These guys took music to another level. The blending of horns, keyboard, background vocals. They were said to be perfectionists and difficult to work with, so be it. The results are nothing short of phenomenal.
These guys were perfectionists , and never released the album until they felt that it was their best effort . I love the harmonies and of course the backup singers are great .
Yes indeed - These guys were perfectionists It's a difficult call - I'd say Steely Dan and Zappa are tied for top place - I'd have to really nitpick to pick one over the other... Comes down to what mood I'm in.
Steely Dan. I have been listening to them since the early 70's. I always knew they were great but it has been only the last few years that I have really understood how brilliant they actually are. The playing is close to perfection and the arrangements are fantastic.
There were so many talented groups putting out their best year after year. We were lucky to have lived through that. But as the saying goes, the cream always rises to the top.
What I failed to mention in my earlier post, was tempo. Much of Steely Dan is about tempo. Two brilliant examples are 'Aja' and 'Third World Man.' I have stopped listening to those two songs since they were released. But it is only in about the last few years that I have come to understand that the tempo in those two songs is what makes them masterpieces.
From a purely musical standpoint, this has to be the most perfect song I've ever heard. The production and engineering are absolutely top shelf material. It's also a fairly timeless piece, because it really doesn't sound like it came out of the late 1970s with its blend of blues, jazz and rock.
I couldn’t agree more! Machine-tooled perfection but with absolutely no loss of heart and soul - the timeless lament of the man who sees no prospects in life and who comes to realize the fault is in himself….After thousands of listenings the entire first side of Aja never fails to elicit those deep Blues emotions that culminate in the sad brilliance of Deacon Blues - not a single instrument, not a single bar of the music, is out of harmony with that deep mood of loss and regret in the middle of a great big wide world that is moving on without you.
The smoothest blend of light rock,instramental and vocals ever brought together. An amazing use of language to blend in. I am 67 years old been listening since high school. Today generation can learn from Becker and Fagan. Rest in peace Walter Becker you left to early but you left a better world THANK YOU
Deacon Blues. One of the absolute greatest pieces of music from the 70s. I never tire of listening to this song. Thank you SD, you’ve been a huge part of my life and helped me through good and bad times.
Riding on I25 thru all the Pine Trees, Temp is 83 degrees and you're honey has got her arms around you.... No Traffic... What a ride with this music on the radio. Pipe dream of the 80's gone now. I'm just a Old Man with memories now.
Have a similar indelible memory - flew to Washington and drove a top down Mustang rental to present at the Nat Centre for State Courts in Williamsburg. Sunny day, Deacon Blues, Oh Girl,... on the radio - this was America to a young guy from small town Canada.
I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long. One of the best lines ever and God knows these two had a lot of perfect lines. Insanely talented and still so uniquely them.
Was lucky to see them in person 5 years ago. The show brought me back to 1973, my first time hearing them and I appreciate them more now that I’m 67 you.
I watched a classic album show about “Aja” the other night. It made me embarrassed to realize how little I know about musical composition. They are fantastic
Got to meet the "Deacon Blues" man himself, tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, when he played Gresham, Oregon's Mt. Hood Jazz Festival in the mid-'80s. He graciously signed my 1977 "Aja" album jacket just before taking the stage at the M&M Lounge. Watched him play for years after that in Doc Severinsen's "Tonight Show" band.
Donald Fagan is so fecking cool! A true musician, showing the feelings involved in his own compositions with his performance. In awe every time I hear this.
One of a kind band for sure and once hearing his voice, we all know the group! Yet, seriously, it sounds with admirable fanfare but... nobody or group is 'ahead of any/there time' as we're all here pushing forward behind time until, sadly, ours runs out while time stays on beat. Peace.
It amazes me that I can see this and still be in awe of them. I originally played BC Baritone through school in symphonic band. I got to play under some amazing guest conductors and won 2 scholarships for private lessons with an absolute brass master. I now play bass guitar in a very good original band writing and playing our own music. I am playing a different type of music but enjoying it very much. These guys helped me bridge over from Symphonic to Rock, Blues and Metal.
Funny that Fagen didn't think his voice was "commercial" enough. Can't imagine anyone else singing this songs. SD pure genius. Cream of the crop music.
The quintessential Steely Dan song! Saw them in Providence in '93. As a lawyer bought tshirt that says: "Sue Me If I Play Too Long". Still have shirt but don't want to be like Katy and say it still fits!
I love Steely Dan. I saw this line up about a decade ago, maybe a couple years more, Walter Becker was still jamming and the exact same background singers were there. What an amazing night! Thanks for sharing!
This g damned song describes a big part of my life, down to the Crimson Tide, why I love it so... It's the bitter sweet melancholy mode, if you don't "get it", I'm done ...
This is the day of the expanding man That shape is my shade There where I used to stand It seems like only yesterday I gazed through the glass At ramblers, wild gamblers That's all in the past You call me a fool You say it's a crazy scheme This one's for real I already bought the dream So useless to ask me why Throw a kiss and say goodbye I'll make it this time I'm ready to cross that fine line Learn to work the saxophone I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long And die behind the wheel They got a name for the winners in the world I want a name when I lose They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues My back to the wall A victim of laughing chance This is for me The essence of true romance Sharing the things we know and love With those of…
(From 2nd verse) My back to the wall A victim of laughing chance This is for me The essence of true romance Sharing the things we know and love with those of my kind Libations, sensations That stagger the mind I crawl like a viper Through these suburban streets Make love to these women Languid and bittersweet I'll rise when the sun goes down Cover every game in town A world of my own I'll make it my home sweet home Learn to work the saxophone (I) I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long And die behind the wheel They got a name for the winners in the world (I) I want a name when I lose They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues (Deacon Blues) This is the night of the expanding man I take one last drag as I approach the stand I cried when I wrote this song Sue me if I play too long This brother is free I'll be what I want to be I'll learn to work the saxophone (I) I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long And die behind the wheel They got a name for the winners in the world (I) I want a name when I lose They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues (Deacon Blues)
