SO SMOOTH!! Producer Reacts To Steely Dan - Hey Nineteen | First Reaction

[@JZeussM]

In 1980, "Columbian" would have been weed. "Peruvian" would have been the white stuff. Michael McDonald, who you have liked in the Doobie Brothers is a frequent contributor to the background vocals in Steely Dan. This record came just after their peak with Aja. Aja the song, Josie, or Peg, are all great entries to Steely Dan excellence. Drum machines were in their infancy in those days. Steely Dan did not use them, but some of the snare hits are triggering electronic effects in certain songs.

[@MichaelTrogdon1990]

Michael McDonald was not used on this song. Only song from Gaucho with him was “Time Out of Mind”. Here they had Frank Floyd and Zack Sanders on backing vocals. A drum machine was used on Hey Nineteen and a few other songs from the album.

[@JZeussM]

@@MichaelTrogdon1990 Good to know

[@JaySatterfield843]

We all wanted Colombian weed…it was way way better that the Mexican kind….yep, there were only 2 choices

[@selectronium]

yes... lol! it was Colombian Green, Panama Red, and Acapulco Gold. in our area at least, even if you were rich, those were your only choices... haha

[@bax6089]

Back then the good weed was the fine Columbian,and latter came the good skunk weed...but mostly it was all just mexican brick weed ...nothing like the many choices of pure fineness one can obtain today almost everywhere

[@thomasburch2944]

Q: How many musicians are in Steely Dan? A: All of them.

[@primarycolorsvideo]

Donald Fagan and Walter Becker. But, they always employed studio musicians to round out the band. They were know to have many guitarists take solos on some of the recordings of their songs and pick the one they liked best. No drum machines, though per a drummer friend, steve gadd who played on many songs of theirs had his sound sampled and used in synth drum machines! Per wiki : Donald Fagen - lead vocals, electric piano, synthesizer Rick Marotta - drums Walter Becker - bass guitar, guitar Hugh McCracken - guitar Victor Feldman, Steve Gadd - percussion Frank Floyd, Zack Sanders - backing vocals

[@mtarlo215]

Steely Dan never disappoints

[@4.carmeljwn]

Never.

[@tuzonthume]

their lyrics put me to sleep every night. greatest elevator music ever.

[@andrearodriguez9005]

Every time he says "skate a little lower now" I crack up. I clearly remember roller skating to this as a kid back in the early 80's. LOVE Steely Dan!

[@EC-dz3fb]

Right? That line ... like Donald and Walter 𝘵𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 knew what we were up to! Brings me right back to the rink ... ♡

[@TheDivayenta]

And I was thinking of the 60’s dance , The Skate, which this beat is exactly right for.

[@stevegyles3190]

It always makes me smile remembering roller rink limbo.

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@TheDivayenta I was born in '53, and never was into the whole roller rink thing, but I damn sure was into (and good at) all the dance crazes, of which "The Skate" might have been my favorite!

[@TheDivayenta]

@@MissAstorDancer Skate, Hitchhiker, the Jerk , Boogaloo, Shingaling, Watusi, Mashed Potatoes , Monkey- many of which were demonstrated to perfection in The Blues Brothers!

[@d.s.6268]

As a producer, you should really be able to appreciate their stuff. Their sound production is so amazing that when you walked into any audio store in the 80's - Steely Dan (or Donald Fagen's "Nightfly") was the music they used to play when you asked to listen to audio gear...

[@jacqueline4514]

What a great one; “your independent station”

[@tierbore1985]

Meticulous to the detriment of everyone else's mental health around them it is rumored

[@lindalou6105]

Glad to hear this. I have no musical training, but Asa teen listening to them when they came out, I said the album was the cleanest sounding album I'd ever heard.

[@g.hon.4645]

I did NOT know that!

