Steely Dan - Black Cow (Reaction)

[@herbiesnerd]

When real musicians get off work, they listen to Steely Dan.

[@MikeSheasheaDtree]

LOL I love it.

[@nmmbg]

fact

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Good comment!!!

[@keithpasculli7465]

Exactly!!

[@dancourier8408]

When I was in my early 20s unfortunately I was in rehab in California. There where a couple studio musicians that heard me playing Steely Dan we played for hours. Real musicians love and respect Steely Dan

[@tedharvick9010]

I saw this on another reactors site when they were reacting to a Dan song. It was a post from one of their comments. "You listen to Steely Dan, when you get better at listening to music." It rang true to me.

[@maynardbecker4613]

The word you’re looking for is sophistication, the music from the 70s was way more sophisticated compared to recent stuff.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

yes. And musicians were much more in charge of the business. Fully overtaken now by producers without musical training.

[@StreetHierarchy]

This is a common misconception.

[@stretchgilbert]

My favorite from Aja. One of the greatest albums ever made IMHO. I was a teenager in the 70s (born in 60) and, you're right, it was a great time to grow up and some of the greatest music ever made. I took it for granted that music would always be this timeless. Peace.

[@vinceschouten46]

" 1960. , , 😎🎶 The year I came off the production Line , , " We Surely had Some Great mucic " to grow up on . " Steely Dan " , Their Essential . 🎤🎹🎸🎶."Chicag😎". 🎷

[@levonpoe]

Total agreement. AJA is one of the very best albums EVER made

[@sensiblyhonest695]

stretch Me too, 1-13-60. The 70's fashions were so tacky, wide belts, platform shoes, striped bell bottoms or "flares"...I cringe when I see the family photos from the early/middle part of that decade. But the music from the 50's and 70's was great...60's music was different...little too much dope and Vietnam anger for me...but I'd do it all over again.

[@patriciabumbalough4012]

June 17, 1960. I heard the group name was taken from the name given by one of their girlfriends to her... uh... battery powered device. ;) I was always a big fan of "Time Out of Mind" for some reason.

[@SKETCH0101]

@@patriciabumbalough4012 you’re kinda correct on that count. Becker & Fagen (being the young, sophisticated beatniks that they were) took the name from legendary Beat writer William Burrough’s novel, “The Naked Lunch”. The “Steely Dan” in the novel referred to a chromed out, battery powered “sexual aid device”.

[@LearnToRefine]

Steely Dan is the ultimate smooth groove band. Their songs have been sampled a ton of times.

[@marcoaguilar2394]

Smooth Groove describes Steely Dan perfectly! Steely Dan should be their own genre.

[@dwgale01]

Smooth, cynical, ironic.

[@herrbonk3635]

Never heard. And who cares about samplers?

[@movemagicstory]

Steely Dan is a deep dive. So much funk and soul with so many stories.

[@dandavidson9030]

This is back when musicianship was important. No auto tune either.

[@JeffRebornNow]

Bwahahaha auto tune isn't the worst of it. You think there are actual musicians playing on .. say .. a Justin Bieber or One Direction song? It's all fucking computer generated ! It's completely utterly soulless.

[@fpanpurrzachariah6290]

There is not a bad song by Steely Dan. Check out Kid Charlemagne, Deacon Blues, any song!

[@Ram44]

Damn dude, do you people own any other albums besides The Best of?

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

Ram4 bad sneakers

[@kumanaz2765]

Ram4 it’s called “the best of” for a reason.

[@grahamd5418]

Every Dan album needs to heard.

[@Boddissatva]

Amen

[@rob7953]

Steely Dan is brilliant, and the album this is from is probably their finest. They're just two guys, but they handpick the very best studio musicians for each song, often trying several out on a part before choosing what they feel is the best. So you get a clean, jazz-like quality to their music that's just fantastic. You really can't go wrong with any of their tunes. And yeah, music in the late 60s through the very early 80s was fantastic. It's the reason so much of it is sampled in today's music.

