's just that a lot of people have misconceptions of what Yacht Rock actually is, due to bad tribute bands and lazy Sirius XM playlists. A lot of people just think it's mellow soft rock from the 70s, that's often about sailing, which is completely incorrect. What Yacht Rock actually is is smooth soft rock from about the 77-83 period with a strong basis in jazz and r&b, with crisp studio production usually L.A based, and incorporating a lot of the same L.A studio musicians from that time (Jay Graydon, Victor Feldman, Paulhino De Costa, anyone who played in Toto, etc). Steely Dan, while bringing more of a New York sensibility and sophistication to the sound, still very much set the stage for the sound, and influenced a lot of musicians involved at that time. If you really want an idea of what is and isn't Yacht Rock, go here: www.yachtornyacht.com/
I have to give kudos in some sense for the guy admitting this bizarre quirk of his, about the drummer's perspective. I think it's utterly bonkers and irrelevant, but it's his thing, and we all have our things, rational or not.
You should try the title track "Aja", in part because it's an amazing and complex journey, but mostly because it's got one of the best drum performances you'll ever hear.
$7 in 1977 would be $29.78 today, according to usinflationcalculator.com -- so technically, if the same album sells for $20 today, it's *cheaper* than it was back in 1977. :-)
Yep, $7 bucks sounds vaguely familiar. Back then the superbands sold 4, 5,, 6 million LP’s and the great ones only sold 2-3 million copies; Routinely! I saw them at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland with 70, 000 others wild kids. times have dramatically changed in that industry
Yes Adam, you know the magic of Steely Dan, the Aja album and "Aja" song are beyond!!! "Black Cow" yessssss indeed!! Giving the chill feelzzzz along with a ton of class. Great to meet you Adam!! And yes, Steely Dan hired a prestige list of session artists. What a nice surprise for a Saturday. Happy weekend!
Oh My! You've elevated the reaction video yet again with the inclusion of this producer! Could only dream of regularly having all 3 of you guy's opinions!!!
Deacon Blues and Aja are the top cuts on an absolute masterpiece album. Deacon Blues for emotion and poetry, Aja for off the chart musicianship and creativity. Black Cow is a wonderful opener.
you need to hear the title song "Aja" for the drums. Steely Dan, was very jazz influenced. Aja definitely so, great guitar and sax. You have to hear it for the drums. Two solos, the second one will make your heads spin. If you know a better drum solo, I would like to know about it
Great critique Adam. A really good perspective from a producers angle. Really enjoyed this one. You guys are terrific for being so young. Love to see your passion. Peace.
You guys are so great... your enthusiasm makes me smile and your technical knowledge of production makes this a fun way to geek out about music we love. I'm a nerd for everything (tennis, basketball, musicology, history, politics, economics, art & art history, graphic design etc)... and THIS is my favorite way to nerd out! I grew up on Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, R&B, Funk & Disco and then post punk & New Wave, eventually moved on to Wilco in the 90s and beyond as my favorite band (probably the best post modern band you guys need to dive deep into... Wilco's live album Kicking Television is one of my favorite all time live albums). I keep up with modern classics like War On Drugs, Tame Impala's Currents, The National, Foster The People... Steely Dan is an all time favorite. Thanks for creating this channel dudes!
This is my absolute FAVORITE Steely Dan! Aja is their best album IMO. Check out "FM", "Dr. Wu", "Hey Nineteen", "Josie", and "Time Out Of Mind". Look into Yacht Rock! It's made fun of and looked over but it's some of the best music by some of the best musicians in the business. It's what I grew up with and will die listening to! xo
I think it would be wonderful if you did a start to finish album listen to Aja. It's one of the most perfect albums ever made (that and Fleetwood Mac's Rumors.)
Personnel for Black Cow (according to the album sleeve; idiosyncratically, Fagen's lead vocal uncredited for any song) - Drums: Paul Humphrey Bass: Chuck Rainey Electric Piano: Victor Feldman Clavinet: Joe Sample Guitar: Larry Carlton Synth: Donald Fagen Tenor Sax: Tom Scott Backing Vocals: Clydie King, Venetta Fields, Sherlie Matthews, Rebecca Louis
This gentleman knows what he is talking about. Paul Humphrey was drummer on this track. What a great song and album. The song Aja is my favorite - Steve Gadd on drums and he rips it up.
