Steely Dan: More Than Just a Band

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00:00 Intro
00:47 Title Card
00:55 Early Years
01:36 Steely Dan Aesthetic
03:25 Session Musicians
04:05 Perfectionism
06:02 New Lineup
06:37 Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
07:45 Jeff Porcaro
08:40 Guitarists
10:43 Dense References
11:20 Peg
12:12 Horns
12:37 Aja
13:48 Babylon Sisters
15:47 Conclusion

[@robbieschertz3726]

It should also be noted that Aja is one of the most well mixed and mastered album of all time because they just simply refused to stop working on it until it was sonically perfect. Which it is.

[@rickysiegel2548]

i had a friend who worked in a stereo store in the late 70's/early 80's -- sold a LOT of shitty speakers by playing steely dan thru 'em!! (was an industry secret! personally, i always brought a live dead tape from '74 when speaker shopping)

[@ghostinthemachine6494]

Aja was an over-produced load of crap.

[@robbieschertz3726]

@@ghostinthemachine6494 please give me an example of something you think is perfectly produced

[@broadcastdepth3686]

@@ghostinthemachine6494 Wayne Shorter says; "fuck you back, Jack"

[@myoptik3x103]

@@ghostinthemachine6494 I think the opinion that the album was “overproduced” is something that could be rationally argued. The opinion that the album was a “piece of crap” on the other hand simply marks you as an immature person. I hope your appreciation of music continues to expand and grow.

[@IdrisFashan]

I grew up a black kid who chose Steely Dan as his favourite band. I saw ridicule for years, but as a kid dreaming of becoming Steve Gadd or Pretty Purdie, I knew in my heart where the greatness reigned. Thanks for creating this informative and inspiring video. I jumped for joy at so many points... OFF TO JAM TO BABYLON SISTAS! 👊🏿🧔🏾

[@DeathBringer769]

I remember I said my favorite band was Steely Dan in 4th grade music class back when the Macarena first came out super popular at the time and everyone made fun of me, lol. Now who is laughing? :D

[@leegeddyfan]

in high school around 2003 me and band were the only high schoolers to find Steely Dan as hip and innovated. People called us snobs and said we had a superiority complex. Sorry but i wouldnt listen to limp bizkit or nickelback if they paid me lol

[@umichgal1]

Are you a musician now?

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a quick listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the songwriting of Becker/Fagen and to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest creative works of the 20th century. Totally live with no autotuning or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@Copyright_Infringement]

Good Steely I remember A band, one of a kind I remember The tunes in my head I don't mind

[@haydnplus]

Steely Dan’s music can’t be classified as a certain music genre. Steely Dan are their own genre of music.

[@brianvaldez1746]

They are classified as Junk music. Jazzy Funky Rock ❤

[@Shiny_Gliscor]

SPACE JAZZ (*archaich*): The work which becomes a new genre itself...

[@ezekielbrockmann114]

lol, no It's firmly in the Classic Rock genre.

[@Montano214]

so like the grateful dead almost?

[@rosethorns1893]

@@ezekielbrockmann114 it is, absolutely, NOT! It’s their very own thing

[@meepk633]

When I was a kid in the 90s, I had always written off Steely Dan as boring soft rock. Then I ate a bunch of mushrooms and my friend put on Do It Again. It's timeless and flawless. Absolutely zero pretense.

[@mclovinpo]

Psychedelics and steely Dan go hand in hand, lsd to the album the royal scam

[@BoxingFanaticNumero1]

Without mushroom, Do it again still a masterpiece 😂

[@stxrv1ng161]

My coworkers favorite band is steely Dan. He got me to listen to the Royal scam, and for a while I thought it was boring and somehow kept coming back to it. I have it on vinyl. I love steely Dan now

[@hummushero9428]

@@BoxingFanaticNumero1 absolutely. It’s just brilliant period.

[@RWildekrav66]

You never needed the shrooms .

[@SpottedSharks]

Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band.

[@sonicplaygsg7820]

YES!!! :)

[@terrbear1866]

Right!

[@EnngTheGreat]

DOOM

[@warwickadams1179]

So true, & little feat

[@kylelawrence4573]

For the 90’s it would’ve been The Butthole Surfers, Meat Puppets, Melvins, or Sonic Youth.

[@kschrader007]

My father used to tell me..."Steely Dan, the band that never was". As for that statement....he pretty much summed it up. This band has been his favorite since he was a young man when his parents moved him over from Germany in the early 70's. By that time, he was in his early 20's. He had never seen the band performed live....ever, until 2017. I took him for a Father's day present to see them live here in Kansas city. The look on my father's face was priceless...the songs I grew up with, the albums, the dancing and singing to us. Getting to have a beer with my 67yr old dad, at that time, watching him sing every song, every word and just taking it in. Priceless!!

[@analogman9697]

What an awesome tribute!

[@sygmoore]

Great story Slapnuts. great way to honor thy parents. 💙

[@kschrader007]

@@sygmoore thank you.❤

[@sygmoore]

@@kschrader007 💙 🎼

[@bluebob81]

You're the man Slapnuts

[@1who4me]

What I love about Steely Dan is how different they sound from everything else.

[@petersonlafollette3521]

Asia had a watershed Pop album sound...

[@luisdavid_1990]

I would reccomend you search for Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - A Better Land (1971) album.

[@beeeb7747]

Uh, why? @@luisdavid_1990

[@luisdavid_1990]

It is also on the Soft Jazz Genre. The same style Steely Dan used to make some of their albums. But only this one, the others are more Psychedelic and Acid Jazz.@@beeeb7747

[@tamb7587]

I TOTALLY AGREE! I LOVE love Steely Dan for that very reason. They remind me of Queen, always something different than other bands and such varied songs and talent..