[@pamstuckey8349]

It was the first album I put on the first turntable I bought with my first paycheck from my first job. I still remember the magical moment of placing the needle onto the album

[@debbiechang5781]

Van, I am amazed that you haven’t discovered Steely Dan until now! Yikes! You have a wonderful rabbit hole to explore. Their music is exquisite and funky and amazing. You won’t find any bad songs. I am not going to suggest anything because I wouldn’t know where to start. I’m sure you’ll get lots of them from your comment suggestion. Enjoy the trip!🌺✌️

[@liquidjett]

Your intuition on the drums was actually spot on. Fagen and Becker were perfectionists, so they basically had the legendary producer Roger Nichols custom build one of the first programmable drum machines for $150,000 in 1978. They did overdub certain hits and fills from real drummers, but the drum machine (named "Wendel") laid down the base groove.

[@walterkirk9210]

The drum machine that Roger Nichols created was "Wendel". Did he win a technical Grammy for it? I don't remember. I just remember that Donald said he wished that there was a drum machine before there were drum machines and Roger said, "I can create one." Several weeks later with a $ commitment from the Dan Roger delivered. Paraphrased and condensed.

[@formulajuan_]

Has LFR FAMILY seen this? I knew about this so it wouldn't be a surprise they used Wendel in this track but I'm not sure. Great ear though.

[@JoeRoscoe_DFW]

Except, in this song all drums and percussion were people. Rick Marotta, Steve Gadd, Victor Feldman. Gadd was a veteran of The Dan's ensemble approach to producing. They often invited numerous session musicians to contribute to the same song and kept the best. Other drummers, they used over the years were Bernard Purdy and Jeff Porcaro.

[@72mrbill]

@@JoeRoscoe_DFW Fagan himself said it was Wendel.

[@jeffjones6221]

Steely Dan is the apex of production. All done on analog.... Yes tequila...and fine Columbian is devils lettuce...

[@jasonremy1627]

I'm pretty sure it's nose candy, not the devil's lettuce...

[@jeffjones6221]

@@jasonremy1627 could be I suppose...been around the block a few times with both...never heard blow referred to as Colombian, but sure have smoked some Colombian gold!

[@steveullrich7737]

@@jeffjones6221 Agree back in the day the best pot was Columbian (for the time period this song was written) so think it's referring to that.

[@andyscott5277]

@@jasonremy1627 I thought so too, but Walter Becker, guitarist and 1/2 of Steely Dan, always said it was herb. He used to to do this funny "rap" about it during this song when performing it live. RIP Walter.

[@jasonremy1627]

@@andyscott5277 thanks for the update!

[@Coolrockndad]

Everything Steely Dan does is so smooth. :-) Try "FM (no static at all)" by Steely Dan you'll love it.

[@EC-dz3fb]

100% agree! ♡

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Absolutely

[@carmenwise2256]

Can't go wrong with FM. ABSOLUTELY A FAVORITE

[@Ezoangelofdeath]

AMEN smoothest song ever

[@quikspecv4d]

One of my favorite bands. They have crazy attention to detail in the studio. Some of the best sounding recordings ever made. The Aja album is nothing but bangers.

[@simplecarnivore]

GOAT band

[@roxannejohnston3311]

Steely Dan is awesome. All of their songs have that kind of groove, and their music is so clean and crisp. You should check out more of then. Try....Time Out of Mind😉 I always thought they were talking about Tequila and Mary Jane ..lol

[@buckmeredith1720]

They were.

[@davebeach2343]

@@buckmeredith1720 Actually that song is about smoking heroin, or chasing the dragon as it was called back then.

[@buckmeredith1720]

@@davebeach2343, you are wrong, Colombian Gold is weed.

[@davebeach2343]

@@buckmeredith1720 I agree with you that Columbian Gold is weed, but the song includes the lyrics, "Tonight when I chase the dragon", which is the reference to smoking heroin. Columbian Gold is/was among the finest weed, but it's not chasing the dragon when you use it. Check the urban dictionary for confirmation of this definition. Apparently the phrase can include other illicit substances also. (Made the edit after using urban dictionary for source to confirm definition.)

[@bpwn3r]

Tonight when I chase the dragon is an obvious h reference. The water will change to cherry wine references a clear syringe filling with the blood you do the return to check if you hit your vein, and the silver will change to gold is smoking a foily, as the heat will change the color of the foil. Damnit I'm so glad I'm clean for years now.

