With all due respect to Fleetwood Mac, (Rumours 1977), and the Eagles, (Hotel California 1977), Steely Dan was robbed of the Grammy Award for "Album of the Year" for "Aja". Every aspect of the album was a revelation and inspiration in the music industry.
This tonal and timing perfection of this album made it a common choice for speaker manufacturers and independent evaluators to test the quality of audio speakers.
I came home from Freshman year of college to find that my mother had installed an 8-track player in my dad's old car as a surprise for me. I had two 8-track tapes that Summer that I played: Aja and Dan Fogelberg!
My favorite part of this song isn't even a second long. At the end of the first drum break after completely killing it, Steve Gadd cracks his sticks together. It is so perfect. It gets me every time.
Two words:Steve Gadd. That drum track is killer AND it only took 2 takes to nail it. Plus, you have the great Wayne Shorter on sax. I think they used 30 different session guys on this album. You definitely need to listen to the whole thing. It's a masterpiece and their best album in my opinion.
I'm 66 and so in the demographic of people who waited for these Steely Dan albums to come out so we could grab 'em up. So, they have had fans my age forever. But it seems to me that in the last 2-3 years their fan base is expanding rapidly as younger people are discovering them. I read an article somewhere that people in their 30's are rediscovering because they remember their parents playing their music while driving their kids to soccer games or whatever.
Steely Dan had some of the most complex music of their day. Awesome band. Let me suggest to y’all some of my favorite steely Dan songs: Peg, hey19 and reeling in the years
Btw The odd noises SD used like the whistle, laughing, siren are remnants to Fagen and Beckers growing up in New York City. Noises from the city. They put them in the music.
all of these amazing comments. I would add that seeing Steely Dan live is a nuanced experience. you would think they would perform either a direct copy of the music, or a less sophisticated version, but you end up with a the same songs with new , lively and intense music that you will never experience from the recording. its like I want both
Si I've just discovered your channel and of course, I had to check out my favorite bands first. Which means that after I hit all of your Fleetwood Mac reactions, I'm back for Steely Dan. I've got to say, I may have listened to this song a million times and there is still something new to unpack from it on each listen. This whole album is an adventure.
Can't go wrong with Steely Dan....but, this is the best written, greatest song ever performed. That just might be my opinion, but I've listened to a heck of a lot of music. Aja is not a hard rocker, that's for sure. But what a treasure it is to all music. The drums, the piano, Fagen's voice as just another instrument, the guitar, the sax. You can listen to Aja a hundred times and find something new you didn't hear before. Thanks for reacting to the greatest song ever written and performed. IMHO! Got to correct you on something - Steely dan doesn't really have "hit after hit after hit" - what they have are deep album cuts. I and a lot of other commenters are gonna suggest going down this rabbit hole - it's gonna be a long trip. Ken
I try to avoid extreme hyperbole like "this is the greatest..." if only because I haven't heard every single song, but Aja, both the album and the single are easily, IMO, among the greatest ever recorded.
@@ArtofFreeSpeech I, too, don't wish to subscribe to hyperbole. There are other songs, Close To the Edge, Riders on the Storm, Nights in White Satin, Amazing Journey/Sparks, Going to California and Ramble On, Bohemian Rhapsody, Woman In Chains....that are all great. But, for me, Aja is the best song ever written and performed. I just can't help myself. Ken
@@kendudley3553 Certainly the addition of the words "for me" make it completely valid! My tastes change based on my mood so immensely, the greatest for me is always changing, but certainly Aja often gets the nod. Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Be Free (Loggins and Messina), Scenes From an Italian Restaurant all also vie for that top spot from time to time. Going to California, BTW, is also a great choice. That song ear worms me on the regular along with Battle of Evermore.
I hope you’ll revisit Steely Dan and maybe hit some of their more traditional compositions. There’s a lot to love from them. Try “Black Cow” or “FM” or “Josie” or “Peg” or “Kid Charlemagne” or dozens of others...