[@stevecuddy1518]

I'm very lucky to be 72 years old now...That means I grew up with SD music. Now I sit on my patio each evening, drinking a Black Russian and still listening to Steely Dan. Life has been good for many years.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

Fantastic!!! Share that music!! After hearing The Dan, their standards will be irrevocably changed!!

[@jimmoore8951]

Thought for sure you were going to say drinking a black cow 😊

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

Love that!! Steely Dan and a drink. I have had a few prescription bourbons while listening the The Dan's myself, over the years.

[@martinbrodie8507]

@@jimmoore8951 , touche!

[@julieedwards656]

Where do u live... I'm coming over!!

[@Danderson0806]

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who love Steely Dan, and those who have never heard Steely Dan.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the songwriting of Becker/Fagen and to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest creative works of the 20th century. Totally live with no autotuning or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@cherizar1854]

And then there's John Mulaney's wife, who hates Steely Dan :/

[@YotamIshay]

I heard them and really don't like it. You can see and feel that the emotional/chemical aspect of the music is just not there, probably because they took different session musicians that they probably didn't have a relationship with. You can hear that in the music. It's sterile music. Perfect mix, great time, great grooves. Boring & uninspired vocals, zero emotion.

[@dannyapeshit]

And then there is a whole load of us who heard a lot of Steely Dan and still don't like it lol.

[@daffidavit]

I grew up with each and every new album they made. I'm spoiled and laugh at most of the stuff that's out today.

[@zeroceiling]

My 23 year old daughter recently said to me: Once you know Steely Dan...its like taking a step through a door to a new musical dimension...and you never look at contemporary music the same way again.

[@Kusoka1]

My daughter is 24 and says the same about the music I have exposed her to. We were lucky to be apart of the brilliance of music produced during the 70s and 80s by real visionary musicians.

[@dereksalas8195]

Well put

[@stevec7770]

Wise beyond her years

[@tinarr99]

She apPARENTly had a good teacher.

[@zeroceiling]

Nullen Vvoyd ...thank you Nullen...I did try to expose her to everything from Zappa to Leonard Cohen...to Joni Mitchell...etc..etc..Now we are on to Modern Art...and Pollock..and Koons, Poons, Edward Hopper..etc..etc...and she loves this just as much...

[@boneseyyl1060]

Endlessly replayable music. Many times after listening to a track I want to go back and immediately listen to it again. Some of it is just sublime, like a drug.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

Yes I it's fun to listen to one song several times. I choose a different instructions to focus on until I am through everyone in the band!!

[@tyandambika]

Couldn't agree more ! There is no other band I can think of where I hear one song and I immediately want to hear their entire catalogue ... on repeat.

[@buckjofiden4804]

That’s a really good description of their music.

[@PamIsley314]

"You don't take Steely Dan, Steely Dan takes YOU"

[@rimrunz1795]

Nicely said

[@velvitjonze]

I LOVE the vocal on dirty work. It’s perfect and one of their best songs imo

[@sophiafake-virus2456]

Palmer's vocal on Dirty Work is great.

[@sp1204]

I couldn't agree more

[@paulgenovese2096]

Agreed, that song and "Brooklyn" have incredible vocals, kind of prefer them tbh.

[@velvitjonze]

@@paulgenovese2096 good taste my friend

[@yourcommentisntfunnyv2709]

Trash song, every other one is better

[@ipeegaming]

aja is one of the greatest albums ever made

[@hosephanerothe1440]

mr fish 👌🏻

[@tonylancer7367]

Royal Scam too.

[@darkkiss7247]

👍

[@MIKELIN8]

Aja is a masterpiece of modern music, in my opinion. My favorite Steely Dan album, the only one I own on vinyl.

[@theoriginalheartstrummer]

Absolutely. In every dimension. You could spend months just revelling in and thinking about the lyrics

[@joetobin6053]

Steely Dan is my desert island band. If I was stuck on an island and I could only listen to one band it would be them. Their body of work is immense and varied. No matter how many times I’ve heard their work It always brings a new sound. I had no idea that Donald Fagan mixed over 200 versions of Peg. That must have drove the engineers nuts.

[@c.varela]

At least the engineer got a Grammy in the end. 😂

[@vito_n]

Absolutely!

[@Santu2409]

Maybe he was the engineer........

[@johnuruski651]

Come to think of the island thing, yes I agree👍

[@gfresh007]

How can you not mention Michael McDonald as a back up singer for Peg? It's truly a part of their history

[@geraldfriend256]

Those McDonald background vocals on Peg soloed are astounding.

[@maelstrom7862]

He does a ton of background vocals for them

[@neildonovan6823]

Since you seem a fan - it was at SD that Skunk Baxter met Michael McDonald. Then when the Doobies needed a lead singer, Skunk (now at Doobies) introduced McDonald to Doobies. Then of course McDonald sort of changed the style of Doobies to more pop/different sound, and Skunk left. Ever wanna see something wild look up Baxter's discography. Includes Donna Summer - etc.

[@daze023]

@@geraldfriend256 Do you mean "horrendous?"

[@wyattcole5452]

I don’t Trust him entirely, he said the singer of dirty work doesn’t fit, when I think it’s great honestly. This KZbinr would hate Canned Heat

[@joycedavies1841]

Thank God Steely Dan was in the 70's before music videos. I have my own mind pictures listening to the music.

[@BBBri57]

Haha Dirty Work is one of my favourite songs, his fragile voice suits that song, just like Elliot Randalls solo totally fits Reeling in the Years.

[@rickycarroll4000]

Seriously I couldn’t imagine that song with anyone else’s voice

[@HarmonyHomeInspectionServices]

@@rickycarroll4000 and it's completely different than any other Steely Dan vocal.