[@rinpocherags3169]

No, they’re that tight. Possibly the tightest group I’ve ever heard. It’s remarkable.

[@tuzonthume]

The kings of multi track magic in their day.

[@mjohnson801]

That's legendary session man, Rick Marotta on drums by the way. :)

[@gemsun6512]

R.I.P. Walter Becker , bassists, cofounder of Steely Dan. He passed in 2017. I saw them in Atlanta about a month or so after Mr Becker passed. He was missed. They have an incredible catalogue to dive into. Great Reaction! ✌🏼❤️ Edit to add - The band got their name from a sex toy named “Steely Dan” from the book by William Burroughs “Naked Lunch”

[@paullegg5064]

I'm 71. Grew up during that time, so there were a few things that might be different than this generations view. Prob not a harmonica. More likely an electric keyboard. My father played the harmonica and high notes like that had a different vibration than a keyboard. Not sure what Booger Sugar is, but in those days you drank good tequila and smoked some Fine Colombian. Great choice of songs.

[@bax6089]

@@paullegg5064 Cocaine is booger sugar...no comment from the ether based 80s peanut gallary though....a friend told me...

[@mtarlo215]

I'm a 90s kid who listened strictly to Rap. Steely Dan is so good. 100% listen to kid Charlemagne. I'll be waiting for your reaction to the solos and the drums underneath everything.

[@EC-dz3fb]

𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨, 𝘒𝘪𝘥 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘯𝘦! ♡

[@RichAdase]

Is there gas in the caaaaah? :)

[@mtarlo215]

When I'm falling apart on the golf course I just let steely dan play in my headphones. It doesn't help my game but I start having a better time

[@Pahdopony]

@@RichAdase yes, there’s gas in the caaah…

[@terryheatwole6153]

Kid Charlemagne ❤

[@shirleycollins6241]

I grew up with this amazing music check out their songs Deacon Blues, Do It Again, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number and my favorite jam Black Cow.

[@EC-dz3fb]

YES! BLACK 🐄, especially! ♡

[@shirleycollins6241]

@@EC-dz3fb Indeed!!!!

[@g.hon.4645]

The mighty "Kid Charlemagne" & my personal theme song "Deacon's Blue". On Fridays I would get home early from school & put on my newest Steely Dan album on my parents' baby grand-sized stereo & my mom would be making dinner to this music. She had been in the business w/my dad back in the '40's. She loved this music!

[@shirleycollins6241]

@@g.hon.4645 Lol yes sweet memories we were blessed indeed!

[@4.carmeljwn]

All of these bump, but Black Cow is,funky and OMG Peg is Popping. My faves are Deacon Blues and Home At last

[@buddystewart2020]

Drum recording Even though the session players hired for Gaucho were amongst the most talented from both the East and West Coast session fraternities, Fagen and Becker were still not satisfied with the basic tracks for some of the songs, particularly with regard to the timing of the drum tracks.[25] In a 2006 interview for Sound On Sound Magazine, Donald Fagen stated that he and Becker told recording engineer Roger Nichols: "'It's too bad that we can't get a machine to play the beat we want, with full-frequency drum sounds, and to be able to move the snare drum and kick drum around independently.' Nichols replied 'I can do that.' This was back in 1978 or something, so we said 'You can do that???' To which he said 'Yes, all I need is $150,000.' So we gave him the money out of our recording budget, and six weeks later he came in with this machine and that is how it all started."[26] Nichols named the drum machine "Wendel".[25] Subsequently, Wendel was awarded a platinum record. According to Ken Micallef in an article in Modern Drummer, the title song's drum track was assembled from 46 different takes. The drummer on the session, Jeff Porcaro, is quoted as saying: "From noon till six we'd play the tune over and over and over again, nailing each part. We'd go to dinner and come back and start recording. They made everybody play like their life depended on it. But they weren't gonna keep anything anyone else played that night, no matter how tight it was. All they were going for was the drum track." 25. Steely Dan - Gaucho (2000 Reissue) (CD liner notes by Walter Becker & Donald Fagen). MCA Records. 088 112 055-2 26. Tingen, Paul. "Donald Fagen - Recording Morph The Cat". soundonsound.com. Sound On Sound Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2015.

