OUR FIRST TIME LISTENING TO Donald Fagen - I.G.Y. | COUPLE REACTION (BMC Request)

See how Nick (🇩🇪) and Lex (🇺🇸/🇲🇽) listen to Donald Fagen’s solo work for the first time after only having heard 3 Steely Dan songs before! Believe it or not… we’d never heard the name Donald Fagen or Steely Dan before starting this journey! Thank you for being here for it!
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This is from the album Nightflly (1982) by Donald Fagen.
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#DonaldFagen #IGY #reaction

[@michaelbastraw1493]

"The International Geophysical Year (I.G.Y.) was an international scientific project that lasted from 1 July 1957 to 31 December 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West had been seriously interrupted. Sixty-seven countries participated in IGY projects, although one notable exception was the mainland People's Republic of China, which was protesting against the participation of the Republic of China (Taiwan). East and West agreed to nominate the Belgian Marcel Nicolet as secretary general of the associated international organization." Best. Leo.

[@willasacco9898]

Thanks for the info. Keep well.

[@ganazby]

Great info! Thank you

[@zackattack635]

Basically it transitioned Tavistock to a globalist model of enslavement. They sold it like they would solve the worlds problems… instead it was bankers consolidating power. Donald is mocking the concept as it was expected to be ushered in by the bicentennial of America, it clearly wasn’t.

[@ldmoore7002]

Have you seen the Everything Must Go video with Donald and Walter in a cab in Vegas? You will LOVE IT?

[@hddun]

WOW Leo! It was only about 5 years ago when I "googled" this song title to find that as you so well explain it was Feagan's tribute to the International Geophysical Year .... thanks much for that great detail...

[@sidecardog5244]

The entire album is a masterpiece! Cool as the other side of the pillow. Standouts are The Goodbye Look, Maxine, The Nightfly... IGY is an imagined future from the scientific optimism that permeated the late fifties and early sixties. I'm still waiting for my flying car...to match my silver spandex jacket.

[@sae1095hc]

The song doesn't say anything about flying cars, but that's what I think of when I listen to this.

[@keisarsoze]

Hey man, what about a Kamakiri, lets get one. hahahahaha.

[@SMccrate01]

This album is so well produced that for many years--maybe currently--concert engineers carry a studio reference quality HD audio CD of The Nightfly to set up PA systems and check dynamics. Like Aja, it is nearly a perfect album. Also check out his solo album Kamakiriad about a future Los Angeles where he tools around in a steam-powered car with a hydroponic greenhouse in back growing all kinds of good food! It's fantastic and since it was produced by Walter Becker, for all intents and purposes, it's pretty much a Steely Dan album.

[@BennyNegroFromQueens]

11 tracks of Whack is also a masterpiece. A lot more subtle.

[@samuelharvey3496]

This is one of the first fully digital tape recorded albums. Like Steely Dan, there aren't any bad songs on this album. Ruby Baby is a cover song, but his version is so freaking good, give it a listen.

[@sooutrageous007]

"A just machine to make big decisions, programmed by fellows with compassion and vision... " Who writes lyrics like that? Genius... just friggin' genius! And the way the musical narrative takes a dramatic down-step to ease into the verse: sublime. Steven Fondo

[@barryanderson3910]

"A just machine to make big decisions, programmed by fellows with compassion and vision... " Very ironic, don't you think?

[@jeffguyett1041]

@@barryanderson3910 Mr Fagen is nothing if not ironical

[@johnnymirehiel7661]

The answer to your question, "Who writes lyrics like that?" I'd say, easily, it's Walter Becker.

[@seanharrigan6365]

Who else writes lyrics like that? Neil Peart

[@crazydale1000]

I recently read an interview with several of the session players that worked with Steely Dan. All said that The 2 members of Steely Dan were both total perfectionists and would sometimes bring in different players 5 days in a row and spend hours on one song. They spent enormous amounts of money in the studio getting everything absolutely perfect.

