Steely Dan - 'Aja' Reaction! Fusion of Jazz, Rock, and Pop! Grab A Bowl of this Musical Gumbo!

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

Steve Gadd on the drums and the immortal Wayne Shorter on the saxophone...

[@marcgordon6604]

I can't recall what podcast it was but I heard one with Steely Dan's producer Gary Katz. He told this story about Steve Gadd. Months after recording Aja,Katz ran into Gadd at a recording studio in New York. He told Gadd come listen to this. It was Aja. Gadd asked who the drummer was. Katz said that was you. Gadd said I'm pretty fuckin' good.

[@danmayberry1185]

Each musician a bona fide legend, but behold the drum parts. Not written, just Steve Gadd improvising one of the greatest drum tracks of all time.

[@cpmf2112]

And it almost ended up on the cutting room floor 😮

[@chrisw3421]

in one take ;)

[@michaelwheeling7422]

Fans of all sorts of genres were drawn to Steely Dan. And this album is classic.

[@melk.6024]

A Must do FM No Static At All..❤

[@debibailey2968]

What I love about Steely Dan is that each of their songs are so different, yet they have a sound that though unique is always identifiable as Steely Dan!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@WyattIamrolling]

FYI, Deacon Blues is another masterpiece on this album. Every song on Aja kicks ass.

[@TheCornishCockney]

A top 3 album for me,and I’m 70 !

[@classic-kool]

Steely Dan's music is extremely sophisticated and very difficult to replicate... I can still hear something new every time I play a track, and I've been listening to them for over 50 years.... It is the exact opposite of RAP, so to get a positive review from the three of you is a tribute to their greatness (even though Olli's was predictedly "lukewarm").

[@sammybeck7794]

Steve Gadd on drums...WOW!

[@actuariallurker9650]

Steely Dan spent TWO MILLION Dollars back in the 70s on the sound engineers on this album - a record at the time- they use this album in expensive audio stores to test out high end home atereo and homemovie theater setups because it is considered one of the best produced albums of all time and won a Grammy award for the sound work. The drummer is legendary jazz session artist Steve Gadd- they had more than 20 guest artists in this album alone doing guitars, sax, bass, and drums swapping out entire bands track by track,

[@jenniferbabros1985]

Kid Charlemagne is a must

[@diverdown631]

For sure

[@laurakali6522]

Yes!

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

Considering the time frame when this was released the engineering and production was years ahead of its time! "HOME AT LAST"; "PEG"; THANK YOU GUYS!!

[@Gez492]

Agreed, its one of the best sounding albums you can buy and testament to how good analogue sound recording and reproduction can be.

[@mariaakcelik8559]

Aja album won the Grammy best album of the year. Side one starts with Black Cow, - Aja, and Deacon Blues. Side 2 - Peg, - Home at Last, - I Got the News, and Josie (last song). One great song after another.

[@andrewtrotter9023]

Aja won for Best Engineered Recording - Non-Classical but Steely Dan did not win an Album of the Year until 2001 with Two Against Nature. Aja was nominated for AOTY but did not win. Eagles Hotel California won.

[@laurahatzes6964]

Definitely one of my top 10 albums!

[@buddystewart2020]

My favorite Steely Dan song of all time, but I love a lot of their stuff. This song is iconic. Steve Gadd with the sick drums, the whole studio was sitting there with their mouths open. they all knew it was something special. Wayne Shorter on the sax. Master sax player, played with Miles and Weather Report. Many seminal albums under his name. They had trouble talking him into doing the gig, he was afraid they would try and tell him what to play. He finally agreed to do it, came into the studio, and just told them to play the section they wanted him to solo over. He listened to it, then burned the track down, and went home. Done. Although this was the most complex song on the album, Fagan and Becker said it came together faster than any other track on the album. They credited it to the outstanding preparation of all the players on the track. I'm kind of surprised by the muted reaction, I thought it would hit them harder.