Oh, so only their radio hits are worth reacting to? Why isn't anyone defending the majesty of Aja in these comments? It's obvious these three gentlemen have no real jazz sensibility and need a definable groove to Playlist. Funny, but I can appreciate both. There are many other channels more sympatico to my musical taste and appreciation on the platform. I'll pass.
The drummer on this is the great Steve Gadd. And this solo is considered his absolute best. And over a Wayne Shorter sax solo? Mind blowingly cool! Drummers everywhere still talk about it! Rick Beato recently did a great interview with Steve and they discuss this solo.
The musical arrangement here is one of the most complicated of any song I have ever heard. It's almost as if there are 2 or 3 completely different songs that transition back and forth throughout, but strangely, it WORKS!
I have to say it again..... The 1970s AM and FM radio airwaves were a veritable cornucopia of musical styles and genres and some great bands and artists that refused to be pigeonholed! We could literally listen to any radio station and hear great music .....we were spoiled.
Brilliant! That's Steely Dan. Defying categories. The closest tradition it evokes for me is jazz. I like this song more every time I hear it. I truly believe you'll love it more with each play.
Looking through the comments I see no one mentioning “Do It Again”, so I take it you guys have listened to it. If you haven’t, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER WRITTEN AND RECORDED. 😁❤️
This is a masterpiece guys. The beautiful weaving of instruments and lyrics such as "up on the hill, they think I'm okay, or so they say..." Hmm. Steely Dan; to the stars and back.
One of best pieces of music I've ever heard, truly a piece of art.. no wonder it's in the Library of Congress... (uh, btw, guy in Colts gear... very cute!)
The lyrics here... "Double helix (DNA, life) in the sky tonight, throw out the hardware (contraceptives) let's do it (*IT*) right... " These guys are on another level entirely.
Music for adults. When rock and roll grew up. Combines many genres into one cohesive sound garden that blooms with storytelling of a very eclectic group of quirky individuals with a small combo jazz feel. It's a tasty banquet way beyond ear candy. I suggest Almost Gothic, a sincere love song from Two Against Nature circa 2000.
Green Earrings. Gotta hit that. It's their funkiest groove IMO. Reactors all love it. It's my favorite and I'm a huge SD fan. I kept waiting for the Wayne Shorter sax and Steve Gadd drum reactions. 🤣🤣
LOVE Aja - the song! Every song is great on this album, so just put the track names in a bag and randomly pull one out for your next review... same for the songs from the Royal Scam album...
"Aja" the album was one of the first albums I ever purchased. I have listened to this album since 1978 and I immediately became enamored with it. In those days "Peg", "Deacon Blues" and "Josie" immediately became my favorites. "Aja" the song was ok, but I recognized more was going on than I could appreciate. Through the years this song has continued to increase in stature, and I am in absolute awe of what a tremendously produced song "Aja" truly is. This is jazz, as far as I'm concerned, and I absolutely love this song. The whole album is truly a work of art, and Donald Fagan with Walter Becker were in another stratosphere of genius when it came to producing this album. Now that I am latter part of my life's journey, Steely Dan seems to be on my playlist more than ever, especially "Aja" the album. Thanks for the reaction.
My Steely Dan favorite. This album and the song itself is their masterpiece album!! Can you say Wayne Shorter and Steve Gadd...sax and drums!! Gadd's cymbal work on this song is totally incredible! GUYS ... listen to more of their music!!! Jazz fusion at it's very best!!
Donald Fagen's The Nightfly is classic, too. Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat, and Sunken condos are stacked with great recordings, too. Walter Becker's Circus Money has some epic tracks as well.
My favorite track from The Dan ever. The performance on this, was outstanding, outstanding. It's pretty amusing listening to non musicians trying to comment on musically intense music. Jazz fusion is also my favorite genre, so, this is right up my ally, also, playing music myself for over 40 years doesn't hurt.
Great reaction to one of my favorites of Steely Dan. Hits like Peg, Hey 19, Babylon Sisters, gaucho , FM, Deacon Blues and Reelin in the years to name a few. ❤
Dig the chord progressions. The late 70s was a time that jazz fusion started to take center stage. And you are right... great misnomer to call Steely Dan classic rock. Much more.This song was a painting. Try listening to the entire album with a great bottle of wine in the candlelight. Or you could listen to it in a crowded city park.
