A Black Cow is a drink. One version is root beer and vanilla ice cream. Steely Dan are sometimes played on jazz radio because of the jazz/rock fusion. You will find there are no bad songs in their catalog! All the albums are great!
This LP is an all time top 50 easy. Other songs on this one include: Home at Last, Josie, Aja, Peg, Deacon Blues. This LP crossed over into the R&B lane too. Rap has sampled much of Steely Dan. Check out Kid Charlemagne, The Fez, Babylon Sisters, Time Out of Mind, Green Earrings, FM, Galmour Profession, Everything Must Go, Bad Sneakers, King of the World, Bodhissatva, sooooo many more! Always top musicianship and production!
When I was 17 I heard a song that I just HAD to know what it was and who did it. That song was "Don't Take Me Alive". The chord progressions and guitar opener blew me away. Seen them twice and loved both.
I just love the delight of someone discovering Steely Dan. 🙂 I was collecting their records pretty much as they came out in the 1970s - while a number of hard rock pundits didn't like the smooth sound, a whole bunch of other people fell in love with it including me. A great album for a full-album reaction - every song's awesome in its own way. Now Don and Walt were notorious for being random with interviewers for their own amusement, but FWIW they did say in an interview that a Black Cow was some kind of non-alcoholic soda fountain drink, like ice cream in root beer or similar, with the implication that the song's high-maintenance soon-to-be ex-lover was trying to tame a hangover with some junk food (along with whatever of her counterside "remedies" she was currently high on). I saw the Dan live a bunch of times when they started going back on the road with a big band and it was a glorious thing - you can find clips of their concerts on RU-vid. Enjoy!
The title track off this album is one of the greatest pieces of composition and musicianship on any album ever. I’m willing to stand behind that statement. It’s definitely worth a listen!!
My favorite Steely Dan song is "Deacon Blues" from the same album. Very smooth and sophisticated music about a guy's fantasy about becoming a musician.
This is probably the best album start to finish ever, IMO. The title track is my favorite. I have seen Steely Dan a couple times, flawless, and saw the New York Rock ‘n’ Soul Revue when it came to town (you’ll have to check into that too - Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Phoebe Snow, Boz Scaggs… ) one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
This album is 45 years old! It is one of the best albums that was ever made! Can you envision many albums being made today that you would be able to say that about 45 years from now? It's crazy how timeless Steely Dan's music really is.
They are their own genre. At the time, this was the most expensive album recorded. It is sonically perfect. Over time it has become regarded as one of the great albums ever recorded. Every song is a killer, no filler. YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER LISTENING TO THE ENTIRE ALBUM. Tasha would love it too. It is the confluence of rock, funk, jazz, blues. I saw them many times but most recently in Morristown, NJ late last year for two shows. One night was a greatest hits show and the second night they performed the Aja album in its entirety. Sadly, one of the founding members, Walter Becker passed on 09/03/17 so it was not quite the same without him but still great shows. THANK YOU MR. DIRTY FOR GETTING T TO REACT TO BLACK COW. ✌️🔥
Wow, I just can not believe this is what I was listening to when I was in High School. I had the AJA record album and played it all the time. Can you imagine todays high School kids listening to Steely Dan? I had ELO too. I am so glad my brothers were 7 and 8 years older then me and influenced my music back to the 60s. When I was in elementary school they were listening to all the greats like Steppenwolf, Cream, Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly, Zeppelin, to name a few.
😮Looking at the comments I was shocked when I saw my own name. I knew that I hadn't put this comment up here, so I just wanted to say "HI" to another Renee Williams. Take care and I agree with your comment! If you like/love good music, you gotta love Steely Dan!😊
@@renee176 Hello, thanks for pointing that out. Now we will know next time. By any chance did you read that comment above yours? I can understand why he feels that way but I wholeheartedly disagree. Have a super great night Renee
I was 12 when it was released. You could not escape songs from Aja on the radio. That album was a MONSTER. I still own a copy to this day. One of the greatest ever recorded.
