FIRST TIME HEARING STEELY DAN - AJA ( REACTION )

[@petebosheff8819]

All RISE! Wayne Shorter saxophone. Steve Gadd drums . No words. Perhaps greatest in history sax drum solo

[@fayesouthall6604]

It’s perfect

[@bobziadie2988]

My favorite Dan song!!! Eight minutes of musical perfection! There is just SO MUCH MUSIC!!!!!

[@DYLDO5000]

purdy played almost every other song

[@nunnarij]

The musical genius and perfection of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have no peers. The rabbit hole of their music is infinitely deep.

[@williamosborne6866]

Steely Dan is more than a rabbit hole.....it's a mine, deep with countless side tunnels. If you jump in, better leave bread crumbs or you'll never get out (not that you would want to). The only band comparable in depth and complexity is Pink Floyd - both are a genre of their own, without peers.

[@Quadrant14]

As a duo I can only think of possibly Hall and Oats , Lennon McArtny near them, none as perfectt

[@robertgosselin14]

@@Quadrant14 Hall and Oats ?

[@scottdetter]

Aside from co-writing, Walter Becker was an outrageously underrated guitar player.

[@marcelosena8955]

@@williamosborne6866 You're insane to compare them with Pink Floyd. Both great bands but SD is objectively WAY deeper lirically and musically way more complex than PF. There are countless prog bands more deep and complex than PF, such as Genesis, ELP, Gentle Giant, Triumvirat, Invisible, Camel, Rush and Yes themselves. I'd rather compare them with Chicago and the Doobie Brothers, and even so, they don't quite reach the same level of the Becker & Fagen creation. Steely Dan created a genre in wich they were the sole occupants.

[@Aja-Christian]

I used to resent my name when I was a kid until I watched the episode of Classic Albums where they covered the making of the album and Donald Fagen described the Aja song as "the tranquility of a quiet relationship with a beautiful woman". I enjoyed watching your reaction to my namesake, Brother 💓

[@ericstanke3291]

Here's the thing, this music has had a heavy influence since it came out in 77', now imagine you hear it for the first time in 77'.

[@emory0]

I remember that moment well: WNEW played it and I'd only heard "Peg" and kinda wrote them off as a pop band. But by the time Shorter's sax solo came up I said, "WHAT the HELL!" I couldn't believe it.

[@mickscan2]

Steely Dan will always be next level

[@simflier8298]

The whole Aja album is a masterpiece. Enjoy!

[@Tommy-wm8gi]

The Dan . Music for musicians. Best of best. Everything

[@modbyarturo]

Aja is not a song, it’s an experience

[@paulpochan9631]

Becker and Fagan said it was an amalgam of 3 songs....

[@Hizzle2theCizzle]

Best quote i've heard on a reaction video yet... "this is not a song" ... werd!

[@rayberry4261]

Donald Fagan is the writer, singer, arrange, and played some of the keyboard parts. He has probably written more good jazz, rock, blues fusion music than anyone in our lifetimes. He always uses the best players.

[@georgemcreddie6490]

In 2010, the Library of Congress selected the album Aja for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or artistically significant." Says it all. Wayne Shorter plays the majestic sax solo on the title track. Perhaps one of the finest albums ever made.

[@jhamler1]

According to legend, Steve Gadd nailed this drum part in one take. ONE take! That's enough to make a musician sick of himself, no?

[@rahnlawson9463]

yeah but can he play Wipe Out ? 😎😎😎

[@pamnicklas5536]

Pretty sure Gadd can play just about anything! 😁

[@rahnlawson9463]

@@pamnicklas5536 LOL I was trying to be funny 😆

[@ammaleslie509]

Another legend has it that he played two takes. After the first take Fagen asked him could he do it again, and he played it the same way the second time, including the place where he hits the drumsticks against each other.

[@289hipo]

Check out Rick Beato's episode about Gadd's work on this

[@robertpearson8798]

If I had to choose only a few albums to listen to for the rest of my life this would be on the list.

