Listening to: Steely Dan: Aja, Side 1

[@riddhimanmedhi99]

This side 1 is absolutely one of the best ever in music. Absolute classic each song, one of a kind

[@cobbycaputo3332]

Steely Dan are basically their own genre. They blend elements of rock, funk, jazz, pop.

[@HyzersGR]

One of the best albums of all time. One of the best American bands of all time.

[@billhiggins1882]

It's not a band person It's 2 people and studio musicians

[@HyzersGR]

@@billhiggins1882 you really just tried to say Steely Dan isn’t a band? Maybe try looking up the word instead of trying to sound smart on the internet.

[@nicholasfox966]

But obviously no comparison to non-American bands, which are so clearly superior. Among American bands specifically, though, Steely Dan is pretty good. But again only if you are qualifying it with "American" bands. Otherwise, they suck.

[@GH0STS1AY3R]

Steely Dan helped me get sober this year so I'm ecstatic I get to listen with you! Cheers

[@markdrechsler5660]

Get “The Royal Scam,” the preceding album. That’s my favorite SD album. Just as impeccably recorded and played as “Aja,” but less slick sounding. The whole catalog is worth exploring.

[@parshakamarsh]

Mine too

[@mv8141]

I call Steely Dan ‘mature music’. Not rock. Not pop. They are what they are but it has always seemed to me to be for mature people who aren’t taken in by playing fast, loud, or posing. It’s just about the music and the music alone. The stories of their studio time are amazing. How many takes and with so many people doing the same song. Looking for the right sound. And what you get is very thought out music where every note is important and has its place. Good stuff Jim! Thanks for reviewing! Onto side two!

[@michaelstone5523]

Hey Jim! Just found you and immediately subscribed. When my wife and I got married in 74, this is all we listened to. I love that you play vinyl where you're basically forced to let it play. I hope this is your modus operandi. I hate these reaction channels that take everything off the internet, and stop every five seconds to spew out some mindless dribble. Let the music play, and then react. Well done my man!

[@JimNewstead]

Thanks Michael! Have a look around. I’d say 85% or more of the videos are vinyl! I love records 😁👍🏼. Glad you do too.

[@TheProgCorner]

Oh my!!!!! One of the best albums ever recorded.

[@robertpearson8798]

There’s really no such thing as a bad Dan song, but this album in particular is stellar.

[@ewenhouse]

Hi Jim. I highly recommend you watch this album from the "Classic Albums" series. Ian Dury said it's the most sophisticated Jazz album ever made. If you think the musicians came in and did one take then think again. Fagan and Becker got a reputation for fastidiousness to the point of exasperation of the other musicians. They wanted it how they wanted it down the the last "ding". If you go back to their first album "Can't Buy A Thrill" then "Countdown To Ecstasy" "Pretzel Logic" "Katy Lied" "The Royal Scam" through to this album and "Gaucho" you will see how they changed and grew.

[@rogerhennie8939]

They went from rock to smooth jazz

[@candelise]

@@rogerhennie8939 Don't denigrate things too much.

[@timburns379]

The title cut is my absolute favorite, the drumming by Steve Gadd is absolutely stunning and noted by Rick Beato as the solo that changed popular music

[@KnightlyTruth]

The fact Steve did it in one take is astonishing!

[@Finatic13]

don't forget that drummer Steve Gadd was under the influence of LSD when he recorded that drum solo and he has no recollection of the session.

[@timburns379]

Sorry but that is BS. Look at Rick Beato’s interview with Steve.

[@andrewhamer2512]

My favourite album by one of my favourite bands of all time. I can still remember getting it in my stocking Christmas 1977. Iconic and hugely influential on so many musicians.

[@luton_gmanrock]

One of my favourite albums and best pressings. This is an audiophile "test your hifi" type album, great tones, instruments and Fagan's silky tones.

[@Relayerman]

This album is regarded by music industry pundits / artists as probably the best produced album of all time.

[@mellotronin54]

Jim how have you never heard this masterpiece? sometimes I wonder where you have been. Had the vinyl since its release one of the greatest recorded albums ever.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Excellent Album. You can't go wrong with the Dan.

