Steely Dan | The Caves Of Altamira | REACTION VIDEO (First Time Hearing) 

You know there's a TON of SD reaction videos out there, you are the only one to get their musical sense, the use of tension/release, the listener is never cheated or taken in the wrong direction. Everyone else can only say "they're smooth". You get it my brother well done.

After hearing this song for the first time, I am baffled why I've never heard this song before. This is one of the best things Steely Dan did. Ever. This song is amazing and thank you for sharing it with us.

It's my "if you were on a deserted island........" answer. Almost every song is gold. They just had the formula for music.

This is my favourite Steely Dan song. Glad you liked it!

You've got it brother. I'm a thirty five year full time musician. I fell in love with the Dan as a teenager because I was beyond four and five chord songs. My brain wanted a challenge. I look at music as art mixed with math. But Donald and Walter created art mixed with nuclear physics. Not only that, they did it so as to fool some less musically sophisticated ears to think it was just pretty, funky tunes. Their chord structures seem simple and melodic, when in reality they're as complicated as string theory, but wrapped in ear candy. There will never be another Steely Dan. They are the Tom Brady of music.

It's poetry! Musical ambrosia! Master musicians, but equally - master storytellers.

I'm 71 and they are to a large degree the soundtrack of my life, it is beyond gratifying that they are being recognized. God bless and keep on.

Michael, I thought I'd like to mention a fact overlooked, when considering the masterful lyricism of the majority of the Dan's work, is that Donald Fagens degree in romantic literature serves them very well....

Timing, knowing when to play, and when not to play, are hallmarks of great music. Fagan learned early on. How to put it all together is another level of mastery as well as the constant search for tight, tight arrangements. As a bassist it is hard enough to get tight with drums let alone every other instrument and vocals. You need to play with your band hundreds if not thousands of hours to get that feel. You have good taste my man.

The saxophone solo is like a song within a song. It is complete mastery. I have always felt blessed to be a Steely Dan fan and have been one for close to 50 years, for when I'm down it picks me up.

Brother, I’ve been listening to SD and dwelled deep in their music for almost 50 years and you describe their music perfectly. Many compliments!

From 1972- 2012 , 40years of studio-album brilliance from Fagen/Becker and Fagen-solo. Hands down the most creatively original songwriting/production force-of-nature in pop music history-kudos to you for appreciating it and spreading the word! Don’t forget the boys’ newer stuff and Fagen’s solo gems too!

I have tens of thousands of albums in my collection, encompassing all the musical genres of the world from all time periods. But at the end of the day, if I was forced to reduce them to, maybe, ten, most of what I'd keep would probably be my Steely Dan records.

This, to me, is one of SD’s best lesser known songs. Now I would have said the same thing about Your Gold Teeth II, but you never got to post the rest of Katy Lied, which means we also never got to see a response to Dr. Wu, and that is another small tragedy, to say nothing of the loss of Chain Lightning.

Thanks for doing this one! I see this requested of other reactors and even those that have done tons of Steely Dan never get to this one. They are missing out! Thanks!!

Gawd! I love Steely Dan so much, I can't get enough.

one of the smartest lyrics in a modern song....

They are such good songwriters.

A great way to start my Saturday morning, a cup of coffee and finding you doing "The Caves of Altamira". The best part of waking up is Steely Dan in my cup. It's a shame that I have to go to work. I am really enjoying your trip through this library of great music. A tune like this reminds me of listening to some of the great Big Band music from the 40's, the lyrics sing just like a tenor sax, trumpet, trombone, or clarinet playing the lyrics in the verse of a song. Songs like Take the A Train by Duke Ellington, or Begin the Beguine by Artie Shaw, just to name a few. Being 64 now, I often miss the days of my youth, growing up with Big Band music, jazz, classical,and Rock and Roll. And then came Steely Dan, what a blend of lyrics, rhythm, syncopation, vocals and harmony, and the great work of the horns.Tremendous guitar work by Jeff Baxter, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Denny Diaz, etc. Being a Drummer myself, I have such an appreciation for all the great drummers that have worked with Steely Dan; ,Jim Hodder, Jeff Porcaro, Bernie Purdie, Jim Keltner, and Steve Gadd, just to name a few. The music that these cats have laid down on these tracks is simply amazing, always just the right amount of fill, precise, melodic, and always making the right drive when needed. This is what I really love in SD's music, and yes, you could say that I am biased, but the drums and bass are the backbone of all these songs. I'm sorry to ramble on, but there is so much to say about my love for Fagen and Becker's music. These English majors really come up with some amazing lyrics, what more can be said. Keep up your great work with this music, and looking forward to more. By the way, I haven't seen any thumbs down, must be that you have a many music aficianados liking your appreciation for what Steely Dan created. Happy listening. May I suggest you give a listen to Gino Vanelli's Storm at Sunup. I have been a big fan of his music since the 70's, and I'm sure some of your subscribers are likewise.

