You could Not Be More Wrong! FM is A GREAT SONG! Being A Musician I Appreciate the Phenomenal Playing on the Guitar Solo as Well as the Sax, This moonrich has 0 taste in Classic songs! Lastly, I Love The Reaction The Younger Generation Gets Off These Great Songs from the 70S!🥰
Donald Fagen: vocals, piano, Walter Becker: electric guitar, bass, Jeff Porcaro: drums, percussion, Victor Feldman: percussion; Pete Christlieb: tenor saxophone; Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Tim Schmit: backing vocals; Johnny Mandel: string arrangements. It was a blast being a college radio DJ on a FM radio station. FM (frequency modulation) was definitely cleaner than AM(amplitude modulation) in over the air radio.
This is like the who’s who of top studio musicians at that time. Some of these guys went on to form groups like Toto, The Eagles, etc. Amazing talents.
It was 2 AM, I couldn't sleep and, at 73, I've got no place I have to go in the morning, except to shover the snow around the mail box so we can get mail. We got at least 16 inches of snow on Friday. Anyway, from 2 AM until now, approaching 4:30 AM, I've done nothing but listen and watch your reactions to Steely Dan tunes. It's been damned great fun, so thank-you. And Nick, if you don't mind me saying again, you are a lucky man. Lex is the yin to your yang.
I meant to say " shovel" not shover. My fingers don't always respond to my brain. Almost time to hit the bed for an hour or two. I'm currently reading a biography of Henry Kissinger, and it is fascinating. Peace.
To see young kids falling in love with the music from my youth....warms my heart I am a professional musician this music is the top of the top of the heap you are correct
"FM" is a great song that should be enjoyed twice in row. The saxophone solo was of course excellent off the Gold compilation, but the version with Walter Becker's guitar solo on the outro is even better. Believe it or not, it is my favorite Becker guitar solo.
The both of you had such a beautiful look on your faces as this played. I've never thought that about "reactors", and I don't think of you two as such really. You're music lovers discovering great songs, is how I see you. So, it was a surprise to be listening to this beautiful song, and then, to look at the screen and seeing both of you radiating a beauty, too. I don't wish to embarrass you by saying this. I think that it's a reflection of your openness and sensitivity, and the effect that music has that shines through you both. Thanks for this gift. You, both, are a gift to us.
I thought I was sick of this song after hearing it literally 1000 times because the FM station we listened to at work played it every day for years in the late 70s and through the 80s. But hearing it again after thirty years I have a new appreciation for it. The line that always cracked me up was the one about Blues and Elvis and somebody else's favorite song. :)
Pete Christlieb was the featured tenor sax guy on the Tonight Show band under Doc Severinsen. He was definitely one of those first call studio cats back in the day and has credits on a bunch of great records.
The depth to their music truely is stunning, but it’s surrounded by Pure Americana, stories and lyrics that create that vision of the best time in American music.
I love Steely Dan but I've never heard this song. The title is perfect since they "cover" so many different styles of music popular on FM radio in this one single song. Those guys are genius.
The most Steely Dan-ish song of Steely Dan’s catalog. Fantastic musicians and incredible lyrics lamenting the demise of independent, underground FM radio
Pete Christlieb was on saxophone. Aja was released first. FM not too long afterwards. Ya, the beginning of this song is just wonderful. The Royal Scam next please!
Yes, and Jeff Porcaro on drums... Victor Friedman on congas and Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Tim Schmit are in the backing vocals. Becker did all the guitar and bass work and Fagen the piano and lead vocal of course.
The Royal Scam is every bit as good as is Aja, although there’s no really long opus akin to Aja’s title track. It’s absolutely worth the time to listen to the whole thing, over and over!
Loved this band for nearly 50 years! Can't believe how quickly the time has passed. So pleased that you are discovering them and appreciate their greatness.
As a kid who grew up in the 60s listening to music on a tiny AM transistor radio this song holds special meaning. First we moved from AM to FM mono and were so thrilled with the static free sound. Then FM stereo came along and we were transported. My dad got a new Chevy in 1967 which was our first car with FM radio and it had a stereo adapter bolted under the dash. The sound was incredible. Could not wait for dad to get home from work so I could plop my self down in the middle seat and crank up the music. Such great memories. Does anyone here remember WDVE 102.5 in Pittsburgh from that era ? Their DJs were incredible.
Don’t worry - there are so many more greats from Steely Dan! Love that you keep returning to them. The Royal Scam is a goldmine. I’m getting together a small package including a Steely Dan Live DVD “Two Against Nature” called “Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party.” Hopefully, you’ll know most of the tracks by then. Also, I’ve played with making jewelry and the necklace I picked out for you, Lex, looks remarkably similar to what you’re wearing today. I prefer to use stone or shell in my pieces. I also sent you Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” CD (coming from Amazon). I know you liked his sound. Thanks for this treat today. ✨🤪
I watched "It's A Wonderful Life" a couple of days ago and wondered what my life would be like without Steely Dan in it. I imagined standing on a bridge. Snowing. Dark and cold. No one around. No sounds. Looking down at the cold, murky water. Contemplating life...as it was. Then...FM starts playing! It stops snowing! The sun comes out! Children are laughing and playing. Good friends pass by and say "Good morning Gene!" And all is right with the world again! O.K. So one song can't change the world. But it can make 5:06 of it so much better! Cheers!
I'm really glad that you chose to go with the version of this song with the saxophone outro. Interestingly, there are four versions of this song. The original album cut is around 5 minutes long and features a guitar outro by Walter Becker. There is also a single version which is around 4 minutes long with a shortened sax solo in the middle and the b-side of that single is the sax outro that you heard. This version that you listened to is, in my opinion, the best version of the song. It is the full length, original album cut, but the guitar outro was replaced with the sax outro that served as the b-side for the single version.
Yeah I'm 62 and I think this is maybe the 3rd or 4th time I've ever heard this version, and I think it's the Soundtrack version from the movie. I remember seeing the movie in a theater when it came out and I stayed long enough to hear the whole thing. That was the first time I heard this version. Sounds SO good! Peace!
