They're magical! STEELY DAN Black Cow REACTION - First time listening

[@469buck]

One of my top 100 favorite Steely Dan songs...

[@andrewpetik2034]

Steely Dan added SO MUCH to the rich tapestry of great music of the 1970s!

[@RedSinter]

They created a tapestry for more than the 70's every song ff Aja is a Master Class and Masterpiece then as now.

[@karenj3611]

Absolutely, best music ever

[@andrewpetik2034]

@@RedSinter I agree! The 1960s, 70s and into the 80s radio airwaves were awesome!

[@RedSinter]

@@andrewpetik2034 their music almost regardless of the Album has withstood the test of time.

[@andrewpetik2034]

@@RedSinter Absolutely! As true musicians, they strip away the layers of silence to reveal the glorious beauty that surrounds us.

[@ShreveportJoe]

Steely Dan at their finest, sonically. Chuck Rainey’s monster bass line really makes it… and those lyrics… melancholy, yet hilarious. A perfect song, IMO.

[@jml-rj5re]

The best.

[@rogerberryman6467]

Aja VERY closely followed by Gaucho imho.

[@cometogether999]

Steely Dan are truly magical, you're right. I can go 50 songs deep on their catalog of songs that I like. Edit: In my humble opinion, Aja is one of the greatest albums ever made. Second edit: That coat is something else.

[@larryk731]

No debate AJA is the best Steely Dan album. I've debated whether it's a rock album with jazz influences or jazz with rock influences - lean towards jazz with rock

[@sventextor1309]

Listen to that immaculate production....Steely Dan combines this with sublime musicianship and incredible songwriting what a band........and by the way Harri that coat you are wearing is awesome.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thanx Sven..Are you Swedish?

[@athab8256]

Hey, you're right on all FOUR observations!! I think stereo stores use Aja to sell their sound systems, at least they did many decades ago when I bought mine. BTW, in my time, Steely Dan was usually your favourite band's favourite band!!

[@briangray00]

Regarding the song; I think outrageous would be more apposite. My top 10 is fluid but this one is generally in there - it swings.

[@athab8256]

@@briangray00 Agree! BTW, points for using 'apposite'; rarely, if ever, hear that word.

[@sventextor1309]

@@HarriBestReactions No Harri Im from New Zealand.

[@joesiano21]

Steely Dan always gets into a their songs with a beat and a groove that continues through the whole song.

[@rayeckert242]

Harri, I’m listening to this a year after your reaction. Sorri it took so long. “Black Cow” is the stuff. Greetings from Aruba.

[@michaelatwater4725]

I grew up with this band, with their bizarre chord changes and off the wall lyrics, always find that groove. They have never written a bad tune!!

[@joannparker1977]

One unique and talented band. ZERO of their music is not great. Always mysterious and intriguing.

[@lucasroth7922]

As I always say. Steely Dan is your favorite bands favorite band ✌🤘

[@helgar791]

Such a great song. Once again Steely Dan: Smart, topical, cynical, relatively harmonically complex (for R&R), with a tight, fun groove. As I've said before on another reaction, "Black Cow" is the tail of a man that loves a pro, who is too caught up in the life to let go. At this point he's now had enough and is moving on. Rudy's Bar still exists today on 9th ave between 44th and 45th streets in NYC. It's still a dive bar, and in those days it was a place where writers, actors, performers and pro's would meet and hook up. Pro's of course change their names to make themselves more alluring. Back in the day here in NYC the pro's used to stroll 9th and 10th avenues from Greene St. in NoHo, past the Convention Center on 34th to about 48th. They would center themselves around 26th Street, the Jacob Javits Convention Center, and on 42nd Street. A Black Cow is generally root beer and ice cream. But the adult version adds Kahlua and bourbon or whiskey, which would have been served in a bar.

[@christinerobinson9372]

I've never seen that definition of Black Cow before, There was a Black Cow soda drink that was served in a long-gone fast-food chain, I'm struggling to remember the name. And then there is a mixed drink with Kalua and milk. I think that is probably what is meant here, although your description of the relationship is spot=on.

