Kid Charlemagne - Steely Dan | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Happy Friday!! Make sure to VOTE in the poll on our Community Tab!! 🔥 SUPER excited to be checking out more Steely Dan!!! This track was killer!! What’s the next one we gotta do from them?! Cheers friends have a great weekend!!! 🤟🏻🔥

I love the comment, "Complex but not cluttered", those 4 words epitomize Steely Dan better than any other 4 words could. Good job gentlemen.

If you've ever picked up an musical instrument, eventually you will worship at the Temple of Steely Dan.

“Don’t Take Me Alive” should be your next Steely Dan tune.

Larry Carlton's licks are so insane on this track that the brilliant bass work gets overlooked. Legend Chuck Rainey supplies the bass here; Carlton and Rainey jamming together is just masterful.

Larry Carlton on lead guitar, Bernard Purdue on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass. Three of the all-time greatest. One of my favorite songs ever

From Songfacts: This song was inspired by Owsley Stanley III, the first "underground" chemist to mass produce high-quality LSD in the 1960s in San Francisco. Walter Becker explained: "It was kind of an Owsleyesque figure that existed in our mind's eye. I think he was based on the idea of the outlaw-acid-chef of the '60s who had essentially outlived the social context of his specialty but of course he was still an outlaw." According to Donald Fagen, the story in this song takes place from 1968-1976. As time goes on, Charlemagne's services fall out of favor, leading to his demise. Steely Dan favorite Larry Carlton played guitar on this track. Donald Fagen said: "He's a real virtuoso. In my opinion he can get around his instrument better than any studio guitarist. He's also quite a good blues player. He did the solos on 'Kid Charlemagne.' The middle solo he did in two takes and we used parts of both. The last solo was straight improvisation." In a Rolling Stone interview before during Steely Dan's 2009 tour, Becker said that this was their most-requested song, with the line, "Is there gas in the car, yes there's gas in the car" providing a sing-along moment. Said Becker, "A cab driver once told me that that was the stupidest line he's ever heard."

Even after hearing this at least a thousand times, I still get chills.

“Home at Last” for the Purdie Shuffle. “Aja” for the amazing saxophone and drum solo.

I never would have thought Steely Dan, of all things, would register to Millenials. Perhaps there is hope after all. Tasty indeed.

"Don't Take Me Alive" has the best guitar intro solo ever, IMO.

Having someone say, "It's the best guitar solo of all time" is a nearly sure-fire way of ensuring others won't think so. I don't personally agree that any solo could receive such a title but rather the comment, "It's my favorite." Larry Carlton's solo is definitely top shelf. As Tally Kev says below, Rick Beato's analysis of Carlton's solo is a great lesson.

Steely Dan does it with the best studio musicians in the world. "Aja" amazing drums.

"Is that a bass?" Correction, that's Chuck Rainey on the bass. Impeccable, immaculate and funky.

There are one hell of a lot of people, including me, that think this is the most well-crafted and tasty guitar solo in the history of rock and roll. The way Larry Carlton progresses through the chord changes is frankly phenomenal. Rick Beato has a video about this song and he breaks down every aspect of Carlton's work on this tune. By the way, Rick thinks it's the best ever solo also.

This happens to my kids all the time. Ages 28 to 34. They discover something and think they’re he first. About 2 years ago my daughter discovered Pink Floyd. She asked me if I’d ever head of them?😂

Steely Dan is just so damn good-every song is great and original, but with a real Steely Dan style. Jazz/funk/fusion by some of the finest, world-class, musicians.

This song is about Owsley "the Bear" Stanley legendary Grateful Dead soundman and LSD manufacturer.

"Bodhisattva" You definitely have to listen to this one next. The guitar work is out of this world. You both will be blown away, I guarantee it!

To be very honest, this WHOLE ALBUM is fucking awesome. Front to back, I could listen to every song. It is fantastic.

Jimmy Page called Reelin in the Years his favorite guitar solo of all time.

"Don't Take Me Alive" has the nastiest guitar intro I've ever heard. It'll make your hair stand up.

