E126: TrackTalk: Steve Gadd on "Aja" 

Aja was recorded at the Producer's Workshop in the Spring of 1977 not at Village unless they recorded it at two places which is unlikely. I delivered the drum set for that session unless Steve was there to record something else. I worked at SIR and was in charge of the Drum Department. I got the call to deliver a set of drums for a Steely Dan recording session at the Producer's Workshop located at The Crossroads of the World . I put together a set of Red Sparkle Ludwig drums and tuned them at a low pitch in 4ths from the 16" floor tom up. All the drum heads were clear Remo heads with black dots including the 22" Bass Drum head. When I arrived , I was met by Steve who had already started putting things together toward the back of the middle of the main recording room. I unpacked all the drums and helped Steve set them up. He taped the music from the right crash cymbal stand across the front of the drum set to the left crash cymbal stand so he could read the score all at once easily without having to turn pages while playing. As I was setting things up, Steve remarked that he loved his new 21" Zildjian Rock Ride Cymbal which he had set up on the right side of the set. Both of his Zildjian crash cymbals were cracked and he commented that he loved the quick decay and sound of the cracked crash cymbals. The toms were standard 12" & 13" Ludwig maple toms. The bass drum pedal was a Ludwig Speed King . I don't recall seeing another drum pedal anywhere in sight. The speed King was attached to the 22" Bass Drum. Having finished the set up, I prepared to return to SIR when George Martin came in the studio's front door. Perhaps he was there to act as a consultant,.... who knows? In any case, I left the Producer's Workshop as Steve went about continuing to make himself comfortable with the SIR Red Sparkle Ludwig "rental" drum set. The rest is history.

Right from the beginning Steve is interested in "the music"....not just his solo or even just his drumming....the band and the music. Says a lot about his character and how he views music.

I love that he wants the whole to be heard, because he's right, it's the build that sets up the ending. The nuances in the beginning are just as impressive.

“I haven’t said thankyou enough…..” truly humble when you are involved in helping create a masterpiece. I find myself wishing Steve was on the whole album because his feel is truly unique.

"The song played me". What an amazing and beautiful soul. Thank you, Steve, for all the incredible music over the years, and John for this interview. Absolute gold.

I love the way his face lights up after hearing and remembering the session. What a legend and what a great body of work! We love you Steve Gadd!

One of the greatest drum tracks ever recorded IMO……

Greatest drum outro in Rock history. Thank you, Steely Dan and Steve Gadd and Chuck Rainey!

Steve is correct with the observation that the solos, no matter how astonishingly masterful they are, take focus from how unbelievable the whole composition is. Right from the intro, it is mesmerizing. The way he played time on just the cymbals?! Groove as deep as it gets. Just a perfect match of player with part. So great to hear him reflect and enjoy it with us. Huge respect. 👍❤️

Imagine going into the studio with Steely Dan and you hear the first 5 minutes of that music with no drum part. Steve added an orchestral drum section approach to the music in the ethereal sections. And then can rock it out to the end . What a master of music .

The entire song from start to finish is some of the most sophisticated and appealing pieces of music ever recorded. Steve’s drumming is particularly perfect and satisfying.

Great video. Steve admits that he doesn't recall much of the session due to his usage of drugs at that time. How I wish he could have remembered more of that legendary session.

Steve Gadd is such a treasure. I've heard other musicians refer to him as the best musician they've ever played with and it''s easy to understand why. I love his love for the instrument still and his approach to playing what he thinks the music is asking of him. I envy you John for knowing him so well. He's always been one of those people I'd like to find myself sitting beside on a long flight somewhere so that I could pick his brain.

I'm going to be 42 in April. I've dreamed of something like THIS since I was twelve. Incredible. Thank you both so much.

Steve Gad,the man.

Aja a milestone of rock music. Heard hundreds of times and still not heard enough. Great media and excellent musicians. You can't make rock music better than this.

Steve Gadd. Those two words say it all to anyone who knows drums.

The whole track, exactly, how it develops from the beginning, it is a triumph on all fronts, those piano arpeggios and all the detailed parts, just beautiful.

Steve, thank you for elevating the drums in so many ways! I’m glad you made John play the whole tune. It’s masterful writing/playing and your part helped make the song tell the story that they envisioned. The way you let it breathe and continue to build still brings a smile all these years after. You’re still a huge inspiration!

Steely Dan is such a Vibe. Steve Gadd just "Killed-It" on Aja = phenomenal, iconic drum parts.

Glad to see this after watching his interview with Rick Beato, nice to get more details out of this session in 1977

It’s such a pleasure to listen to Steve - a giant, singular talent and yet so self effacing. I’ve heard him tell stories of the jazz icons that came through Rochester when he was a boy - how inclusive and helpful they all were - he’s certainly honoring their memory.

Steve says exactly what I've been saying for years. The entirety of this track is incredible, but all that ever gets mentioned is the Steve Gadd drum solo. It's a complete disservice to Victor Feldman, Wayne Shorter, Chuck Rainey, Don, Walt, and others, especially Denny Dias, whose guitar work on this track is off the scale. Yes, the drumming is great, but there is so much more.