[@rogercisneros770]

This was back in the day when Columbia produced primo bud.Then cocaine took over.I sure miss that "fine columbian".

[@jameskirschling7887]

Man I feel old now. I remember when Colombian weed was the thing to have, we paid thirty five dollars an ounce for it. Thirty five dollars in the early seventies was a lot of money, I could usually afford a dime bag because I was a teenager then and didn't earn a lot of money. Steely Dan was two people Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and they used different musicians for their songs.

[@georgewardius3773]

Damn, u got Columbian for $35, cost us $40 in '76 in okla., Mexican was $10

[@steveullrich7737]

@@georgewardius3773 Yeah Columbian was the primo stuff, $$.

[@misstlc7136]

Om....yaz

[@misstlc7136]

4 fingers 50 bucks

[@kerrycronin3581]

Don't feel too bad. My sister is a couple of years older than I am and I had to explain it to her. Probably did back then as well. Always tough to live up to her "good girl persona." 😁

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

This song was released in 1980. It's about a guy and a younger girl who don't have much in common because of their age difference. Great song; love Steely Dan!

[@amonsamples]

Not the 60s...lol.

[@cjxj2202]

One of the greatest bands, they don’t really have any bad songs. Fun fact, their name comes from a sex toy in an erotica novel called Naked Lunch.

[@ursulabklyn_mia6148]

That makes sense.

[@bethmiller1840]

LMAO!

[@theCrankyYankee]

Truth. And the establishment was none the wiser. 😂

[@davidn5269]

Never heard anyone refer to “Naked Lunch” as erotica before, though it’s certainly been described as pornographic by the various groups that have attempted to have it banned over the decades. Maybe you learned about this book in a religious pamphlet?

[@theCrankyYankee]

@@davidn5269 Back in those days, Naked Lunch was “pahsetively scandalous, darling”. 😂😂😂

[@827dusty]

Steely Dan is so funky. These guys were on a different level musically. Great lyrics as well.

[@michellepetrillo2235]

I think the “fine Colombian” is weed- back in the day, “Columbian Gold” was some of the best you could get. That’s how I take it, anyway. Seems fitting for the time period. 😀

[@zekelucente9702]

Steely Dan is the best produced music ever and that’s why it’s some of the best music ever made. This song is from 1980 not the 60’s. I get it your young and I’m old. So glad you’re listening and appreciating this music.

[@raycewilliams3300]

The drummer on this track is Rick Marotta. What Steely Dan was able to do as far as mixing and producing in the studio was nothing short of miraculous. They were known to be "perfectionists" and this track is a prime example of that.

[@setphaserstosilicon]

It is a somewhat known quantity that Fagen had a "thang" for much younger women. He was in his mid 30's when writing this, so he is talking about the age canyon between them.

[@OliverSutton1962]

Donald Fagen - lead vocals, electric piano, synthesizer Rick Marotta - drums Walter Becker - bass guitar, guitar Hugh McCracken - guitar Victor Feldman, Steve Gadd - percussion Frank Floyd, Zack Sanders - backing vocals He was young in '67 could have all the girls he wanted, he moved got older wasn't interested in young girls anymore, the tequila and the weed is what makes him happy.

[@waynehenry127]

*chefs kiss* 🤌🏿

[@GeorgeM.78]

I stand corrected Roger Nichols, who was one of the engineers on the Gaucho sessions, fashioned a drum machine they used on this track. Dubbed "Wendel," it was one of the first of its kind, and it allowed them to record Rick Marotta's drum parts and play them back with perfect precision.

[@michaelscott7462]

This jam is at least 40 years old. It still rocks fresh...the kind of jam where you point you ride to the freeway with this playing with a fine honey riding shotgun.