[@helgar791]

@@christinerobinson9372 Look up the adult version of Black Cow and realize Rudy's isn't a diner, but a dive bar that ain't selling root beer floats.

[@helgar791]

@Gerald H Yeah. At the time this song was written, 42nd St, just 3 blocks from Rudy's was pro central, full of pimps, hookers, peep shows, and drugs. It was also, and still is, the home of Broadway Musicals. Hence Rudy's was a right strange and sordid mix of people indeed. The 42nd St serial killer plied his sick trade in 1979, two years after the albums release. Today 42nd St is a family oriented Disneyland, and a far cry from it old iteration. Safe and cute, but hardly as dirty and interesting.

[@kevinhines1765]

Classic Steely Dan sound. Easy to relax to and enjoy all the elements in the music.

[@kevinhines1765]

Love your channel! It does feel like family speaking the languages of music. 😊

[@beno7238]

Couldnt like this more!! They really dont have a bad song in their collection.

[@sumofo9742]

The best description of Steely Dan I’ve ever heard: it’s like missing a period of your life, but one that you’ve never experienced.

[@dannycasson1551]

Incredible duo of Fagen/Becker can’t write a bad song it seems! Wonderful blend of Jazz with a bit of pop.

[@scottjohnson4524]

Black cow is a beverage I believe like a root beer float.

[@reddawn8161]

Steely Dan are in my heart always and remind me of great times. I love them. Just f fantastic. Would love to meet the remaining star. Photographer for 25 years and wish I had the opportunity to meet him. How brilliant and fantastic. I photographed many fantastic bands and Steely Dan was my dream to meet and photograph. I love them for keeping the beat in my heart.

[@surlechapeau]

Harri, a few great Steely Dan recommendations you've yet to react to- "Josie", "Kid Charlemagne", "Bodhisattva", "Babylon Sisters" and "Black Friday".

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

All of these are Dan choice.

[@W4TB]

I’d throwin Bad Sneakers and Don’t Take Me Live

[@yourhomeisyourbusiness2221]

Peg is my absolute favorite 🤩!

[@mauricedavis2160]

THIRD WORLD MAN!!!🙏👍😎

[@mauricedavis2160]

@@W4TB all of the choices are excellent, period!!!🙏👍😎

[@markburnham7512]

The Dan were operating on another level. Pop radio was the main outlet, but they were way beyond mainstream pop. Such a great catalog, their solo work as well.

[@Cynthia...]

I haven’t heard Steely Dan for a while and I had forgotten how good they are.

[@glennanderson7795]

In a thousand years, this will be playing somewhere in a land far, far, away, it will still be admired and revered by all the critters that appreciate fine music. VBW & thank you! x

[@ogami1972]

I always shake my finger at my wife during "you were high!", that line always cracks me up, he totally busts the person...."you were VERY high..." lol

[@marcusjaybrode2129]

Great reaction! Black Cow is indeed a drink. Donald Fagen - lead vocals, synthesizer Paul Humphrey - drums Chuck Rainey - bass guitar Victor Feldman - Fender Rhodes Joe Sample - clavinet Larry Carlton - guitar Tom Scott - tenor saxophone Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields, Rebecca Louis - backing vocals

[@atombomb31458]

Walter Becker---come on man.....

[@marcusjaybrode2129]

@@atombomb31458 - Oh NO! I copied/pasted the musicians, and I cannot explain how WalterBecker wasn’t there! 😢

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

@@marcusjaybrode2129 That's funny man ......kinda like leaving Lennon out of the Beatles line up ...LOL :)

[@susanaltman5134]

Tom Scott's saxophone is one of kind.

[@BenCoultryAfishall]

​@@Newfie-zc7ug This has me dying right now. Can you imagine Lennon and Becker as a team of songwriters-scorned? "Screw it, let's do our own thing," scribbles some notes. "Mr. Mustard and Pretzel Logic? no that ain't it..." Sgt Peg and Josie's Dirty Workband. Babylon Brothers? Ok it's too early to be this high.