[@salvatorenapoli152]

Same it’s the juxtaposition right! And it’s just a beautiful vocal in itself

[@mathewmcdonald3657]

Tony Soprano singing it is the best version.

[@winstonbeech3418]

In the concerts I went to, the backing singers always did Dirty Work. I think it's a bit out of Donald's range. I have never heard him sing it.

[@CoconutDreams123]

Every time I hear a Steely Dan tune, the song gives me something new. Just layer after layer of genius unfolding.

[@geraldfrieberg7921]

Yep...thanks to ALL of those zillions of great session players that backed up Fagen and Becker. Without these backup players, SD would have gone NOWHERE.

[@PeerHond69]

exactly! and then knowing that some people only listen to the lyrics; i feel sorry for them!

[@stub2022]

This! It takes a lifetime to absorb all the nuances of their music.

[@KarmaFlight]

It's just too complex for most people to understand. Oh well, the world needs morons too...

[@goldteethkeith]

I always loved the line “handle in your hand”, a handle was always slang for the big 1.75L bottles of alcohol around where i grew up. I mentioned this to a friend and he had no idea what i meant, he always read it as the handle of a slot machine. Both readings make complete sense in context and i would like to think Fagen knew that when he wrote it

[@haroldroberts5250]

We called the big bottle a handle as well (still do). From SW Ohio.

[@sfaspd]

That was an extremely interesting comment.

[@RobertLeeLewisThe2nd]

I thought the "handle" was a revolver.

[@goldteethkeith]

@@RobertLeeLewisThe2nd I can absolutely see that working too! To me that verse Is essentially saying "Now this person is at their absolute lowest", to me it can be either because of an alcoholic relapse, gambling addiction, or now it can reflect suicidal ideation

[@PointlessforestNH]

Yup. Back in 90s, I was a 3-handles-a-week kinda guy. But I never took that line as a reference to booze. Until now. The gift of desperation arrives in many forms, I guess.

[@russmiller7284]

I first discovered Steely Dan when I was around 20 years old and they changed the course of my musical tastes. I'm now 62 years old and they're still at the top of my list of favorites. With all of the many musicians who've played on their albums, they remain totally unique and instantly identifiable.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

Yes, I understand completely.

[@willk7184]

Can you imagine being so musically talented that "Countdown to Ecstasy" sounds like a rush-job to you?

[@stevec7770]

Will K No shit! That is a great album

[@bernardsimsic9334]

really!

[@dabignose]

Am i a joke to u?

[@fairyeater]

countdown to ecstasy was NOT a rush job nor did steely dan think it was

[@sheldonwheaton881]

It's my favorite. Razor Boy still slays me.

[@jonbbaca5580]

Steely Dan was great writing by two guys, dozens of the best studio musicians who've ever lived, and brilliant perfectionist recording and engineering. This will never happen again in music, the industry has changed too much

[@skierpage]

Occasionally a musician still gets a good chunk of money from the record label and makes a great record with an excellent producer(s). Meyer Hawthorne's "Where Does This Door Go" (including the Steely Dan homage "The Stars Are Ours") and Esperanza Spalding's fantastic "Emily's D+Evolution are two examples, still no comparison with the overload of studio musicians on later Dan records. But both were relative failures. It's a different world.

[@carvercapitalequitypartner122]

Now we have fluff

[@tp360]

Very well said… perfect!!!!

[@spactick]

unfortunately, your probably right. In the last century popular music had 5 giant performers that transformed the industry. Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Michael Jackson. All of these performers came onto the scene within a 7 to 10 year period. Well it's been 30 years now that MJ had is flash of fame and nothing really since. Somethings wrong. What's wrong is the industry had profoundly changed. Unless you think Lady Gaga is the new Elvis. I don't

[@Champiness]

Not to get into the moral/aesthetic value of the approach but Daft Punk’s method on Random Access Memories was 100% what you’re describing and it netted them one of the biggest pop hits of 2013

[@joejones9520]

dirty work is one of my favorite songs by them, palmer's voice was perfect for it. It's an insane song that imperceptibly changes key between the verse and chorus.

[@JoannaLammonds-qs9lh]

I think Palmer was perfect for that song and Do It Again

[@user-dw3sf5qz1q]

Steely Dan were a phenomena whose incredibly thoughtful tunes not only each told a story, but defined the best of the music of the 1970's! However their songs and instrumentals were so well crafted that they are actually timeless! I had forgotten how many excellent tunes they had put together - so this video is much appreciated!

[@darkhalo0868]

Steely Dan is one of the most UNIQUE bands ever. I love everything about them.

[@ssaabdude]

Glad you awakened. Good on ya.

[@geraldfrieberg7921]

Agree..thanks to those dozens of various studio musicians that they used over the years.

[@bafattvahetere]

One of the most unique projects. So many good musicians were used.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Steely Dan is so Unique. It's like they carved their own special-niche in Music. No one Sounds like them. Thy combine elements of Rock, Funk, Jazz, Blues, Latin music. Just fantastic songwriters and amazing studio production. Their Aja Album was an absolute Masterpiece ( among many of their other gem's ). Really enjoyed this. R.I.P. Walter Becker.

[@tommyhaynes8690]

IKR you can't put them in one genre

[@robertashmen9321]

So well done. I was born in 1969, and Steely Dan has been a staple in my life. My father was a big band jazz guy born in the mid-30's, and this perfect fusion became a staple of my life and a shared experience for me and my dad. I'm forever grateful for that, and Walter and Donald.

[@shaneclower]

I too was born in 69. I remember binging in my grandmothers kitchen at about 10 give or take a year or two and hearing a song on the radio, I don’t remember the song but I remember that the DJ said it was Steely Dan. At that point I was in love remembered the band name and vowed to find out more about this fantastic sound.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

How wonderful that you were able to share that with your dad!!