I believe that I am with Steve when it came to listening to Aja from beginning to end, just to be able to let the song breathe and appreciate everything it has to offer. That's a true musician right there. Priceless, John!

Utterly amazing that he played what he did on this track and that stick click is on it like a little eye wink or something. What a beautiful piece of work.

I saw Gadd do a clinic in Dallas in the early eighties. Someone shouted out, "What's your favorite note?" Steve paused to think and then said, "A whole note." Everyone laughed and I remember thinking everybody missed that he had actually just revealed his genius. The fact that he insisted on hearing the whole track and talking so much about Aja as a whole piece of music is more of that same revelation. He's a musician through and through.

Most people don’t know Steve was in the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors at Fort Meade, Maryland before he got out and conquered NYC around ‘72 -‘73. Little did I know about this Army LEGEND when I joined the U.S. Army Band in ‘73. Steve blew me away with every recording while I was in the Army.

I was 9 In 1977 I wore my mom’s eight track out. Wore out a vinyl copy also. 1986 Wore out the CD. In five years. Now Downloaded forever. Fantastic work.

I asked Steve about the stick click years ago. He said and I paraphrase:" a mounted tom tom mic had slipped out of its holder and drooped on the drum during "The Take". Gary Katz didn't want to stop the take and instead sent a 2nd engineer into the tracking room to remount the mic." The stick click by Steve was to show the 2nd engineer which mic had slipped down.

Aja is a masterpiece. The first time i heard it i was 12 and loved it just as much then as i do now. Steve was one of my biggest influences in percussion. The fills are remarkable and so clean and natural.

I'm as much blown away by this song as I was back then. Absolute genius level.

A humble man. Right off the bat, asking that the whole title track be played, in order to see how the song builds to the famous ending. I'm surprised to hear him say that the early parts of the song were challenging, too. I assume there was a chart for the hits, but I do understand that he had some space to do his thing. Steve Gadd's execution of the toms at the end is perfect.

Wonderful discussion. Thank God for Dr. Gadd and great song writing!

Aja, the album, is perfect in many ways without being too slick for slick sake. From the first track we hear the musical approach to drumming that Steve is all about. His drumming is stunning really and matches the feel and flow of the tracks he plays on.

Wonderful Breakdown/TrackTalk with Steve G. -"Aja" John!......Been "Influenced/listening/studying" to Steve (for past 42 years to date) since a teen living in NJ......Fantastic job!...Thanks to BOTH of you-Todd

Steve served the song. Excellent road map!

One of the greatest drum parts of all time! Once you've played something like that, you can die with no regrets!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! What a brilliant idea to play the WHOLE SONG! Even better to have Steve Gadd request that! That song in particular was a game changer in my life and is my forever 'Island Song'. Such masterful drumming (tasteful, no ego) and Steve is just such a class guy. Lucky you to have him join you for this. Loved every second of it!

Steve Gadd appears such a nice modest man; one would think he'd have long become fed-up of speaking about this track, but he's way to polite and professional.

Absolutely never. Gets. Old.

I cannot imagine this drumpart with a different drummer. Heard Steely Dan live in the nineties with Ricky Lawson on drums, whom I absolutely love, but during this song I thought "well, this is Steve's part". ❤ It's a huge secret, what is the reason, why Steve's playing is so special. He has a special ability, to let the band sound wonderful. I am not a drummer, so I don't know much about the reasons behind, but I feel a difference, which seems to be huge to me.

"The song played me." A true Master.

Wow! As a life long bass player, Mr. Gadd is at the very top of my list of musical heroes, and major major influences. Mr. Gadd is the drummer I always love seeing live, and I’ve seen him with Paul Simon, and more importantly Mr. Clapton. He is the reason I bought the concert ticket. I’m 63, and this man will always be Mr. Gadd. I had the chance to see him performing at various NAMM Shows, him and Peter Erskine…they wrote the book on space and groove. Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to doing this right. Cheers!

Thanks for posting this great interview. Steve is clearly a world-class drummer and such a humble person. If there's such a thing as a perfect song, Aja gets my vote.

Thank you Steve for "Glamour Profession" my favorite Steely Dan tune. Congratulations on your stellar career. You are amazing.

Steely Dan simply the best. There from the beginning, finally saw them in London 2009.

We would listen to Steely Dan all the time in College esp. to chill out with a good one. The good old days for sure 🥁🎷🎶🎹🎸

Great interview with a legend not only in drumming but in music - Aja is such a classic - my favorite song of all time. Thank you for sharing this!

Goosebumps EVERY TIME I listen to it! I only wish it lasted 10 minutes more!

"The song played me." Wonderful!

While living in NYC back in the 70s and 80s, I was fortunate to hear Mr. Gadd play a number of times at Mikells' he was everywhere during this period. Tons of sessions too many records to remember. Thanks for this interview. 🙏

All us us must learn from Steve's modesty. I say nothing more.