[@craigw1911]

Walter Becker on guitar for Steely Dan and Terry Kath on guitar for Chicago in their classic days. Two of my favorite rock bands with horns and a jazz influence, both great guitarists lost far too soon. You can't lose with either one.

[@realcoolbreeze]

Steely Dan was such a cool group back in the day. Musicians were impeccably amazing. Fagen s lyrics were so catcy and fun. Great memories.

[@nancysmith38]

This entire album is a masterpiece- you need to hear it all!!!

[@michaelnoviello6302]

Simply so good.....no comparison!!!!!

[@scottjohnson4524]

Harri you know!!! SMOOTH groovy funk.... listen to that bass guitar man. The best musicians and IMPECCABLE producers of smooth groove funk!!!!!

[@HarriBestReactions]

Heavy stuff!

[@ohfour-seven6228]

This is one of my all time favorite Dan songs, so smooth yet funky. Growing up in New England, a Black Cow was a rootbeer float made with Coke instead of rootbeer. Quite delicious, just like this song!

[@debbiechang5781]

Greetings from a fellow New Englander who also grew up with this great stuff. I was born and raised in MA, moved to NH for 15 years and now have retired in CT. I love Harribest and always love hearing Steely Dan. 🌺✌️

[@NoCanDu]

Is that what it is?! I figured it was a drink, but assumed it was alcoholic! Here in the Pacific NW, we just call it a Coke Float! 😎

[@donbly8573]

Strange....where I grew up in Massachusetts a Black Cow WAS a root beer float.....and there were Coke floats. And if you're a "true New Englander" you at least TRIED a Moxie float. 🤣

[@kentclark6420]

Delicious treats to an early end he meets.

[@davidryan7386]

the most unique band (along with yes) of the 70's

[@Laura-rm6us]

There are no bad Steely Dan songs but anything from Aja is amazing.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I’m a Jazz-Rock guitarist and I’ve had “Black Cow” playing in my head for a week. That song is tight. I’ve been playing Black Cow for 40 years and I’m still not tired of it. I think a Black Cow is Coke mixed with Kahlua. There were some nasty drinks in the 70s.

[@debbiechang5781]

You just cannot go wrong with Steely Dan! Their music is a genre unto itself. It doesn’t fit neatly into any category but it is simply delicious in every way! Thanks Harri! By the way, your furry jacket reminds me of the one John Lennon was wearing in the rooftop concert! Another fashion statement from the “House of Harri”! 🌺✌️

[@DJHolte]

Haha, I was trying to think why that jacket looked so familiar to me, and that's it - I've been watching the 3-part Beatles documentary, so it's fresh on my mind. ;-)

[@HarriBestReactions]

You're right actually.I saw that pic 😀

[@HarriBestReactions]

😀

[@thestevelarsenexperience]

Great and authentic reaction to a crazy good song that I never tire of hearing - even 45 years later. Indeed it is magical! And btw, I’m the guy who suggested this the other day. Thanks so much for reacting to it. Maybe try “Glamour Profession” next?

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thanks ..i remember you from your pic 😀

[@jollyrodgers7272]

Harri, that entire Aja album is a MUST! Break 'em down one at a time, or do a whole Album Review - these guys were at their peak and really found their Jazz Chops on that album. The best session musicians and vocalists at Donald's and Walter's discretion, and you can hear Michael McDonald occasionally in the background. On the Gaucho album, try TIME OUT OF MIND (Michael also, with Mark Knopfler on lead guitar). Big Black Cow was a drink similar to Root Beer float, but we had a double Black Russian with a scoop of ice cream, extra Kalua, in a tall tumbler that we called a Big Black Cow (in Chicagoland), after this song came out.

[@HarriBestReactions]

✌🏾

[@shelter9236]

No one had the harmonies or their sound, you know exactly who the band is when their music comes on.