One more Steely Dan suggestion: Aja. Amazing drums, amazing sax. Just flat out amazing. BTW, the idea of sitting in a smoky lounge, silently listening to Aja on vinyl - great idea.
Idk if you guys know the story behind how they started, with the original band..Denny Dias, (their original guitarist) who had a band together and played in his basement here on Long Island put an ad in The Village Voice looking for a keyboard player, and a bass player. The add read "Looking for Keyboard player, and Bass player..Assholes need not apply."..Of course not being assholes, they replied. After hearing them play he fired his band.
You absolutely must listen to “Josie” on the Aja album! Also check out Michael Franks music, Sade’s music and Sting’s solo music for a Jazz/Rock Fusion Vibe.
Yacht Rock is a recent term, but it fits. It does not connotate boring, lightweight music. It's some of the most musicianly recordings, of the time. Yacht Rock revolves around Michael McDonald. His voice was heard on many of the songs of the genre, both lead and background. Stay smooooooth.
The reference to vinyl made me think. I saw a tour where they played this whole album. One of the gorgeous, black backup singers put the record on and the band played on...end of side 1, she went over, flipped it, and the band played side 2. Very cool vibe.
Had this album when I was a teenager and it truly is an album you just let play .. perfect in every way. Steely Dan has a vibe that’s so perfect. I’m so proud to say my three grown daughters love Steely Dan as well ! I did good .
I am a musician and many songs over the years I would listen to with my headphones flipped, just to enjoy the song that way too. (Sometimes as an experiment.) I must have done it 100 times by now. Steely day was one band that always sounded great anyway you listened to it. They were rare as to, how hard they strove for perfection in their songs. I love to watch today's generation being introduced to them. Enjoy the music.
"Don't Take Me Alive" is THE Steely Dan song you should play next with surprises from the intro and then "Deacon Blues" . "Josie", "Time out of Mind", and "Hey Nineteen" are other options. . Don't forget lead singer Donald Fagen's solo effort "The Nightly" which is like Steely Dan ll. "New Frontier" was a great single off it. "Roxanne" from "The Secret Policeman's Other Ball" is better than the original . Kind of solo Sting live and plugged in with just a raw guitar. A great rock /jazz influenced song is The Guess Who's "Undun". Three Dog Night is an absolute gold mine of music. 21 consecutive top forty hits. Some suggestions : Liar, Mama Told me Not To Come, One Man Band, Eli's Coming, Easy to be Hard, One, and Shambala. That is just a small sample.
The first cut on their first album released as their first single. Definitely a must listen. The lyrics set the tone for the rest of their work. Life’s losers caught up making the same mistakes over and over.
They evoke some great places in their lyrics, and you know exactly the place they mean. I struck a match against the door at Anthony's Bar and Grill, the bar at Joey's (they're getting ready to close) chillin' at the Manatee Bar. I wanna go!
Double A - thanks for more Steely Dan! Consider “Do It Again”. Their first radio play song helps explain why their tunes are so great - they started at the pinnacle. I enjoy the whole Aja album but let me put it this way - I’ve heard the title track on the local jazz station. In summary, please react to “Do It Again”.
Deacon blues will not only make you feel like you’re in a basement lounge filled with Leather bound chairs and couches and cigar smoke, but you will feel like you are that star member in the band. It’s so damn dirty good and tragically haunting in all the best ways.
Back in those days it was common to mix with audience perspective in mind. Common with drums and also bands with two guitarists one would be panned one side and the other the opposite, typically the same way each musician preferred to be on stage. When you listened to the records you could close your eyes and imagine the band on stage.
"This is the age of the expanding man. That shape is my shame there where I used to stand." If you love great writing and amazing storytelling, Deacon Blues is my all time favorite and I love all their shit. 💖
I saw these guys last September and they were so awesome. They did play this song and it was as near perfect as you can get live. The only other band i have seen live that comes close in sound quality is The Alan Parson Project.
Fun related fact: Before he became an actor and writer, the late Phil Hartman began as a graphic designer. He designed quite a few album covers, including the cover of Steely Dan’s Aja album!