[@2cawwa2]

It could be a long story. Here’s a condensed version. Denny Diaz (guitarist) took out a newspaper ad requesting musicians to form a band (his band). Bard College (liberal arts) graduates (obscure/ unique/inside joke lyrics) Fagen & Becker answered the ad. Diaz was the last original member of Steely Dan to leave “their” band. Steely Dan became a studio only band at THAT point. They would double and triple up on playing responsibilities (in studio) and bring session musicians to fill out the parts. “Aja” won a Grammy Award. The saxophone solo in the track you just listened to was by late (serious) Jazz legend Wayne Shorter. He was originally cold to the request for his services, but decided it would not diminish his serious career- (Miles Davis, etc.) Think of the Aja album as a football game. They brought in a mostly new, fresh set of players for each play (song). These session musicians were all top of their game in the music/jazz sphere. Bottom line: each track on “Aja” is distinct and unique with the exception of maybe the crossover in the tracks including Michael McDonald which had a defined grove that utilized what he brought to the sessions. There are many videos on KZbin that discuss the sessions that created this masterpiece recording, not only from Fagen/Becker, but also from the (bass/drum) player’s perspective. All the music was charted out. Some of the players did multiple solos from which the best one was chosen. Some songs brought in various players for one song/ one solo in which the favored one was chosen. Bassist Chuck Rainey was told that a slapping bass style was not what they were looking for on a particular song, so he hid out of sight behind a monitor during the recording and did “his” thing and the rest is history. Drummer Bernard Purdy had a style named after him (the Purdy Shuffle). Steve Gadd was the drummer for the title track “Aja”. He explains what he did on the track was simple, not a big deal. That’s what geniuses often say. One person deserves much credit for most of Steely Dan’s sound. Producer Gary Katz. Not only with Steely Dan but with other artists as well. Genius. Similar to how producer George Martin was responsible for the sound of the Beatles.

[@robertfraser845]

you just cant get bored of this album ive been playing it all the time ever since i first got the album when i was 15yrs old

[@WilhelminaAlston]

I'm so glad I grew up in the 70's Great music. Love Steely Dan ❤ .

[@andrewbrooks6882]

Apparently, the "stick click" in Gadds solo was a mistake..... what a cool mistake.

[@submandave1125]

This song takes you to a peak and then opens a door you didn’t see to take you to another level. And then, as you’re totally lost in the woods it takes you back home, only to open the final surprise door to reveal the outro.

[@mrsnookdeb]

In one word, Brilliant

[@cindipossidento5688]

That saxophone was killin it !!!!!!! Best albumn ever made ……. Steely Dan always had the best studio musicians playing on their songs.

[@469buck]

Nothing short of genius.

[@colleenmonfross4283]

My favorite Steely Dan song and that drum solo is the best there is, bar none.

[@Fuphyter]

I fell in love with Steely Dan after the first LP dropped in the 70s. I bought every album as it was released. They are a very talented duo who get excellent studio musicians and their production is top notch. Have you heard King Of The World??

[@gerib4234]

You don't just listen to this song, you ride it! One of my favorite albums since I was 14 ❤ Love y'all, Happy Thanksgiving!

[@robertkees6048]

I've got like five holes in my ceiling from hitting my head from jumping up and down at the end wen the drums take over. Many many many people consider that Steve Gadd solo to be the greatest ever committed to recording, it's legendary, it looms large, and it changed drums forever.

[@MrScoop156]

The 1970s were a golden cornucopia of musical goodness

[@SeaMark782]

Night By Night, my brothers.

[@robertvien5693]

I appreciate that this young cat can appreciate jazz

[@melaniewells9934]

DEACON BLUES , PEG,and HOME AT LAST ARE MY FAVORITES FROM THIS ALBUM !

[@joelliebler5690]

One of my favorite songs by Walt and Donald!Incredible drum solo, maybe the best of this style of music ever!

[@SM-jg6gw]

It’s next level

[@billfaber6945]

Peg, Reelin in the Years, Josie and so much more!

[@paulrosenberg4227]

The whole album is one of the best records ever made. Brilliance.

[@terriebartholomew7871]

Great reaction! Thanks guys. More Steely Dan, please. They don’t have a bad song. Love your channel! ☮️💙😎

[@Searles007]

Aja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces was named after this song. It was her dad's favorite song. 💚🤙🏼

[@ibnmegas]

Masterpiece!