[@lesliesterling826]

same

[@danieltruyts-ke4gi]

I know this album by heart; i never get tired of listening to those songs.

[@armandoalva749]

All of the musicians used are masters of their instruments. Nothing but the best. God given talent.

[@dennisdickson6210]

Just flawless music.

[@kategillooly9039]

This track is a work of art!! In fact, the whole album is!

[@sipesthebest128]

Simply put... one of the best songs ever recorded, regardless of the genre. Sheer perfection!

[@johntremmel3949]

The percussion on this track are exquisite, it’s Steve Gadd

[@marvinfeinstein7541]

Victor Feldman on everything else .

[@itsmadfar]

"More like a score." Exactly my friend. I feel like I'm on a vacation tour taking in this scenery of bright, contrasting color with sudden and unexpected turns into unknown territory that's totally compelling. It's a song that celebrates the urban outdoors in contrast with some of the band's songs that seem nighttime, lounge-bound. I'm on a Steely Dan kick, learning just how musically ingenious this songwriting pair was. I missed that truth in my superficial experience of them in the 70s primarily over the radio. Very happy to be on this ride. So thanks!

[@josephkellard6432]

Steely Dan’s Aja is one of those handful of perfect albums, and the title track definitely sets the tone.

[@joejoesguitarinventions]

🔥🔥🔥..always steely Dan.. fan for 50 years

[@jaysonbiggs8979]

The drum solo by Steve Gadd (James Taylor, Chick Corea, many others) is considered one of the greatest drum solos of all time.

[@minnyh]

"More than just a song" - so right there mate!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Definitely a masterpiece! Thanks so much for watching Paul!

[@dig435]

“This is more than a song”-oh,yes! This is a masterpiece. I get lost in it.

[@minnyh]

Curtis Mayfield - awesome connection

[@michaelrouten]

The often-heard comment about Steely Dan is that they're "Your favorite band's favorite band." That's the level of their art.

[@BaronessErsatz]

This is what you listen to on a summer night out on the back porch with a cold drink. In the dark. Close your eyes. Enjoy.

[@pjames8683]

or driving at 4am cruising at 85

[@BaronessErsatz]

@@pjames8683, to each his own.....

[@CodyWorkshops]

Drummer Steve Gadd is used to playing unique an memorable drum parts. He put together the iconic part for 50 Ways to Lose Your Lover

[@MatthewSmith-fy5hk]

The only thing I like more than enjoying the brilliance of Steely Dan is watching other people experience it for the first time. Its like opera, you either get it or you don't.

[@bennemer489]

A couple of things when listening to Steely Dan: 1. Most of their lyrics reference "loserdom". Their word, not mine. 2. Since their music and lyrics are so layered, it often takes multiple listenings to really appreciate the song.

[@edwardrutledge2765]

No “almost” about it, Steely Dan Jazz influence is omnipresent throughout their canon of music. Thank goodness.

[@cometogether999]

I see Steely Dan, I subscribe! I can easily go 50 songs deep on my Steely Dan playlist. Donald and Walter were heavily jazz influenced, so think Miles, Coltrane, Monk, Mingus, Parker, Ellington, etc...

[@rubbersole79]

Best drum solo your ears are likely to ever hear.

[@469buck]

Steve Gadd, baby. And a fuckin SLEW of other incredible musicians.