You guys need to hit up the full Steely Dan catalog! It is SOOO very deep, and not a bad or boring song in the bunch. The finest musicians were used... generally a whole new cast for each song on each album. SD were/are not limited to any one genre; there are elements of Rock, and R&B, and Jazz, and Blues. This band REALLY is worth exploring with your subscribers, starting with "Can't Buy A Thrill" and going into "Two Against Nature", and then to Donald Fagen's own work outside SD. You'll often hear Steely Dan referred to as "Your favorite band's Favorite Band!"
I'm with you. The music is so good, the lyrics go in one ear and out the other. Aja is a gold-star record. Drop the needle anywhere on that album and you won't be disappointed.
Keep up your Steely Dan reactions...you'll never be disappointed!! I actually saw them in concert in June. Great show! Aja is actually my second favorite album, my favorite being The Royal Scam. Check out any of the songs from this album, notably Kid Charlemagne ( I think you'll find that this song has been sampled too), Haitian Divorce, Green Earrings and The Fez.
This is a rabbit hole to explore. Their production is so good you need headphones. There are no dogs, but they progress chronologically. Aja is my favorite but it all depends on my mood.
This Album took years to be made and it won a grammy. The big commercial single that came from this album was '"Peg" and the title cut Aja is a classic as is the album itself
Aja is in my top three favorite albums of all time. The Dan are simply impeccable musical perfectionists. I always say there is just soooooooo much music in there songs, especially in Aja and Black Cow!
Black Cow is one of My Favorite Steely Dan songs. However, Steely Dan has so many great songs… I have several favorites! Steely Dan is THE BEST road trip music. My daughter uses it to help her relax and de-stress! We have seen them LIVE many many times including just this past May ‘22. They were awesome LIVE about 5-10 years ago. Their reproduction of their songs LIVE was sooo spot on the recordings. Still great to see them but their all getting older (and have passed on), so it’s expected. Happy to have all their great music to live on in generations to come!
I agree with you 100% . While on this journey I’m coming to find that so many artist sampled, lifted riffs and straight up stole songs. The music industry is a scary place.
"Aja" is considered the best technical produced album of the "Analog" era, music of my youth, music of coming to age, music of our lives, we still love this stuff!
Thanks! LOVED your reaction!! For many of us in the Steely Dandom, this album "Aja" is the pinnacle of their music. Their other albums are enjoyed just as much and for many this may not be their favorite SD album! Steely Dan put out an album every year from 1972-1977, then 1980 with their "Gaucho" album. There is not a weak or "mail it in track" on any of their albums. They came back in 2000 for the "album of the year" with "Two Against Nature" and were inducted into the RRHOF the same year. I remember Eminem being so pissed he didn't win AOY and saying "who is Steely Dan". Shows you his lack of general music knowledge right there. As you accurately said, Steely Dan is a vibe. Their music is one of a kind, and encompasses elements of rock, jazz, soul, and funk. They are the groove doctors of all-time IMHO. Thanks, and PLEASE listen to more Steely Dan on your channel!
You'll be hard pressed to find anybody who disagrees that Steely Dan is far and away the greatest in the history of popular music. That's not an overstatement. This Aja album is the pinnacle of their discography and is nothing short of a grand slam! YES, react to the entire album, you'll love it!
You've got to be kidding!. They were good, maybe even great. But the greatest? I can think of at least a score of groups or solo artists that were as good or better.
Yes, a "black cow" is a drink. Edit: Peg, Josie, deacon blues and black cow were all over the radio. There was no internet, no cell phones and life was good. By the time this album was released, Steely Dan were already huge with multi top ten songs. Memorable tunes, and all this is the tip of the iceberg. A huge Treaure Trove of Steely Dan awaits, if you dare!🙂
SD was already huge when this came out and everybody loved it! You gotta remember (At least those of us that were around at that time) how many great bands were around and how different radio stations were in the 70's.You didn't hear the same song over and over so there was a much larger variety to listen too. Some stations even played full albums commercial free 1 night a week!
Am I Trippin? Or when T said I love this at the end, did he sound just like Chris rock lol! black cow is a drink, it’s like a malt or float. Aja was so clean and the production so high quality that people who used to get the very top end high-fi sound systems would test the quality of the sound system using this album!