[@ericmeredith8754]

I became a fan of this band in the last two years. This album was my first introduction to the band. My first real glimpse into this band was from watching a video about the making of this album on NicknLex youtube channel. Very good record but not their best. They have some really great ones. Royal Scam might be my favorite. Thanks for the reaction Jim!!

[@mv8141]

Context: a dark, foggy morning in Nebraska, US watching/listening to this on my way to work. Totally making my mood for the day with coffee in hand. Haha. Thank you.

[@rickfeld7995]

One of the greatest sounding albums in recording history. Gadd & Shorter is one of those musical moments thats like Haleys Comet.

[@KnightlyTruth]

YES! The thing with Steely Jim is they were all about studio production and the best of the best, so they really are top tier especially on this album!

[@savariaxa]

I bought the Aja vinyl in 1977 when I was 19 years old now in my mid 60’s I mostly listen too Steely Dan and Donald Fagen’s solo albums enough said ! production values are par none a few others too mention are the Pat Metheny Group, Joni Mitchell, Kenny Rankin and Michael Franks ! 😉

[@briangray00]

'Genius level musicianship' just about covers it.

[@joelrizzo2786]

I think you described them perfectly.

[@lazydada1062]

Glad you're dipping your toe into the Steely Dan catalog. I recommend the album "The Royal Scam" :) Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@CrozGadd]

The title track Aja makes me emotional every time I hear it, the perfect song.

[@thomasmoroney1079]

One of if not the greatest album of all time. Owned it since it came out and is still just as beautiful to hear

[@Lightmane]

Love this album. Surprised you've never heard it.

[@buddystewart2020]

One of my favorite albums of all time, and Aja is definitely my fav Dan track. So damn good. Steve Gadd killin' it with Wayne Shorter, legend, on sax. It took a little convincing to get Wayne to play on this. He was afraid they were going to try and tell him what to play. He came in, and told them, just play the part you want me to solo over. Listened to it, then rolled tape.

[@jeffschielka7845]

Hey Jim! One word...masterpiece!😎

[@WMalven]

Yep, Jim, when you listen to Steely Dan, you're listening to the apex of musicianship. Fagan and Becker pursued absolute perfection and very frequently achieved it. On this album, for example, they used several entire studio bands and a great many takes and musician substitutions. There's not a song and any of their albums I don't like. AS for style, I consider them jazz-rock driven progressive.

[@TigerMtnKing]

A great album!🤩

[@realbser1956]

Thanks Jim, there’s so much more to be said and read about The Dan and their place in popular music. After you read the liner notes you’ll see the level of talent that played on the Aja album: Bernard Perdie, Steve Gadd, Wayne Shorter, Larry Carlton, Chuck Rainey, Joe Sample, Victor Feldman, Michael Omartian, Jay Graydon, Tom Scott, Lee Ritenour, Pete Christlieb, those back up singers, Michael McDonald, Rick Marotta, Steve Kahn, and too many others to mention. I understand why others prefer their preceding album, The Royal Scam, over Aja. For me it’s like trying to pick a favorite child. Impossible, because you love them all the same.😊

[@palantir135]

I love Steely Dan. You can’t really go wrong when buying a SD album. I bought this album about 1978 so I heard it already many many times. Steeleye Span is a great folk band. Love them too. You might know their hit song: all around my hat.

[@timothysoar1321]

So respectfully no I do not like all around my hat. Why you mentioned them is beyond me.

[@palantir135]

@@timothysoar1321 you probably missed Jim saying that there are three bands with almost similar names and Steeleye Span is one of them.

[@scottrbloom]

Perfect recording. This was one of the first albums that was recorded entirely on digital equipment. In the old days when I wanted to test out a pair of speakers I'd put on Aja and listen to the drumming at the end. If the speakers are up to snuff you'll hear every sustained ringing of the symbols, every strike with the stick. It's a remarkable recording of brilliant material played by some of the best musicians on the planet.

[@almondroca]

Aja was definitely analog. No Dan-related digital recordings until Fagen's solo effort The Nightfly in '82.

[@sidecardog5244]

Yes! I think I'll make myself a black cow.

[@billhiggins1882]

Great album. I bought it when it came out

[@JimNewstead]

It's so good!

[@nuimaleko7]

I remember when this cane out, it was the favorite of all the hipster radio DJs. I can't remember what type of music I was listening to mostly. It was probably Disco, since it was that era, so I paid little attention to it. But Now I am enjoying it.