Boys, you definitely need some Steely Dan “Deacon Blues”. It’s smoother than Barry White sliding down an ice luge pouring Courvoisier in a smoking jacket.

"Is there gas in the cah? Yes, there's gas in the cah." D. Fagen is the coolest of the cool.

That solo just keeps growing on you. Stunning to be able to even THINK those notes and then PLAY them to PERFECTION.

"Is there gas in the car? Yes there gas in the CAAAR?!"

The only thing that need be said after this: Larry Carlton.

Steely Dan’s “My Old School” is killer.

I’m a Patreon member here and I just wanted to say that half of the magic of this song, and why it’s so near and dear to many Dan-heads of my age is that they are telling the story of the legendary Owsley who was making some of the BEST LSD on the San Francisco scene during that summer of love. He was the official supplier of the Grateful Dead, and when you hear of people like the Beatles and Dylan, and Grace Slick talking about their “first trips”-it was almost always Owsley’s chemistry skills that they were experiencing. Of course, when Owsley started out, LSD was LEGAL. I lived in Oakland in 66 and there were “happenings” where large groups of hippies would get together, often with the Dead playing as the house band, where the whole point was to experience Owsley’s handiwork together with some mellow music. Anyway, he truly went from being “a champion in their eyes” to an “outlaw in their eyes.” when the made LSD illegal. The lyric “Look at all the white men on the street” referred to all the guys selling the newest drug-cocaine. The solo by Carlton is one of the most complex solos EVER in a rock and roll song. I strongly STRONGLY recommend you watching Rick Beato’s video “What makes this song great” for a serious understanding of the players (legends) gathered for the recording of that song. PS-someone help me here-what’s the name of the song that STARTS with the Carlton solo-is it Don’t Take Me Alive? Also a brilliant example of Carlton’s guitar work. I got to see Carlton, Al Dimeola, and Paco de Lucia play together at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland in about 1980. Amazing doesn’t come close to describing that show. Rock on fellas. I’m happy I became a Patreon member because you fellas are a joy to watch. Semper Fi. Stay well.

An absolute masterpiece. The interplay between drummer Bernard Purdie, bassist Chuck Rainey, and the keyboards is ridiculously sick.

I was a senior in high school in 1987 when my buddy’s dad played Steely Dan around us and they have been my favorite band ever since. Seen them live 3 times ! RIP Walter Becker

Peg: Jay Graydon Reelin' In The Years: Elliott Randall Kid Charlemagne: Larry Carlton All world-class guitarists. Especially Carlton who was the best session guitarist in the world in the '70s. That is Steely Dan.

MY OLD SCHOOL! A great Steely Dan song that you never forget.

"Hey 19" , "FM (no static at all)" and "Deacon Blues" all by Steely Dan .... check them out and I'm sure one of them gets an "S".

When are these boys gonna sit through the 8 minute sonic masterpiece that is “aja”. I need to see their reaction to the Gadd/Shorter combo blessing this track with the greatest drum & saxophone combined solo of all time!

ever notice how the backing vocals are far beyond the typical ooohs and ahhhs of most songs, but they are more like 'characters' involved in the story lines of the songs. another level vocally.

Try “Don’t Take Me Alive” for another of the greatest guitar solos of all time. Same guitar player too - Larry Carlton.

The instrument you were hearing when you said ‘is that a bass?’ is the clavinet, which is an electric clavichord. Really popular in the 70s, highlighted on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition,’ Billy Preston’s ‘Outa-Space,’ and many other iconic songs of the decade.

“Is there gas in the car?....yes there’s gas in the car...”. Best lyrics!!!!

The title track of Steely Dan's masterpiece Aja is an epic magnum opus transitioning from phase to phase; its progression defying easy explanation even from the most trained ear. The musical narration incorporates some of the best musical arrangement and musicianship (guitar, saxophone, keyboards and percussion) in jazz rock annals. The lyrics are haunting. (Steve Gadd's drum solo is a revelation.) Aja is an enduring testament to an amazing songwriting duo at the height of their talent.