AM radio wanted to play the song but didn’t want to promote FM radio, so in addition to the 3 official versions of this song, there’s also another unofficial version called “AM” that was played on AM radio! Someone actually spliced in Donald singing the “A” syllable of “Aja” from the song Aja to replace the F in FM. It’s a hoot! ruclips.net/video/P39Dl8KJDlw/видео.html
@@lparksession That is funny, thanks for sharing! I wonder how Donald and Walter felt about that since a. I'm pretty sure they didn't approve the release and b. its *really* not accurate much of the time to describe AM radio as having "no static at all". Hopefully they still got paid for each time vf it was played.
You really need to check out tracks from The Royal Scam album. It's a much more guitar-based album - although still unmistakably SD. As others have suggested - check out Kid Charlemagne and Green Earings. Simply outstanding!
I have probably listened to this a thousand times and will undoubtably listen to it a thousand more!! You two definitely need to do an album reaction to “The Royal Scam”!!
Back around 2007 we had tickets to see Allison Krauss at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha. While checking in the elderly ticket lady said to us, "We had Steely Dan in here last night. They blew the roof off the place!"
As I have stated in the past Steely Dan has been the soundtrack of my life. I can't imagine what life would have been like without them to carry me through good times and bad. Love watching you two's instant joy in every song. The more you listen to them the more you will find deep in every delicious 😋 bite! };~))
I watch a lot of first reactors and Steely Dan has floored just about everyone who has listened to them. They are a singular band in that no one else really sounds remotely like them and there is hardly a bad song in their pantheon. Not only that but the production on their albums is always stellar. I have just about all of their albums and love every one of them. Was lucky enough to see them in concert in the early 80's as they rarely toured. The show was fabulous.
You’re quite knowledgeable about Steely Dan apparently. Could you fill me in about why they broke up ? All I know is that Walter may have been strung out and also had a problem with stage fright. Other than that it’s still a mystery to me.
Ken, there's a tribute band in Montreal doing FM. It's stunning! They're called Babylon Sister. You can find them youtube. Listen an give respons,mate! Take care. Lars from Sweden.
Skunk Baxter did the sax on this cut under a psuedonym! Fantastic solo leading up to the fade-out! It's amazing to look on the liner notes and see all the talented musicians who played for Steely Dan such as Lee Ritenour, Plas Johnson (of Wrecking Ball fame), Tom Scott and so many more.
Pete Christlieb famous jazz player on the tenor sax. He was "discovered" by Fagan and Becker as Pete was in the house band on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for years.."FM (No Static at All)" is a song by American jazz-rock band Steely Dan, the title theme for the 1978 film "FM".
Excellent point! Always loved that line from that great track! I’ve ordered a Steely Dan shirt for Nick (arriving by December 15-22). He should wear it while listening to “Show Biz Kids.” ✨🤪
I find this interesting, that your appreciation for Steely Dan has reignited a passion for their music…..in me. Playing in rock bands back in the 70’s, I was aware of Steely Dan, but was never really into them.They were so different from the mainstream rock genera that they kind of slid under the radar, so to speak. In east coast Canada, FM radio was for classical music, and boring talk radio programming. A few of my friends were very in to SD, but they were a different social group and I found them kind of snobbish, so I tended not to take their advice on musical matters. I have been watching you guys for awhile now and think it’s time to subscribe and enjoy your discovery of this amazing band. Thank you👍🇨🇦
Gotta check out “the royal scam” record. Most hardcore fans consider it their favorite. I think it’s the best mix of rock and jazz. And the dark sinister lyrics are amazing. I really hope they react to it next
More guitar centric are "Kid Charlemagne", "Don't Take Me Alive", "Bodhisattva", "Green Earrings", and "Reelin' In The Years". One that is great to jam to is "Pretzel Logic" - but that's more blues oriented.
Green Earrings is one of the most underrated Steely Dan songs by far. The drum break right before the guitar solo hits so hard for some reason. I wish more people would react to it.
I didn't know why I loved them so much as a kid and it was because I love jazz. They made jazz top ten radio music, I don't think anyone else had anywhere near the success they did at that.
I remember going to visit my family in Philly in 1980. My cousin had prog faves like Tubular Bells and Dark Side of The Moon. I gravitated towards his FM soundtrack. We ended up playing that album BUT especially the title track by The Dan! Their manager Irving Azoff was behind the film. Though he disowned it after it came out. He got a lot of his artists on the soundtrack. Including The Dan,Boz Scaggs and The Eagles. As a matter of fact. Glenn Frey,Don Henley and Tim Schmitt of The Eagles sing backup on Steely Dan's FM. As for the instrumental part, Becker plays bass and guitar on this track. He really woodsheds on this song. Pete Christlieb who played sax played with the Tonight Show Band. He also played the solo on Deacon Blues. Nick as a guitarist I think you will be impressed by Larry Carlton's work on The Royal Scam. Especially on Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take Me Alive. Interested to see both of your reactions to that song.
Another great reaction. Steely Dan is so good even Marley had to come in for a cameo. The thing that really excites me is that with all the great music you have heard from Steely Dan so far you have only scratched the surface. You know we all all living for seeing Lex work that bass on some classic Steely Dan tunes.
Love how the drummer is playing 'just' behind the beat! A great sign of a hip drummer and a great jazzy, funky band. So smooth. So well produced with the strings there but not cloying. Perfect.
Nice one guys...my dad introduced me to so much classic rock type music I feel very fortunate. Steely Dan is way up there. I'm sure you've heard "Do It Again" def my favorite
There's another Steely movie soundtrack or two you should watch for. From the movie "Heavy Metal"... oddly is a very lush, non-metal, Donald deep-dive creation -True Companion. And they have another hidden gem from the movie "Bright Lights, Big City"(in early 90's) called Centuries End. Very tasty. I am with some other commenters here, that Royal Scam should be your next album.
Wow! I TOTALLY forgot that song is on the Heavy Metal soundtrack! Also hilarious that the only track on the album that is really "Heavy Metal" is "Mob Rules" by Sabbath . . . . maybe Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" and BOC "Heavy Metal (the Black and Silver)".