Love watching people's reaction to the whistle. According to the liner notes it's a "police whistle" (heh - something illegal going on maybe?) and played by Donald Fagen. It's still amusing after all these years that this famously perfectionist duo seemingly didn't trust anyone else to play three seconds of a whistle right. What a genius song and great reaction - thx for posting.
![Stromae, Pomme - “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1F3OGIFnW1k/mqdefault.jpg)
Correction: This was the longest recorded track before they first broke up in 1981. "West of Hollywood" is the most lengthy track released in 2000.
…AND TURN UP THE BASS 👍👍👍
West of Hollywood is unbelievable. Incredible sax solo by Christ Potter. One of their most complex tracks.
Steely Dan can't be pigeonholed, they can play any genre perfectly
Come back to this song in 5 years. You will appreciate its rare beauty...
With all due respect to Fleetwood Mac, (Rumours 1977), and the Eagles, (Hotel California 1977), Steely Dan was robbed of the Grammy Award for "Album of the Year" for "Aja". Every aspect of the album was a revelation and inspiration in the music industry.
Agree- they got their revenge with 2 Against Nature in 2001 - another stunner!
What did you expect, it's the Grammys.
I feel so lucky to have grown up with this music…
Perhaps the greatest drum solo ever recorded. Steve Gaad.
Gadd
This sounds like you are in the world's coolest, hippest jazz club. A pure ultra masterpiece.
That there are songs of such beauty. Inspiration to us all.
You don't "listen" to this song, you ride it!
It's been said that Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band.
Best album ever made !!!!!!!!!
That’s MY band !!!!!!!!
HOME AT LAST, is beautiful !!!
This is one of the few albums that I consider to be perfect. Every cut on it is pure platinum.
You’re doing it right listening with good quality headphones.
Agreed,but same applies to The Royal Scam,Gaucho,Pretzel Logic and their stunning debut Cant Buy A Thrill.
@@TheCornishCockney Katy Lied, too!
@@TheCornishCockney I totally agree Can't Buy a Thrill, I was SOLD!!!
This tonal and timing perfection of this album made it a common choice for speaker manufacturers and independent evaluators to test the quality of audio speakers.
Wayne Shorter on sax.
Victor Feldman on percussion.
Steve Gadd on the drum kit.
Donald Fagan on synthesizer and police whistle.
Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band...
I came home from Freshman year of college to find that my mother had installed an 8-track player in my dad's old car as a surprise for me. I had two 8-track tapes that Summer that I played: Aja and Dan Fogelberg!
Steely Dan is it's own genre !!!
It’s fire. It’s sass in the brass. Rushin’ with percussion. Movin’, groovin’ and needs no improvin’.
I love the guy in the middle doing the stank face to Aja so much. Awesome!!
Imagine if that feeling ruled the world
Reminds me of George Gershwin's American in Paris. You have to give Becker and Fagen some props for their song writing. Scott
I love watching you youngsters react to this. SD's entire catalog is worth exploring. Trust us...
My favorite part of this song isn't even a second long. At the end of the first drum break after completely killing it, Steve Gadd cracks his sticks together. It is so perfect. It gets me every time.
Love ❤️ hearing the click of the drumsticks!
once you hear it you can't miss it on every subsequent listen
I mean…
Steely Dan is used by audio engineers to test components/set ups to ensure they're up to snuff.
Two words:Steve Gadd. That drum track is killer AND it only took 2 takes to nail it. Plus, you have the great Wayne Shorter on sax. I think they used 30 different session guys on this album. You definitely need to listen to the whole thing. It's a masterpiece and their best album in my opinion.
Amen to that brother!
Check this out. Rick Beato is spot on. ruclips.net/video/BXH7cqrTbmM/видео.html
No argument here - but if you're not a fan of jazz, maybe start a few years back :)
Seriously . Steve Gadd. Nailed it.
The stick click in the middle. Gadd did it and stared right at Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in the control room. lol 2 takes and gone!