[@blackprix]

Need to react to Steely Dan “showbiz kids” a little different from their norm, but I love it you’ll like it

[@shawnk7832]

Well it's about time, Men. ❤

[@CJ-Fischer]

Love it… listen to Steely Dan on the radio my whole life now I’m going out of my way to listen to them…just epic music

[@Gez492]

Americas very best musicians played on this Album as already mentioned Steve Gadd is one of the worlds' best drummers "No drum machine here! and Wayne Shorter a pre-eminent Tenor Sax player Larry Carlton on Guitar & Joe Sample on Electric Piano both members of the Crusaders! Larry played with Quncy Jones, Micheal Jackson and so many more, Joe Sample Played with Marvin Gaye, BB King and many others. The great hall of fame listed Bernard Purdey played drums on this album too. Now Bernard has played with James Brown and Aretha Franklin, need I say more except look up the Purdey Shuffle! Chuck Rainey on Bass well have you got all night! This master of the Bass guitar contributed on over 1000 albums and features on most of Steely Dan's albums, he played on the great works of Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franlklin. He also worked extensively with Quincy Jones. Denny Dias maybe not as well known but a founder member of Steely Dan and he is the guy who played the amazing solo using the Indian Sitar on "Do It Again" and the superb solo on "Reelin in the years" There are backing vocals from the brilliant Michael McDonald, I think of "Peg" so distinctive is his voice. He also contributed his wonderful vocals on Gaucho, the Royal Scam and Katie Lied albums. Michael Omatian on Piano, now this guy has one hell of a resume, not just as a muscian but prodcuer too. He produced for Whitney Houston and Rod Stewart. He produced Christoher Cross debut album containing the beautiful track Sailing, as well as Amy Grant and many others. He played played with Billy Joel, The Great Four Tops, Kenny loggins etc. Victor Feldman lesser known in our contemporary world but he was a child prodigy and played drums live with the Geln Miller Bifg Band at the age of 6! He was British and played with Frank Zappa, Joni Mitchell and Tom Waits but most notably he was a memeber of the Light House All stars and recorded with One of if not the most famous Jazz musicians in history, the Legend that was Miles Davies. Tragically he died of an Asthma attack many years ago. These people were influencers and helped shape both Becker and Fagen's muscial journey's! With musicians of this calibre playing on this album it should be no surprise that it transcends its time. It should also be said that the selection of muscians was crucial and an arduous decision making process very much driven by their influences. Donald and Walter often spoke about these influences many of them Jazz legends now but very much alive and performing in Donald and Walter's early years. When you read about and listen to music from Jazz Legends such as Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, and Gil Evans, it all becomes clearer. Add in people like Frak Zappa, the grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and even legendary Big Band arrangers auch Sauter-Finegan and his orchestra. The heady mix combined with their talent suggested inevitible greatness leading to unique Albums like Aja, Gaucjo, the Royal Scam et al. Aja is a masterpiece blending Jazz with rock and pop and even some soul, it is as fresh today as it was when it was released on that day 23rd September 1977. I wonder how many contemporaneous albums will still be revered and played nearly 50 years after their release.

[@darlanilsen879]

Brilliant and eloquent writing. Yes the song is a masterpiece! ☮️

[@Gez492]

@@darlanilsen879 Thank you for you very kind words, I have added a little that I initially left out but it's so nice to comment and connect with kindred spirits in celebration of all music, human kinds most valuable invention❣

[@wpollock1]

My favorite from them.....this takes a listen or two as it is complex, but what a jazzy masterpiece! I love that they have a moment where they play the piano.....not from the keys, but reaching into the piano and strumming the strings INSIDE the piano.

[@Veritas-TheGoader]

As satisfying as a Steely Dan, orgasmic!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Good one. LOL.

[@lipstickandguitars73]

One of my favorite Steely Dan songs.... that being said, my favorite SD album is The Royal Scam.😁

[@NickS-zv7py]

Never ceases to amaze me! So much talent

[@genecase9464]

You have to do Deacon Blues. And so, so many others!

[@redbarchetta8782]

Steve Gadd on drums = ❤

[@stevehall7008]

OlliWooDDA I watched your lack of reaction and didn't think you were really that into music.... Then the drums kicked in and I had to think again. Glad you all liked it. Nice one guys!

[@melissameyer9981]

Grew up with this music. Can't beat it. I couldn't give u guys a thumbs up it wouldnt let me.