[@markgettemeyer1145]

The fidelity on this album is very highly regarded by sound professionals. You’ll often hear it playing over the house system when you go to a live show - sound techs use its dynamic range to help tune the system to the space. Check out the backstory on the CD - intended to represent a period in time and the dreams of a young man growing up in that context. New Frontier is something you guys should react to ✌🏻

[@jirimondo]

If you look at the CD it's marked as DDD - as in digitally recording, digitally mastered, and digitally media - it was one of the first albums that was DDD. I remember buying it when it came out and it was considered a great reference standard for media to play on your sound system.

[@GiancarloXmusic]

you know whats funny? Steely Dan's music IS really good to do a reference mix for live shows with, but the reality is none of the bands ever come sounding high fidelity so all that pre-mixing goes right out the window anyway haha

[@-R.Gray-]

On the song "New Frontier", he calls Brubeck a pioneer. Also, before too long, check out some early Steely Dan songs from the period before they abandoned touring the first time : like their first big hit "Reelin' In The Years" which has some memorable guitar work by Elliot Randall.

[@erikberg5363]

I agreee! Check out especially any of the hits from the first album: “Reelin’ In The Years”, “Do It Again” or “Dirty Work”.

[@FenderBassMan]

Elliot is sooo badass!

[@DFWTexan42]

Everything on this album is meticulously crafted. Every song tells a story. So glad when this CD came out I had a night job at the electronics store. I think I played this on repeat every night for almost a year on our work stereo system. :)

[@petergiffes1239]

The entire album is great. He performed this album in its entirety in New York as a Steely Dan Album. Nobody objected. The show was sold out. Great concert.

[@chrislegner4816]

There is an extremely deep well of Steely Dan gems for you to discover. Best wishes and great job as always.

[@rodconnah4249]

Would love to get your take on "New Frontier" (an absolute must after IGY) ... my wife's name is Maxine and I very unsubtly played that track quietly during our first date, clumsy or what!! but we've been married 32 years :)

[@dwgale01]

I'd say it was clever and subtle. But then again, your wife might've found it to be so clumsy that it was endearing.

[@roundtownKen]

If your wife is as beautiful as the song, you've got yourself a "trophy wife".

[@brianvaldez1746]

Maxine is a beautiful song.

[@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052]

I painted the stick figures jazz band from the Dave Brubeck take five album as tribute to “New Frontier” on an exterior stone wall on my home. A monolithic dome home. Looks awesome

[@MissAstorDancer]

@@tinypurplefishesrunlaughin8052 I wish I could see that!

[@mikenichols3965]

Ah, the futurist optimism of that bygone era of late 50's. This whole album is gold. "New Frontier" was the other hit. Title track is also particularly great. Mr Fagen also contributed a song to the Heavy Metal Movie that same year. Much less cynical than Steely Dan, lyrically, at least for this album. From Wikipedia: The Nightfly is almost blatantly autobiographical. Many of the songs relate to the cautiously optimistic mood of his suburban childhood in the late 1950s and early 1960s and incorporate such topics as late-night jazz disc jockeys, fallout shelters, and tropical vacations. Awesome that it got unblocked! Walter Becker's first solo record, 11 Tracks of Whack, is also rewarding, if less Steely Dan sounding.

[@hddun]

Definitely great comments Mike on one of the real musical geniuses of all time -- Feagan...every note on every recording is perfection..Thanks for your comments..

[@realmusic962]

As a producer/engineer I used the song RUBY BABY as my studio reference track for YEARS!

[@hklinker]

I can understand why. I have a nice surround setup and there are few songs I enjoy playing more than that one.

[@realmusic962]

@@hklinker yes today I have different choices for studio references but I was in the thick of production LP's back then where you couldn't master below 60hz or the record wouldn't 'cut' properly.

[@hklinker]

Which parts of the track made it reference-worthy?

[@realmusic962]

@@hklinker The overall perfect frequency analyzer display matching to room-tuned reference monitors primarily.

