Aja is the best album ever. Every time I see a reaction video for any Steely Dan song I'm so happy for the reactioners because you can only hear these songs for the first time once. So enjoy every minute of your Steely Dan journey. It doesn't get any better than Steely Dan.
Michael McDonald was with Steely Dan from 1973 to 1974. He toured as an additional keyboardist and background singer. Jeff Baxter, who was in the early lineup when Steely Dan was a 5 member band, suggested Michael McDonald to The Doobie Brothers when guitarist Tom Johnston had to stop touring because of health issues.
Great reaction. Steely Dan's entire catalog is 🔥🔥🔥 Aja is my second fave album after the Royal Scam, which I hope you'll also react to. Victor Feldman did the amazing keyboard solo on this track.
Black Cow cocktail is bourbon and baileys. Very famous drink in 1970s! We listened to Aja for the whole summer with our 8 track tapes. 💞✌ They are killer live! Musicians are always at a Steely concert.
naaaaa its an ice cream drink with cola or root beer, as least as they meant it. Walter and Donald talk about it the making of this Aja. Basically its a kids drink, so they are saying the girl in the song would drink this.
As one considered “old enough to walk with dinosaurs” lol. It gives me hope that the younger generation is taking the time to truly understand and appreciate music from the past and the influence it has on music of today
Haha well, we can’t speak for everyone, but we’ve found that people who REALLY love music appreciate the good stuff. Regardless of age. Thanks for watching, and stay well!
YES! Michael McDonald was in there on the 4th and 6th album cut! This is a list of who performed on the Aja album and the cut they played in. Victor Feldman - Fender Rhodes (1, 3, 7), vibraphone (5, 6), piano (5, 6), percussion (2, 4) Joe Sample - Fender Rhodes (2), clavinet (1) Paul Griffin - Fender Rhodes (4), backing vocals (4) Michael Omartian - piano (2) Don Grolnick - clavinet (4) Larry Carlton - guitar (1, 2, 3, 5, 7), guitar solo (6) Lee Ritenour - guitar (3) Dean Parks - guitar (3, 6, 7) Steve Khan - guitar (4) Denny Dias - guitar (2) Paul Humphrey - drums (1) Rick Marotta - drums (4) Ed Greene - drums (6) Steve Gadd - drums (2) Bernard Purdie - drums (3, 5) Jay Graydon - guitar solo (4) Chuck Rainey - bass guitar (all but track 3) Jim Keltner - drums, percussion (7) Gary Coleman - percussion (4) Tom Scott - tenor saxophone (1), Lyricon (4), horn arrangements Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone (2) Pete Christlieb - tenor saxophone (3) Jim Horn, Bill Perkins, Plas Johnson, Jackie Kelso - saxophone, flute Chuck Findley, Lou McCreary, Dick Hyde - brass Michael McDonald (4, 6), Timothy B. Schmit (2, 5, 7), Clydie King (1, 3, 6), Sherlie Matthews (1, 3, 6), Venetta Fields (1, 3, 6), Rebecca Louis (1, 6) - backing vocals
@@SightAfterDarkbtw...a Black Cow is a mixed drink that is either a Root Beer Float or a Coca Cola Float, with Kahlua mixed in. Sometimes they add half and half to make it creamier.
Welcome to the world and rabbit hole that is Steely Dan. The reason you recognize the groove is because it was stolen by quite a few rappers. When you listen to Steely Dan you should use lyric videos. Even the way they came upon their name is clever. So, let's start at the top. What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. The pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th Ave down to 42nd, down to 7th Ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. He is a man who was hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. This is now perhaps his goodbye to her. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", “The Fez”, “Green Earrings”, "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. The late Victor Feldman is the pianist on "Black Cow". Tom Scott does the horn solo and arranged the horns.
@@SightAfterDark Well, as I told my niece in March, New York will soon be a safe zone while the rest of the country will be dealing with the frightening reality of COVID-19. Let the doubters beware.
@Insignificant Speck Of Dust Me too, although the adult version of a Black Cow is real and not conjecture. Nor is Rudy's Bar and Grill which SD was well aware of. The rest is just my interpretation.