Thanks for featuring one my favorite songs from one of the best bands! I am a History teacher and a musician. This is like the quiet beauty sitting alone at a party!

Steely Dan is amazing imo the ultimate band ever existed and of course the Donald Fagen solo albums great reaction !

And the wonderfully quirky John Klemmer on tenor sax. He was a master of sheets of color when he played. Check out some other Klemmer stuff and you will hear what Fagen and Becker were looking for in the song. Klemmer was the perfect soloist for this particular feel. That’s what they were masters at: choosing the right musician to create the feel and color of the song at hand.

Bad sneakers is one of my faves

Great. You get it totally. Love that. This is one of their very best. The next track is a killer. You’re gonna love this album. #genius

The only reactor on youtube who knows and understands when he hears brilliance.Thanks Steely Mike!

Amazing how consistently great they are. Others have commented that Caves could be one of their most underrated song and I definitely agree. The hooks got you hooked? Don’t Take Me Alive has got some killer guitar by Larry Carlton and you’ll love the hook as usual. Keep it going brother! 🔥

The horns and sax really shine on this one. Thanks not to many react to this great Steely Dan song

I enjoy your reaction - most of the other ones are too young to appreciate the mastery of Steely Dan. So many have no musical training

Love watching someone vibe to this music like I do. Such beautifully written pieces. Blessings, bro.

LOVE this Song. Horns , guitar, rythym, drums, Jazzy blues. AWESOME ! Your right ! NOBODY does it quite like they do it.

This song is one of my many favorites of theirs. Anita Bakers backup singers (Perri Sisters) did a cover of this that is Flawless .Both versions are enthralling and soul piercing.

Bra, it brings a tear to my eye seeing you hear this for the FIRST TIME! It boggles my mind that anybody does NOT know this music. I do not understand it?? Donald Fagen said that he and Walter Becker (RIP) wanted to have the freedom to change their sound as they saw fit. Usually from album to album, so they were the only constants. I think when they did their early, early work like Realin' in the Years they had a full band...

So hard to beat groove and cup of black coffee tho morning.. thanks Mike

It's great to see you enjoying all the great Steely Dan epics. Brilliant band. The Royal Scam is a top LP too.

You are so right. They sound unique. God I wish they were young again.

Love how you catch the nuances of Steely Dan songs. Best reactions because you seem to now study them rather than just listen.

Dan songs are a thousand piece puzzle. Every element in it's perfect place.

There actually was a band early on but Fagen and Becker wanted to create not tour. This left the other members without potential touring income so it was back to just the original duo. They had top shelf musicians play on these albums but the two knew exactly what they wanted. Michael McDonald who sang a lot of backups has told that they were very specific about word pronunciation and emphasis. They were very attentive to every detail.

First ever reaction to this song from any one . Believe me I have looked .

A really interesting aspect of this song that i noticed recently is that at the end there is actually a voice talking about 11 sec away from ending a voice machine type voice says “message....sent”

This entire album is Fire!

Love that tune. SD never fails to deliver.

Love this song for everything -- both for the wonderful composition and the surprisingly sincere and deep lyrics. I think you could say the recording studio became Becker and Fagen's musical instrument. They were dogged perfectionists with a vision and great ears.

Almost 70 and been listening to S/D 45 years, their lyrics and arrangement along with their unmistakable groove is timeless, Fagan and the late Michael Brecker (one of the famed Brecker Brothers) never missed a beat whether they were in the studio or live on stage. I listen to them almost every day or at least once a week. One of the best ever.

What a pleasure to get to watch our old favorite songs get played before an audience and a reactor who all come to basically the same conclusion when it comes to the Dan! Your appreciation for them only validates our feelings we all had back in the day! I’m so glad you’ve been able to incorporate their knowledge into your decision making as a song writer! You should take a little time to watch Becker and Fagen’s RU-vid interviews for perhaps even more insights!