[@johntremmel3949]

That’s the title track to the album, which is an absolute masterpiece

[@loisr3970]

Ohh lord....we have been married 42 yrs. It has been filled with awesome music. Old school classic vinyl A little audiophile. A Musical piece of art

[@JodyLynzzz]

Hands down! The BEST! They went through at least 6 guitarists before they took it to the studio. And just for shits and giggles they're in my funeral mix

[@howardzane572]

Walter Becker and Donald Fagan always found different musicians that would match and embellish a particular song

[@kidpoker007]

Just one of the greatest jazz drummers ever

[@ericstaton6896]

With Wayne Shorter on Sax, Larry Carlton on Guitar & Steve Gadd on Drums! Make this particular cut off of the Aja album absolutely incredible! So there's your Jazz aspect right there Chief! But then again, the whole Aja album is the bomb! Keep it up with the Steely Dan reactions Bro, as you can never go wrong!!!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Wait that’s Wayne Shorter?! My uncle loves his albums! Man you’re right that’s definitely the jazz aspect for real! Thanks for the info 😁

[@ericstaton6896]

@@abovetheinfluence9361 You are very welcomed good sir! As an aside, Donald Fagen Keyboards and Vocals, with Walter Becker on Guitar were the "Heart & Soul" of Steely Dan! In 1974 the duo didn't want to perform live again, and disbanded the group to only make studio albums! Where they used the best session musicians at the time! That's why their albums sound so good, as they were both such perfectionists!!!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

@@ericstaton6896 oh wow! What was the reason they didn’t want to perform live??? 🤔

[@ericstaton6896]

@@abovetheinfluence9361 Burnout due to constant touring! Plus Donald & Walter wanted to concentrate solely on writing and recording albums! I guess their way was the best, as they became more successful as a group!!!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

@@ericstaton6896 ahhh makes total sense! Man you’ve been such a help Eric! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@gregbartley2475]

To this day, this album is used to demonstrate audio systems. It has stood the test of time.

[@pdw5100]

The albums Aja and Gaucho are the pinnacles of musical perfection.

[@keefterry2155]

Steve Gadd was the drummer and this song was recorded in one take

[@SwedestThing]

They asked Larry Carlton to find them a drummer, he did it in 1 take and the old them, “it won’t get better” and left 😂

[@jessicalee7119]

No words ~ only Joy and goosebumps! All these years later ~ I Still Feel this song like it’s the first time. As far as suggesting songs…. Pick anyone of their songs ~ you will not be disappointed. 🙏❤️

[@troutopia7556]

You should watch the video about making Aja. Amazing.

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Definitely will do so actually tonight! Thanks for the info! 🙌🏾

[@deborahsuewho]

@@abovetheinfluence9361 I love Michael McDonald talking about Peg…the close harmonies; the pronunciation. This album killed me when it was new and I’m still dying all these years later.

[@deborahsuewho]

Your Herbie, Curtis and Stevie mention - that’s good!

[@buddystewart2020]

'this is more than just a song man', you are correct sir, this is...a tone poem. This is a piece of art on the canvas of the musical staff. A beautiful drawing for your ears. It's....perfection.

[@JD_Cool]

What a marvelously clean acoustic landscape. You know those NASA engineers who clean and polish every speck of dust on a telescope before it's launched into space? It feels like they polished every delicious note of this song.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Great comment! It's kitchen clean!

[@Tommy-wm8gi]

Good choice

[@michaelnoviello6302]

You dont interrupt Steely Dan.....You listen.....then regain your breath!

[@joelliebler5690]

One of my favorite tunes by these 2 geniuses!

[@sweetdavey]

Yes! Totally agree with the Curtis Mayfield connection. Those sweeping, timeless arrangements. Love both artists so much

[@davelandsman4768]

This song is epic...

[@herbiesnerd]

I’ve watched many people react to Steely Dan. I’ll share the same with you. When real musicians get off work, they listen to Steely Dan. On many of their songs they use Mu major chord progressions. It’s such a beautiful signature sound.

[@289hipo]

Drummer is Steve Gadd, his solos on this track are among the top 3 ever done, influenced hundreds of drummers. And he laid them down in only TWO takes😲

[@TheDivayenta]

The Dan are known for their unique blend of jazz, rock, soul , funk fusion. They are phenomenal. They attracted many of the greatest jazz and studio musicians around. The lead voice is Donald Fagen - one of the founding duo. Guitarist Walter Becker was his co-writer. Add in Larry Carlton, Steve Gadd, Wayne Shorter ad more to this mix and you have some of the tastiest music ever created. This album came out in 1979- and it still sounds spanking fresh. There are no bad songs by SD! That ending drum solo by Steve Gadd is one of the greatest of all time , IMO . Enjoy, enjoy! Everything on this album kills. Michael McDonald and Valerie Simpson were there backup singers at the time.