Steely Dan has been my favorite band since I was 20. I’m 50 now. If you love Aja, I’d actually recommend you move to Donald Fagen’s first solo album next. The Nightfly.
Same! I’m 55 and got hooked on them at 16 in 1981 (even though I had heard songs on the radio). I once had every record on vinyl but they were lost at some point over the years. Gives me the sads just thinking about it. I know every word to every song from CBAT to Everything Must Go. Not to mention Fagen’s The Nightfly. I’ve seen them live 4 times. Yes, I’m a total Steely Dan nerd.
I was in a Denny's and my waitress' name was Aja as was inscribed on her name tag. I asked her if she was named after a Steely Dan album. She was amazed I knew that and said that no one had ever guessed that that none of her friends even know who Steely Dan is- let alone Aja. Said it was his dad's favorite band.
On another Steely Dan first listen there was a girl who was named Aja after the song/album. Fagen does most of the keyboards. To hear anything close you have to go to Fagen’s solo album, Nightfly.
I had a co-worker and he and his wife named his daughter Aja which he told me was his favorite album. Their little girl was born in 1981. No doubt there are many now late 30/early 40-something year old women given the name Aja after their mom or dad's favorite SD album.
if you love Steely Dan.... Just plan to get down with their whole catalog.... it is worth it. You will grow as musicians like others have and sampled their stuff. Kid Charlagne Reeling in the Years Do it Again FM Deacon Blues Green Earrings Hey Nineteen My Old School Don't Take Me Alive Black Friday Babylon Sisters Bodhistava ............................Really......too many to list
There's always at least one R&B-flavored cut from a Steely Dan LP. "Black Cow" is that song from Aja. No. It's not a club banger... but it's surely a head-nodding, foot-tapping jam! Love the lyrics. The background & Donald's vocals make it soulful! Even before your critique, one could tell you two were DIGGING this one.
As you explore the music of SD, you'll start to realize that their characters represent the darker side of the "human condition". I've heard that the woman in the story is a high-priced call girl/hooker/escort, addicted to booze, narcotics and one night stands. "On the counter, by your keys, was a book of numbers (Johns) and your remedies (drugs). One of these surely will screen out the sorrow..." He knows she's no good for him, knows she'll never be faithful, yet he lets her into his world to "talk it out til daylight". Absolutely phenomenal song and band. 42 years later, as fresh and essential as ever.
There is an old australian saying''I'd rather a sister working in a brothel then a brother working as a copper''...and show me a hooker and I have had a sister and friends that were and never liked one night stands..sex is commodity and desire of is very little..These are god's people and life punishes them harder..They see through''the joke'' and can not do a 9-5...we have to bow before them for choosing the hardest row to hoe.
great reaction....glad to see you got yer shit together....a little more fine tuning and you will take off...I'm subscribing to you now....keep up the good work....here is a good recipe for a big black cow Black Cow. Combine 1/2 cup of evaporated milk with 2 cups of root beer (your choice on the brand but we used A&W Root Beer for this particular one) and 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon. Mix then split between two tall cocktail glasses. Add ice to fill the glass. Drizzle chocolate sauce on the top. Serve.
Nice aside about Ray Manzarek. Impressive depth of knowledge! That solo reminds me very much of Joe Sample. Check out the video about the making of Aja. I know you'll enjoy it.
Little fun fact. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker met and started the band in college with Chevy Chase on drums but left long before their first album. Chevy Chase obviously followed his own path
The bar mentioned "Rudy's" is a real bar and grill and it's in Manhattan. Opened in 1933 and still in business. I don't know if they make black cows though. lol
Black Cow is an enormous groove, and it’s like movie script. I was on the scene in those 1970s nightclubs and discos. Drink your big black cow and get out of here.
This has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid in the 70's. We traveled every summer and every place that I could ask my parents for a "black cow/chocolate malt", I did. The fact that my life played out as if it's prophetic, that's just a thing. The California blonde that I slept with was a lab mutt I adopted in City of Orange, CA in 1992. If I'd gotten MY way, she'd have been named Pavlov. Instead, she raised a "Dwarf Chinese Blue Wolf" named Pavlov, instead. (I was single this time)
You guys mentioned listening to SD with headphones, and that’s fine... but you miss the stereo spacing - the soundstage in your that’s generated when you listen with decent gear and great speakers.