[@michaelrogers7426]

Best music was in the 70’s... lots of distinctive artists and styles. I wish it never ended...

[@MichaelTrogdon1990]

"Babylon Sisters" and "Hey Nineteen" from the 1980 album "Gaucho" are some good ones. Check it out. Gotta say Steely Dan's music sounds way better with headphones. You'll appreciate their sound even more. Just a tip.

[@thecannabisguru]

No, it sounds WAY better on a high fidelity sound system than through any headphones, high end or not!

[@lawrenceeason8007]

Thank you. I'm 62 so yes I know what you mean. I grew up as a teenager to my 20's with all this classic music. It was great. A wonderful time. Definitely check out "Peg" and "Deacon blues" off this same album

[@ryankc3631]

I love younger people's reactions when they hear 70's and 80's music. Try "Deacon Blues", "My Old School" and "Dirty Work" by Steely Dan.

[@ClichéGuevara-2814]

"...uptown, baby...uptown,baby.." sampled by Peter Gunz, for Deja Vu

[@rogerscollier7424]

As a friend used to say “ they’re the two coolest white boys in America “ . They being Walt Becker and Donald Fagen the songwriters and brains. Steely Dan started out as regular band but soon Walt and Don threw that idea out after about four albums because they hated touring . So they begin hiring the best studio musicians and backup singers that could find. On top of that they were perfectionist. They would record several key parts or versions and eventually choosing the one that finally worked. A Steely Dan album could take two to three years to produce. They had been around since 1972. Their earlier music had a more rock feel . They matured as writers and both loving jazz . Thus you have that jazzy smooth sound. Sadly Walt Becker passed away about 3 years ago from throat cancer. Donald Fagen has some excellent solo albums. Finally the name. Not to embarrass you. The name Steely Dan is the name of a mechanical female pleasuring device from a novel by William S Burroughs from the 50’s called the “ The Naked Lunch “.

[@russellreeves373]

Dig deeper Sushi this band is amazing.....and you're correct we had the best music in the 70's

[@Itelkner]

Life really was fun then.

[@absea7918]

Great reaction. A lot of modern artists have found Steely Dan, and so their beats and grooves are familiar even for those who never have heard the original tracks. But the original recordings were exceptional. Performed by some of the best musicians in the world - later in their career, Steely Dan would use the best session musicians available for various songs on their albums, and they were recorded perfectly. So its no fluke that their greatness lives on even today. But their whole catalog is available for you to reach back and enjoy!

[@cruzie86]

Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz sampled this on the song "Deja Vu"

[@seanswinton6242]

Nick Cruz Had to educate my nieces and nephews on the source of their rap grooves.

[@coolbrieze]

People been sampling waaaay before Kanye.. These Youngbucks don't know

[@puremercury]

"Uptown, baby!"

[@chemquests]

Puff Diddy sampled this as I recall

[@chrishutt6650]

& Don & Walter sued them for $100,000! Don't scam the Dan!

[@nbeutler1134]

Listen to the whole "Aja" album, its amazing and yes the beat was sampled by Lord Tariq in his song "Deja Vu"

[@rhwinner]

The musicianship on these albums is impeccable....

[@Hollylivengood]

Steely Dan gets sampled a lot. Fagan actually likes it. There was a an interview where Don Fagan was reacting to rap songs with Steely Dan in it, and critiques the songs. Pretty cool.

[@DaveNarn]

Steely Dan massaged and polished their music in the studio to perfection. Wonderful artistry.

[@byronmitchell3784]

Steely Dan, this is just Groovy Music. Yes it was great going thru teenage years in the 70's. Music that never can be duplicated.

[@beno7238]

i was born in 68 but was lucky enough to have a dad with great taste in music, so i was raised on Steely and many others. THANKS POPS!

[@trevorleggo1777]

Sushi, please have a listen to Steely Dans.."Peg"", Do it Again" or "I'm a fool to do your dirty work." You really have to listen to a couple of their big songs. PLEASE Sushi.xx

[@mdhj67]

All good choices.