[@tommythompson9565]

@@realmusic962 huh? 😄

[@chrisharrison9575]

Great comments. This CD was fabulous and touched my life. I was born in 53 and lived thru these times. I remember these events and the characters brought to life in this wonderful music. The combination of sound and memory makes this even more poignant. One of the best of the era. I gave this CD as a gift to many people whom I thought would not only appreciate the music but the memories.

[@Mr_Mijagi]

A masterpiece. Fun Fact: The drummer is the legendary Jeff Porcaro from TOTO.

[@Jack-D-Ripper]

James Gadson - drums Jeff Porcaro - additional drums

[@thomaswalkowiak815]

Jeff died too damn early. He was a master

[@mjm5081]

@@thomaswalkowiak815 ❤

[@steelyd2]

I think he’s more legendary for his first band being Steely Dan. His work on Katy Lied alone is unreal

[@lewismaddox4132]

"Just machines to make big decisions programmed by fellas with compassion and vision we'll be clean when the work is done we'll be eternally free yes and eternally young oooooooooo!"

[@supasoulproductions]

Donald has a couple of later solo albums that get overlooked. You might want to check out 'Weather In My Head' from 'Sunken Condos' and 'It's What I Do' from 'Morph the Cat'.

[@doplinger1]

Outside of this album, I’d have to say Kamakiriad is my favorite - “Trans-Island Skyway” is a great track!

[@katnewton6475]

Wow. Love that you love donald. Sunken condos was good but not his best but what his best was kamakiriad and 'tomorrows girls' but he was on another level

[@dolszewski906]

Good tune! Great album!!! Love the horns and synths! Unmistakable voice! New Frontier is another awesome one! Love what you do, guys! 🥰💐🤗

[@kendudley3553]

Nick and Lex, i am one of the biggest Dan fans, and it is so much fun sharing with you. I saw the reaction video and stopped everything i was doing so I could watch. It's like being with friends. I hope you will consider doing more of the Nightfly. I would enjoy watching you react to Walk Between The Raindrops.

[@fadguru]

This song is a regular on my playlist....HELL, this entire album!

[@JefferyWWright]

All his other solo albums are also ingenious. My personal fav: Kamakiriad.

[@kathylee1261]

Me too

[@LynneConnolly]

I love that one! Used to have it on repeat.

[@ronrobbins2737]

MORPH THE CAT is brilliant also!

[@FenderBassMan]

Ooooh yeah! "...the tech was Balinese..."

[@rodroller6634]

I am so happy this undiscovered masterpiece is getting the respect it is due. The Nightfly has been a staple for me for almost 40 yrs now. So many albums lose their impact as time goes on, but not this. I’ll be listening to this into my grave.

[@ricklucero6703]

Great autobiographical LP. That is his bedroom on the back. Late at night growing up in the mid 50s listening to late night jazz DJ who he is portraying on the front. Mastered by Bob Ludwig! The title track describes this.

[@mikeloomis687]

Probably my favorite album of all time, and at 64, I’ve listened to a hell of a lot of music!

[@williambeck6364]

I have the original LP record! Every year I play it, or the Nightfly CD in the car, and discover my love of Fagen and Steely all over again!

[@jimdolen225]

Both Fagan and Becker were absolute perfectionists in the studio but in concert I was struck by both of their playing live. Fagan has a unique way of creating rhythms with his keyboards

[@sydviscous7006]

Fagen, Fagen, FagEN!

[@dc2694]

Glad you loved it. As others are saying, please try New Frontier. It's the only song set in a nuclear fallout shelter that name-drops Tuesday Weld and Dave Brubeck.

[@michaelzack5581]

This entire album is amazing! You should do a reaction to the whole album. It's sheer perfection!

[@Stingseven]

The thing I remember most is coming home from school one day and my mother was playing this, singing along to Ruby Baby!

[@davedrd8829]

Ruby Baby is a great song 🎧 🎵 🎶

[@jeffheck5559]

Didn't know of Fagen's solo work until a few years ago. Nice to have new music with The Dan touch. Must get back under my rock now.