[@debzvideos]

A Black Cow is basically a Root Beer float which is a drink that has 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream with the carbonated drink, Root Beer. Great stuff, btw.

[@jeffcasey9911]

Finally someone told him

[@dragonfly1153]

Thank you, Harri! Lovelovelove this song! And a Black Cow is a cocktail.

[@DJHolte]

As others have already stated, you can't go wrong with any song on the album "Aja" -- so well-produced, and so _clean_ ... I know several audio mixers who have said this is the best mixed album they've ever heard, hands down.

[@mishkac4959]

Beautiful. Of all the Dan's quality cuts, it's always Glamor Profession & Black Cow I come back to. That's the legendary Victor Feldman on keys. Recorded that amazing solo in one take. Love your channel!

[@martyemmons1859]

I appreciate your 'looking into' "Black Cow", Harri. It's another wonderful Steely Dan song.

[@imirim]

The horns and harmony are amazing

[@greybeard2280]

Aja is an absolute treat of an album! That being said, I must introduce you to Royal Scam, Gaucho, and Katy Lied albums. You'd especially like Royal Scam album featured Michael McDonald's work while he was with Steely Dan before heading to the Doobies. One of my favorites is a song I'd suggest to you try "Any Major Dude will Tell You". Great song!

[@samuelclemens8361]

Absolutely love Any Major Dude ! (The song. Not just any major dude 😆)

[@alanmusicman3385]

Gaucho and Pretzel Logic always first for me! But ANY Dan album is fine!

[@michaelplotino7046]

Hi Harri, Aja is my all time favorite album by Steely Dan. Every song is amazing. A must listen from beginning to end... and then all over again. - Brooklyn Mike

[@chellj8175]

❤❤❤❤❤Steely Dan !!! So smooth !! Have always loved them!! I was a kiddo in the 70’s!! This music is excellent !!

[@reddawn8161]

Ahhhhh the saxophone is the best. But the piano Ooooohhhhh!! And the guitar and frankly all really. I used to play the sax and was before I knew these chaps. But if I picked it up today it would be inspired by Steeeeeely Dan ❤

[@rkw2917]

The talent to take such sadness and create from it a beautiful composition A rare thing indeed

[@Mangawhero]

Evening ,Mr B steely music lifts you above the realms and takes one along to wherever,,,,

[@eileendobbs8009]

One of my favorites on this album. I also really love Home At Last. Fagan's vocals and the jazz piano in that song are fantastic

[@joy88867]

Aja is my all time favorite album! Steely Dan is soul food, music that soothes and feeds my 💕☮️🙏🏼

[@pamstuckey8349]

Agree. I'm a Boomer who has stayed interested in all kinds of new music but it I had to pick my top 10 albums this would b #1

[@lutonvidsextra9304]

Loved them since i was a Kid,Finally got to see them in 2018 in Birmingham,No words to describe how amazing it was or the sheer quality of the Songs.

[@gl2700]

Sooooo smooooth, huh Hari. S. D. always calms, always relaxes. Nice song and reaction. The best, Hari!

[@Mrsplanetmaster9]

Out of this WORLD, so true. I grew up blox away from Mr Becker, and a couple of yrs. after he passed, the street where he lived was named Walter Becker Way . (Forest Hills, Queens, NY)❤💛💚

[@Kathy8852]

I had this album back in the day. Played it constantly. My kids grew up on it!

[@BCBlue]

Oh man, I was in high-school when Aja was released. I remember hearing it the first time at a pre-concert party before seeing Rod Stewart at the L.A. Forum. I rushed out and bought the album and have a newer copy today. Thanks for sharing. BC.

[@Kreln1221]

*A **_"Black Cow"_** is a root beer float ice cream beverage, where root beer or some other soda is poured over ice-cream, usually vanilla or chocolate, and usually comes with both a drinking straw and a spoon...*

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

They are SO GOOD it's ridiculous to even try and debate with a non fan...their LOSS ! :)

[@stanleycostello9610]

I have listened to The Dan since 1972 ("Can't Buy a Thrill"). After many decades, there is something that I didn't hear before, something I missed, which is why I listen to SD to this day.