Haha the only reason we mentioned it is because people kept calling us out for now using headphones. We haven’t had any issue enjoying the music without them. I guess there’s no one correct answer.
Okay, so since nobody else in the comments has filled you in, allow me to take a crack at it: First, we enter into the song with this chick at Rudy's, high as a kite, with her phone book and her pills (book of numbers and your remedies), and one of those... either someone from the phone book or some pill, will drown out the sorrow from the previous night. Rudy's is a well known dive bar in Hell's Kitchen. He tells her to drink her big black cow, basically an ice cream float, done with chocolate ice cream and coke. There's an alcoholic version with Kahlua and cream, but you get the idea. Now she was seen on Greene Street, a street in the Tribeca district which, when this song was written, was well known for street walkers. It's arguable whether she was turning tricks herself, was a regular there, or just doing it for a night, but the "pros change their name" comment tells you she didn't. In the end, she "staggers home to [her] precious one" (arguable whether this is a husband, boyfriend, or whatever), but the narrator is the one who must make everything right... talk it out til daylight. It's debated whether this chick was a romantic relationship or just a friendship with an emotional vampire who sucks the life out of people, but either way, the narrator is finally ending the relationship, breaking away, telling her to drink her big black cow and get outta her. IIRC, Donald Fagen called it an anthem to masochism. (oh, and definitely 420 it up when listening. Steely Dan is my choice of artist on Pandora for when I ride my recumbent trike down the Florida Gulf Coast, something I do for 40 miles 4-5 days a week)
Helgar’s comment below is great. One thing u gotta realize about Fagen’s ‘stories’, is while the story seems to be about him, it’s always a ‘character’ him... putting himself in the role of protagonist, but with the ability to see things ‘third-party’, or like a fly on the wall. Another thing is that often, Walter and Donald would write some story, but realize that listeners might too easily figure out what the story was or who was in it... so they would reverse verses, or even lines in a verse, to make things more cryptic.
Big Steely Dan fan here. You asked for a band that puts out a similar vibe. The one great musician that comes to mind is Boz Scaggs. Check out "Lowdown", you'll love it. After that try "Lido Shuffle", "We're All Alone", "Look What You've Done to Me" and "Miss Sun".
@@SightAfterDark you're very welcome. I think you're going to like a lot of SD songs but yeah do.yourselves a favor and get headphones. Their music is pretty complex. 😍
Hey Brooklyn you 2 always lookin good . I'm up in the Northwest Adirondacks. Thx God pretty Puerto Rican gurl from da Bronx threw a dart at the the dart board and it hit my town . White boy b happy . Think I'll drink a big black cow and I'm outta here . Becker was an incredible observer of humanity . He saw all the nuances. Your street instincts are matched by your intellectual prowess . Peace back at ya !
Victor Feldman does the keys solo you like which is mad considering Joe sample played on the album too. You should check out the crusaders. steely Dan borrowed most of their band. really great. rural renewal is a powerful recording
HEADPHONES are a MUST w the DAN. Stereo stores back in the day would play Steely Dan in their show rooms to show the dynamic range of their components and speakers to the customers who would walk in.... you might need to re-listen to these songs.
Sometimes lyrics only make sense to the writer. No one is reacting to this music decades later because of the words. Music is sound and great music never gets old. Of course Rap is primarily about the words with a solid rhythm and that probably explains the obsession so many reactors have on the words. Also, when it comes to the lyrics and old school music you gotta consider context, what was going on in society and the world? You want words, check out Gil Scott Heron, great music and great lyrics like some of the Marvin Gaye stuff you have done...
Relatively new to this , We see. These reactions always welcome. Helps keep the music alive..." Black Cow', IMO, is allegorical. The drink is vodka, tia maria and milk, but symbolizes Black/white,yin/yang, someone who; s conflicted emotionally over an alcoholic/ addicted lover..Knows he has to quit it. doesn;t want to. Has to
According to Becker and Fagan "Black Cow" is actually the ice cream and soda drink very popular in the 50s and 60s. Usually vanilla ice cream and cola similar to a root beer float. It has regional variations.