[@bax6089]

I has a 76 Pontiac trans am 455 when this song came out...had this album on an 8 track tape playing with a book of matches jammed under it while i used to try and impress my little girlfriends with my starsky and hutch driving skills...the good ole days...we used up alot of the fun back then,thats for sure

[@theplanetruth]

That’s what she said

[@deelawson4551]

Yay! Love it! This came out in 1980 when I was 12. This is my favorite by them along with FM(No Static At All)..They are so smooth! Keep On Rockin'

[@scurvybro8850]

Very perceptive of you to recognize the drum machine on this tune. It was the Dan's first use of one, dubbed Wendel, created by their engineer, Roger Nichols. Although the liner notes credit Rick Marotta as the drummer, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were not satisfied with it, so they fed Marotta's performance into Wendel, which created the groove on the recording.

[@Sociallydetached]

My mom loves Steely

[@Manup2day]

16yrs old driving in my car and this hit my radio....I had to pull over and listen to this fat groove. Hooked ever since. Now I'm 60 and this right still hits me in the groove pocket. Thanx Steely Dan! 🥰

[@omnipop4936]

Over the years, I've had to pull over a few times myself, due to great music. Lucky for you, the DJ said *_what the song was,_* after it ended. I've had a few fantastic ones that "got away", never to be heard again, because the DJ didn't say who the artist was (this was way before apps like Shazam). Glad you were able to ID it and enjoy it for life. Cheers!

[@markwilhelm168]

This song came out in 1980. I was 17. Donald Fagan is now 74. Little miss "19" would now be 62. Youth is momentary. Enjoy it while you have it.

[@florida52001]

lol i agree with roxanne..tequila and weed. columbian was always considered the best weed, or so i used to hear lol

[@lynnhoffman247]

😎

[@jml-rj5re]

It's both live drums and a drum machine: The drum sounds are a looped sample of Rick Marotta, who played drums for the song. Then a drum machine called WENDEL made by engineer Roger Nichols looped the recorded drums, synced, and locked it into the song. Not the first drum machine, but the forerunner of how drum machines and samples work today. Steely Dan's Grammy winning Two Against Nature and lead singer Donald Fagen's The Nightfly and Kamakiriad were recorded digitally. Everything else (except WENDEL) is analog.

[@trip2229]

I think I'm going to like your channel. This is only the second reaction I've heard, and seen, from you and already two of my favorite musicians. Keep up the good work. Steely Dan has some incredible music that you will definitely appreciate as far as production goes, but those lyrics.....you ain't heard nothing yet. That's definitely grown folk music. I'm 74 and this brings back real good memories. Thanks.

[@LFRFAMILY]

Welcome aboard!

[@lynnhoffman247]

@@LFRFAMILY Colombian is weed 😂

[@trip2229]

@@LFRFAMILY Thanks and just don't forget Grace Vanderwaal lol.

[@j.h.3777]

@@lynnhoffman247 I've never heard the term booger sugar but I'm guessing that's what he meant.

[@lynnhoffman247]

@@j.h.3777 LFR meant cocaine which kinda makes sense, but Donald Fagan meant Columbian (Gold) in the song. I think 🤔 LOL it’s all good - or was back in the day 😎😏

[@steveguillermo9652]

This came out around 78 or 79 The drummer is Rick Marotta. There were drum machines but not here....

[@Scaryaoke]

You just found a new rabbit hole! Check all of their songs, all amazing!

[@Canine77]

Steely Dan is perfection! They select musicians based on the sound they’re after on each individual song, no drum machines, ever, all are the best live musicians out there.

[@williamself7027]

Yacht rock! Ya got to love it

[@tilstranden2681]

Yacht Rock? Bullshit! SD has nothing to do with this shallow droning of the Eagles, late Doobies and so on. They are jazzy, unusual harmony sequences, gigantically good rhythm tracks, cryptic lyrics, no acoustic guitars, no cowboy boots and hats. SD are in a league of their own.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

You Just Cracked The Lid Off A HUGE Rabbit Hole My Music Lovin Brother & It Is One WELL WORTH Exploring..Steely Dan Are Legendary Music Icons.