I love how you guys are just now discovering great music. Love the musicianship knowledge you bring to the table.

You asked for it! Josie Hey Nineteen FM My Old School Black Cow Don’t Take Me Alive Things I Miss the Most Just some of my favorites.

“My Old School” for fun and a really big horns section. Beware of another guitar solo fadeout though.

The solos on Kid Charlemagne GROW on you. I remember the first time hearing it thinking wow great guitar. Now? Damn, now it’s like OMG those solos are ORGASMIC!! BTW, the song is about Owsley Stanley, a maker of high grade LSD. Wiki him. Fascinating guy!! 2nd BTW, Rick Beato has a what makes this song great where he plays the first Larry Carlton solo note-for-note!!! Damned impressive!!!

I want to restate what another guy suggested below: "Don't Take Me Alive" (off The Royal Scam album). So good. More amazing Larry Carlton guitar work.

“Don’t Take me Alive” Same album. Same soloist.

Guys, guys, guys! The lyrics to this are epic. You really needed to have the lyrics to it. They're what make the song. Now... Aja, FM (No Static at All), Deacon Blues, Josie, My Old School

Ah - Splendid choice. I’ve been waiting for this! Respect guys!

"Clean this mess up or we'll all end up in jail those test tubes in the scales get them all..outta here"🎸🎸🎸🎧🎧🎧🎼

They had some off of the best lyrics and complex arrangements ever. Fagin is a genious

Have to vote for “My Old School” next. One of the top 50 songs by anyone ever. Guitar, lyrics, everything is top shelf.

"Hey Nineteen" or anything off of the Aja album that you haven't reacted to yet would be my next recommendation.

The best solo in any Steely Dan song is Wayne Shorter's tenor solo during Steve Gadd's insane drum break on the title track of "Aja".

Killer Steely Dan track with horns: "The Caves of Altamira"

I love that you guys use legit headphones for these reactions! Many of these classic rock artists are the epitome of "headphone music". Dynamics galore! Keep up the great work!

The best way I’ve heard it said is “Steely Dan is your favourite band’s favourite band.”

Same guitarist, Larry Carlton... “Don’t Take Me Alive”. ✌🏼

It’s criminal that you guys haven’t done “Do it again” yet. Second only to reelin in the years commercially. Great song, you guys need to hit it next

My Old School & Bodhisaltva. Actually listen to the greatest hits album from the 70s. All songs all awesome

The Chuck Rainey/Bernard Purdie tandem on The Royal Scam album is the stuff of legend. The sickest pocket ever.

Guys you HAVE to review Steely Dan “Aja”, it’ll blow you away.

My Old School is another gem from Steely Dan.

"Is that a bass?" That's a Clavinet. Stevie Wonder's weapon of choice on many songs.

"Haitian Divorce" and "Don't Take Me Alive" will blow you all away! Great character-driven songs that tell unique, bizarre stories. And the solos are impeccable. Check out the Frampton-esque talk-box guitar in the former, especially.

To quote one of my favorite songs of theirs - It's perfection and grace, it's the smile on my face

Melodic and groovy enough to become a hit, complex and extraordinary enough to make musicians drool and everybody enjoy things over time.

-and Larry Carlton the famous session guitarist did the solos here

My Old School !!! MY OLD SCHOOL! You must do MY OLD SCHOOL! My Old School has insane little guitar solos throughout the entire song, especially during the fade-out @ the end! My Old School invented the word "tasty", dudes!

“Complexed but not cluttered” ... it’s gotta be the experience those top notch musicians 🤙🏼 Cheers! 🥃

That guitar play out by Larry Carlton really is the rich tapestry that oozes out of Becker & Fagen extravaganzas. Every album of theirs is delectable in their lavish jazz overtones.

"Don't take alive" has one of the best intro's ever done,right up there with lou reed's sweet jane

"Haitian Divorce", "Midnight Cruiser, and "Dirty Work" are all great options for more Steely Dan songs.