[@unstrung65]

Ironically , nobody homes in on the sarcasm of Fagin's lyrics , which is the message of the song ." Fagen's lyrics sarcastically discuss the widespread optimistic vision of the future at that time, including futuristic concepts such as solar-powered cities, a transatlantic tunnel, permanent space stations, and spandex jackets. The song criticizes this vision and offers a humorous critique on the naïveté of postwar optimism in America and the Western world. The "76" referred to in the song is 1976, the U.S. Bicentennial year." --- Wikipedia

[@sooutrageous007]

Well said, Douglas. Kudos to you my good man!

[@richardfurness7556]

Nailed it. This is a theme Todd Rundgren would explore in 'Future' from his 2004 album 'Liars'.

[@karlj.9501]

I always found the lyrics tongue in cheek, but also quite sad,.. that the vision was never realised as power and greed manipulated the world to where we are today.

[@briangray00]

Absolutely: Superb upbeat tune, super optimistic lyrics. Donald was being sardonic and felt massively let down by 1982, compared to the vision being sold, as he was growing up. ..... Here we are in 2021. As I said elsewhere we dun f*cked up even worse than he thought. Give it another listen Nick & Lex with more attention to the lyrics It's relentlessly optimistic to the point where it indicates where we've fallen short. It's even more poignant 39 years on.

[@thebullgoose6099]

Precisely.

[@andrewrea2799]

Another amazing album. You’ll be listening to it over and over.

[@ragjamrock]

New Frontier is a real groove! You wont be disappointed,I promise.🎶😎

[@standupp2885]

I haven't heard this in ages, had forgotten it and only thing that made me click on it was that is was Donald Fagen of Steely Dan.

[@ricklucero6703]

Donald is playing a melodica. It is like a harmonica with a small keyboard and a reed. Not a synth.

[@guitarelaxed]

No, it´s a synth. It´s just been programmed to resemble the sound of a chromatic harmonica. On a Melodica you can´t bend notes. In the liner notes of the record it´s listed as "Synth blues harp". Donald Fagen is playing Melodica on "Mary shut the garden door" from his record "Morph the cat"

[@roundtownKen]

Its not a Hohner Melodica. Nice try. It is a synth. The only time Don plays the Melodica(generally) is live on stage. If you listen again, notice the 'pitch bends' in IGY. Bending the pitch (note) is impossible on a Melodica, because it uses a type of reed like a harmonica. Pressing a Melodica (keyboard) key allows air to flow over that note-specific reed. The reed only makes a single pitch. Synthesizers have a 'pitch wheel' or slider that allows you to bend a note(s) up or down, something like an ambulance siren sounds. (I own several synths and 2 Hohner Melodicas). Have a great day and enjoy the sounds.

[@michelemichele3375]

“Home At Last” would give you the 2nd Aja track so you can enjoy it. Bernard Purdie on drums and Larry Carlton on rhythm guitar with both Fagen & Becker taking solos. Or second choice would be “Josie.” Thanks! ✨🤪

[@michelemichele3375]

And then we can get into more Nightfly or Royal Scam since you own both CDs. Have loved this music for so long and even followed Fagen’s solo career and even the fairly-recent band, The Dukes of September with Fagen, Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald. Everything Fagen touches is gold for me. ✨🤪

[@bobburroughs6241]

A favourite.

[@johnnymirehiel7661]

@@michelemichele3375 "...Everything Fagen touches is gold for me." Yes, it's gold, fer sure, but 18 carats, as opposed to The Dan's, whose Music was 24 pure carats. IMHO

[@timcardona9962]

Beautiful song with lush jazzy changes and that *killer* groove held down by the great Anthony Jackson on bass. All of Fagen's solo albums are top notch jazz pop/funk

[@ronrobbins2737]

As I recall, this beginning-to-end audio masterpiece was one of the very first all-digital albums, and actually won the Grammy Award for "best album production." Fagen is the greatest living jazz-rock songwriter/producer/singer/musician, whose creative genius has endured five decades and the loss of duo partner Walter Becker.

[@davedrd8829]

Style & Class!!

[@eileendobbs8009]

His Mary Shut The Garden Door from Morph The Cat is worth a listen as well.