[@joankelly9609]

Steely Dan. Finally! My favorite band of the 70's Next do "My Old School" from the Count Down to Ectasy album. The whole album is great. The song came out in 73, the year I graduated hs. Also check out Aja. Top notch! Thanks Van for all you do.

[@krysdube1027]

There has never been a better band.

[@larrynintendo6838]

As someone who just recently discovered the excellence of Steely Dan, I enjoy watching other people in the same boat as me.

[@audiemccall5332]

These guys were as good as it gets ,my friends and I used to go camping and take the radio along and listen to music like this all night .

[@johncurtis7186]

More Steely Dan!!!

[@mariamcgrath2402]

OMG this is making me so happy, Sunday morning watching your enjoyment of the amazing Steely Dan! I am just chuckling away.

[@matzabean]

Hey, bruh. That’s Rick Marotta on drums - as clean and funky ( that’s kind of an oxymoron, right?) as it gets. Check him out on Steely Dan’s song “Peg.” That’s about as perfect and nuanced a groove as you’ll ever hear. It’s going to knock you out. Their whole catalog is littered with incredible drummers and musicians, in general. Enjoy! I can’t wait to watch you shaking your head in disbelief. 😂

[@jimgreene9526]

Rick Marotta played drums on Hey Nineteen.

[@jodibethb]

I love absolutely everything about this reaction! Your appreciation for this music makes my heart happy. Steely Dan are known for their obsessive pursuit of perfection in the studio. I think they achieve that here. Thank you 🙏♥️

[@robb9395]

Steely Dan was so good. That smile you have is EXACTLY how I feel every time I listen to Steely Dan. I still play them all the time. The bassist, Walter Hecker has passed, but was awesome. "Aja" is an album that bangs from top to bottom. My other personal faves are "FM", "Reelin' in the Years", "Do It Again", "Peg", and "Deacon Blues."

[@dudex2450]

Walter Becker was the co-creator (with his partner Donald Fagen) of Steely Dan and mostly played lead guitar from what I’ve seen of them on videos.

[@Arcege]

Steely Dan was mostly Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They would pull in the best studio musicians for each song.. so you may have dozens of musicians playing on an album. They were perfectionists when it came to the songs. They may have 5-10 guitarists, playing the same song, and pull in the best tracks. Same with the drums, which you heard. This was the 70's, so there was technology, but Walter and Donald used what was best for the song. Their best is Aja (song and album), but I like Third World Man, , Gaucho, FM, Pretzel Logic and Doctor Wu.

[@g.hon.4645]

Sorry. I cannot see Becker & Fagan standing for a drum.machine when they were so meticulously plotting what they wanted. Nah. Not them.

[@Arcege]

@@g.hon.4645 Oh, I agree, I wasn't saying that. But they do use technology where they felt it fit into the song. They wanted real musicians playing those - not some device pumping out sounds That wasn't their Jazz base and desire. I mean really, why get the best musicians just to turn on a device? :)

[@andrewfleming676]

@@g.hon.4645 But they did use a drum machine…

[@triciaalexander4840]

I just saw Steely Dan last night with The Eagles in Tulsa. Outstanding! I recommend you listen to Steely Dan's "Black Cow". You'll be blown away. It was sampled by Peter Gunz & Lord Tariq in "Deja Vu-Uptown Baby". Steely Dan has so many invaluable treasures. They opened with this one right off the bat! I enjoyed your reaction to it!

[@annmills3163]

This was released in 1980 , old but not really really really really old 😉. ☮️💜. He had real people playing drums, watch a live video

[@blueswannine8749]

They are actually singing about pot in the song. Columbian was supposed to be the best pot way back when. Cocaine wasn't a thing in the sixties. Yeah, the pop myth was that pot was the gateway drug to heroin. That was the thing teens were being warned away from back then.

[@r.plante2916]

I always thought it was weed, too, but could be wrong.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

@@r.plante2916 me too

[@steveb9326]

The Columbian isn't booger sugar, it's weed. Back in the day Columbian was the marijuana gold standard.