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Whoa I didn’t even know Michael McDonald has a back up singing career! And that drum solo at the end is INDEED other worldly! Thanks for all the great info!!!

[@TheDivayenta]

@@abovetheinfluence9361 he started with SD before he joined the Doobies!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

@@TheDivayenta that’s so wild to hear! So Steely Dan was his intro into the music world… wow!

[@elkalabaw7665]

on this particular song it was timmi schmit of the eagles doing backup vocals.

[@rbking9296]

Also worth noting Jeff (Skunk) Baxter also joined Steely Dan and did a lot of great guitar work on several of their albums before he he joined up with the Doobie Brothers

[@juaneato]

Steve Gadd on drums. The greatest of all time. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

[@EdDunkle]

These guys, Becker and Fagen, were cerebral jazz nerds who understood jazz chord progressions and could write pop hooks. They started off selling songs, but kept their good (complicated) stuff for their eventual band. I honestly think it's mostly Fagen, but Becker had a keen ear and he completed their sound. Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel like their music will last a long, long time. Have fun exploring their catalog. They have a very high batting average.

[@minnyh]

purposeful music - yes! that really sums it up ... in one way 😊

[@johnleonard3806]

Love watching people listen to SD for the first time. Walter is gone now. I just watched an episode of Cab confessions where Walter and Donald cruise around with fans. I watched a documentary where Donald said they wrote all of their songs about the East when they lived in LA and wrote all their songs about LA when they lived in NY.

[@kendudley3553]

ATI - you were looking for the word to describe Aja - the word is Perfection. This is the finest piece of music ever written and performed (IMHO) Thanks for hitting Aja. If you want to try Steely Dan in a different light - listen to Do It Again off their first album, Can't Buy A Thrill. Ken

[@dcaseng]

This is a masterpiece. Many people are confused when they first hear this song, because it is written in with such complicated chord progressions and has several distinctively different sections throughout. It's as if they took 3 completely different songs and mashed them together, and it really confuses people. Just when you think you have the feel of the production down pat, they switch it up to something totally new, and then again later on. What makes this a masterpiece is that they successfully make it WORK. The more you listen to this song, the more you appreciate just how unique it is. This isn't even on my top ten favorite Steely Dan songs, which tells you just how amazing Steely Dan really is.

[@MrRabbit43]

Anyone with an ear who can keep a beat has no confusion !

[@edgarsnake2857]

Loved your reaction to this masterful performance and recording.

[@Pyro10B]

Well structured music with multiple layers of sound shaped into a musical journey.

[@Pelza20]

This is the song you listen to when you get new headphones to check out the quality of the phones. :)

[@nemo4907]

Congratulations! You've completed your first session in the P.H.D. music class that is Steely Dan. Catchy and easy to listen to, SUPER COMPLEX and INTRICATE when you listen closer.

[@lisaloureviews6094]

Steely Dan lyrics are top notch, and then the melodies omg it’s timeless. Obsessed. Yes I’m the 30 something at the Eddie Vs lounge getting excited when the cover band plays Steely Dan.

[@kianpa1]

There’s a story behind all of the great tunes.