[@theivory1]

That's a unique song.

[@KWBennet]

Thanks. This made my night. The Nightfly was my favorite album when I was in high school in the 80s… and it still might be.

[@patrickstallings9613]

this album came out in 1982, basically 40 yrs ago and it STILL sounds like it came from the future.

[@NoCanDu]

This album is in my Top 3 of all-time. Perfect. It was my introduction to Steely Dan since it came out when I was 13! What a trip it’s been. So happy to see others going down this road!

[@historyguy5942]

Such an amazing song and the album in toto is a masterpiece. Bought this album the day it went on sale and was blown away-- listening to it literally hundreds times over the years, more than any Steely Dan album, and I LOVE Steely Dan. Thanks for playing it and I enjoyed your reaction.

[@danielswood]

Check out his laid back cute little song, Maxine off that album - found it as my youngest daughter's called Maxine - though her name came before I heard the song (honest!). Many thanks for this, stay safe xx

[@keithjones6023]

Does your Maxine like the song?

[@danielswood]

@@keithjones6023 sorry for the delay, had to ask again... and it's a yes from 'my' Maxine! haha 😊 (I got the knowing smile when she recognised the Steely Dan sounds heard so often in the car) xx

[@jprph1]

LOVe, LOVE LOVE this album !!! I have played his Album/CD TO DEATH ! Thanks for covering this. You guys still NEEED to check out “BODHISATTVA” by Steely Dan too !

[@cometogether999]

They'll really like it, I have no doubt. And danceable too.

[@markrowett8168]

Great track!!

[@michelemichele3375]

Yay! So glad they unblocked this. Steve, you requested great tracks but hey, almost any track brings pleasure (some are more jazzy or blues/funky, but all are good and that includes the output as a group or solo efforts). Great reaction! ✨🤪

[@natalieo-s8908]

Hello! Thank you for the video!Please pay attention to the young singer Diana Ankudinova.Make reactions to the songs of Wicked game, Human🌞🌞🌞DIANA ANKUDINOVA is a talented young singer. I would like to know your opinion. I think you will be surprised. Diana has a very unusual voice and artistic presentation for her age.🌹🌹🌹 Thanks in advance

[@sergeykot8753]

Diana Ankudinova 😊👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥🎉💫💯

[@vladimirkhokhlov6756]

Natalie, i agree with you! Diana is very talanted singer!

[@yuriichetvertakov3704]

Diana this is the best thing I've ever heard in my life 🤯 😍

[@bobburroughs6241]

Duh. This is about Donald Fagen and Steely Dan - we could all mention other bands.

[@pablopallone]

This is a special audiophile cd, it sounds great.

[@smyffmawzz]

Crystal clear clarity of production adds to this masterpiece . So nice to see others loving it too .

[@eileendobbs8009]

Also you should hit Home At Last off of Aja. Nice jazz piano at the beginning.

[@careym3901]

Yes, fantastic song! My personal fav. off the album!

[@eileendobbs8009]

@@careym3901 mine too and it just doesn't get enough listen

[@markfilla9305]

Another vote here for Home at Last! Love that song!

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Way back in the early 80s ESPN used to use this song during the bumpers for their women's gymnastics coverage.

[@genecase326]

This was going to be a Steely Dan album but I believe Walter Becker was involved in a serious auto accident so Donald Fagen recorded it himself. I hope I'm right about this. Very well produced and engineered (surprise, surprise). Ruby Baby is my favorite. A cover of an old R&B song. Soooooo smooth! BTW, This was my first DVD-Audio disc I ever purcheded in about 2002. 5.1 in Hi-Resolution takes this album to an even higher level!

[@hklinker]

I think this album is all DF, from concept to completion.

[@briangray00]

@@hklinker +1 I don't t think he was involved at all either. Perhaps planning a slower life growing avocados in Hawaii.

[@jeffguyett1041]

Could have been rehabbing ?