[@vansongs]

Great reaction. Try their Caves of Altimira, horns are off the charts.

[@Straydogger]

If you watch the 'Making of Aja' DVD, Donald says that they were referring to the root beer / vanilla ice cream combo.

[@philipshropshire5985]

Same. Imagine hearing that on the radio in the 70s...

[@zubee1]

Wow.. great reaction. Thanks for this.

[@hrblsh]

This album is so great. Hard to pick a favourite track! Can’t remember his name but the drummer for this track was a session player nicknamed “The Hit Maker”.

[@sooutrageous007]

Paul Humphrey. Fun fact: He was the drummer from the Lawrence Welk Show here in the US back in the day.

[@bkshields76]

Paul Humphrey was on this track but the album also included “The hit maker” Bernard Purdy and of course Steve Gadd with his iconic performance on the title track. Only the best for the Dan...

[@mormovies]

Actually, the self-proclaimed 'Hit-Maker' is Bernard "Pretty" Purdie who does not play on this track. He's on other Aja tracks and all over Royal Scam and Gaucho. One of the true all-time greats for the biggest pop, r&b and jazz hits.

[@hrblsh]

Yes, actually watched the documentary last night where I remember hearing this fact and you’re correct!

[@mauriciodelarosa2449]

Tom Scott on tenor saxophone at the end of the song man talk about feel good! 🎷

[@ricklaszlo3989]

Another amazing song Harry I love Steely Dan

[@artromano2419]

Thanks Harry for a great review.

[@rodneygriffin7666]

You can't go wrong with the Dan.

[@joelliebler5690]

Great story, fine instrumentals and backing vocals from one of my all time favorite albums with every tune memorable from it!❤️❤️❤️👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻✌🏻

[@kianpa1]

Indeed. I agree completely! 💕

[@timelkins3537]

A Black Cow is a drink served in a tall glass containing Root beer, chocolate ice cream and bourbon. That’s one of many recipes I’ve seen. As delicious to the taste buds as Steely Dan is to the ears.

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Cool squared. The horns and sax are top shelf. The horns in the fade out deserve special mention. I’ve never heard a band so tight, whose songs make one feel so loose. Killers all.

[@richardcole8214]

Jazz band that's so good they're played on album rock radio stations.

[@andrewedwards8238]

One of my fav tunes of all time.

[@RedSinter]

Big Black Cow if I'm not mistaken is a drink, but your Analogy is pretty applicable as well.

[@brenthowell6148]

Great reaction! You might want to check out Donald Fagan( who was the lead singer of Steely Dan) albums he made after he sung with them. Here's some of his songs on those Solo albums, True Companion, Snowbound, New Frontier, IGY, Mona, On The Dunes, Morph The Cat, all lit up.and full of Fire!✌️

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thanx

[@stevemariman8769]

that's ("old friend") a great way to describe their music!

[@reddawn8161]

Harri, you know the best is Steely Dan ❤ just excellent. The opulence of music ❤

[@barrydougan4859]

All Dan songs are great.

[@alanmusicman3385]