I remember being a kid and my dad got a new truck that had a AM/FM radio. I thought it was amazing that we could drive under bridges and not lose the signal. You’re both growing up in a time when you can hear anything you want at any time. I’m sure that sounds crazy but that’s how it was. Sit by the radio and hope the song you wanted to hear comes on.
FM radio was the phenom of the 70s. All the kids tuned into listen to entire albums...static free, in stereo...and no "ghostly sounds" in the background from other signals interrupting like there had been on AM band radio.
When FM radio kicked in with stereo instead of mono (typically AM), it pushed rock and pretty much all music into the forefront of the music experience - far cleaner, far more dynamic, clearer and with far less static :)
"Do It Again", "Reelin' in the Years", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Peg", "Hey Nineteen" were all huge hits in the 70's. "FM" was on the soundtrack to FM, about an FM radio station, which also featured all the top acts of the day, including Linda Ronstadt and Tom Petty.
You mentioned " So Jazzy, So Funky, so Well Produced ". That sums up so much of the work of Steely Dan. There are other elements such as Fusion , R&B and even Caribbean blended and layered into so many of their tracks throughout their body of work. You have a distinct advantage over those of us that did not have a set of quality headphones back in the day when this music was released. I am hearing instruments today that I was not aware of when I first heard their music.
I love that you guys are loving Steely Dan, my favorite band. Your reaction is like how I react every time I hear that song. I love your reaction! Steely Dan are so amazing. Love your channel, Gary
So fun to watch you react to Steely Dan. Please listen to "New Frontier" from Donald's "The Nightfly". I know you will absolutely love the bass on that tune. Also, you need to hit some of the songs from "The Royal Scam". Two of my favorites are "Kid Charlamagne" and "Don't Take Me Alive". They feature Larry Carlton (Mr. 335) on lead guitar and the legendary Bernard Purdie on the drums.
Imagine, if you can, a time when music was only played in mono and there was only AM radio..... That would be from the early 60s and prior. I was there. Even when FM was popular the only way to find the album length songs was on "underground" FM stations like KPPC 105.1 (IIRC) in Los Angeles (actually in a church basement in Pasadena) The Beamer, B. Mitchell Reed. Later on KMET 94 7
You guys haven’t even scratched the surface of the Great Steely Dan discography ❤️💫☝️ I can’t wait for more reactions and your discovery of this phenomenal band ❤️💫☝️ thanks guys
I've loved Steely Dan for 35 years or so and still hear parts that I've never heard before on some of their tracks!. Glad you like the song,there's so much more Dan you need to listen to. All the best from Glasgow,Scotland 🏴
This song is absolutely brilliant. 1979, my first 3 vinyl records were Pink Floyd, The wall Supertramp, Breakfast in America and Steely Dan, Greatest Hits. In the very early 80's, New Zealand was being introduced to fm radio. Certainly made your recording from the radio to tape cassette a lot more enjoyable to listen to. Fell in love with Steely Dan, still enjoying this unique sound more than 40 years on. FM is one my favourite songs of all time.
Excellent choice, you two! This was one of the first songs of theirs I heard, other than "Do It Again," which I feel is probably a lot of people's first SD song.
I'm so glad you discovered this band. I'm from the US and have listened to them from their beginning to now. They are so special. They will give you hours of enjoyment for the rest of your life. I love all the great bands too. But SD is special. Enjoy.
This is my favorite version of this song. It’s featured on the SD compilation, “A Decade Of Hits.” Their production values were always first rate; in fact, their album,Aja, won the Grammy for best produced albums in 1977.
If you’re really up for more SD music. I highly recommend you listen to the following albums from their early years, before Aja: Pretzel Logic; Count Down To Ecstasy & Katy Lied. All three are outstanding in their musicianship and production value.
My love for this band grows deeper and more intense on the daily! Thanks for the reaction! I will never tire of listening to them or seeing you both react to them! Love you both! Take care!
So fortunate to be born in. The 50s. My teen years in late 60s. I got to enjoy the best of the Jazz Rock Folk Fusion era. Steely Dan stood out for.me. rock..jazzy..funky. complex.
Loved your reaction , been a big fan of their music from the beginning, steely dan, just so gifted musicians,writers etc, there music makes me feel so good, PERFECTION🎹🎺🎶🎵🎸🎷🎻🔊🔉🎧🎹🎶🎵🎷🎸🎺🎻😀😎
Sweet! I've got this to look forward to when I get home from work tonight! Turn off the lights. Turn up the receiver. Put the needle down. Feel the Frequency Modulation!
"Give her some funked up Muzak, she treats you nice..." "FM, no static at all". Great song from Steely Dan! I recomend you to watch the movie! Thanks for sharing!!!
Entertaining to watch you catch up. To us from days gone by, it was routine, and expected they would be impeccable. Your warming and attractive ambiance keeps us coming back.
1978 was the year I really started to take my music listening seriously. "FM" caused me to notice that Steely Dan as a great band. That's when I bought all the older albums. They have been one of my favorite bands ever since. And Nick, if you are like me, "FM" will remain your favorite SD song.
This song has quickly become one of my favorite Dan tunes. Great reaction! Also, just a minor correction at 1:13 - ‘Aja’ came out in ‘77, not ‘79! ‘FM’ came out one year after ‘Aja’! 😊
I heard this song when it came out. I was 13 at the time. So we each remember what we were doing when we have heard a song at a particular point in time. This song puts me back in 1978...just a kid starting out in teenage years. I can see where I was..no cell phones...just a kid wondering about life. While I was into rock at that time......and disco was very popular at that time also......this type of music introduced me to jazz...and I was hooked. This was the longer version. Back then radio stations only played the shorter version.
You know what I loved about this reaction? I think it showed all of us, your subs/viewers that you're finally starting to REALLY get it. You're starting to use OUR lingo now--"Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band" and "You can't go wrong with The Dan." I think you both get it now when I begged you guys NOT to abandon Steely Dan because there were some morons out there who said hateful things on your first Dan video. Steely Dan, to me, is pure joy. When I go cycling (which I do 3-4 times a week, 30-40 miles at a time), it's Steely Dan I listen to. BTW, please do Time out of Mind by Steely Dan. You'll love it.