I'm 66 and so in the demographic of people who waited for these Steely Dan albums to come out so we could grab 'em up. So, they have had fans my age forever. But it seems to me that in the last 2-3 years their fan base is expanding rapidly as younger people are discovering them. I read an article somewhere that people in their 30's are rediscovering because they remember their parents playing their music while driving their kids to soccer games or whatever.
My daughter has a ‘dads car’ playlist on her Spotify 😂
That drop into the outro, gets me every time. Sonic masterpiece.
Might be the greatest pop album ever produced. Gadd is one incredible drummer
Steely dan funk! Sign in stranger
Steely Dan had some of the most complex music of their day. Awesome band. Let me suggest to y’all some of my favorite steely Dan songs: Peg, hey19 and reeling in the years
This what you get when you have outstanding musicians with exacting standards.
My #1. Ever and forever
Starts out sounding like Jazz and ends up sounding like Heavy Metal. Hell yes.
Steely Dan perfectly made music never duplicated that will stand the test of time. This song changed the direction of music forever.
When real musicians get off work, they listen to Steely Dan
With this : you found the best music in the world
Btw The odd noises SD used like the whistle, laughing, siren are remnants to Fagen and Beckers growing up in New York City. Noises from the city. They put them in the music.
Every Aja listener makes those faces you guys made during the drum solos. Every single one.
all of these amazing comments. I would add that seeing Steely Dan live is a nuanced experience. you would think they would perform either a direct copy of the music, or a less sophisticated version, but you end up with a the same songs with new , lively and intense music that you will never experience from the recording. its like I want both
Si I've just discovered your channel and of course, I had to check out my favorite bands first. Which means that after I hit all of your Fleetwood Mac reactions, I'm back for Steely Dan. I've got to say, I may have listened to this song a million times and there is still something new to unpack from it on each listen. This whole album is an adventure.
Steve Gadd played the drums on this...epic
Can't go wrong with Steely Dan....but, this is the best written, greatest song ever performed. That just might be my opinion, but I've listened to a heck of a lot of music.
Aja is not a hard rocker, that's for sure. But what a treasure it is to all music.
The drums, the piano, Fagen's voice as just another instrument, the guitar, the sax.
You can listen to Aja a hundred times and find something new you didn't hear before.
Thanks for reacting to the greatest song ever written and performed. IMHO!
Got to correct you on something - Steely dan doesn't really have "hit after hit after hit" - what they have are deep album cuts. I and a lot of other commenters are gonna suggest going down this rabbit hole - it's gonna be a long trip.
Ken
Thank you Ken.
Ken…I couldn’t agree more.
I try to avoid extreme hyperbole like "this is the greatest..." if only because I haven't heard every single song, but Aja, both the album and the single are easily, IMO, among the greatest ever recorded.
@@ArtofFreeSpeech I, too, don't wish to subscribe to hyperbole. There are other songs, Close To the Edge, Riders on the Storm, Nights in White Satin, Amazing Journey/Sparks, Going to California and Ramble On, Bohemian Rhapsody, Woman In Chains....that are all great.
But, for me, Aja is the best song ever written and performed. I just can't help myself.
Ken
@@kendudley3553 Certainly the addition of the words "for me" make it completely valid! My tastes change based on my mood so immensely, the greatest for me is always changing, but certainly Aja often gets the nod. Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Be Free (Loggins and Messina), Scenes From an Italian Restaurant all also vie for that top spot from time to time. Going to California, BTW, is also a great choice. That song ear worms me on the regular along with Battle of Evermore.
Love seeing people react to the whistle.
Aja is, without a doubt, one of the best albums ever. Good from sleeve to sleeve
Steely Dan is likely my favorite group of all time. Their music just speaks to me like no other. It is perfectly timed for OCD types.