Steely Dan at their best - and they were never less than excellent. For a rock band to be so very rich in musicality on every level was - and still is - rare! But of course, Steely Dan were much more than a rock band, they were a thing apart. They strongly incorporated elements of different genres in their music; most bands have a go at genre tributes on their albums at some stage (a 12 bar blues, a jazzy number, a big ballad etc), but the Dans melded those genre influences into their own style, often quite subtley or seamlessly. Then, they had rotating band membership per album which kept things interesting. Another classic ingredient was on the vocal side and its something that a great many of the most successful bands have done since rock was young and that is to mix sour and sweet. The Beatles had Lennons sour and McCartney's sweet, Dan had Donald Fagan's acerbic voice levened by Ashford and Simpson's sweet sweet backing vocals and sublime harmonies. It was a stroke of genius by someone to have Nick and Valerie bring that sweet stuff they perfected at Motown and mix it with what Dan was doing. Sweet and Sour works as well in music as it does in food! It's very evident in this track, but for me the best example is "Babylon Sister". But there's more to the Dan magic then even these things. For example, space in the music; Dan were never afraid to leave space in their music, so many bands then (and to a lesser extent now) feel that they need to fill every moment and every part of the sonic range with something. This robs the music of any tidal feeling of rise and fall and essentially clubs the listener over the sonic head! Few if any Dan tracks do this, they all have moments which you can liken to a gap between waves on a beach and enjoy the anticipation of what the next wave may bring. No good for people who like their music to appeal to gut rather than mind, but such people tend to value musicality less anyway so Dan is not for them really! So many recording engineers have said that they use Steely Dan albums when auditioning or comparing audio equipment due to the superb production and sonic range they deliver and it's true that almost all their albums have production values that exceed pretty much anything else of an equivalent age. The recordings are superb, the mixes on a majority of tracks are a masterclass.

[@beeseewill2407]

Stealy Dan are the best."Black Cow"is Jazz,Funk,and R&B.Check out Steely Dan's Donald Fagen's IGY.

[@randystalnaker6700]

Somethings are just a very GOOD thing...this song is one of them! Thanks so much ❤

[@mackusarmyretired6251]

the bass guitar & drum kit are amazing

[@kentinatl]

i was 20 when this came out in 77' and i still groove on it...great reaction Harri...Kent in Ohio : would love to see you react to their song "West of Hollywood" from the album two against nature

[@jamesclapp6832]

So outrageous.

[@jackiesconiers4230]

Thanks for the Diamonds in my ears! Never heard this before! Loved it!

[@mauricedavis2160]

LEGENDARY, nuf said!!!🙏👍😎

[@Roof_Pizza]

I remember talking to my brother about bands with silly/interesting names and I brought up Steely Dan. He told me that that was the names of the band members. I just left it at that.

[@christinerobinson9372]

Nothing better than Steely Dan at 3 in the morning. Worth getting up for. Black Cow was a soda drink popularized by a fast-food chain, I forget which one, (it was A&W. and the Black Cow was a rootbeer and vanilla ice cream float) and later a mixed drink with Kalua. Now That I remember. I would say Aja was their best album, but they are all the best. Whichever one I'm listening to, that's the best.

[@jazzyboy7784]

Luv ya Harry...your passion for music is the best...by the way...did you forget to pay the heat bill...lol.

[@HarriBestReactions]

😀😂 Moneys too tight to mention

[@Coolrockndad]

A Black Cow is a drink. The Black Cow drink recipe is made from coffee liqueur, milk and Coke, and served over ice in a highball glass.

[@mikeyrebs8259]

Perfect Album ....

[@frankiehc7707]

You brought the look today to match the fine fine music. Looking so outrageous ...

[@HarriBestReactions]

😀😀😀

[@ralphvillanueva5558]

Another song in a long list with others. That whole album was great.

[@roymoore3156]

Musical royalty!

[@jangle4246]

This one really suits you, Harri! Enjoyed your reaction!

[@jimnightshadethatsme]

Black Cow is usually a Root Beer Float - I imagine him in a long suffering relationship with a woman who is a bit of a mess and a party girl, but he's just her friend (even though he may have loved her once, if only unrequited) but has to deal with her antics and the aftermath of her various affairs and boyfriends. She leans on him for support and he just can't take it anymore. She's nursing a hangover in his kitchen after a bender/one night stand and hes done.

[@mackusarmyretired6251]

love them

[@masapell]

My dream is to drive around LA in a 1977 Chrysler Cordoba with the windows down playing this entire album, but especially this song….

[@SB-jz1vl]

Their sitting in a luncheonette. "Finish your chocolate rootbeer float and beat it." ...pretty much sums it up.

[@hifijohn]

so outrageous!!