[@kendudley3553]

ATI - I just rewatched your reaction video - still love it. Aja is the best written and performed song (IMHO) ever. At the end of the vid, you asked who Steely Dan's influences were. They were heavily influenced by listening to late night radio jazz stations in NYC when they were growing up. For a sample - give Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" a listen to. Very interesting jazz tune. Ken

[@ericmorgan3111]

I've been to 2 steely Dan live shows. The one I went to for the 2 against nature tour. They won a Grammy for that album. They opened up the show with a Blake Edward's score. They are jazz fanatics! Just to show how cool those guys are and how the world of Dandom works,there was a web page called under the banyan tree. It had a guest book called sign in stranger another great song by sd. Fans from all over with names derived from SD songs would comment and or share stories about the band and the cryptic lyrics. It was addictive and exciting!

[@lucasroth7922]

Steely Dan is your favorite bands favorite band✌🤘

[@67bml]

Steve Gadd is the drummer. Probably the greatest studio drummer ever

[@rmac1042]

Personal disagreement... I believe that my close friend of 65 years-Jim Keltner, also on Aja on Josie-is right up there with HIS friend, Steve Gadd! Jim’s been on 150 gold albums and over 75 platinum!

[@ColonelAngus4her]

@@rmac1042 although, Keltner recorded this track first, but Gadd ended up recording it after

[@rmac1042]

@@ColonelAngus4her Jim did t play on the song Aja-he told me when they went into the studio, the songs were identified with numbers only! He recorded Josie, but he thinks he did a take of Peg as well, but he wasn’t sure due to the numbers ID! He never claimed to have done a take of Aja-at least to me, and we’ve been close friends for over 65 years!

[@ColonelAngus4her]

@@rmac1042 ask him again, Gadd stated that Keltner did a take of it the day before he did, unless he is wrong.

[@rmac1042]

@@ColonelAngus4her I’ll ask him… thanks!

[@ohfour-seven6228]

You are so very right, this song, and Steely Dan in general, are next level. Great and insightful reaction!

[@jamesgiroux7619]

1976..bought and wore that 8 track out 3 times a year till cassettes ruled for a while

[@sigil5772]

The reason I love this song is because it makes you question assumptions about style/genre. On the one hand it's typical Dan, NYC jazz flavours into Californian sunshine, almost easy-listening; on the other, it _never_ lets you settle - just when you think it's going to be one thing, suddenly it's another thing. And yet the song works perfectly as an entire entity. Amazing.

[@mikenorgrove2795]

Love that moment when you say "This is more than a song"!

[@MrRabbit43]

Your comment on cultural influences was right on the money .They are the masters of hip shit !

[@venomdust1]

I am a hard rocker real hard metal fan . When my older played this it opened a whole new world for me .

[@amyswanson6951]

This was my first time checking you out it blew my mind. I took piano lessons to learn more about composition from a guy named Buzz Amato who played keys touring with Curtis Mayfield. I was just thinking about the similarities when you opened your mouth and said it. Steely Dan is totally a musician’s band. The jazz, funk, r&b, reggae, etc they are truly a one of a kind fusion type band and their production is impeccable. The sophistication shows in their cord progressions and musicality of every instrument used ie the perfectionism shown in drums when drum machines were in their infancy. Truly a cut above the rest. If you haven’t already, check out Josie, Peg, Do it again, Rikki don’t lose that number, Deacon Blues… to name a few!

[@realbser1956]

I love that little Bossa Nova riff that Steve Gadd, the drummer, plays us out on at the end of the song. This is your 4th SD song that you’ve listened to. Many will tell you to listen to their deeper, less played songs and others will tell you to get to all the popular ones first. That’s your call, what do you think is better for your SD journey? Either way, almost zero songs not worth listening to. They are their own musical genre. No one before or since can match them. 🔥

[@bobryan8793]

You said it sir they know exactly what they're doing and the emotions are amazing my favorite song ever I looped this song only for 6 months on a cassette in my car this one song

[@walkerm777]

I'm back on the USS Coral Sea again. Down in my birthing are listening to my friends boom box. At first hating these guys. There were lots of cowboys, and rockers arguing about what's playing. Lol

[@Incomudro1963]

You had a smile on my face the entire time while I watched your reactions. Made even better by the fact that I knew what was coming.