When I was in high school in the70's a friend of mine said your favorite band's favorite band is probably steely Dan so I checked them out, and I can't stop listening to this day
To wake up and see a notification that you reacted to another Steely Dan song made my day! I never thought I would be excited to watch someone’s reaction to songs I’ve been listening to for years. You make the song virtually brand new again…thank you! Please, kid Charlemagne next
You do these on your lunch break?!!!! That's terrific! :D PS: #nicknlexrequest Gentle Giant: "Knots". And for Steely Dan? I'll choose...."Bodhisattva"!
@ NicknLex Great reaction and love the channel! I am so glad that you have discovered Steely Dan! You're one of us now! It's a true joy to see someone so thoroughly enjoy great music. Believe me you give back to we, your viewers, the memory of what it was like the first time we heard this too and as a non-musician I really appreciate the new insights into classics I've heard all my life. Now knowing your tastes may I recommend a fantastic song I recently discovered. It's called - A Love Of Your Own by Average White Band performed at Montreux in 1977. #nicknlexrequest
Love your reactions to FM. I have listened to FM thousands of time and very fortunate to attend many Steely Dan and Donald Fagen live performances. A couple of those performances they had an encore session where they played the long version of FM. It is actually amazing and a thrill of a lifetime for me to experience that fantastic feeling that FM elicits. It always brings chills to my body every time I hear FM. I have been and will always be a Steely Dan and Donald fan. I have everything he has ever done.
My late friend in work, Viv, got me into Steely Dan 10 years ago and they are my fave band of all time. The live DVD is well worth a watch, two against nature.
There are several versions of this song that were released. IIRC, one has a longer guitar solo, and I think this is the one with the longer saxophone solo. And there's one on RUclips where somebody has blended the versions into one long song with both the long guitar solo and the long sax solo. That's the way Steely Dan shoulda released it. I see no reason to cut out any of the solos. Check out the RUclips video called "Steely Dan - FM - extended version!".
Pete Christlieb played tenor sax in the Tonight Show band. He played with a lot of greats, but I was always amazed that they were so aware of the music scene that they could even think of using him.
If you look up chill in the dictionary, they've got a picture of this song. Pete Christlieb on sax. I was living in LA when this hit the airwaves (FM radio) and it perfectly captured the essence of the city at that time. I lived near the beach and would hang with friends and smoke out and have some beers and just chill to this music on summer nights. What a great time it was.
I first started DJing when this song became more popular in my state... Boy music has changed so much since 1981... I love what your doing with your channel here guy's... just love it...
Always thought it was pretty cool that on the 2nd half of the groove phrase, the bass hits the upbeat and then the kick comes on the downbeat. Really simple but adds a lot.
🤔🤔🤔 Fantastically written, arranged, engineered, performed . I adored your honest reaction to this gem. This is what makes SD so damn special and satisfying to listen to. You guys should listen to “ Chain Lightning “ and “ Josie “ next and fall hard all over again for the mighty Dan. Cheers 🥂
THANK YOU for playing the often ignored album version of this song!!! The radio version cuts out the second sax solo and beyond, and it's a criminal thing to do!!! That second solo is fantastic and should never be cut! It's essential to the overall groove of the song!
Steely should've packed it in after their first album, sparing us this junk.
You could Not Be More Wrong! FM is A GREAT SONG! Being A Musician I Appreciate the Phenomenal Playing on the Guitar Solo as Well as the Sax, This moonrich has 0 taste in Classic songs! Lastly, I Love The Reaction The Younger Generation Gets Off These Great Songs from the 70S!🥰
Man, bait used to be believable.
W T actual F!
Don't do drugs.
Steely Dan brought me through the 70's unscathed. Best time to be a teenager.
They were asked to write a song for the movie 'FM'. This played during ending credits. Nobody left theater till it ended.
Donald Fagen: vocals, piano, Walter Becker: electric guitar, bass, Jeff Porcaro: drums, percussion, Victor Feldman: percussion; Pete Christlieb: tenor saxophone; Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Tim Schmit: backing vocals; Johnny Mandel: string arrangements. It was a blast being a college radio DJ on a FM radio station. FM (frequency modulation) was definitely cleaner than AM(amplitude modulation) in over the air radio.
....and in stereo.
😏 and no Static at all... 😁🐰
Frey, Henley, and Schmitt
Who knew?
This is like the who’s who of top studio musicians at that time. Some of these guys went on to form groups like Toto, The Eagles, etc. Amazing talents.
@@MrPolleyr Toto yes, but The Eagles had been around since 1972. Schmit joined The Eagles in 1977. "FM" was recorded in 1977 for the 1978 movie 'FM'.
Coolest music ever made...period......they are the BOMB ! :)
It was 2 AM, I couldn't sleep and, at 73, I've got no place I have to go in the morning, except to shover the snow around the mail box so we can get mail. We got at least 16 inches of snow on Friday. Anyway, from 2 AM until now, approaching 4:30 AM, I've done nothing but listen and watch your reactions to Steely Dan tunes. It's been damned great fun, so thank-you. And Nick, if you don't mind me saying again, you are a lucky man. Lex is the yin to your yang.
I meant to say " shovel" not shover. My fingers don't always respond to my brain. Almost time to hit the bed for an hour or two. I'm currently reading a biography of Henry Kissinger, and it is fascinating. Peace.
You guys are a joy to watch. I’m 57 and I’ve been listening to Steely Dan since 1972. I was 8 years old.
To see young kids falling in love with the music from my youth....warms my heart I am a professional musician this music is the top of the top of the heap you are correct
"FM" is a great song that should be enjoyed twice in row. The saxophone solo was of course excellent off the Gold compilation, but the version with Walter Becker's guitar solo on the outro is even better. Believe it or not, it is my favorite Becker guitar solo.
You're not alone. I became a guitarist thanks to Walter's playing on this tune, especially the outro solo.
I was hoping someone would mention Walter's excellent guitar solo on "FM".....
It's impressive how well this stuff has aged. Still sounds fresh but at the same time occupies a completely unique musical niche.
It’s the quality of the recording I think.
Thinking most of their music is getting to half a century old.