[@ryansilva1024]

“Only a Fool Would Say That” is a masterpiece

[@jeffwarner6513]

Hey Ryan, you are spot on! This entire album is a masterpiece. How about "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again" ?

[@martinbrodie8507]

@@jeffwarner6513 , I've been a Dan fan since they started in the 70s. "AJA" has my vote.

[@Player-fp5xh]

@@jeffwarner6513 LOVE that song. strange song structure, which is perfect for the story it tells, and how wonderfully it is told

[@Player-fp5xh]

so glad this was the first song i heard by them

[@rip-ur_hairout]

You, my friend are correct

[@RobJazzful]

“Steely Dan is an aesthetic.” Perfect!

[@spactick]

Sorry but I like to think of Steely Dan as a laxative

[@franciscodiaz3028]

@D-COM Wrexshit smooth move ex-lax

[@x.y.8581]

No, a project... or experience... or state of mind... or confluence... or orgasmic, mind stretching, pyscho-permutative super-nova.

[@zeroceiling]

spactick ...well steely dan is a sex toy...so if you are considering it as a laxative...you are clearly using it slightly incorrectly.

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

@@zeroceiling - or perhaps not using enough vigor.

[@stevenbrown1225]

Steely Dan. The Stanley Kubrick of music.

[@GarciaDF123]

Each song is a masterpiece, like Kubrick's work. Seriously

[@TheSummoner]

Well said

[@halweilbrenner9926]

Good comment

[@Lionb95]

Great take.

[@Diesel257]

*william s burroughs

[@josetunez9584]

I consider Aja and Gaucho, the two most sophisticated albums I have ever listened. Fagen and Becker along with the other musicians were on another level!

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a quick listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of HOME AT LAST and JOSIE on my YT in tribute to the Aja album. Raw acoustic with no digital enhancements. Peace and stay safe.

[@willritter4076]

the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIrLgXR5ZcmYosk (JOSIE acoustic cover)

[@gentledaniels852]

The Dan is one of my favorite bands....I'm a brother and I have jammed the Dan all of my life...I tip my hat to Walter and Donald so much talent.....much love Steely.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

What instrument(s) do you play? Any particular song a favorite to play?

[@awakenotwoke2643]

We're all brothers brotha👍🤟

[@lindabergman3127]

Then you will love hearing n watching Leonid n friends Cover of “my old school”❤sounds exactly like SD their guitar player nlead singers smoke it Cird to cord precision👍

[@arnieus866]

Mozart was not a band either. He has had 230 years of rotating band members.

[@spactick]

Mozart actually wrote all the parts for each musician in his compositions. Donald and Walter asked the musicians to contribute their own versions of what they thought would be appropriate for that particular song. I actually prefer Donald's and Walter's approach because it gives a different flavor to each compositon

[@r.p.mcmurphy6623]

yawn

[@wea69420]

Not even remotely the same but nice try

[@spactick]

my point Dr. Rioquelme

[@lawrencesimmons5093]

@@spactick Jimmy Page

[@WeaponsEducation]

I sat front row before Becker passed. It was like being in the studio with them. They used the highest quality amps and speakers live. McIntosh Labs.

[@dantierney5563]

That had to be a religious experience. What a melodic musical tapestry those guys created. And their lyrics were FUN.

[@Joel_Powell]

I also sat in front row for four years running, including this past summer. Unfortunately, without Walter, they are not the same. I didn't think it would make as much of a difference, but it was huge - they are not the same without Walter - and I think Donald would agree. Never will be the same....but I will always remember the good times :)

[@sangredecase]

They were completely amazing live, almost to a fault, if it wasn't for the jams on Aja, and Peg it sounded like they were literally replicating the studio album. So tight and perfect

[@SonnyCider]

I saw them in Las Vegas, 2017. RIP Walter

[@nancydemoss8421]

Weapons - I envy you seeing them at all let alone before Walter Becker passed away. Such a loss.

[@coralreeferman]

I was a freak....I loved Steely Dan.....by God I was right! Best Rock/Jazz fusion band ever. I played trombone in my grade school and high school band. And piano on the side trying to figure out those chords and notes on my own. My first vinyl record ever was a 45 rpm of Do It Again from 1972. All the studio albums followed. While the world was discoed out in the 70's I was groovin' to Aja and The Royal Scam....."See the Glory....Hear the Glory...of Steely Dan"....

[@lab4389]

Steely Dan has a huge and excellent catalog of music. Rock, soul, blues, they did it all. I’m so happy that I got to see them before Walter Becker died. The great music from the 70’s. Don’t be putting down Show biz kids! I love it. Doesn’t get better that that. 💯🎶🤗

[@nightnurse1178]

I absolutely love Steely Dan's music. I especially love listening to them on long solo drives.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the songwriting of Becker/Fagen and to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest creative works of the 20th century. Totally live with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@krisztinaaroman2752]

Same!!!!

[@tomchrisfield7348]

You are so correct on that!! Driving by yourself with Steely Dan turned up gives me goosebumps just remembering that, singing along as best as I could.

[@harrycook7095]

From Phoenix to San Deigo.

[@nancydemoss8421]

We used to take the T-tops off of our Trans-am and go for long Sunday drives through San Francisco and the surrounding areas. We especially liked traveling up the coast. And to top it off we had all Steely Dan along for the ride. The only music we listened to. Those were wonderful, special times that I'll never forget. The best times of my life.

[@davidbeamer4749]

Aja: six different drummers on the seven tracks.

[@stevengunther9817]

All of them wildly impressive

[@tommym321]

And then the later made the god awful decision to use electronic software drums. Ugh.