I hope you’ll revisit Steely Dan and maybe hit some of their more traditional compositions. There’s a lot to love from them. Try “Black Cow” or “FM” or “Josie” or “Peg” or “Kid Charlemagne” or dozens of others...
and DOZENS :)
FM IS KILLER!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
The "Aja" album has quite a few radio hits. "Deacon Blues" is worth a reaction
Oh, so only their radio hits are worth reacting to? Why isn't anyone defending the majesty of Aja in these comments? It's obvious these three gentlemen have no real jazz sensibility and need a definable groove to Playlist. Funny, but I can appreciate both. There are many other channels more sympatico to my musical taste and appreciation on the platform. I'll pass.
@@sooutrageous007 👋🏼
AJA is my desert island album. sheer perfection.
same
Love that you young guys appreciate great music and players.Steve Gadd layed the drums down in 1 take.Thats simply amazing
The drummer on this is the great Steve Gadd. And this solo is considered his absolute best. And over a Wayne Shorter sax solo? Mind blowingly cool! Drummers everywhere still talk about it! Rick Beato recently did a great interview with Steve and they discuss this solo.
One of my very fav songs!!!!!
Just imagine how this sounded the first time you heard it in 1977 (in France)
I had go back to my stereo and play the song straight through again -- "Man, did I really just hear that?"
"THERE'S A WHISTLE IN THERE!" 😆
Food for the auditory senses!
The musical arrangement here is one of the most complicated of any song I have ever heard.
It's almost as if there are 2 or 3 completely different songs that transition back and forth throughout, but strangely, it WORKS!
That complete album is a masterpiece !
Yes I think this was their Masterpiece Album ! Whenever you get this I left a comment please read it thanks
indeed!
All time favorite album !!!!!
AJA !!!!!
FM is a MUST!
Awesome! I could tell you really enjoyed the song!
this is one of the 10 greatest songs in "rock music" history....!!!!!!
Some of the best musicians you never heard of.
Steely Dan is your favorite bands favorite band✌🤘
"Sepia". Again with the bonus points.
I have to say it again.....
The 1970s AM and FM radio airwaves were a veritable cornucopia of musical styles and genres and some great bands and artists that refused to be pigeonholed!
We could literally listen to any radio station and hear great music .....we were spoiled.
Steely Dan is one of my favorites of all time. A GREAT rabbit hole in which to go down. So much great stuff.
Brilliant! That's Steely Dan. Defying categories. The closest tradition it evokes for me is jazz. I like this song more every time I hear it. I truly believe you'll love it more with each play.
Love you boys
Looking through the comments I see no one mentioning “Do It Again”, so I take it you guys have listened to it. If you haven’t, IT’S ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER WRITTEN AND RECORDED. 😁❤️
This is a masterpiece guys. The beautiful weaving of instruments and lyrics such as "up on the hill, they think I'm okay, or so they say..." Hmm. Steely Dan; to the stars and back.
Everything is forgotten when the drummer takes over in the end🤓
"Hey Nineteen" is my jam
🎵"The Cuervo Gold
The fine Colombian
Make tonight a wonderful thing"🎵
Steely Dan - something completely different - yep!
"Aja", is considered the best technical produced album of the Analog era, you are about to to begin the journey of "Steely Dan" there is so much more!
I think they’re throwing all the “bells and whistles “ at you!🥰
One of best pieces of music I've ever heard, truly a piece of art.. no wonder it's in the Library of Congress... (uh, btw, guy in Colts gear... very cute!)
In the 70's, we would use this album to dial in our stereo and equalizers.
Back when bands played instruments.
The lyrics here... "Double helix (DNA, life) in the sky tonight, throw out the hardware (contraceptives) let's do it (*IT*) right... "
These guys are on another level entirely.
Try anything/everything on Royal Scam. Arguably among their best grittiest, groovy-est work. Geniuses.
Music for adults. When rock and roll grew up. Combines many genres into one cohesive sound garden that blooms with storytelling of a very eclectic group of quirky individuals with a small combo jazz feel. It's a tasty banquet way beyond ear candy.
I suggest Almost Gothic, a sincere love song from Two Against Nature circa 2000.
There's a lot going on in the music because Steely Dan had 40 of the best session musicians play on Aja album.