[@FloatingAnarchy61]

As has already been mentioned it's about the International Geophysics Year and the optimism around scientific innovation. The lyrics with the main refrain are supposed to be sarcastic. We used to have a science programme on tv in the UK called Tomorrows World, which used to predict things like we'd all be using jetpacks in the future. Donald in this song is basically parodying that hopeful optimism for the future. Two other great songs from this album are New Frontier and Ruby Baby. So glad you've finally got around to Steely Dan. So many great songs. Off the top of my head I'd recommend Babylon Sisters, My Old School, Bodhisattva (the guitar work is mind blowing), Showbiz Kids. To be honest there's far too many great songs to list. Up until the album Katy Lied (their 4th album) they were basically a band with the same members, (Jeff Skunk Baxter went on to join the Doobie Brothers). After that it tended to be Donald and Walter and the cream of the top musicians and session players. Of course everybody always mention the stellar musicianship with the Dan but what's often overlooked is the brilliant harmonies. I'd put them up there with anyone, the Beach Boys, CSN, Fleetwood Mac, regarding their harmonies. I was lucky enough to see them a couple of years ago, minus Walter obviously, but it was a great gig. Steve Winwood supported and was also brilliant, he joined Steely Dan on stage later to perform Pretzel Logic with them. I thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Steely Dan are a rabbit hole you might never be able to climb out of. If I had to pick just one though it would be Babylon Sisters.

[@tommythompson9565]

New subscriber today. You're one of the best Reaction Videos channels. You both are laid back and likable, but obviously passionate about music. Keep up the good work.

[@porgyt7177]

This whole album rocks 🎸! And you are SO right, total driving/cruzein' music!

[@mr.mojorisin1616]

Crap ton of people who did solo work in the 80's such as Don Henley, Glen Frey, Barry Goodreau, Phil Collins, Robert Plant...the list goes on and on. The 80's were truly a great time to be alive! Loved this album by Fagen and the Glen Frey album I played into the dust as well.

[@bobburroughs6241]

So glad you chose this - an incredible song that I still play a lot from a fine album. The equal of the best of Dan tracks - just phenomenal lyrics.

[@russevans3586]

"On that train, all graphite and glitter..." What a cool lyric.

[@mhump23]

I love that 80’s style keyboards. Lol hey it came out in the 80’s lol. You guys are so much fun. This btw is one of my favorite albums of all time. So playful!

[@jeffhiggins8087]

Definately a top 10 song of all time ! Fantastic! Thanks for reviewing this one !!

[@jhamptonjr]

I put this CD in my Mom's car's CD player 3 years ago and it won't eject it! So, we have a quality CD to listen to anytime now! Peace! (Yes, I bought a replacement!)

[@philaman1972]

It's always a pleasure when I introduce people -- mostly young people -- to Steely Dan/D. Fagan and witness their facial reaction to these incredible tracks upon hearing them for the first time!

[@willasacco9898]

IGY stands for International Geophysical Year, It was some sort of international scientific project, in the 1950’s, I believe. Advise me further, O wise commenters.

[@Anders2112]

Pretty sure this whole album is about the 50's when Donald Fagen was growing up, and this song in particular is about the optimism people had for the future. "Just machines to make big decisions. Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision. We'll be clean when their work is done, we'll be totally free, we'll be eternally young."

[@susanhewitt6359]

My 15 year old self bought this album! Glad to see you guys enjoying the genius that is Donald Fagen. You give me hope for the future of music!

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

A big fav of mine by Fagen is from another solo album called Morph the Cat and the track is called Here Comes the H Gang...wicked song !

[@williambeck6364]

That is one of about 4 or 5 GREAT songs from that album (Morph.) Of course, EVERY SONG on The Nightfly is a gem!!!!

[@1957PLATO]

Donald Fagen is a great story teller, an excellent musician and a fantastic producer.

[@anenglishlife7210]

Yes, we were spoilt rotten with amazing music production in the 80’s... we took it all for granted at the time of course. I’m growing my vinyl collection again though and most are 80’s albums that were iconic . Your reaction to Tears for Fears “woman in chains” was the catalyst for getting their “ seeds of love” album and I just listen to it over and over again, luxuriating in the production perfection.. apparently it took three years to make. Please do try The Smiths .. a great start would be “ How soon is now”.... would love to know what you think. I’m Lisa btw.