[@alicearchuleta6536]

Omg....SteelyDan is the best. Ty ur reaction was the best.

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Her not knowing Aretha Franklin is perfect

[@justmejoy124]

Yet another great from back in my haydaze lol

[@glenjohnson9302]

Cool sound.

[@ebenclukey7293]

You are so right Van with the keeping it open. They're not over playing. Some times the best notes are the ones not played. Let the song breathe.

[@mikeloomis687]

Heavy, heavy air play on the radio back in 1980. Along with "Time Out of Mind" off the same album. Just classic, so smooth, such great music. Rabbit hole....Fagen and Becker in a class all by themselves.

[@MrCeora]

FYI, The drummer on the session, Jeff Porcaro, is quoted as saying: "From noon till six we'd play the tune over and over and over again, nailing each part".

[@kbrewski1]

Porcaro not on drums on 19, its the great Rick Marotta.

[@shellymarquez9320]

Another good one by Steely Dan is Do It Again!🥰🥰🥰

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Steely Dan "FM",, "Do It Again",, "Deacon Blues",, "Dirty Work",, "Black Cow",, "Josie",, "Reeling In The Years",, "Peg",, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number",, "Aja",, "Kid Charlemagne",, "Don't Take Me Alive",, "Fire In The Hole",, "Only A Fool Would Say That",, "Midnight Cruiser",, Etc..Etc..Etc.

[@Schwabguitar]

Great album! Babylon sisters is super good too. Lots of good ones on that one. Best production of any steely dan album.

[@vanessarupe2039]

Welcome to the rabbit hole that is Steely Dan! You should def keep going with this group! ✌🏻❤️

[@davebeach2343]

The anticipation you felt when there was a new Steely Dan album in hand going home to hear it the first time was an almost physical force. Since they didn't tour their albums were the only connection available to their music. I remember that giddy feeling just knowing every song on the album would be quality, music to listen to again and again. One suggestion "Kings", political music about JFK and Nixon. Also "Chase the Dragon". Thanks

[@gsh319]

This was the Seventies brother, a fine time to be alive and gettin along. Listen on to Steely Dan, Kid Charlemagne....

[@merlinsclaw]

Funny that you would spotlight the 19 year old not knowing Aretha when you don't know Steely Dan. 🤣

[@rpsibley73]

One of my favorite tracks ever! since I was a kid in the early 80s I've always remember having a liking to this song

[@jchampboston]

Steely Dan originally got together because they were a group of studio musicians that was so well respected in the industry so all the instruments are very crisp and clean in there songs some people thinks it goes a little too far sometimes and sounds clinical but they’re great musicians nonetheless

[@pamelav4628]

Steely Dan, my College Band. They were playing- Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. I’ve seen them. Later Michael McDonald teamed up with them for songs. Seen him play and sing. All Magnificent!

[@ThatandCo]

Started as a band, but quickly became a revolving door of studio pros that Becker and Fagen was at the helm of for all the years they reeled in. fun fact, 2 members of the Doobies were in Steely Dan see if you can guess who . don't take me alive and Deacon Blues, my old school , my picks for next listen.

[@jacqueline4514]

Great picks!

[@dennisdickson6210]

Skunk Baxter Michael McDonald

[@badGamr]

That's the incomparable Rick Morata on drums on this track. No machine was used.

[@flor9389]

Steely Dan was a core of 2 musicians with a galaxy of the best musicians from other bands around. They might do 100 takes of a track to get it just right.

[@objectiveobserver4278]

Exactly! That is why they only toured for a couple of years and then continued in studio only. Their live performances are not perfect and kind of lackluster. Fagen did not like to sing live. Strange for a musician so thought of himself as a stud (yeah, he was not!).

[@singlesideman]

It's not a harmonica, it's a synth played with incredible soul by Donald Fagen, lead vocalist, co-writer and one of the two permanent members of the band, the other being Walter Becker. From 1980. Incredible song, one of two great songs on the album. The other is 'Babylon Sisters'. 'Aja' is Steely Dan's greatest album. 'Katy Lied' is their second best. Of course that's my opinion, but mine is shared with so many critics and fans, and is informed as a musician and composer. They're incredible.