Green Earrings. Gotta hit that. It's their funkiest groove IMO. Reactors all love it. It's my favorite and I'm a huge SD fan.
I kept waiting for the Wayne Shorter sax and Steve Gadd drum reactions. 🤣🤣
So good.
Catch Rick Beato's review, calls it the drum solo that changed his life
LOVE Aja - the song! Every song is great on this album, so just put the track names in a bag and randomly pull one out for your next review... same for the songs from the Royal Scam album...
Fender Rhoads piano...sounds like vibes.
rhodes
it's a masterpiece
Amazing talent with each musician improvising on their enhancements of the vibe until the final composition , approval , release
"Aja" the album was one of the first albums I ever purchased. I have listened to this album since 1978 and I immediately became enamored with it. In those days "Peg", "Deacon Blues" and "Josie" immediately became my favorites. "Aja" the song was ok, but I recognized more was going on than I could appreciate. Through the years this song has continued to increase in stature, and I am in absolute awe of what a tremendously produced song "Aja" truly is. This is jazz, as far as I'm concerned, and I absolutely love this song. The whole album is truly a work of art, and Donald Fagan with Walter Becker were in another stratosphere of genius when it came to producing this album. Now that I am latter part of my life's journey, Steely Dan seems to be on my playlist more than ever, especially "Aja" the album. Thanks for the reaction.
Great song and welcome to “The Dan” rabbit hole!!!
One of the few bands that wrote and cut lots of classic albums over many years without compromising quality, originality and musicianship.
My Steely Dan favorite. This album and the song itself is their masterpiece album!! Can you say Wayne Shorter and Steve Gadd...sax and drums!! Gadd's cymbal work on this song is totally incredible! GUYS ... listen to more of their music!!! Jazz fusion at it's very best!!
Steve Gadd recorded the drum work IN ONE TAKE
Genius
Try FM, Peg, Reeling in the Years, or solo Donald Fagan like Tomorrow’s Girls, IGY, New Frontier. Awesome band
There are nearly 90 great Steely Dan songs. You just can't go wrong!
Donald Fagen's The Nightfly is classic, too. Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat, and Sunken condos are stacked with great recordings, too. Walter Becker's Circus Money has some epic tracks as well.
It’s fun to see you all discover this for the 1st time. I go way back with the Dan. Saw them at UCSB in the 1970s. ❤
My favorite track from The Dan ever. The performance on this, was outstanding, outstanding. It's pretty amusing listening to non musicians trying to comment on musically intense music. Jazz fusion is also my favorite genre, so, this is right up my ally, also, playing music myself for over 40 years doesn't hurt.
They sent professionals out the studio door all day. They were on another level.
Isn't nice to hear something that isn't so predictable! Thanks guys
Great reaction to one of my favorites of Steely Dan. Hits like Peg, Hey 19, Babylon Sisters, gaucho , FM, Deacon Blues and Reelin in the years to name a few. ❤
Fagan and Becker are legends. Go down the rabbit hole.
What a vibe close my eyes headphones transported to another dimension.... perfect
And the Engineer was a man by the name of Roger Nichols. Who just happened to be married to my cousin her stage name is Conrad Reeder
Definitely one of the best catalogs in music history. I can easily go 50 deep on Steely Dan favorites. Dig deeper down the rabbit hole.
Ty gets extra points for calling out, correctly, "marimba"!
Dig the chord progressions. The late 70s was a time that jazz fusion started to take center stage. And you are right... great misnomer to call Steely Dan classic rock. Much more.This song was a painting. Try listening to the entire album with a great bottle of wine in the candlelight. Or you could listen to it in a crowded city park.
Steve Gadd is just magic on this. But then they all are, of course.
Right. "Steely Dan." Donald Fagen's "F You" to the music industry...Best name for a band possibly ever...Cheers!
Love watching people's reaction to the whistle. According to the liner notes it's a "police whistle" (heh - something illegal going on maybe?) and played by Donald Fagen. It's still amusing after all these years that this famously perfectionist duo seemingly didn't trust anyone else to play three seconds of a whistle right. What a genius song and great reaction - thx for posting.