[@thecannabisguru]

So many good songs, the list is almost endless

[@Johnny67557]

I was born in 1967. Was a teen in the 70's. FM radio was daring...they'd play ALL types of stuff. Rock, country, disco.... anything. We'd listen to the radio for hours just experiencing all the kinds of music. No cable tv, no cell phones, no internet.

[@FenderBassMan]

"The music that y'all had back then was soooo good." Come on down our musical rabbit hole adventure. Try on some Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago (Transit Authority), Hall and Oates, Earth Wind & Fire, Tower of Power just to get yourself started.

[@jeraldstarks6774]

I’m surprised that Chicago doesn’t get the recognition they deserve.

[@MikeSheasheaDtree]

Earth, Wind & Fire - September

[@unrulyjulie4382]

Love me some BST!!!

[@thecannabisguru]

I saw tower of power live, phenomenal musicianship!!!

[@___David___Savian]

Two of the reasons why 70s and 80s music sounded so good (especially if you heard that era's music with the actual stereo amplifiers and speakers of the 70s and early 80s was because record companies where recording in full stereo (Hi Fi). The sound sounded so incredible warm. That doesn't exist now. Now all music is compressed to hell so that it can fit into 16 bit to use on MP3 files for internet streaming. Back in the day, music was uncompressed in full .Wav files called Loseless Files. Also, music had actual chords and music changes. Now music barely has one to four average chords per song. Sad.

[@puremercury]

"Uptown, baby!" Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz

[@GaryFox11000]

70's was the greatest creative decade for incredible unique genuine music played by excellent musicians. No drum machine , talkin' trash or shallow lyrics only. I'm pi... off at the world ! This music is to original & great to ever be sampled ! Use your own mind ; Create your own lyrics , & music ! AJA is a masterpiece Album. They Fagen , & Becker got the greatest studio musicians . Roger Nichols was the genuis producer. Perfectionist. This music is so tasty. & tight . The greatest music is always timeless. How much music last 20 years will you remember 20 years from now. Like the lady said ; Give me this older classic high quality music play it today more. Let's all do ourselves a favor & take out all the trash . Kindest Regards, G.....

[@varsitycamplife]

And they played their instruments, painstakingly... every song was a labor of love.

[@shanehenderson4809]

you know what. we didn't appreciate the music back then but I sure do now its the best.

[@davidramirez4810]

The 70’s were great years, best times in my life.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

People who dig Steely Dan would probably like Phoebe Snow, Gino Vanilli. A lotus cool jazz there. The thing about the Dan are the stories they tell which fit the smooth vibe sound that accompany them. A lot of strange characters there.

[@scotturban4580]

You said music that we had. We still have it. It's timeless.

[@stevedamico5793]

A few musts from them. "Deacon blues".."Josie"..and "Aja."

[@92548dannyt]

Josie, so cool.

[@deependguitar777]

And Black Cow

[@michaelwise4986]

Home At Last and I’ve Got The News!

[@jiffin1]

Just say it - all seven of them ... the whole album is great ...

[@martyemmons8692]

Hey Sushi, the prettiest thing about you is how you enjoy music. I get the same feeling when I'm listening to good music. One of my favorite Steely Dan songs is "Glamour Profession". While I sheltering-in-place, I feel like I'm listening to great music with friends when I watch your reaction posts.

[@pepitoperez9616]

The intro was sampled by many. Lord Taric(Uptown Baby), Beyoncé (Me,myself and I), Tone Loc (Cutting Rythims), by 213(Keep It Gangsta), by Jsoul (LOVE affair)...

[@edwinjosephjunior]

Suggested Steely Dan songs: Peg, Deacon Blues, Hey Nineteen, Reelin' In The Years. I guarantee you'll have much more fun listening to these tracks. Enjoy!