@@TheCornishCockney I know what you mean, but I don't think that's always the case. Not by a long shot, in fact! Surely, there can be a 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 fine line between sampling & "stealing," but I feel that - quite often - sampling is paying homage to the original artist. I often think of Aerosmith & Run-DMC; how Aerosmith was simply flattered by someone appreciating their song enough to incorporate it into their own music. And that wasn't just a guitar riff - that was lyrics & all! ♡
I grew up with SD and they were extremely popular. Their music is timeless and I still listen to them. BTW, I'm 63. The first time I saw SD was 6-19-22 and they were amazing!
This is one of the most powerful, polished serious bands… period, lyrics & musicianship! TV show songs etc., some of the most iconic guitar solos in history come from this band.
I heard this song in 1977 and couldn't get to the Record Factory fast enough. As it turned out.... this entire album is a classic. It is one of the best recorded, mixed and produced album of all time. Every track is a banger. There are no "fillers" on this album.
It's a joy to see you liking Steely Dan. I'm a child of the 80s, I did listen to Steely Dan's songs, but only a few here and there. Sometimes, I didn't even know that that was their song. So, I've been checking their music a little deeper through the reaction videos and rejoicing with you all. They were SO OUT OF THE BOX! Just beautiful!
Imagine when you first got this record in the 70’s and THIS SONG is the FIRST SONG on the record.. then to be followed by nothing but great tracks, and not a single one a throwaway, aka “filler”. AJA is what I’ve always considered to be a PEFRECT 10 of everything a great record should try to be, as it checks all the boxes across the board and lands a solid 10/10 consistently throughout the record. It is an absolute unquestionable masterpiece through and through.. no other way about it. FULLY deserving to take its place among the Top 10 greatest albums of all time, and an absolute “must have” for any record collector who isn’t jazz resistant or genre locked. It is every bit an unsurprising contender for the crown in anyone’s Top 5, squarely belonging among any of the “Classic Rock” masterworks many would immediately consider, including “Dark Side of The Moon”, “Abbey Road”, “Physical Graffiti”, “What’s Going On?”, or “Exile”. Though I grew up hearing this splashed all over the radio, I was more of a Hendrix or Sabbath fan, and later HC Punk/Metalhead fan, but Steely Dan is one of those bands that you just had to accept as one of the GOATS people will laugh at you and force you to concede that you’re really too young, angst driven, inexperienced and/or immature to handle any music that isn’t loud, fast, driving, and distorted. In other words.. if you couldn’t appreciate “the Dan”, you very well might still be a virgin.. WHICH IS OK, but very limiting of one’s overall world view, and not as fun at parties. It wasn’t unusual to hear from many of our elder siblings who turned us on to the sounds of Sabbath, to not be afraid to try out some Jazz, as it’s only there to season the dish infused with a buttery funk sautee. Life’s too good to be burgers & beer at every meal.
Trying to decipher their lyrics is often a fools errand. There are so interpretations to the lyrics. I've been listening to them since Can't Buy A Thrill came out in 1972, and still never tire of listening to their songs. As others have already mentioned, Steely Dan has a deep and wonderful catalog to explore. Enjoy the journey.
One of the first albums I bought in 1978 when I got a new stereo. I love it. So glad that you will check out the whole album. AJA won a Grammy that year for best engineered album. Home at Last has become my favourite track but Deacon Blues, AJA, Peg and Josie are all amazing tracks IMO. Enjoy the ride but don't forget the other 6 albums during the 1972-1980 period.
Just not right that they could make so much incredible music in so many different types and genres. So funky and jazzy and pop and so listenable. And when you get into the lyrics they are so clever and tell a story so well.
Being late to the party is better than not showing up. If you're just recently discovering Steely Dan, good things will continue as you discover more musical gems from these guys. Aja is a great album, but all of their albums have great songs as you'll soon find out!
I'm a Steely Dan fan from way back. I'm also a Hip Hop fan from way back. When I heard Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz sample this for Uptown Baby, I played it for a week straight! Awesome reaction!