[@joshriddle4919]

Please react to more steely Dan they are one of the best to do it ❤️

[@mdunawaym]

Steely Dan is such a hot band! Babylon Sisters live from Live in America is such a hot number! So lucky to have seen them in 2017!

[@SoloGuitar1000]

You know this song is ancient when they consider Cuervo Gold to be a fine tequila.

[@seanonel]

Loved this song for like *_forever_* !! Glad to see you enjoying it so much! Subscribed!

[@davelandsman4768]

Greatest band ever. Check out their album 'Aja' and many others. I always thought the 'Colombians on this was pot. No drum machine. Steely Dan is Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker plus a group of top notch studio musicians.

[@runtt01]

That is an early drum machine / sampler called The Wendal. The parts were played by Jeff Porcaro, sampled and played back. So, you got it right. It's a drum machine.

[@toolshed7652]

These guys were perfectionists and spent hours honing their sound for each album. Still some of the best produced albums of all time

[@Tune-O-matic]

Steely Dan was a revolving door of the best LA session players on the planet..

[@jesrush]

Peg…you only had to be 18 back in the day to drink alcohol…yes, tequila. ✌️😊

[@elijah8867]

Drummers back then were that good. It was the golden age of all golden ages of music. The musicians set the bar so high nobody these days just can measure up.

[@steveguillermo9652]

Fine columbian refers to weed in this case.

[@justmejoy124]

Happy Black History Month as well💯🤘🏼😎🧡🧡🧡💪💪

[@rayj1011]

Columbian weed was a big thing back then.

[@shanasteele8616]

Crispy clean and classic. Love Steely Dan!

[@pepleatherlab3872]

Yeah, those guys at Steely Dan were always the meticulous ones. Recordings so smooth, finished products were like milk on silk. The genius of their lyrics create quite a complimentary music experience. They still make me chuckle after all these decades. 'Hey Nineteen' is that compulsory experience when a man comes to the realization that there is attractiveness to be found in wisdom. And very little of it to be found in Nineteen year old's.😎

[@bryangettel4060]

Smooth, yes. Also very clean and crisp at the same time.

[@gordonpelto1069]

If you want to hear a mixing engineers Gold standard, listen to Steely Dan "Black Cow" see if you can guess who sampled it?

[@289hipo]

This was off of the Gaucho album, 1981. NO drum machines EVER!! The had the BEST session drummers available, everything your hear is pure talent and phenomenal recording/mixing/editing

[@debbiepochy6751]

I love you Van because you always make me laugh. "This song is really, really old". Ha ha, it was from 1980, and I was in college at the time, I guess that makes me really, really old, LOL!! The whole album was fantastic, and was so different from anything else at the time. PS The "fine Columbian" would have been smoking some pot at that time. 😊

[@jerrycloud942]

Van I absolutely love your reaction videos! Not only are they authentic & real but you obviously have a lot of musical knowledge! Keep up the good work!

[@guitarman0551]

This is a drum machine. I think it was the first one. It was created specifically for Steely Dan by one of their sound engineers who nicknamed the machine Wendel. It is used quite a bit on this album in addition to live drummers.

[@Chamomileable]

The song has kind of a dual meaning. The narrator is both looking back at their own youth and realizing that the girls he's talking to he's passed by in age and they don't mix at all with his interests or personality. "My Old School", "FM (No Static At All)", "Peg", and "Deacon Blues" are a few more tracks that you'd really enjoy I think. Also a quick note: When this song was recorded, Colombia was mostly known for having high-quality pot. It was a few years later when cocaine production really exploded and became the dominant drug export. The album's primary drummers were Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, and an extremely primitive drum machine (that cost around 150 grand at the time) named by the band "Wendel"

[@lindazee]

Actually, cocaine (at least here in NYC) was already huge in the late 70s (sadly so), as I recall the mania that surrounded its arrival and use. It took a few folks down. Looking back, it was nuts... kind of like Scarface nuts.