Fantastic everything on this tune, especially the drums and sax solo.

I was raised on SD. Nothing compares!

Great lyrics, so many textures. GENIUS!

Classic Steely Dan

Loving the reactions and your musical knowledge to steely dan .cant wait for you to sample the album aja.in my opinion the best! Thanks steely dan fan .uk.

I always look up reactions to my favorite songs so I can feel like I’m vibing with others with the same taste as me. I was vibing with u sir. We was vibin lol 😆 I love how u analysis the music you react to as well🔥🔥

I always enjoy your take on STEELY DAN Your totally WITH IT

I learn from listening to your reactions. It makes it more enjoyable for me.

I know masterpiece

great song great group donald and walter are the best

You truly appreciate these guys! Great work! More Steely Dan pls :)

Really can't wait to hear your music💃

Absolutely!

Love the horns

you speak from the heart brother

SD(predominantly Don Fagan), years from now will be categorized with other notable, true genius-level composer/artists like Mozart, Chopin, Shostakovich, Brubeck, etc. There were a lot of people writing decent pop/rock/jazz music in the decades between 1970 and 2010. A lot of these writers listened to and held in high regard SD. "Super‐groups" like the Eagles named SD as their fav and most influential group. Not always a universal appeal though. But to musicians and the musical literate ‐ a STRONG appeal... because SD offered something familar, yet not available anywhere else... Music on another level.

Great reviews and self confession

Yep...you got the SD vibe. This song grooves.

Excellent review and insight. The Dan layer musical instruments like a fine painting keep looking you’ll see more

Good video. Continue the great work 🤗 share your next video

This is good old school funky

This is an awesome reaction vid. Spot on with your words. Those are my feelings I got when I first bought the record. I'm feeling like I'm listening to it again for the first time. Great job!

This album came out when the group Chicago was very popular. Hence the strong horns on the album.

Well Said🙂

I love your reactions & you are digging deep in the Steely Dan catalogue i.e. your gold teeth!!! Please do green earrings, one of thier best & BEST outro of any song !!!

Love your Language, Man. Very precise...Obviously, very heartfelt. P.S. From a fellow Musician. Enjoy the insight.

Your the real deal.

It is cool to follow as you discover all this material. I think you would enjoy trying Tommy Bolin, Post Toastee. He left too soon but when you hear his stuff and see who all he played with and influenced, you will come back for more

SD is school. Anyone who wants to make a recording should have to study, not just the songwriting and performances, but the methods utilized in the studio to make these masterpieces.

Suggestions, be sure to also read the lyrics while playing: Steely Dan-- Glamour Profession Boz Scaggs--Jojo The Whispers--Olivia (Lost and Turned Out)

Cant wait till you let us hear your music again

I really appreciate your thoughtful comments and love to see you lost in the music. Keep it up!

Love Steely Dan. Recommend the song "Aja" from the album of that name, if you have not already listen to it. Very much on their jazzy side, unreal drum play. Worth listening just for the drums solos.

total r and b and soul and jazz

These lyrics are so deep back in Dan’s book reading days been a fan fan for decades prob one my fav songs and you won’t see it on RU-vid good call and John on sax from Chicago sweet more a Wayne shorter fan but John killed it

Sign in stranger, the rehearsal version is a good one!

Drama, Donald Fagan is one of the greatest, Music Composers of all time, To me he is up there with the Great Herbie Hancock, hands down, I would love to see Donald and Herbie get togeather and play music, Rock on,Herbie wrote the song for the TV show Sanford and son, Peace man, Cousin Figel

Don't Take Me Alive up next. I. Can. Not. Wait !!

Great deep cut. although it probably shouldn't be. Time to check out some early Robert Palmer-SAILIN SHOES/HEY JULIA/SNEAKING SALLY THROUGH THE ALLEY. 9 minutes of funky perfection. Recorded with members of LITTLE FEET and the METERS

Try Steve Miller Band...."Fly Like An Eagle"

A reaction video do you think you could do a reaction video to a song called pretzel logic or possibly Maxine from the nightfly album

Do Aja please!

please react to Bad Company Ready for Love Feel like making Love, Rock N roll fantasy, and Silver Blue and Gold. It's off the same album as your reaction to the Song Bad Company, same Title. Please check it out. You noticed their different quality...you will hear it more in these songs

Please read the book The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten....it will change your life. Seriously

in the lyrics the true word is "Decipher" not understood...

1

Where's the tool at my man