The both of you had such a beautiful look on your faces as this played. I've never thought that about "reactors", and I don't think of you two as such really. You're music lovers discovering great songs, is how I see you. So, it was a surprise to be listening to this beautiful song, and then, to look at the screen and seeing both of you radiating a beauty, too. I don't wish to embarrass you by saying this. I think that it's a reflection of your openness and sensitivity, and the effect that music has that shines through you both. Thanks for this gift. You, both, are a gift to us.
Exactly. Perfect comment.
Absolutely
I have hope for the future of music watching you guys!❤
I thought I was sick of this song after hearing it literally 1000 times because the FM station we listened to at work played it every day for years in the late 70s and through the 80s. But hearing it again after thirty years I have a new appreciation for it. The line that always cracked me up was the one about Blues and Elvis and somebody else's favorite song. :)
Pete Christlieb was the featured tenor sax guy on the Tonight Show band under Doc Severinsen. He was definitely one of those first call studio cats back in the day and has credits on a bunch of great records.
The depth to their music truely is stunning, but it’s surrounded by Pure Americana, stories and lyrics that create that vision of the best time in American music.
I love Steely Dan but I've never heard this song. The title is perfect since they "cover" so many different styles of music popular on FM radio in this one single song. Those guys are genius.
The most Steely Dan-ish song of Steely Dan’s catalog. Fantastic musicians and incredible lyrics lamenting the demise of independent, underground FM radio
*You* may lament the demise of independent, underground FM radio. I'm going to take some convincing that Walt & Don were too here.
Pete Christlieb was on saxophone. Aja was released first. FM not too long afterwards. Ya, the beginning of this song is just wonderful. The Royal Scam next please!
Yes, and Jeff Porcaro on drums... Victor Friedman on congas and Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Tim Schmit are in the backing vocals. Becker did all the guitar and bass work and Fagen the piano and lead vocal of course.
Yes, Gene is right. You both are now ready... for “ Kid Charlemagne “ off The Royal Scam album. Larry Carlton’s guitar work is extraordinary!!!
The Royal Scam is every bit as good as is Aja, although there’s no really long opus akin to Aja’s title track. It’s absolutely worth the time to listen to the whole thing, over and over!
@@jackstrang1488 I'm with you. RS is my favorite SD record. Kid Charlemagne is one of their best.
Loved this band for nearly 50 years! Can't believe how quickly the time has passed. So pleased that you are discovering them and appreciate their greatness.
As a kid who grew up in the 60s listening to music on a tiny AM transistor radio this song holds special meaning. First we moved from AM to FM mono and were so thrilled with the static free sound. Then FM stereo came along and we were transported. My dad got a new Chevy in 1967 which was our first car with FM radio and it had a stereo adapter bolted under the dash. The sound was incredible. Could not wait for dad to get home from work so I could plop my self down in the middle seat and crank up the music. Such great memories. Does anyone here remember WDVE 102.5 in Pittsburgh from that era ? Their DJs were incredible.
The great tunes from them keep rolling but you've just got to do "Kid Charlemagne". You'll see/hear what I'm talking about and I can't wait 😉
One of the best guitar solos you will ever hear!
I’m just drooling about how they’ll react to Kid Charlemagne…..
@@gregcormier2379 north
Don’t worry - there are so many more greats from Steely Dan! Love that you keep returning to them. The Royal Scam is a goldmine.
I’m getting together a small package including a Steely Dan Live DVD “Two Against Nature” called “Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party.” Hopefully, you’ll know most of the tracks by then.
Also, I’ve played with making jewelry and the necklace I picked out for you, Lex, looks remarkably similar to what you’re wearing today. I prefer to use stone or shell in my pieces.
I also sent you Nick Drake’s “Pink Moon” CD (coming from Amazon). I know you liked his sound. Thanks for this treat today. ✨🤪
And - Nick has a Steely Dan T-shirt arriving by December 22nd. ✨🤪
You mean it’s Christmas time already?
@@hasltisl haha haha 😛
Agreed Royal Scam is my favorite Album,that should be the next Album to listen to,
Front to back, Royal Scam delivers. But I don’t have any Steely Dan tunes I dislike 🤷🏻♀️
Thanks. ✨🤪
I watched "It's A Wonderful Life" a couple of days ago and wondered what my life would be like without Steely Dan in it. I imagined standing on a bridge. Snowing. Dark and cold. No one around. No sounds. Looking down at the cold, murky water. Contemplating life...as it was. Then...FM starts playing! It stops snowing! The sun comes out! Children are laughing and playing. Good friends pass by and say "Good morning Gene!" And all is right with the world again! O.K. So one song can't change the world. But it can make 5:06 of it so much better! Cheers!
Backing vocals are pretty much the Eagles, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley, wow...Pete Christlieb on Tenor sax, only the best for the Dan
Only Timothy B Schmitt is listed in the credits for backing vocals with Fagen!
Good enough said: only the best for the Dan.
I'm really glad that you chose to go with the version of this song with the saxophone outro. Interestingly, there are four versions of this song. The original album cut is around 5 minutes long and features a guitar outro by Walter Becker. There is also a single version which is around 4 minutes long with a shortened sax solo in the middle and the b-side of that single is the sax outro that you heard. This version that you listened to is, in my opinion, the best version of the song. It is the full length, original album cut, but the guitar outro was replaced with the sax outro that served as the b-side for the single version.
Yeah I'm 62 and I think this is maybe the 3rd or 4th time I've ever heard this version, and I think it's the Soundtrack version from the movie. I remember seeing the movie in a theater when it came out and I stayed long enough to hear the whole thing. That was the first time I heard this version. Sounds SO good! Peace!
AM radio wanted to play the song but didn’t want to promote FM radio, so in addition to the 3 official versions of this song, there’s also another unofficial version called “AM” that was played on AM radio! Someone actually spliced in Donald singing the “A” syllable of “Aja” from the song Aja to replace the F in FM. It’s a hoot! ruclips.net/video/P39Dl8KJDlw/видео.html
@@lparksession That is funny, thanks for sharing! I wonder how Donald and Walter felt about that since a. I'm pretty sure they didn't approve the release and b. its *really* not accurate much of the time to describe AM radio as having "no static at all". Hopefully they still got paid for each time vf it was played.