[@anthonypallen7919]

Great album

[@ArthurMol-ib5tg]

Great review mate

[@littledittymusic727]

Good stuff Mallard!

[@yes_head]

"Intelligent pop music" -- yup, pretty much nailed it. They also usually appear on most 'yacht rock' lists, alongside groups like The Doobie Brothers or Toto. But it's important to remember that Fagan and Becker were originally hardcore bebop freaks back in their college days, and a lot of the music they made as Steely Dan was a big F-U to the music biz and the LA pop machinery of the 1970's. It's also interesting to me that Steely Dan never progressed beyond a small cult following in the UK (despite one of their most well known live recordings being from a London gig in 1974). I'm guessing they may have been a bit too "LA slick" for UK audiences, plus the lyrics were often idiosyncratically American, inscrutable even to Americans! But every studio ace probably sat in on one of their songs at one time or another, including Steve Gadd.

[@daveking9393]

Love this LP!

[@WooBino.]

Good job Barry....

[@DocSardo]

All of their albums are brilliant in their own way. Their first 3 are more blues (and jazz)-influenced rock, with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter playing many of the guitar solos. Their next two (Katy Lied and The Royal Scam, my personal favorites) are more "transitional" in that you can see how they progress toward the more jazz and funk-oriented Aja and Gaucho. Donald Fagen's first solo album The Nightfly is also one that's not to be missed. Nice clean record you got there, by the way. I'm afraid the one I have in my garage (from the 70's) is probably not in that kind of shape.

[@MaraxisArcanist]

Happy Wednesday, Jim!

[@jp8710]

Deacon Blues... simply sublime... listened to it a thousand times... for goodness sake Jim do a playthrough of DF The Nightfly... Ruby Baby will have bopping like popping candy my friend! 😂👊

[@robertlear2712]

I got this album on cassette around the time it came out in 1977.

[@KnightlyTruth]

U know when I added deacon blues to my dead and more mix tape I wasn’t sure, how you would feel about Steely Dan. Understand this album at least is the pinnacle of their evolution of sound. If you heard their first record you’d think it was a different band, it is that different from this.. So glad you found and enjoyed this, hope you don’t mind the second comment Jim

[@davidheiser2225]

I love Steely Dan but this is from the extreme jazz end of their range and I'm just not much of a jazz fan, so that makes Aja my 7th favorite album of theirs. Just a little too slick and polished. But I still love it!

[@rarerecordcollector9459]

My UK 1st Pressing of Aja has a mono-sounding mix of Deacon Blues.

[@adamp2029]

Nice shout out to Deacon Blue, the band. Their first two albums are great. I’m not too familiar with them after that.

[@HyzersGR]

All of their albums are good but Pretzel Logic is definitely one of their best.

[@richardm6985]

Rikki Don't Lost That Number what an anthem

[@michaelstone5523]

Hi Jim, little bit of trivia. Steely Dan was a 19th century term for a vibrater. Ain't that a hoot! Got that from the horse's mouth!

[@richardm6985]

Epic choice Jim :) I just bought a Mogwai LP with the sole intention of sending it to you

[@richardm6985]

Objectively perfect music

[@richardm6985]

"they call Alabama the crimson tide, call me deacon blues" .. incredible lyric.. the whole content of the bridge and chorus is to set up the playoff of " call me deacon blues" with a river of bubbling syllables

[@JimNewstead]

Mogwai on the channel now!

[@richardm6985]

@@JimNewstead i still plan to send that LP! It's on my desk in packaging, I'm worried it won't be a clean as your CODY album but I'll give it a go anyway. Might keep it here for a few months before adding it you your long list :P

[@markhaus2830]

Jim........Drummer Steve Gadd has been part of Eric Clapton's Touring Band for many years and plays on many of Clapton's recordings.

[@6lillium]

Ah yes... finally. Looking forward to your take on this.... listened to loads of SD when I was 10-12 . No wonder my tastes are so eclectic ....from this to Gojira ,and everything in between. What can I say ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯....I'm weird.