[@juankarron9215]

@@tommym321 that drum machine was a pioneering achievement in 1980. It is the essence of those infectious 'Gaucho' grooves. the simplicity, consistency & precision of it satisfies Fagan's desire not to repeat AJA.

[@RobertLeeLewisThe2nd]

@@juankarron9215 Hmmm, I never understood why Gaucho never clicked for me as much as the other albums. Maybe it was the drum machine.. That said, Babylon Sisters is one of my all time favorites.

[@gfunkk]

i will say that all of Fagen's OCD on Babylon Sisters paid off. That is unquestionably the best sounding recording I have heard in my life.

[@davecampbell8408]

Their music reminds me of some of the best times in my life.

[@charlieandhudsonspal7031]

I always hear SD in the background when I remember our high school graduation picnic at Eastover in Lenox MA. There was a keg down in the woods and …. ‘79, things are getting foggy

[@paulmax3185]

When I was 15 years old I met Steely Dan at a music store promotion. Skunk Baxter was playing guitar and asked if anyone played. The guys I was with told them I did. He ask me to play with him. I sat down and asked him how he made the cool whistling sound on the lead part to My Old School. He then taught me how to play pick harmonics like he did. It was great! He also gave us all tickets and an invitation to meet back stage. We met them all. Very cool guys ,very cool memories.

[@paulmax3185]

Frank knights, that was at Del City Music store in Del City, Oklahoma the day of the cocert. It was pretty amazing. I was shy and not very confident about my playing and wasn’t going to speak up. I didn’t realize my friends were standing behind me pointing and mouthing “ This guy,this guy” Skunk saw them and handed me a guitar and encouraged me. I loved Reelin’ in the Years and had heard My Old School on the radio. I asked how they got that sound and he showed me. The concert was later that night at the Civic Center. As you can tell I had a great experience!

[@kitemanmusic]

What a great story!

[@MrTurbocheeks]

Biggest load of bollocks I’ve ever seen, grow up.

[@ChrisRumin]

I’d say Steely Dan is a project more than a band.

[@michaelhargis7036]

Well said.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a quick listen to my stripped-down keyboard & vocal KZbin interpretations of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST in tribute to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest musical achievements of the 20th century. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Peace and stay safe.

[@rman52]

If they were a project, then so were the mothers of invention. The beach boys on Pet Sounds. Almost every band that disappeared in their session after the wrecking crew told their guys to go take a coffee break. While we do your album for you.

[@newusernamehere4772]

@@rman52 The Mothers of Invention were a project, but Hot Rats, THAT was a band

[@1941blkwidow]

@@willritter4076 I checked them out a long time age and liked them both.

[@winstonsmith7652]

I wish my 'worst output' was Countdown to Ecstasy. I love that album, and actually like it's rawness. Like Joni Mitchell, they seemed to have a knack of knowing which musicians to use on any given song. That's a talent in itself.As a guitar player myself I can categorically state that the guys they used are all fantastic in their own way. Jay Graydons solo on Peg always puts a smile on my face, "no licks," Denny Dias is incredibly underrated and Larry Carlton is, well, Larry Carlton. I miss 'bands' like this.

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

Yes, so sad!! I miss WNEW ( NY) They had insightful commentary on so much music. They also played "New" musicians. I was so blessed to find Steely Dan ,Boz Scaggs and countless others through them. I honestly only find music by asking around. Mainly I revisit old jazz recordings. Like early Count Basie and later Tito Puentes.

[@JP-qt7yd]

Never get tired of listening to Can't buy a Thrill. One of the very best albums ever produced. No Hyperbole.

[@rajwalker1062]

I actually liked David Palmer singing “dirty work”

[@christopherdavison652]

Yes Rag, agreed. I always thought David Palmer had a smooth, soulful voice. Fagan on backing vocals makes this a Steely Dan classic.

[@Patriot2017]

Agreed. His voice worked well for that song.

[@MJA5]

One of my favorite Steely Dan songs, for sure.

[@steph.electric]

David Palmer sang through his nose. Not talented enough for a future with the Dan. He was weak.

[@MJA5]

@@steph.electric everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think his vocals are there for a reason.

[@keith-marvk-harrisii8666]

I love Steely Dan. I was a kid in 1990 when my uncle died. He left behind a ton of music records and CDs. One of which was Aja. Haven't stopped listening since.

[@brianchristopher4493]

I spent 40 years playing these guys on the radio and never really new the inside story on Fagen and Becker...Geniuses really, to pull all that together. The longer I live and the more music I hear I'm convinced the 70 and some 80's was the greatest time for music. Your video was expertly crafted. Thanks for the education on some of my all time favorite tunes.

[@vewaddell]

Best explanation of Steely Dan I’ve ever seen/heard. Congratulations on your masterpiece video.

[@ChristianSantosXian]

Steely Dan is my Papa's favorite band. He always used to play their music on our hours-long road trips to and from Baguio City, Manila, Laguna and Isabela. Hearing a Steely Dan song never fails to transport me back to my childhood days.

[@hoz49]

That's a long hard road. Your dad has great taste in music.

[@antonioavella9905]

I like David Palmer singing dirty work, one of my favorite song from them.

[@izelsg]

Haha me too. I was like “what the hell?”

[@robertgerber2533]

Every time you play one of their songs you hear something that you didn’t hear previously especially after the whole catalog was remastered. Nichols won several Grammy Awards for engineering their albums. Nothing less than perfection

[@jackcorrigan3454]

The saxophone solo on Aja is so emotive

[@adiomoor7802]

It was Wayne Shorter, a Straight Jazz musician, he was with Weather Report at that time.

[@geraldfriend256]

SuperBadAss outro. I can hear it in my head.