I just commented on this too! I remember the radio version had the guitar outro. I like that one too.
Yeah, this version with tons of great sax is the best one. Luckily, they picked this one to react to.
You really need to check out tracks from The Royal Scam album. It's a much more guitar-based album - although still unmistakably SD. As others have suggested - check out Kid Charlemagne and Green Earings. Simply outstanding!
Yes, please!
arguably their best album.
FYI, "FM" was recorded at the same sessions which became the "Aja" album.
I have probably listened to this a thousand times and will undoubtably listen to it a thousand more!!
You two definitely need to do an album reaction to “The Royal Scam”!!
Been listening this band constantly for 50 years
Back around 2007 we had tickets to see Allison Krauss at the Orpheum Theatre in Omaha. While checking in the elderly ticket lady said to us, "We had Steely Dan in here last night. They blew the roof off the place!"
That’s awesome. I love Steely Dan and Alisson Krauss. I’ve seen her with her band Union Station and with Robert Plant.
As I have stated in the past Steely Dan has been the soundtrack of my life. I can't imagine what life would have been like without them to carry me through good times and bad. Love watching you two's instant joy in every song. The more you listen to them the more you will find deep in every delicious 😋 bite! };~))
Right on .
Ditto
I watch a lot of first reactors and Steely Dan has floored just about everyone who has listened to them. They are a singular band in that no one else really sounds remotely like them and there is hardly a bad song in their pantheon. Not only that but the production on their albums is always stellar. I have just about all of their albums and love every one of them. Was lucky enough to see them in concert in the early 80's as they rarely toured. The show was fabulous.
You’re quite knowledgeable about Steely Dan apparently. Could you fill me in about why they broke up ? All I know is that Walter may have been strung out and also had a problem with stage fright. Other than that it’s still a mystery to me.
My favorite steely Dan song ,and I have listening to them since 74'..keep Em coming my Colorado friends...
Ken, there's a tribute band in Montreal doing FM. It's stunning! They're called Babylon Sister. You can find them youtube. Listen an give respons,mate! Take care. Lars from Sweden.
Skunk Baxter did the sax on this cut under a psuedonym! Fantastic solo leading up to the fade-out! It's amazing to look on the liner notes and see all the talented musicians who played for Steely Dan such as Lee Ritenour, Plas Johnson (of Wrecking Ball fame), Tom Scott and so many more.
He was rumored to have played the guitar solo, not the sax solo. Becker's guitar and Pete Christlieb's sax solos are killer.
Pete Christlieb famous jazz player on the tenor sax. He was "discovered" by Fagan and Becker as Pete was in the house band on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson for years.."FM (No Static at All)" is a song by American jazz-rock band Steely Dan, the title theme for the 1978 film "FM".
Back for this gem...you two really need to explore old 70s michael franks...even off cam, enjoy...
Even Steely Dan knows how cool it is to wear a Steely Dan t-shirt. They even wrote a lyric about it for the song "Show Biz Kids."
Show Biz Kids is Fantastic
Excellent point! Always loved that line from that great track! I’ve ordered a Steely Dan shirt for Nick (arriving by December 15-22). He should wear it while listening to “Show Biz Kids.” ✨🤪
I find this interesting, that your appreciation for Steely Dan has reignited a passion for their music…..in me. Playing in rock bands back in the 70’s, I was aware of Steely Dan, but was never really into them.They were so different from the mainstream rock genera that they kind of slid under the radar, so to speak. In east coast Canada, FM radio was for classical music, and boring talk radio programming. A few of my friends were very in to SD, but they were a different social group and I found them kind of snobbish, so I tended not to take their advice on musical matters. I have been watching you guys for awhile now and think it’s time to subscribe and enjoy your discovery of this amazing band. Thank you👍🇨🇦
Gotta check out “the royal scam” record. Most hardcore fans consider it their favorite. I think it’s the best mix of rock and jazz. And the dark sinister lyrics are amazing. I really hope they react to it next
@steelyd2 ...I agree on Royal Scam...check out..."Katy Lied" also, amazing albums...
More guitar centric are "Kid Charlemagne", "Don't Take Me Alive", "Bodhisattva", "Green Earrings", and "Reelin' In The Years". One that is great to jam to is "Pretzel Logic" - but that's more blues oriented.
Green Earrings is one of the most underrated Steely Dan songs by far. The drum break right before the guitar solo hits so hard for some reason. I wish more people would react to it.
With Steely Dan, if you dont pay Attention, you miss out on stuff!
I didn't know why I loved them so much as a kid and it was because I love jazz. They made jazz top ten radio music, I don't think anyone else had anywhere near the success they did at that.
I remember going to visit my family in Philly in 1980. My cousin had prog faves like Tubular Bells and Dark Side of The Moon. I gravitated towards his FM soundtrack. We ended up playing that album BUT especially the title track by The Dan!
Their manager Irving Azoff was behind the film. Though he disowned it after it came out. He got a lot of his artists on the soundtrack. Including The Dan,Boz Scaggs and The Eagles. As a matter of fact. Glenn Frey,Don Henley and Tim Schmitt of The Eagles sing backup on Steely Dan's FM.
As for the instrumental part, Becker plays bass and guitar on this track. He really woodsheds on this song. Pete Christlieb who played sax played with the Tonight Show Band. He also played the solo on Deacon Blues.
Nick as a guitarist I think you will be impressed by Larry Carlton's work on The Royal Scam. Especially on Kid Charlemagne and Don't Take Me Alive. Interested to see both of your reactions to that song.
Steely Dan is touring this coming spring and summer. Go!!!
FM was the title song of the movie, FM.
I got the soundtrack album on vinyl! Lucky me❤
Another great reaction. Steely Dan is so good even Marley had to come in for a cameo. The thing that really excites me is that with all the great music you have heard from Steely Dan so far you have only scratched the surface. You know we all all living for seeing Lex work that bass on some classic Steely Dan tunes.
Love how the drummer is playing 'just' behind the beat! A great sign of a hip drummer and a great jazzy, funky band. So smooth. So well produced with the strings there but not cloying. Perfect.