Ridiculously great. Sooo glad I got to see them live begore Becker past. I get a kick out of newbies. I've listened to since I was 19. I'm 67 now. Thank you, Brother.
It’s so hard to pick a favorite Steely Dan album, but Aja is the most critically acclaimed. For good reason. Yes, everyone was talking about this album when it came out…I remember getting it as soon as it dropped, and being blown away. They were known to be perfectionists, and always used the best studio musicians on their recordings. Thanks for taking the time to react, and hope you like this enough to do more.
I was 14 when this came out, but my brother was 19, and had a great sound system, and a huge record collection. You know how you hear about Albums that everyone loves, but the critics hated it, let's just say that everyone, including the critics loved this album. This album is unique unto itself. The Royal Scam Album is as good or better. You will love "Josie"
Lol... I was a 20 something when this came out. It was big! Found memories of listening to these guys as I started my life's journey... literally. I was a young American working abroad in the Middle East, traveling about and discovering the cultures of Europe, Africa and Asia. So many huge bands from that Era. An incredible time in music and in my life. Now in my mid 60s. Still listening, still discovering. Love seeing the discovery of this Era by others. Music is such a beautiful, interactive art.
I love the reactions of people when they recognize samples from groups decades earlier. Listen to Bruce Hornsby and The Range ‘The Way It Is’. You’ll love it for the same reason 👍🏽
This got a lot of airplay back when it came out. SD was hugely popular back then and their music has stood the test of time. When you listen to them, it's like wrapping up in a soft warm blanket with a nice drink and floating away.
So many young people (compared to me) think the "old timey music" is lame, but in reality so much of it comes from back when music was written, played and sung by actual artists. Steely Dan has been my favorite band since 1972. I love watching new fans emerge. I hope you continue down the SD path, there is so much to love. Each album is a feel unto it's own.
I saw Steely Dan in concert a few years ago in Boston before Walter Becker died. He and Dinald Fagen had a phenomenal touring band and performed this album from start to finish, followed by songs from other albums. They're one of my favorite groups.
It's great to hear Steely Dan's music through the ears and brain of a first time listener. You could do worse than pick up a copy of any of the books about the group and find out how they composed, produced, and performed. Also, you should listen to as much of their catalog as you can when you get time. You'll be even more awestruck than you are now.
Aja was a Grammy award winner, yes I had the LP when it came out, wore it out and bought it on tape, wore that out and now have it on CD. I’m also a big Fagan/Becker fan overall. I likely have everything they’ve released. These are true writers (although Becker passed several years ago) who managed to stay true to themselves and not get caught up in industry trends. True artistry.
Don't worry about your pauses. A big part of the fun [ at least for those of us who were teens in the 70's ] when watching Reaction Videos Channels is witnessing the reactions of the hosts. It's like watching someone watch a thriller movie that you have seen already -- It's a kick anticipating their reactions to a great part that is coming up. Us classic rockers from the 60 and 70's know why you are freaking out over the stunning music -‐ we did the same thing back in the day. And it was better for us cuz we were v's to the ecstacy --> receiving it into our souls for the first time .
I was lucky enough to see Steely Dan when I was in college. They sounded just as good live as in the studio. The difference is the studio tracks get the full production with all nuances. Live was one long vibe. A highlight of the many concerts I saw in the 70's.
Donald Fagan organist, lead singer loved Jazz and at age 16 his uncle used to get him into all the top jazz clubs in NYC Birdland ect. Thanks for the video, i love watching how much you enjoyed this groove, i grew up on their music. 🎸🎸🎷😎
This album was absolutely huge when it came out. It set a whole new bar for higher level songwriting, musical composition, and production. The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Doobie Brothers, David Crosby, and many other highly successful musicians were, and still are huge Steely Dan fans. In fact, the lyric in Hotel California that reads: “They stab it with their “Steely” knives but they still can’t kill the beast” was a nod to Steely Dan by Don Henley.
I got to see Steely Dan in 1975. They had three albums out and Aja came out in 1977. They were great back then sounding as good if not better than the recorded tracks. My son discovered them when he was in his 40’s in the early 2000’s and got to see them in Vegas. And now another generation is being turned on to what I listened to. Great band, great music!