[@MGRtist]

Love to witness people hearing Steely Dan for the first time! They were my favorite band in the 70s, and how y’all act is how I felt back then ( and still do) 💕

[@keeper116]

1977 I was tender age of 13, dancing, riding my skateboard hearing this blarring through windows. So much fun back then. Today we step to this in Chicago lol

[@ssacra22]

Steely Dan is one of the greatest American rock bands ever. So much of their music was sampled. Great horn section and amazing backup vocals, Always. They had so many great hits. RIP Walter Becker.

[@viagedern121]

I'd recommend a song or two from Steely Dan, but really almost everything they did is at a very high level... you can't go wrong!

[@jamesburr5826]

Lots of people in hip-hop have sampled Steely Dan including Kanye's song "Champion" which samples "Kid Charlemagne"

[@womanonthinice1276]

Lived the 70s.... Best music ever!!! I was so lucky, Steely Da was my favorite band!!!! See them in concert its Phenomenal!!!!

[@manny3655]

You’re right... I’m an old head, born in ‘63. When we were comin’ up we were lucky enough to catch all this stuff. My Dad dug Jazz, cousin- Classical and my sisters were listening to Motown and Rock. So I had all genres bombarding my ear drums. I was blessed.

[@manny3655]

PS... You dance just fine...

[@chipmares2636]

I am 60 years old now. Steely Dan was so popular. We had the coolest music to listen to way back when.

[@stevedamico5793]

I was born in '57..Yes!..The music was phenomenal!...Steely Dan was Phenomenal..Basically just two guys...Walter Becker and Donald Fagan...Genius perfectionists in the studio!

[@oldschool3484]

Steely Dan has been sampled many times. Steely Dan had guitar, horns, piano, organ, backup vocals you name it ..

[@anthonytimmons9328]

This whole album like so many others in Steely Dan's body of work is a straight-up Masterpiece!

[@_HMCB_]

Yes, it’s been sampled. A lot of ‘70s and ‘80s pop, jazz, and R&B riffs were given new life because what an amazing time for music that was. And yes, you were born too late. 😂. Steeley Dan was renowned for striving for such excellence that their live shows sounded like studio quality. In fact, I was told by an audiophile that one of their albums is used in testing high-end audio equipment because sonically its considered perfection.

[@hypno59]

Pop music that taps into some deeper part of us. Rare gems...

[@stevenhecht8275]

This is what music sounds like,growing up in the 60s and 70s,our music was the greatest.I wish more people now would listen to some of that older stuff especially on vinyl, the sound is so much better.

[@Wintuscotty]

I was a teenager during the 70s. And you are so right. It was the best decade to be a teenager, for the music, the cars, the girls, the parties, America was great. It’s so sad that’s all slipped away.

[@rlevitta]

Steely Dan has been sampled A LOT so you might have heard it somewhere else. Also - a "black cow" is a coke float - coke and vanilla ice cream. Sometimes a root beer float. There was also a brand of soda called "Black Kow" at some point. Hence the line "drink your big black cow and get outa here"

[@fidge54]

Beautiful young woman, heartfelt reactions and appreciation. Lovely

[@rustyconlan2165]

PLEASE... react to Deacon Blues"...I want to see your beautiful soul light up when it fires off.

[@antarcticorb9197]

Girl...you are spot on! This is the music I grew up with...and there was so much to choose from..I guess we were spoiled...

[@armandojuan64]

No sampling or autotune ... just good musicians doing what good musicians do ..... good music .

[@darrylhinko5568]

No such thing as a bad Steely Dan song, check out Peg, Josie, Aja, Babylon Sister, Hey 19 just to start

[@Ram44]

Wow you have the Best of Steely Dan album. Why don't you recommend deep cuts that are just as good like Brooklyn, Your Gold Teeth, King of The World or Night by Night?

[@deependguitar777]

And Showbiz Kids

[@michaelwise4986]

Ram4...Show biz Kids, Don’t Take Me Alive, and Caves Of Altamira

[@patrickroche3366]

Dallas

[@christianmattison6096]

Steely Dan was big when I was in college. Dancing to their music was like gliding through clouds!