[@MisterWondrous]

Lord Jim, have you an adventure before you with this most intelligent of American pop bands. Beck and Fagen are a bit like the Davies Brothers, writing catchy songs from the top of their cerebra. High on the list of brilliant songs by Steely Dan (as opposed to Flaccid Dan)? Royal Scam, Babylon Sisters, Charlie Freak, Bodhissatva, Gold Teeth II, Don't Take Me Alive, Reeling in the Years, Do It Again, Any World I'm Welcome To...that should get you going anyway. Asa is one of their very best. Royal Scam and Babylon Sisters are as well.

[@dav147]

Beautiful record Jim but 'The Royal Scam' knocks it out of the park. imo.

[@leo-MDZ]

DISCAZO !!! 💪😎👍🏻💯🇦🇷🍺🍀🐄🔥🕺

[@lumpielump3576]

I will never understand how a grown up man who is interested in music has not heard this masterpiece until 2023 - it seems to me like never having heard about a book called The Bible...

[@shyshift]

Jim, did my cd, No Easy Access arrive yet? Rand Anthony Kelly.

[@JimNewstead]

Not yet Rand.

[@shyshift]

@@JimNewstead thank you for answering omgod it takes a long time to cross the Atlantic from Ohio.

[@shyshift]

Ryan sent it on October 10.

[@JimNewstead]

@@shyshift I haven’t had a chance to check the P.O. Box since last week as I was away Friday-Tuesday, been busy today. I’ll check tomorrow, fingers crossed 🤞

[@shyshift]

@@JimNewstead oh well it may be there then 🤞

[@jacksonbrawn6638]

Good stuff... but overplayed on the radio back in the day.... falls into the category of Hotel California or Stairway to Heaven.... great songs, heard em too many times 🤐 (I envy those that can hear these classics for the first time!)

[@yes_head]

If anything SD falls into the Yacht Rock genre, next to The Doobie Brothers or Toto.

[@TigerMtnKing]

One of my favorite albums but way overplayed. No band however great they are can be listened to every day like you can YES.🤩

[@michaelcapewell4811]

Sends me to sleep every time 😴

[@rogerpitcher6540]

Genrewise? They call it "Yacht Rock".

[@timballard27]

I never heard this album until now. I had the first 3 albums but kinda lost interest after pretzel logic. There was too much else happening in 77. Blame it on Joe Strummer!

[@helgar791]

Great album. On the song "Aja" so many people love the Steve Gadd part, but to me he just repeats the same motifs over and over. It really goes nowhere and is, to me, kind of boring. But the sax solo by Wayne Shorter is explorative and thematically rich. Nevertheless, there is really no such thing as a bad SD song. They are, IMO, along with Eagles and Journey, America's greatest band. I prefer of course, listening to SD over both those other two.

[@kenl2091]

Our survey asked 100 music lovers what they thought of Steely Dan. Top answers were: Great production (37) Tediously dull (25) Impressive players (23) Best band ever (6) Really tediously dull. Please make it stop (5) and that just about sums up my views. Obvious quality but I can't find a thrill and once again the cheesy sax at 14.00 just kills it for me.

[@WMalven]

LOL!!! Sorry, but Jim doesn't play Taylor Swift

[@cobbycaputo3332]

I hope you're being sarcastic about the sax solo, Wayne Shorter, "cheesy"? Goodness.

[@kenl2091]

@@cobbycaputo3332 Wayne Shorter? I did not know that but this isn't the first time that I've used the 'c' word when describing his work. Like much of Steely Dan, it's clearly hugely professional, entirely musical and hums like a 3 year old Roquefort. (Hah! That's not fair but I've always wanted to use that line. The Dan 'hits' like Reelin in the Years and Rikki, I thoroughly enjoy but I can't stand the entirely predictable jazzy sax that sometimes accompanies them and I'm not surprised to find out that Mr Shorter had something to do with it!. Each to their own though, eh?)

[@cobbycaputo3332]

@@kenl2091 I will agree it's a personal taste thing!

[@richardm6985]

Difference between cheesy sax and transcendent sax... Lies in the ear of the evaluator

[@paulbata9649]

steely dan..........................yawn................................................

[@billnole2188]

Hey Jim, great album even though my personal favorite SD is The Royal Scam. Steve Gadd is awesome on the title cut. The 2 guys always found great studio musicians to make their records smooth, classy and listenable while blowing you away with the quality of the musicianship.