AJA Sept 1977/ I bought it on album the week it came out, I was 18/ Wow!The boy,s Thx/ Guy,s
Nice one guys...my dad introduced me to so much classic rock type music I feel very fortunate. Steely Dan is way up there. I'm sure you've heard "Do It Again" def my favorite
I can tell by your faces that you have already fallen deeply into the Steely Dan rabbit hole. It’s a great place to be! They are soooo good. 🌺✌️
There's another Steely movie soundtrack or two you should watch for. From the movie "Heavy Metal"... oddly is a very lush, non-metal, Donald deep-dive creation -True Companion. And they have another hidden gem from the movie "Bright Lights, Big City"(in early 90's) called Centuries End. Very tasty. I am with some other commenters here, that Royal Scam should be your next album.
Wow! I TOTALLY forgot that song is on the Heavy Metal soundtrack! Also hilarious that the only track on the album that is really "Heavy Metal" is "Mob Rules" by Sabbath . . . . maybe Sammy Hagar's "Heavy Metal" and BOC "Heavy Metal (the Black and Silver)".
I remember being a kid and my dad got a new truck that had a AM/FM radio. I thought it was amazing that we could drive under bridges and not lose the signal. You’re both growing up in a time when you can hear anything you want at any time. I’m sure that sounds crazy but that’s how it was. Sit by the radio and hope the song you wanted to hear comes on.
FM radio was the phenom of the 70s. All the kids tuned into listen to entire albums...static free, in stereo...and no "ghostly sounds" in the background from other signals interrupting like there had been on AM band radio.
Every Dan song is a classic as it turns out.
every new Dan song is like Christmas morning for Nick....like a kid with candy!!
I agree, FM is my favorite too! The sax is amazing and the strings kind of smooth out the jazz.
One of the best sax solos I have heard, I love this song, Steely Dan is awesome 👌🏻💪🏻
When FM radio kicked in with stereo instead of mono (typically AM), it pushed rock and pretty much all music into the forefront of the music experience - far cleaner, far more dynamic, clearer and with far less static :)
I still prefer it to DAB
The now empty AM frequencies became the home of right wing radio especially after the fairness doctrine was abandoned.
"Do It Again", "Reelin' in the Years", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Peg", "Hey Nineteen" were all huge hits in the 70's. "FM" was on the soundtrack to FM, about an FM radio station, which also featured all the top acts of the day, including Linda Ronstadt and Tom Petty.
You mentioned " So Jazzy, So Funky, so Well Produced ". That sums up so much of the work of Steely Dan. There are other elements such as Fusion , R&B and even Caribbean blended and layered into so many of their tracks throughout their body of work. You have a distinct advantage over those of us that did not have a set of quality headphones back in the day when this music was released. I am hearing instruments today that I was not aware of when I first heard their music.
I love that you guys are loving Steely Dan, my favorite band. Your reaction is like how I react every time I hear that song. I love your reaction! Steely Dan are so amazing. Love your channel, Gary
So fun to watch you react to Steely Dan. Please listen to "New Frontier" from Donald's "The Nightfly". I know you will absolutely love the bass on that tune. Also, you need to hit some of the songs from "The Royal Scam". Two of my favorites are "Kid Charlamagne" and "Don't Take Me Alive". They feature Larry Carlton (Mr. 335) on lead guitar and the legendary Bernard Purdie on the drums.
If you haven't covered it yet, "Do it again" is epic, and was a FM Radio mainstay for a long time.
Imagine, if you can, a time when music was only played in mono and there was only AM radio..... That would be from the early 60s and prior. I was there. Even when FM was popular the only way to find the album length songs was on "underground" FM stations like KPPC 105.1 (IIRC) in Los Angeles (actually in a church basement in Pasadena) The Beamer, B. Mitchell Reed. Later on KMET 94 7
You guys haven’t even scratched the surface of the Great Steely Dan discography ❤️💫☝️ I can’t wait for more reactions and your discovery of this phenomenal band ❤️💫☝️ thanks guys
I've loved Steely Dan for 35 years or so and still hear parts that I've never heard before on some of their tracks!.
Glad you like the song,there's so much more Dan you need to listen to.
All the best from Glasgow,Scotland 🏴
I grew up on steely dan. Lots of partying and hanging out with friends. Great memories.
Watching the two of you getting blown away by Steely Dan is almost as entertaining as listening to the music itself! Bless you both. You 'get it'.
Steely Dan is a band who always scratches my musical itch, love your reaction to this jam.
This song is absolutely brilliant.
1979, my first 3 vinyl records were
Pink Floyd, The wall
Supertramp, Breakfast in America and Steely Dan, Greatest Hits.
In the very early 80's, New Zealand was being introduced to fm radio. Certainly made your recording from the radio to tape cassette a lot more enjoyable to listen to. Fell in love with Steely Dan, still enjoying this unique sound more than 40 years on. FM is one my favourite songs of all time.
Excellent choice, you two! This was one of the first songs of theirs I heard, other than "Do It Again," which I feel is probably a lot of people's first SD song.
I'm so glad you discovered this band. I'm from the US and have listened to them from their beginning to now. They are so special. They will give you hours of enjoyment for the rest of your life. I love all the great bands too. But SD is special. Enjoy.
I'm old enough to remember when we only had static and ads on our AM radios, It was magical when it flipped to FM, no more static or ads...
This is my favorite version of this song. It’s featured on the SD compilation, “A Decade Of Hits.” Their production values were always first rate; in fact, their album,Aja, won the Grammy for best produced albums in 1977.
If you’re really up for more SD music. I highly recommend you listen to the following albums from their early years, before Aja: Pretzel Logic; Count Down To Ecstasy & Katy Lied. All three are outstanding in their musicianship and production value.
My love for this band grows deeper and more intense on the daily! Thanks for the reaction! I will never tire of listening to them or seeing you both react to them! Love you both! Take care!
So fortunate to be born in. The 50s. My teen years in late 60s. I got to enjoy the best of the Jazz Rock Folk Fusion era. Steely Dan stood out for.me. rock..jazzy..funky. complex.