[@helgar791]

Welcome to the world and rabbit hole that is Steely Dan. The reason you recognize the groove is because it was stolen by quite a few rappers. When you listen to Steely Dan you should use lyric videos. Even the way they came upon their name is clever. So, let's start at the top. What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. The pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th ave down to 42nd, down to 7th ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. He is a man hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blue", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. Try "Peg" next and go from there.

[@docbearmb]

The music was so good back then because it was played and written by professional musicians. People who had practiced and trained at their craft for hours a day and for years and years. They understood the complexity of music; they became one with their instrument(s) and by doing so, could use them to express their thought. Music back then wasn’t like building a car from parts on an assembly line. It was like creating a painting; with skills that allow it to flow out of their fingertips.

[@charlieb.5047]

You need to react to some Boz Scaggs, Jo Jo. Or Lowdown

[@jamesanthony5257]

They used many of the same studio musicians, so drove a similar grove.

[@michaelwise4986]

@Lynn Bramwell...JoJo...undoubtedly my favorite cut by Boz. Love when he bridge the lyrics Ever So Rarely That Man In A Million’s Born...Gentle and Soft...yet Jojo’s sooo gangster! Deep and complex character...brilliant composition.

[@rustyconlan2165]

Boz and "Sky Dog" doing "Brother can you Spare me Dime"!

[@jaysonbiggs8979]

"Jo Jo", for sure!

[@danielstorm8931]

Yep, if you were born between 58 and 62 you were a teenager in the 70's. THE BEST MUSIC!! We lived out our music in our life. If you listen hard to the music, that's how we lived.. :)

[@maynardbecker4613]

Their catalog is deep. They were prolific and tasty as fuck.

[@rickgarcia8481]

Your right about the 70s...the most creative decade in music.. So many fabulous musicians, and song writers

[@cd1857]

If you're not listening with headphones, or following the lyrics as it plays you're missing out on at least half the Steely Dan experience. Do yourself a favor and try it again. You will be forever hooked. You're welcome.

[@danielmurphy4429]

It’s so gratifying to see young people discover the enormous library of upper echelon music awaiting them - if they simply look a little. The quality from the sixties/seventies to current music is day and night. No comparison.

[@RonHerring5300]

This Steely Dan 70`s vibe is like Smooth Jazz today.

[@Ram44]

Their last two albums are smooth jazz (Aja and Gaucho). The first three are the real Steely Dan (the original band) and to me - much more enjoyable.

[@zworm99]

@@Ram44? their last two are "2 against nature" and "everything must go", some time after gaucho

[@standupp2885]

We were spoiled and we just had no idea of how good we had it musically in the late 60s thru the mid 80s. And you definitely need to dive into Steely Dan.

[@sayingitlikeitis]

Steely Dan is a mix of JAZZ,ROCK,R&B,MOTOWN, a little of everything ...by the way this song was sampled by...Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz - Déjà Vu (Uptown Baby)

[@rayjr62]

a Black Cow is either a Root Beer Float or a Coca Cola Float, with Kahlua mixed in. Sometimes they add half and half to make it creamier.

[@thomasp.3796]

Steely Dan music is sampled a lot, so that is probably where you heard the opening riff before. You can't go wrong with Steely Dan...great songwriting, great musicians, great recording/production, every album by them is something you can listen to over and over and always hear something new.

[@TheTransAm2002]

Sushi I was born in 1960 and a teenager in the 70s was awesome with the diversity. Every song on this Steely Dan Aja album was great!

[@steve.57]

Well I was a teen and young man in the Seventies. Most exiting time to be alive. I was a bouncer as a young guy late seventies on North Shore of Chicago. 'Easy Does it'. Jukebox full of Steely Dan.

[@jasonbroad5478]

What u had in the 70's was variety which we lack today. On any given moment you could listen to Steely Dan then move into Led Zeppelin, George Benson, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, Peter Frampton, James Taylor and Earth Wind And Fire. How's that for variety! Yeah, the 60's-70's were the golden years of music and music variety!