[@bobchannell4255]

Hi there lovely people from Australia .you have very quickly become my favourite reaction channel. Your enthusiasm and musical appreciation is so nice to see. Y our discovery of steely Dan , yes etc is a joy to watch. I’m 69 and have had the pleasure of hearing or seeing many of these over the years. A favourite of mine Michael McDonald always adds a touch of class to whoever he is performing with, one worth listening to is his turn with Patti LaBelle on”on my own”. Keep up the joy, thank you.

[@robertjewell9727]

I.G.Y. stands for International Geophysical Year, which was from 1957 to 1958 where there was a huge promotion for world scientists to gather together and let the future arrive with peace and prosperity and the song is about people from the '50s envisioning the future so the sound of the song is significant because Fagen deliberately wanted to herald a sort of retro-future sound, '50s meets '80s in a super-idealized way hence the serene glistening sound it has.

[@chad9017]

Thanks! Thanks for keeping music alive. Old and new.

[@luiscasso9594]

Love "New Frontier" off this album. A must listen. Fagen & Becker are/were geniuses.

[@blamhof]

An amazing album, play it all the way through for a musical journey of perfection. For a different take on the Steely Dan solo album trip please try Walter Beckers 11 Tracks of Whack, another class solo album but miles away from this. My favourite reaction channel.

[@bobholtzmann]

Nice flow to this song, even with the chord changes. It takes bands like Steely Dan to pull this off - in this case, 1/2 of the group! It sounds like Tom Scott's L.A. Express lent a hand in this - they played on a few Joni Mitchell albums.

[@michaelescareno7048]

Really enjoyed your reaction and appreciation for this classic performance by Donald Fagen!!!!

[@realbser1956]

Happy you are exploring Fagan’s solo work. His four albums The Nightfly, Kamakiriad, Morph The Cat and Sunken Condos are stellar. The song Morph the Cat is great, hell, all the songs on the first three albums especially, are really worth a listen after Pat Metheny 😉

[@grahamhowes6904]

A superb album from beginning to end every track outstanding - NEW FRONTIER especially good.

[@brenthowell8883]

Great reaction! I have tried to get others to react to Donald Fagan's solo stuff, and no one has. God Bless you guys for doing this reaction! He made I think, about 6 maybe 7 solo albums. If you get a chance check out New Frontier, Nightfly, Snowbound, The Dunes, Mona, Morph The Cat. There are a lot more, but this is a start!✌

[@fernsehdesign]

probably because Steely Dan is known for aggressively having their music blocked on YT?

[@nicholas6823]

One of my favourites. I was introduced to SD in 1982 while shopping in Virgin Megastore in London. They were playing Gaucho throughout the store and I just had to ask who that was playing. I had never heard that type of sound, being into the normal UK bands of the time. So I bought Gaucho on tape and then Nightfly the following year on record, which I still have and play. Top notch in every way. You can clearly hear a progression through Aja, Gaucho and Nightfly.

[@mxkguitar]

Two things. 1) Donald Fagen is a genius! 2) One can not explain the joy a Dan fan has watching someone experience the Dan for the first time and fall in love with the music! So nice to see you give them kudos! Love your vids! 🤘😎

[@70sladyalways25]

I was a teenager hearing all these great artists. I still love all their music and keep the 70’s and 80’s on my playlist.

[@okguy1282]

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker had a sound and harmonies and lyrics that put you in a cool state of mind! U just feel COOL like cool man. Donald Fagen has an unmatched coolest voice. LOVE THIS ALBUM.

[@thomasw3892]

The accents and solo are not played on a keyboard, it's Fagen playing a harmonica through a synth.

[@SPAZZOID100]

No. It’s the Synergy Synth.