I feel like you guys would really enjoy the guitar solo in "My Old School."

I’ve been listening to this song for over 30 years. I love the guitar solo. And I think it’s probably is one of the best. But it’s one of those things that can actually be hidden in plain sight. As great as it is I probably never notice it until the last few years! It grows on you.

So enjoying watching you get into the music that I first discovered and loved when I was in my teens. I’m 61 now and if you put me on an island and only allowed me music from one band / artist it would be Steely Dan. Their music manages to be so complex and yet also so simple that you are always discovering new sides to it. They truly stand the test of time... Would love to see your reaction to the music of Bruce Cockburn....try ‘ Grim Travellers ‘ ‘ Wondering Where the Lions are ‘ States I’m In ‘ and ‘ If I had a rocket launcher’ to start...

My Old School, hands down killer guitar solo..period. DON'T MISS IT

Great review... btw Rick Beato called this solo the most difficult he's ever heard...not necessarily the best. You want a shredding barn-burner solo from Steely Dan, check out Bodhisattva. Nearly impossible to find duds in the Dan catalog, but i'll suggest Showbiz Kids as one of my least favorites - but even with that one, there's a lot to love about it.

"Any Major Dude Will Tell You"

Weird lyrics??? Check out “Deacon Blues” next! 💯

This entire album is brilliant.

Kid Charlemagne, The Caves of Altamira, and Don’t Take Me Alive are my all time favorite three songs in a row from any album. The ending guitar solo on Kid Charlemagne is devastating, love the brass on Caves (every high school stage or jazz band should play that one), and the guitar riff on Don’t Take Me is also incredible.

"Don't Take Me Alive" "My Old School"

My Old School has my favorite SD solos ever by Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, and it's one of my favorite songs of all time, so hoping you get to that one soon. Bodhisattva, Don't Take Me Alive, and Black Friday would all be my next picks.

The great Chuck Rainey on bass.

The songs about Charles Owsley making acid in his home in the Bay Area when it was still legal . The purple house , then the FBI came and shut it down .

Don't Take Me Alive is a classic with another great solo, and The Caves of Altamira is one I like a lot. Those two and any of Aja are ones you definitely need to check out, but especially the title track, Deacon Blues, and Home At Last.

YES!!!! Bodhisatva must be next!

"Do It again" has one of the best grooves ever, amazing guitar work, amazing percussion and keyboards - just a great piece of work. After that "My Old School" is awesome. Steely has amazing production, they never do anything lazy.

“My Old School “ and “Midnight Cruiser” please.

The song Aja was their opus as far as the most musically advanced song they ever produced. It’s one for the drummers. Steve Gadd won Modern Drummers performance of the year with his playing on Aja. My drummer friends and I burned the grooves off of a few copies trying to learn it.

It is so much fun to watch you guys discovering songs I first heard when I was about your age. I was 20 for “Kid Charlemagne”. Nobody’s making bad suggestions, but seriously--next should be Bodhissatva, My Old School, Dr. Wu and Black Cow.

Don't take me alive, pretzel logic, do it again, my old school, it doesn't matter what you play, it's all great!

They have so many great songs you could react to whole albums by them and not go wrong. Anything off of "Aja" is incredible: Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Home at Last, Josie. Also FM, Babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, The Royal Scam, Black Friday, Chain Lightning

"Hey 19", "FM", "Deacon Blues", "My Old School", "Do it Again"...

The production of the vocals as well - the placement in the stereo of the vocals as well. Sublime.

It’s pretty easy to hear Fagan’s English major background come into play in this song; his off-beat metaphors always back up the story line with all sorts of interesting word play and soft rhymes. Just love their stuff.

You should do "Deacon Blues" and/or "Aja" next.

Can't wait for you guys to listen to "Do It Again"!!

I think you’ll be sold on Steely Dan when you listen to “Aja” or “Deacon Blues”, thats what did it for me. The whole album Aja really. But every new song you’ll just appreciate them more, they are just on another level. One of the best ever. Not a bad song in the discography.

“Don’t take me alive”...you’re welcome