The combination of Gadd and Chuck Rainey...Steve's performance was sublime, and Rainey's playing - like they could finish each other's sentences! One musical mind! Wonderful interview John, thanks.

Thanks for the great interview John.. keep them comin'🤩.. and thank you Dr. Steve Gadd🥁

This is FANTASTIC! Ive been looking for something like this for a long time. Somehow through the magic of the RU-vid algorithm i got turned onto your channel. Feel kinda dumb for missing this for so long but WTH better late than never

The combination of players on this track really does an incredible of enhancing the extraordinary composition that "Aja" is!! YEAH STEVE!!!!!🙏🏼

The song played me. Amazing. The ultimate GOAT. Thanks for sharing.

Groove master. LOVE Steve Gadd. What a musician! Thanks for this!

I love Aja and was always mesmerized with the drum track. Song reminds me of a roller-coaster ride that starts gentle and smooth, then builds momentum. Instead of pulling into the station, it accelerates down a different path. Thanks for having him. Love him also on "50 Ways To Leave Your Lover"!!!

A perfect song, played and recorded so well. Such perfection without seeming contrived. It will hold up forever.

Fantastic!!!

Another superlative interview. This guy is so special. He brought a feel unlike any other. I once asked John Beck, esteemed percussion professor who had Steve as a student at Eastman School of Music, if he knew that Steve would be as good as he came to be. And he said to me, 'from the first note he played on the snare drum, I knew. He just had something that no one else possessed.' That pretty much sums it up.

I believe this is the greatest album ever made

This is great! As a young drummer when this album came out it blew my mind

Micheal Omartian on piano. Wayne's solo was edited together from multiple takes, similar to how they edited together some of the guitar solos from their different albums.

Before I even watch this I know why his drum work on Aja is so good. Because just about everything he does is. And some. Man's brilliant. (Glad his tattoos are crap!😂). I love that you he doesn't want to talk over the track. He just wants to listen. Such respect for the music. ❤ He's so humble! Someone should tell him he's one of the greatest drummers, ever.

He was at the top of his game on that record. He's a good listener.

This and Neil's playing at the end of Subdivisions leave me stunned

My goodness I love Steve Gadd!!

My favorite Steve Gadd recording, but not necessarily the end drum part, more the pretty pretty cymbal work, SO amazing.

👍🙂I agree with "the Steve"!!!🙂‼️

Consummate musician,

Loved this one. Steve has always been one of my favorite drummers. Always loved this track as well. Thanks, JohnX

Great iconic track, "A Must See Show!!!" Steve and John thank you!!!

I love that a titan of music (Steve) is giving such praise and admiration for being included on a track with another titan of music (Wayne). I don't think the world could have handled those two guys being in a band together, haha.😂

Hi Steve....I live in the Fingerlakes area near your hometown of Rochester......love all your contributions and massive talent on ALL the great iconic albums you play on

awesome.....thank you SO much

That stick click though……🔥👍

Thank you. I`ll hear this masterpiece in a little different way from this moment forward. Now off to practice...:)

"Who does your makeup ? You look fabulous" LMAO !!! You guys, ALWAYS !!! 🙂

Always a pleasure when S.G. is on the show. Great episode! Still want the next Gadd/Mirotta episode - there's some kookie vibes when they go at it - Love it! (Aja - a modern musical Masterpiece)

been trying to nail that for years.

We love you Steve!

What an incredible interview …. Great job John!!

This interview was a gem. And thank you so much for asking about the "rim click!" That one, little glitch has become such a part of the tune that Dennis Chambers even replicates it on the 1995 album Steely Dan: Alive in America. Great stuff!

love the chemistry you guys have ... please do Chuckies in Love soon! its one of my favorite Gadd masterpieces. wonderful. ajr

Speechless

Thanks John for another wonderful interview with the legend himself 🙏🏻 So humble and wonderful. Loved it.

Thanks so much for this, John !

True genius can never master this cosmic jewel 😤

Michael Omartian played acoustic piano on this. Did a fine job, too!!!!!

Aja is art

Wow! Wayne Shorter!

I do hope you get ahold of Bernard Purdie to talk in detail of how he recorded Babylon Sisters. There's very little focus on Gaucho, but those drum sounds are some of the best ever recorded, and Babylon Sisters must be one of the most impressive performances I've heard in the studio. Also, there is a video on youtube calle something like "Time out of mind studio chatter" recorded by assistant engineer Larry Franke in the control roomat A&R studios when Rick Marotta was recording Time Out Of Mind and came in to the control room to roast Donald Fagen for putting him through yet another round, and it would have been great having him on talking about recording for Gaucho, and playing that particular recording back to him and hear his memories of those sessions! :)

I have always wondered, apparently along with many many others, about that stick click. One of musical life's big questions finally answered!

That session was at Producer's Workshop in Hollywood. Earlier in the same day at the same studio Steve recorded the song "You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'" for producer Richard Perry. Bill Schnee discusses all of this in his book as well as interviews.

This was great, John. Thank you both. 🙏🏼

Love this! Thank you thank you guys! This song is timeless.

Awesome interview , loved it!!

Awesome job John! Thank you!