[@RetNemmoc555]

AJA is a jazz album at its heart, with a who's who roster of musicians. It's a softer album than I remember. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for it when it came out, but had I known what to expect (a more mellow jazzy vibe) I would have relaxed and let it happen. A more energetic Steely Dan song to react to would be "Kid Charlemagne" which also features a who's who of players, but it slaps way more. Same guitarist, Larry Carlton, who works the fretboard like no one.

[@hog7203]

When I first heard this particular song, it didn't grab my attention at the time. But that's because the other tunes on this album were so spectacular. But after giving it a relisten, I appreciated it more, especially because it was so different than the rest of the album. I know this band comparison is gonna sound kind of strange at first, but Steely Dan and Lynyrd Skynyrd have one thing in common with me. They're the two groups where I can't choose a favorite album of each artist. All of their albums are flawless IMO. Zeppelin is pretty close to the same category except for the fact that I do have a favorite album, their debut album, but the rest of their albums are freaking masterpieces too.

[@TheCornishCockney]

The drummer is the truly great Steve Gadd. There’s a reason well known perfectionists Fagen and Becker used him regularly.

[@edwardmeradith2419]

It’s not only a drummer’s song - The tonal/harmonic composition is where I’m pulled in. The Asian ‘cliche’ to me seems suggestive rather than overt, and in context, I respond to the tonality/harmonic language- that, and the FORM. It’s beautifully laid out and yes, those fooking drums 🙏🍷 Happy Thanksgiving 💙🍁🍀

[@cptight88]

Its pretty overt. Chopsticks level subtlety.

[@edwardmeradith2419]

@ we all reveal our reference points and hey, they’re varied. Don’t get caught in the cliche 😳🤣

[@jameskirschling7887]

I don't listen to the whole album while I'm driving anymore. I concentrate more on the music than the road. Thanks to technology, I don't have to wait for the cassette player to auto-switch sides anymore. My favorite song from this album is Home At Last. You already reacted to Reelin' In The Years.

[@gerhardbraatz6305]

No two songs alike, and such a huge catalog.

[@christinewaide5249]

Peg is a fantastic song.

[@Dervanism]

Under my thumb by the Stones covered by a great Canadian band “Streetheart”. Its really good.🇨🇦👍🏻🇨🇦

[@tommytbone9778]

It` MAY BE TIME if ya`ll are ready to see how Walter & Donald went about their craft as the Lads made "The Making of Aja" vid about the number of musicians and months it took to do this world-renowned album. SO grab a couple of stogies & a bottle of Rum Lads & giddyup THIS IS IT REACTS

[@paullacroix527]

Great reaction guys. Yes they had THE BEST studio musicians on their albums. Try 'The Royal Scam' or dozens of other songs.

[@timtravasos2742]

Great analysis to the complexity and nuance of this song.

[@bbox5938]

Great reaction, love the song. Steve Gadd killed the drums. Please check out "Jose" and "FM". Thank you

[@black64ford]

My favorite all time song from Steely Dan is Do it Again! Not sure if you guys already reviewed it, but if not please do.

[@tonyaristide2582]

Fantastic band

[@cherylwoodward]

Aja is a song but also the album name it comes from. People may refer to listening to the entire album, not just the title track. It’s their top selling album and is considered perfect. Make sure to listen to other songs from it (Black Cow is one!) It’s a rich album.

[@chrisw3421]

Gadd laid those drum solos down in one take.. Dr Gadd, excuse me. One of the very best ever

[@paulcallaro396]

Highly recommend you guys listen to Home At Last from the Aja album. It's the best groove on the whole album thanks to Bernard Purdie on drums. Love what you guys do.

[@nickvlachos575]

You guys need to listen to Peg, Babylon Sisters, and Peg

[@behindenemylines9033]

Master musicians fo sho

[@tomgeiger7058]

Since you guys like the fusion of Rock-Jazz-Blues… Please begin exploring “BST”…Blood, Sweat & Tears. Phenom202 will love the layering and mastery of instruments! Hope you guys had a great Thanksgiving. Cheers!

[@roundtownKen]

Mine too. A little more... texture... weight. Royal Scam, Green Earrings, H Divorce, Caves of Altimira, mmmm. So good.

[@georgetaxi8179]

Need to do Kid Charlemagne. It was sampled by Kane West.