[@TheTacticalMess]

Wayne Shorter is a legend

[@zwro5045]

The toms go crazy

[@tommyd.743]

"aja" is the only disc that has a permanent slot in the changer in my car (yea, CD, I'm old). Every time it comes up it's like the first time I heard it.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

One of the greatest albums ever produced.

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the songwriting of Becker/Fagen and to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest creative works of the 20th century. Totally live with no autotune or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@InceyWincey]

CD, old? I still have Can’t Buy A Thrill on tape, the songs are in a much better order.

[@minermike61]

Ditto for me. In an interview they both stated that they wanted that album to have a timeless feel to it. It does. My brother got it on cassette and we wore that damn thing out. Even to this day ELO Out of the Blue is still my most played but not my most important album. I've had to update my collection from LP and 8-track to cassettes and then CDs. There are less than ten albums that I've ever bought more than twice and this is one of them.

[@wyleneedwards]

I agree

[@tonyroo11]

I was in the US Navy stationed outside Bella Napoli Italy when I heard Aja for the first time in 1980. At the time I was into Led Zeppelin, Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd, you know "light up and put the headphones" on music. I was also a drummer and I played horns in HS orchestra, so I was familiar with music. When I heard Aja and Steve Gadd's drumming I thought fucking perfection. The entire album is perfection. This album blends pop, jazz and fusion in perfect harmony and time. Music is not composed like this anymore...

[@lamontfisher4942]

These guys, with their ear for every detail being to perfection, are amazing.

[@hollin220]

Steely Dan is also one of my father’s favorite bands and I owe him a lot for my musical tastes. Cheers

[@hifiman4562]

When I open my jazz cafe Steely Dan will fill the air.

[@willritter4076]

Hifi Trucker let me know where it is, and i'll be one of the first patrons... I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would take a listen to my live keyboard & vocal performances of JOSIE and HOME AT LAST on my YT channel in tribute to the songwriting of Becker/Fagen and to the Aja album, which stands as one of the greatest creative works of the 20th century. Totally live with no autotuning or digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@dacethejackofhearts7209]

@@willritter4076 Im gonna open a cafe soon in AMsterdam and SD is gonna be on the turntables non stop among other "little musicians" :-)

[@deirdrefrouge8084]

May I work there?😁

[@samtraygis1337]

@@dacethejackofhearts7209 after the pandemic is over i will come visit lol

[@samtraygis1337]

Hopefully by that time marijuana will be legal . It will be the coolest vibe😎

[@thejimmydanly]

My dad was in the air force with a guy who went on to sell music equipment. He often worked with the Dan, providing them with the latest, highest quality gear in the industry

[@truthlivingetc88]

yo sounds amazing . what did you learn from all that ?

[@bradominus1]

Lifelong Dan fan... I remember getting 'Aja' for my 14th B-day. The thing that always struck me about them was they never wrote a bad song.

[@danmartinez5502]

Steely Dan albums sound like audiophile pressings cause they're perfectionists

[@rew-vmDOTcom]

I just inherited my grandfather’s records. He has every SD album. I’ve always known about SD but never gotten into them, until I listened to Gaucho and Pretzel Logic. GOD DAMN they’re so good!!

[@curiousnomad]

Welcome to the dark side.

[@mathewmcdonald3657]

Two great ones.

[@yankees29]

AJA might be the most complete album ever made.

[@christianlacheze3323]

Babylon Sisters and Third World Man are incredible songs on all counts

[@kingsworthlionsblood]

Aja, Can't Buy A Thrill, Katy Lied, Countdown To Ecstasy, The Royal Scam, Pretzel Logic, Gaucho... That's my ranking of Steely albums from 1972-1980. Aja is their best album according to most critics and fans, I'm slightly partial to their debut album...

[@stefanobarba7337]

My father used to call them the "University" of music

[@geraldfrieberg7921]

Yeah...because of the zillions of session musicians that actually allowed them to be a "band"...even though they weren't really a BAND !! Incredible !

[@philcooper8678]

@@geraldfrieberg7921 you can always pick out the sound of a Steely Dan piece it's about feel not personality.

[@RWildekrav66]

Wish I said that .

[@geoffreygeiss9479]

The Dan are the ultimate jazz rock of the future. Their perfection and use of pro musicians was genius! Jazz rock fusion masters that made their music the pop future! Love it. 😎

[@guychocensky3585]

They made rock-jazz fusion a thing worth listening to. Most of the rest of that genre fails to appeal.

[@jamietingey7498]

Babylon Sisters is one of my favorite songs of all time. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve listened to that song.

[@0tt0z]

I love that song!

[@rogerscollier7424]

Deacon Blues and Babylon Sister are the smoothest songs. Playing them in car or just listening in a dark room with headphones you were transported to another time and space

[@Irate_Wizard]

This probably one of my favourite videos you've done. Mostly because I love steely dan but 100% because your videos are consistently high quality. Keep doing what you do man. Your love for music really shows in your videos man.

[@outshimed]

No, this one went deeper. I enjoy and appreciate Steely Dan, but he's covered artists I like more. This was his best video yet, though. Unquestionably, to me at least.

[@craigroberts1670]

I was astounded at how good a biography of this amazing duo was - I have everything they ever did including songs My Old School and FM which never appeared on a full-length CD. I used to tell people "listen to their lyrics man, absolutely filthy XXX and MAN I LOVE IT!!"

[@michaelshultz2540]

L1dile this is a great presentation of a great band/bands/.... all my band friends in high school and myself back in 1974 could not get enough Stealy Dan . No party/jam session was compleat without.😎😎😎😎😎

[@CacaoRockOnlineRadio]

Great work. As a big SD fan I have to say I am impressed. Happy b´day to your dad!

[@williamfenton8043]

My old school is on countdown to excasty.(full version of it). You are 100% stamped wrong.he so made that people are allowed to be so wrong! .