I was around when Steely Dan came out. Your favorite band listened to Steely Dan. That's the only way I could describe it. It was like the shot across the bow to all the other musicians out there, "get serious!"
Nice video. I was thirty when Aja was released. I remember the impact, which was mind blowing at the time. It was around the time that band leaders Becker and Fagen began to recruit some of the best studio musicians to create a sound blending rock and jazz. I’m 75 now and still listen to this album regularly. In addition to Black Cow, I love Deacon Blues and of course, the title tune Aja! Thanks for this.
When I was in high school, this album (Aja) was huge among my age group, even with some rockers who couldn't stand disco or anything not loud heavy electric guitar-sounding. And their concerts are phenomenal, in a word. Gaucho followed Aja, with "Babylon Sisters" "Hey Nineteen" "Glamour Profession" "Gaucho" "Time Out of Mind" and a few more. Their earlier (and later) songs are fire too, but Aja definitely hit a peak!
The best band ever, hands down favorite. Yes, when this album came out I thought it was the greatest thing I had ever heard. I saw Steely Dan in 1994 and it was their first tour since the 70’s. Even though it had been two decades, it was very clear that they had not just thrown a band together and hit the road. They were extremely well practiced and prepared. I’ve seen quite a number of shows over the years, but only a handful were truly worthy of a lifelong memory. That show was indeed one of those. ✌🏼😎
I saw them in concert in Phoenix Az when I was in 6th grade. We went with friends from school along with some older siblings. It was at Big Surf water park and they opened for the Guess Who! It was my first concert and a great one at that! Listened to them for years!
As a kid of the 70's 80's, I had always heard these particular songs; Peg, Black Cow, Hey Nineteen, Dirty Work, Do It Again, Kid CHarlemagne....etc. Never knew this was all the same band, but always recognised Don Fagan's voice. Wasn't till early 90's as a young man, I was working brunch at this miserable restaurant, and the chef was playing this music on his tape player - I picked up food, Peg is playing. I go back for more food, Hey Nineteen is playing. I come back for more food, FM is playing.... and all the while it is dawning on me- all this music, these songs, with that mystery voice singing all of them is the same band. Bewildered and excited, I ask Mac (the chef) who in the hell the band is. He stops at the grill, turns around ducking under the heat lamps with an absolutely confused and slightly insulted look on his face, and he says, "This is Steely Dan, man." I felt like I discovered the Ark of the Covenant.
Steely Dan was all about making albums that sounded fantastic. Steely Dan are really just two dudes, Donald Fagan and the late Walter Becker, who wrote amazing jazz fusion songs and then found the very best session musicians, vocalists, and engineers/producers to join them in the studio to record them. The results were an audiophile's wet dream! The album Aja is their crowning achievement, an album on every audiophile's top ten list, and the title track is, to me, the crowning achievement of the album.
I love this band! First time hearing this song! Love it !! I know all the popular stuff from the radio back in the day! But love finding more of their music!! Go check out we’re the name “ steely Dan“ came from LOL 😝!!!!
Steely Dan's engineers (Roger Nichols and Elliot Scheiner) were surprised and proud to find out that live sound reinforcement engineers were using their tracks to "tune" their PA systems for live music concerts. A number of their CDs are considered absolute benchmarks of recording, mixing, and sonic musical clarity, especially by live sound engineers. Aja, Gaucho, Nightfly (technically a Fagen CD) and Two Against Nature all won a grammy for best engineering.
Excellent lyrics " on the counter by you keys was a book of numbers and your remedies" background vocals are excellent and walter may he rest in peace! They hire so many musicians to do the music it's crazy. When I was young I tough Becker and Fagan can do all this.
I’ve been listening to Steely Dan since the 70s. They’re one of my favorite bands. Everything they do is magic. Listen to the entire Aja album. You wont be disappointed.
When Aja came out the reception from the fans and FM radio was similar to yours. Of course styles change and most people don't know about the depth of their catalog and their musical genius. You're right--there is a LOT going on, and the more you listen, the more you hear. Their music is endlessly rewarding. Thanks for the reaction!