[@edwardcapobianco2975]

Brothers you made a hell of a selection. The Dan are their very own genre but if we really have to narrow down their style I guess it would be jazz fusion but there is everything in their music. Sort of like a United Nations meeting.. The drumming on this is lights the f$$k out!!! Shit, every player on this album is lights out…

[@stevenspringer1599]

that whistle...

[@terryking8984]

Josie, My old school, hey 19, kid charlamagne, Black cow, Riki don’t lose my number, are the best songs

[@alldayadventures5418]

Most of SD Tunes are from real life stories of seedy underworld types. This tune as sweet and gifted as it is has a secret meaning like most of SD tunes. This one is about a cathouse, where shame should be paramount but it is not cause it is a cathouse.

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

Wayne Shorter & Steve Gadd. wow. Look up Wayne Shorter, he was the man.

[@kentzepick4169]

Love SD and love the song. That said, I think for a lot of people this song is an acquired taste. It was for me. Great songs that are a bit more conventional include No Static At All (FM) and Hey Nineteen. I think you’d love them both.

[@marilyndurham738]

Besides .Donald and Walter, all the musicians on this and lots of other songs were Session Musicians. All very good musicians😅❤..Donald Fagan was a perfectionist.

[@RonaldCanfield-m2r]

Another one of their tunes that sounds nothing like this is "Don't Take Me Alive"... with possibly the most amazing guitar intro out there.

[@SD-it9ne]

"Peg" & "Green Earrings" by Steely Dan

[@nastynick8709]

Hey guys, give "Reelin' In The Years" a listen. You'll love it. I used to love playing drums to that one when I was a young teen in the early 70's.

[@rlbkc9963]

Try this one, Haitian Divorce by SD is one of my favorites. It's a good story. Or, no one ever plays this one. It's all instrumental. "East St. Louis Toodle Ooo"

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Steely Dan were heavily influenced by Laura Nyro's revolutionary jazzy art pop album, Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) which includes several future SD musicans such as Chuck Rainey. Even the artwork of Aja is reminiscent of Nyro's album artwork. The song Aja has influences of Nyro's magical Upstairs by a Chinese Lamp (1970), which includes jazz greats Alice Coltrane, Richard Davis and Joe Farrell and koto and cimbalon. Walter Becker's favourite track on Eli was Women's Blues, which references oral sex in the intro horn fanfare.

[@charlottedixon6628]

One good song.🔥🥰

[@docj72]

Check out “Do It Again”…it’s a mixture of rock/blues/Latin music with lots more great musicality that they are known for…and the lyrics are deep, dealing with man’s tendencies to return to his vices, even though he should know better

[@kevinturley6670]

Cmon,guys, two Steve gadd drum solos!:!

[@SpiralMantis]

OlliwooDDA seems to be in a bit of a funk lately. Is he okay?

[@lynnc5649]

Agree, hope it's not illness, miss his smile.

[@johntash5895]

Gents, you like rock songs that are also funky! I'm a man by Spencer Davis Group.

[@jparks1937]

how about the brothers johnson cover of the beatles song come together?...

[@WyattIamrolling]

That drummer is Jazz/Rock fusion legend Steve Gadd. Google him. Trust me. He has one impressive resume.

[@brooksboyd1959]

Haitian Divorce next!!

[@kjisnot]

That horn at 7:14 (kind of faint) and police whistle at 4:26 are odd and don't seem to fit. Maybe that was the point. Oh well.

[@VinzClorthokeymasterofGozer]

I'm assuming you mean just the song, not the whole album. Either way, I'm in. Chiiiiinese music....

[@grandmarshal7539]

There are NO bad steely Dan songs

[@BucksBe]

It should have been "Sweet Smoke - Just a Poke"

[@Mannymoe7]

Steve Gadd is Badd

[@bobschenkel7921]

Fun fact, Steely Dan is named after a sex toy.

[@sammybeck7794]

To be exact it's a stainless steel dildo, hence Steely

[@johnbrowne2170]

Wow, I never heard that before. lol.

[@pixelrancher]

@@johnbrowne2170 A steam-powered dildo from William S. Burrough's Naked Lunch.

[@AntonyFleck]

Yeah indeed, apparently a steam driven metal Dildo!!...

[@rlwetz4317]

Dropping this the day before Thanksgiving, it should have been "Black Friday." Just sayin'. 😉

[@blackwolf6082]

This is jazz on steroids

[@OldBrenda]

It’s an 8-minute opera