[@kevineldridge6958]

I know what you mean. I was born in 1960 and grew up with, IMO, the best music ever. Keep checking out Steely Dan. You'll be glad you did.

[@colinwilliams553]

Just watching YOU dancing and GROOVING to steely dan even though say you can't dance.... PRICELESS!!

[@stonebay2111]

Skunk Baxter one of the guitarist for Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. was instrumental in the US missle defense system. I believe he is still an adviser. He was one of the early pioneers in the field.

[@markgrant1163]

I was born in '55. Steely Dan is groovy. All of it.

[@kevint9125]

I have watched your reactions for a while and haven't seen you really appreciate the artists and their talent...You have finally done it and I am a subscriber now. You will never pick a bad song by Steely Dan...it is an impossibility...

[@anthonydsrever7627]

I'm 50...Steely Dan used to really resonate with me even at young ages....4 and 5 years old

[@JC1953RD]

Too Sushi...Steely Dan " Babylon Sisters"...that groove is hard to imitate

[@BK-sb6ro]

You’re right about the music being better and wishing you were born earlier to capture it- Born in ‘67 and they played this music (along with the likes of Elton John and Steve Miller Band) on THE BUS as we rode to school. Imagine that!

[@poweredbyjoymusic]

Great video. Really dig your observations both visceral and thoughtful. Keep playing Steely Dan. One of the greatest pop musicians in history.

[@cbearabc]

The 70's , when people like each other??? 😎 And you could hitchhike any where you want go???

[@marvinthiessen3454]

Thank you Sushi for acknowledging the 70's in a positive way. I was 20 in 1972 and it WAS a magical moment in time. Many on You Tube think 80's music was great, some of it was, but the 70's was even better on average. Aja came out in 1977. p.s. You're gorgeous with or without makeup.

[@TheCornishCockney]

The 60's and 70's,nothing will ever get close again. Every genre had its best era during those two decades,the best soul,rock,reggae,funk,punk,country,pop,disco,psychedelic. I was 16 in 1970,had it all. I can die with a smile on my face knowing my playlist for the next level will be the highest possible quality.

[@jimwalker7740]

there were a lot of great bands in the 70's and 80's listen and enjoy its a treat

[@Anymajordude5]

I was 17 in 1977. Remember when the songs from this album were all over the radio. Most recognized these tunes as special and amazing.

[@blacklight4075]

I was 1 in 77. But guess what? WE'RE BOTH OLD PEOPLE!!! And thats awesome.

[@mghJD]

Steely Dan’s music is some of the most sampled by rappers and modern pop around.

[@zelstephen]

Your reaction to Steely Dan and Black Cow is the same as most who hear it or them for the first time.....enjoyment and wanting to dance or groove

[@chopperdeath]

As a guy born in '68 I can attest that I was lucky to be around in this era. So much good music in a short period of time. Also the variety of music from the 70's, 80's and 90's was great to experience.

[@ssacra22]

PS, keyboards is Donald Fagen....also lead vocals. You could make an entire reaction channel listening to SD. 'Hey 19', 'Babylon Sisters', 'Home at Last', 'FM' and the list goes on and on.

[@evilvolts]

Steely Dan whole catalog of music is a vibe most popular songs included "Do it Again","Dirty work",Reelin' in the years", "Rikki Don't lose that number","Hey Nineteen", "FM (No Static At All)", "peg", and "Josie"

[@jackalcedo178]

👏 more steely Dan please !

[@michaelcurtis8419]

The way you were bobbing too and fro makes me think your ready for some more Steely Dan. If so check out Babylon Sisters.

[@DeeJayGli]

This sample was used by Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz- Deja Vu (Uptown Baby) 1997

[@NickBR57]

70s were a great time to be in your teens. The bands, the concerts... ah, nostalgia.

[@joemiles5094]

Awesome group, tight, awesome piano bar music, jazz clubs, musicians listen when the "ears are bleeding"!