[@jjpaintings]

Great vid my brother. Steve Gadd on drums. This was some of the amazing music coming out my FM radio and off my turntable as a 17 year old. Warms the heart that it still stands up.

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Thanks so much John! I now know Steve Gadd is a beast!!!

[@sumofo9742]

Speaking of “FM” … 😁 Would love to watch a reaction to that song! ☺️

[@paulweber686]

Purposeful; intentional; you were not at a loss for words-in fact you nailed it perfectly. Maybe the most insightful commentary on the Dan that I have come across. And that is a first take? Brilliant.

[@kentinatl]

WAS 20 WHEN THIS CAME OUT AND THE DAY BEFORE IT I DID I LISTENED TO IT ON ALL NIGHT ALBUM REPLAY / Q-FM COLUMBUS OHIO..GREAT TO SEE YOU REACTING TO THEM...WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU REACT TO THEIR SONG "WEST OF HOLLYWOOD"

[@edwardcarter2285]

Hey young man! Steely Dan is a humongous rabbit hole. Donald Fagen(lead vocalist) Walter Becker (guitarist) they both write, compose, produce and engineer along with Gary Katz. Start from their first album "Countdown to Ecstasy" and go from there, you will be amazed at how many songs you know! Try "Babylon Sisters" next. I guarantee!!!

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

"Babylon Sisters" is going right on the list!!! Always appreciate the info and gems!

[@bigdaddymojo2005]

Do Hey 19!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, or Reelin' in the Years!!!!!!

[@stybba09]

These are the musicians on the song 'Aja'. Donald Fagen - vocals, synthesizer, police whistle Larry Carlton - electric guitar Denny Dias - electric guitar Walter Becker - electric guitar Chuck Rainey - bass Joe Sample - electric piano Michael Omartian - piano Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone Timothy B. Schmit - backing vocals Steve Gadd - drums Victor Feldman - percussion

[@RondelRo]

I think except for their first album (maybe their second as well), Steely Dan were a duo, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, who wrote all the songs. They were pretty much a studio band and they hired the best session musicians to record their songs. They were perfectionists, sometimes recording over a hundred takes of certain tracks just to find that perfect take that sounded just right to them. I'm not sure who their musical influences were, but certainly they were one of the most sophisticated pop bands of all time, taking R&B, jazz and rock and various other genres and mixing them into a smooth cocktail of layered, silky grooves and sly, subversive lyrics that still sound fresh nearly 50 years on...

[@kbrewski1]

The duo version really began with Royal Scam. The band toured until 1974, but Fagen was more and more the focal point on Pretzel and Katy Lied.

[@ianson3]

"Purposeful music." I like that.

[@danielleighton2553]

Wish I could've seen that in person, great to see you , have a great day, we missed you, God bless.

[@edwardcossa875]

You sir know how to listen enjoy the best!

[@philipmccarthy6175]

Steve Gadd's drums & Wayne Shorter's sax put this at a level most bands can only aspire to. Peerless.

[@jeffstevens4262]

One drum solo from Steve Gadd can blow anyone's mind, but TWO?????

[@igaryspillett4052]

The brilliant Steve Gadd holding it all together on the pinnacle track AJA

[@TheDivayenta]

You would swoon over Donald Fagen’s ( composer, keyboards, lead vocalist ) solo album effort- The Nightfly. A masterpiece!

[@santosmadrigal3702]

There are no words for certain things we go through in life ... Only music knows those words ... How can one categorize that ? Who writes like that ? ...

[@dianesorensen2549]

You really don’t want to overlook "Deacon Blues" and "Peg."

[@abovetheinfluence9361]

Appreciate the recommendation Diane! Adding to the list! ☺️☺️☺️

[@vintagetoycollector4983]

I second that! ☺️

[@rc1363]

Every cut on the album is outstanding. The magic of Steely Dan recordings is that you can hear something you haven't noticed before with each listen.

[@seanamcgee3427]

Sophistication