[@mboyer68]

I was 10 years old in 1978 when my aunt from California came to visit with a gift of Aja. I've loved it ever since. And I was already a Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest fan. Well, maybe not Judas Priest at that point.. But I can still remember setting it on the record player, watching it drop and start to spin, watching the needle move over and slowly drop, hearing the crackle of records, then the juicy sound came out. I can remember it exactly. So weird.

[@jimfoley8014]

Very cool. Thank you for sharing that time in your life.

[@jackstraw9244]

Can't buy a thrill, absolutely my favourite !! played it thousands of times.

[@wayneturner7354]

And......I have everything they ever did on quadraphonic..especially love the quad 8-Track tapes..the separation and sound is amazing..

[@ThomasMartin-kj9hi]

I'm 75 yrs old and they still make the blood flow! Great piece! Thanks!

[@RWildekrav66]

Tom , I’m 65 and been listening to the Dan since 72 , couldn’t agree more I always feel young when I listen to their music

[@petersymes8467]

I have loved this band since I heard the intro to "Reelin in the Years" back in the 70s. At 73 years old they remain the best rock /jazz band I have ever heard. Thank you Becker & Fagan.

[@jstringer213]

I'm with you Peter...only a few years younger that you. I play guitar and I'm still searching (and trying) to copy some of those very intricate riffs. Had all those albums... Very slick and sensible music that will stand the test of time cheers to you mate!!.

[@ShamanWS6]

Fagan in particular is amazing. His own songs are ... singular. All of them are exemplary.

[@rj6683]

Palmer's voice on dirty work was beautiful.

[@SebsBeenHere]

Thank you, by the way. It’s because of this video that I really started appreciating Steely Dan. I literally listen to them every single day. I can’t think of a bad song; not a single one!

[@HotStrange]

Black Cow is probably in my top 5 favorite songs. If not my favorite song ever. So funky and full of soul. RIP Walter Becker.

[@aklanpinoy6717]

Yup, love "Black Cow!" Awesome tune from Steely Dan, for sure! Can't get enough of it myself! :)

[@fivestring65ify]

The title track of Aja is my favourite off the album.

[@seeburg10]

"I saw you at Rudy's, you were very high". That's a real bar in Hells Kitchen, Manhattan. Still there.

[@thelantern9075]

Haut Strange Interesting... a SD fan, synth collector, and a taste for bizarre dark music and gear? Nice to meet you Haut Strange.

[@jpmackey1607]

This song has been sampled a couple times. Like in “Deja Vu” by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz as well as a remix of “Me, Myself & I” by Beyoncé.

[@tommyhaynes8690]

Steely Dan and Chicago were the bands the music teachers liked in high school in the 70s

[@rEdf196]

Don't forget ABBA

[@Marimilitarybrat]

Tommy Haynes.........Ahh, the 1970s. The master garage bands of the 70s. My older brother had a band that practiced in our garage. They called me "The Kid". Our generation was awash with fabulous music.

[@Sergio_Solorio]

Kevin Furst they had one good debut album and when Al Kooper left it just wasn’t the same. How unfortunate

[@RoaroftheTiger]

​ @@Sergio_Solorio - " The Child is the Father to Man" ! ;-)

[@DK-ed7be]

@@rEdf196 Which one doesn't fit. Steely Dan: fusion of Jazz, R&B, and Rock. Chicago: fusion of R&B, soul, and Rock. ABBA, pop.

[@walterberg4893]

They are their own genre literally no other band sounds like them

[@nirawanrakinaung9624]

Queen ?

[@patrickclark1000]

Right on describing the band as an aesthetic more than just music. Their music is fantastic, but the image that Steely Dan leaves in your imagination, after the music has ended, is even greater.

[@1957PLATO]

Their music still sounds as fresh and relevant as when it was released. Timeless.

[@desireel.6358]

THE TRUTH

[@jasonaspy6322]

a level of career-long musicianship that will probably never be achieved again in pop music. Steely Dan=da best.

[@realglz]

jason aspy please. steely dan wouldn't make it to a top 100 band of its generation. The band was mediocre at best.

[@gibsonvos5120]

Real Cesar Gonzalez.. really.....?!, it must to great to be happy with the world laughing at you and your complete lack of musical knowledge..Steely Dan are one of the most highly rated bands in the world by Pro-musicians ..enough said.

[@noahmarine3912]

Jim Gordon is probably my favorite drummer. His work with Derek and the Dominos and Steely Dan truly sets him apart

[@terrybono5995]

his groove on Sundown is soo good

[@atatterson6992]

Dude, those two MADE all the music.

[@tonylancer7367]

Steely Dan is one of the best groups of the 70s. They are truly musician's musicians. Too many good tracks on their albums to list. Great video!

[@63Baggies]

Tony Lancer ....don't you mean...of all time????

[@63Baggies]

Spot on analysis...well done mate...

[@adanacman666]

been a fan since 1974,their music is timeless,RIP Walter...

[@robertpace901]

Aja will forever be my favorite album by Steely Dan.

[@Fr33zy159]

The thing that gets me about SD is NONE of their music sounds dated. You could put any of their tracks on the air today and nobody would know what year it released. They're so timeless.

[@MatteoRuberto]

Going through all these ridiculous comments, this one is the most delusional of all

[@jeanmarielieb9127]

I couldn't agree more!! It sounds so good because it's well composed and excellently played!!

[@CoasterMan13Official]

The Beach Boys did it better. Get some sleep.

[@hughogilvie8717]

@@MatteoRuberto how so?

[@ontheruntonowhere]

@@CoasterMan13Official It's dumb to make everything a competition. Both were amazing bands.