[@topgazza]

Just perfect music to chill out to. Such high quality in every aspect

[@Michael-xj6qt]

Great reaction, it's just perfection, 🎶😄

[@Jonni1027]

Love this reaction! Nick you were speaking about the big names in music where everything they recorded was top of the line and you mentioned Quincy Jones. That made me think of someone Quincy thought of as a musical genius, and he said he’s only know 4 of those: the late Donny Hathaway. He was a fabulous composer, had a beautiful voice and amazing song interpreter. He was influenced from classical to jazz to the Standards. SOMEDAY WE’LL ALL BE FREE is Donny at his best. His friend wrote the song for him knowing of Donny’s struggle with schizophrenia and Donny had cried hearing the playback of the song. Unfortunately he committed suicide in 1979. If you guys are so inclined to try him I just really feel the quality of his music is right up you guy’s’ alley.❤️

[@ler5299]

Never get tired of the Dan's snarky sarcasm. Never gets old.

[@robertholmes6906]

"Century's End" Donald Fagen !!! Everyone's sleeping on it!!!! Love the channel !!

[@wfj50]

Outstanding CD!

[@santellanr]

This whole album is great. I'm sure you'll enjoy it all. I had the pleasure of seeing Steely Dan in concert at the Pine Knob music theater, in Clarkston, MI. They were great.

[@peterf4552]

If you love the 80s, the ultimate 80s album for making romance is "Avalon" by Roxy Music. That's one where you have to listen to the whole thing - the whole really is greater than the sum of the parts. You don't necessarily have to do a reaction for that one. :^)

[@michelemichele3375]

Peter, I like the way you think. I’ve already sent Nick n Lex this CD. They haven’t unwrapped it yet. And earlier today, I sent them a link to “More Than This” in the film “Lost in Translation” to show them an example from the album. Very romantic. Even his solo torch songs - I saw that tour too. Do you think he ever got over Jerry Hall? Hope so. Thanks ✨🤪

[@peterf4552]

@@michelemichele3375 We must be close in age. :^)

[@michelemichele3375]

@@peterf4552 And I think we had the best decades of music and some big cultural changes during our youth. And I wouldn’t pick any other time to be born and come of age. I also strive to remain knowledgeable about artists from many different generations and countries ... I’ve dipped into music before my time, current artists, different genres and world music. This channel and the subscribers really help me grow musically. And yes, older now but still enjoying music - thanks! 🤩 ✨🤪

[@stony2494]

I’ve love the Dan since they came out and played in many cover bands. I sing a Donald impression. It makes me smile to know younger folks are just discovering them 😎🙏♥️👍

[@rogercarter1265]

“Spandex jackets for everyone” Classic!

[@vonyroces7878]

glad you love Steely Dan, guys. the Nightfly is a great musical experience. such an amazing record.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Lex you should listen to "The Boys of summer" Don Henley of the eagles solo work is excellent ! very much the cool drive feelings

[@NicknLex]

THAT'S EXACTLY what I had in mind when I was talking about that! I even beat myself up afterwards for not having mentioned it. My dad would listen to that all the time when I was growing up. :) - Lex

[@katherinebarich3192]

Out on the road today I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac. A little voice inside my head said: "Don't look back, you can never look back". I find this lyric so evocative.

[@lm6817]

“Sunset grill” is great too

[@glendirienzo1365]

Great album. Listened to it constantly back in the day.

[@photo161]

What a beautiful world this will be...What a glorious time to be free...What a beautiful world this will be...What a glorious time to be free... !!!

[@cometogether999]

Sweet. Good song, "New Frontier" is good, as is the rest of the album. I was kinda bummed I missed most of your chat last night. But I went back and watched the rest.

[@MrBoombast64]

Sooo clean and crisp! Super good, for 40 years. :)

[@johnladd8421]

my wife and I were lucky enough to catch Steely Dan in Vegas the same year Walter Becker passed away. One of the best concerts i’ve ever seen, and i’m more of a metal/ punk kind of concert goer. that drum solo you talk about on Aja was definitely one of the major highlights.

[@manicdrive85]

had this on vinyl my wife bought it for me for Christmas and I played it so much I wore it out lol probably my favorite I enjoy all the songs on this album