Loved your reaction , been a big fan of their music from the beginning, steely dan, just so gifted musicians,writers etc, there music makes me feel so good, PERFECTION🎹🎺🎶🎵🎸🎷🎻🔊🔉🎧🎹🎶🎵🎷🎸🎺🎻😀😎
I agree, Kid Charlemagne should definitely be up next!
ROYAL SCAM in it's entirety, please.
Yes, definitely Kid Charlemagne.
Kid Charlemagne AND Don't Take Me Alive, maybe together on the same reaction, Larry Carlton is great on both tracks.
Sweet! I've got this to look forward to when I get home from work tonight! Turn off the lights. Turn up the receiver. Put the needle down. Feel the Frequency Modulation!
The Quintessential Steely Dan recording. Make sure to check out the original long version with the guitar outtro. Fantastique!
"Give her some funked up Muzak, she treats you nice..." "FM, no static at all". Great song from Steely Dan! I recomend you to watch the movie! Thanks for sharing!!!
Entertaining to watch you catch up. To us from days gone by, it was routine, and expected they would be impeccable. Your warming and attractive ambiance keeps us coming back.
1978 was the year I really started to take my music listening seriously. "FM" caused me to notice that Steely Dan as a great band. That's when I bought all the older albums. They have been one of my favorite bands ever since. And Nick, if you are like me, "FM" will remain your favorite SD song.
This song has quickly become one of my favorite Dan tunes. Great reaction!
Also, just a minor correction at 1:13 - ‘Aja’ came out in ‘77, not ‘79! ‘FM’ came out one year after ‘Aja’! 😊
I heard this song when it came out. I was 13 at the time. So we each remember what we were doing when we have heard a song at a particular point in time. This song puts me back in 1978...just a kid starting out in teenage years. I can see where I was..no cell phones...just a kid wondering about life. While I was into rock at that time......and disco was very popular at that time also......this type of music introduced me to jazz...and I was hooked. This was the longer version. Back then radio stations only played the shorter version.
You know what I loved about this reaction? I think it showed all of us, your subs/viewers that you're finally starting to REALLY get it. You're starting to use OUR lingo now--"Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band" and "You can't go wrong with The Dan." I think you both get it now when I begged you guys NOT to abandon Steely Dan because there were some morons out there who said hateful things on your first Dan video. Steely Dan, to me, is pure joy. When I go cycling (which I do 3-4 times a week, 30-40 miles at a time), it's Steely Dan I listen to. BTW, please do Time out of Mind by Steely Dan. You'll love it.
When I was in high school in the70's a friend of mine said your favorite band's favorite band is probably steely Dan so I checked them out, and I can't stop listening to this day
To wake up and see a notification that you reacted to another Steely Dan song made my day! I never thought I would be excited to watch someone’s reaction to songs I’ve been listening to for years. You make the song virtually brand new again…thank you!
Please, kid Charlemagne next
You do these on your lunch break?!!!! That's terrific! :D PS: #nicknlexrequest Gentle Giant: "Knots". And for Steely Dan? I'll choose...."Bodhisattva"!
@
NicknLex Great reaction and love the channel! I am so glad that you have discovered Steely Dan! You're one of us now! It's a true joy to see someone so thoroughly enjoy great music. Believe me you give back to we, your viewers, the memory of what it was like the first time we heard this too and as a non-musician I really appreciate the new insights into classics I've heard all my life. Now knowing your tastes may I recommend a fantastic song I recently discovered. It's called - A Love Of Your Own by Average White Band performed at Montreux in 1977.
#nicknlexrequest
Love your reactions to FM. I have listened to FM thousands of time and very fortunate to attend many Steely Dan and Donald Fagen live performances. A couple of those performances they had an encore session where they played the long version of FM. It is actually amazing and a thrill of a lifetime for me to experience that fantastic feeling that FM elicits. It always brings chills to my body every time I hear FM.
I have been and will always be a Steely Dan and Donald fan. I have everything he has ever done.
I've been a fan for 50 years..,I love when kids like you guys join the club!
My late friend in work, Viv, got me into Steely Dan 10 years ago and they are my fave band of all time. The live DVD is well worth a watch, two against nature.
From the 'Gold' compilation, you might want to do a reaction to "True Companion," a relatively lesser known, but lovely, song from their catalog.
There are several versions of this song that were released. IIRC, one has a longer guitar solo, and I think this is the one with the longer saxophone solo. And there's one on RUclips where somebody has blended the versions into one long song with both the long guitar solo and the long sax solo. That's the way Steely Dan shoulda released it. I see no reason to cut out any of the solos. Check out the RUclips video called "Steely Dan - FM - extended version!".
Movie wasn't great but it does have a GREAT SOUNDTRACK!
ruclips.net/video/316mipUnA-M/видео.html
Pete Christlieb played tenor sax in the Tonight Show band. He played with a lot of greats, but I was always amazed that they were so aware of the music scene that they could even think of using him.
Yes, funky. I LOVE how they do funk. You two are a blast to watch when I know the song. Her smile. His lip bite and air bass. SO much fun to watch.
If you look up chill in the dictionary, they've got a picture of this song. Pete Christlieb on sax. I was living in LA when this hit the airwaves (FM radio) and it perfectly captured the essence of the city at that time. I lived near the beach and would hang with friends and smoke out and have some beers and just chill to this music on summer nights. What a great time it was.
I first started DJing when this song became more popular in my state... Boy music has changed so much since 1981... I love what your doing with your channel here guy's... just love it...
Steely feel and Groove, funky and strings too. To good! Tasty guitar riffs and Sax. Thanks D.F. The musicians are so fine. Love this.
Always thought it was pretty cool that on the 2nd half of the groove phrase, the bass hits the upbeat and then the kick comes on the downbeat. Really simple but adds a lot.
🤔🤔🤔 Fantastically written, arranged, engineered, performed . I adored your honest reaction to this gem. This is what makes SD so damn special and satisfying to listen to. You guys should listen to “ Chain Lightning “ and “ Josie “ next and fall hard all over again for the mighty Dan. Cheers 🥂
THANK YOU for playing the often ignored album version of this song!!! The radio version cuts out the second sax solo and beyond, and it's a criminal thing to do!!! That second solo is fantastic and should never be cut! It's essential to the overall groove of the song!