[@kyleimpson]

Yes! Polyphonic + steely dan is a good day

[@willritter4076]

I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would check out my acoustic piano & vocal covers of HOME AT LAST and SEPTEMBER by Earth Wind & Fire on my channel in tribute to late 70s groove. Live acoustic with no digital enhancements. Thanks and peace.

[@stephenstephen1217]

I was privileged to have gone to many recording sessions from Katy Lied to Gaucho. What is not mentioned is the fact there may be as many as 5 variations of each song that made it on the record. Different musicians plucked and replaced, or an entire East Coast/West Coast recording of the same song. Sometimes as Roger said, it would be the slightest little "bubble" in a basic track by a player, and they would be back the next day in the same studio, only with 1 or 2 new session musicians. Analog days you did not punch in on drum tracks, so the drummer's carried the most weight on a tracking date!

[@spactick]

to what capacity were your presence? musician? technician? friend?

[@stephenstephen1217]

@@spactick Friend of one of their west coast session musicians.

[@jflo1532]

These guys are so innovative and just all around talented

[@jackleonard2088]

So lucky that they worked in an era that would allow this much studio time and creativity.

[@brianmiller1077]

Aja - you missed the sublime horn arrangement of "Deacon Blues"

[@Obiwannabe]

Fitting all of the dans career into 17 minutes is tough. Not all the stars are going to make it.

[@thekeywitness]

Possibly Dan's single best song too.

[@CarlWatkins]

If you're a fan of Aja, try to track down the episode of "Classic Album." They get both men to sit in the studio with a mixer and they go through each song. They talk about the session guys that played, sometimes even break the songs down track by track. A lot of really neat insight into their arrangements, recording, and writing.

[@NinjaSushi2]

Love Deacon Blues. One of my favorites.

[@EldieTurner]

He probably avoided it specifically because Nerdwriter focused on it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/rISndWuonLqchMU

[@h0ebart]

The level of work you put into this video is phenomenal. Thank you so much.

[@davehowes5162]

Love their music and their snarky lyrics absolutely set the hook in me.

[@stefanowilson2628]

The name itself is a GREAT sarcastic, sardonic, inside jokeish and just plain funny story in itself.

[@sholland42]

Yep, inspired by an item in a p0rn shop back in the day.

[@garymickles2911]

The name was taken from a steam powered “Toy” named Steely Dan III from Yokohama, that was mentioned in William S. Burroughs' novel Naked Lunch.

[@shannonm.townsend1232]

@@garymickles2911 ty

[@rickyelvis3215]

@@shannonm.townsend1232 …a vibrator !

[@cordellsenior9935]

Having heard the "hits" on the radio, I knew who Steely Dan was, but I was working part time in a Rekka Stowe when Aja came out. We could "borrow" albums and take 'em home to listen to. My music mentor at the store played the Aja album over our Bose store system and I knew I was listening to music for adults. Sophisticated adults. This was reinforced when I opened the album and attempted to digest the liner notes. You had to be an intellectual just to grasp the critiques of the material and of the creative process. I became a fan and went explored all of their previous stuff in detail. I love the entire library. RIP Walter Becker. LOVE these guys. For my money Aja was the band's apex. A perfect record from start to finish.

[@georgeerhard1949]

I worked in a restaurant in Aspen that played 50's rock and roll hits as the "house music".. but when we closed the doors and started cleaning up, "Aja" went on the CD player.

[@jasoncromwell4206]

Two more facts: 1. While at Bard Fagan and Becker had a jazz combo. They had a drummer for that combo who would give up music after graduation. That drummer's name....Chevy Chase (yep that one). 2. They were directly responsible for discovering a young backup singer from St. Louis named Michael McDonald who was featured most prominently on Bad Sneakers.

[@willritter4076]

a third fact... in the mid-70s, Donald Fagen lived in fear of being replaced as Steely Dan's frontman by that "backup singer from St. Louis"... I'd be honored if some Steely Dan fans would check out my acoustic keyboard & vocal cover of HOME AT LAST in tribute to a great Fagen/Becker composition. Live acoustic with no digital editing. Thanks and peace.

[@andyinoregon]

I liked "Bad Sneakers," but I loved the Fagen/McDonald vocal collaboration on another "Katy Lied" song "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)." Their vocal outro is the most exhilarating finish to any Steely Dan recording.

[@danbunch1514]

Way cool jason.

[@alphanumeric1529]

Jason, I'm gonna take you at face value, but swear if someone snickers at me when I repeat that truly obscure fact about CC, that that is some widely known urban legend, I'mma gonna come looking for you son. Otherwise... mind totally blown.

[@fearsomefan1]

And Peg

[@seahorserider]

For many years sounds of The Dan a backdrop to my life & upon which helped to hone my vocal skills and appreciation for each instrument. You are missed Walter. 🧐

[@BigfootBionic]

Great job, and great birthday present for your dad. My dad got me into Steely Dan when I was younger and they were definitely one of his favorites if not the favorite. He passed away in the 90s but I still think of him when I hear the Dan.

[@katyminot1400]

This analysis is a hidden gem. Work well done.

[@travelinben1966]

No-one even remotely like them before or since.Amazing group of incredibly talented musicians. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@oldschoolrr6077]

Heard Steely Dan for the first time, day after Christmas in 1972, when "Do It Again" hit the charts. Was a fan from that time on. Still believe to this day, that "Aja" was their best work.

[@travelinben1966]

OldSchoolR&R Tough call to pick a favorite album for me.I’m fascinated by all their work.👍

[@wlsnpndrvs8593]

THIS is the finest production I've seen in many many years! Bravo... sound quality content, edit.. supreme. Thank you

[@bethanjay]

This video is great. I was introduced, when in my teens, to Countdown to Ecstacy in 1972 & got hooked immediately & they are my favourite band to this day.