@@scottmcgregor562 Sure..but then again, given SD's penchant for the enigmatic, and my experience years ago as a barkeep, I prefer to believe that the 'regional variation' would have been , regionally,..in a bar, and of course, there's this.Can't see the woman portrayed in the song being satisfied with a coke float. .."Rudy's is definitely not a soda fountain. Rudy's is a dive bar in Hell's Kitchen, 627 9th Ave., New York. Becker and Fagan used to hangout there in the 1970's when they had cheap drinks, free hot dogs, and jazz on the jukebox. Now, they still have cheap drinks, and free hot dogs, but the jazz has been replaced by rock and roll. You can't miss the place. They have a statue of a pig out front. Also, the Black Cow in the song refers to an adult beverage made with Kahlua, half-and-half, and Coca-Cola, or evaporated milk, root beer, and bourbon... sometimes with a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce on top! It's usually a drink women order... just like in the song.'
The Dan had mentioned The Eagles in the lyrics of "Everything You Did" (from "The Royal Scam" LP): "Turn up The Eagles. / The neighbors are listening..."
Rudy's is a diner and a Black Cow is an ice cream/root beer float. Budget on this album was something like 2 million bucks. Here's some real trivia for you. Most recordings lay down drums from the drummers aspect. What's on the drummers right is recorded on the right channel. You'll find Steely Dan lays down drums from the audience perspective. Drummers always have the high hat on the left side. However if you listen closely the high hat will be playing in the right side of your head phones or the right speakers in your car. So the drums are basically backwards to your ear " recording wise" but correct "concert wise"!
I think Arrested Development sampled this too, I kinda remember a MTV video for it. Make sure you hit up Donald Fagan's legendary solo album 'The Nightfly', an album I have seen used by audio engineers in giant clubs to see if it sounds right.
lol, it cracks me up that you try to figure out the meaning to Steely Dan songs, honestly, we never did. They are obtuse. On purpose. And that's part of why we love them. Growing up in the 50/60's, a black cow was a rootbeer float made with vanilla ice cream and coke instead of rootbeer. But as far as a Steely Dan metaphor, it's anyone's guess. :)
Steely Dan believe it or not never had a #1 song. Another bit if trivia..The band Becker and Fagen were in Before they formed Steely Dan... Jay and the Americans
Different musicians for just about every album! This is Steely Dan's work ethic: "Hey guys! Great job on this album! You really came thru!....But were gonna make a "new" album...so you're all fired!" Lol!
@@SightAfterDark If nobody else has recommended it, I suggest you give the original album version of "Starship Trooper" by YES a listen. When entering the world of YES, I always recommend a glass of whatever helps you forget your troubles before you hit play, and a second glass to sip as you listen. Dim the lights as your environment has a major impact on what your ears hear.
As far as other Steely Dan groups.... you have to go to Donald Fagan. His album The Nightfly is superb, Morph the Cat is crazy good and Kamakiriad is the THE absolute bomb, nothing better. Enjoy!
yesss love recognizing stuff before you read the credits. Doobie brother detected lmao craziest one for me was hearing that the backing vocals on the chorus of living for the city are all. stevie. i ran to Wikipedia to confirm my realization lol. i mean i knew he played all the instruments but i assumed he brought in some backing vocalist ladies like in the earlier motown days but no he was just wailing in the mix. classic stevie moment lmao
I think the point of view of this song is from someone who is frustrated with the relationship, but isn't willing to end it: "Just when it seems so clear, that it's over now, drink your big Black Cow, and get outta here." In a long-term relationship, "get outta here" can be an almost affectionate way of saying, "I just want to leave this problem of yours alone again." And cycle continues.
I heard if you get copyrighted three times you get thrown off, so you do have to pause the video a couple times. But, you can get away with pausing, saying "sorry!" and going right back in. A non-alcoholic Black Cow is a root beer float, I think, that used to be sold at Arby's. The alcoholic version had Kahlua in it, I think. Sounds delicious. She's doing a little more than drinking in bars. (They saw your face, they change their face). She's making a little money on the streets. That last "and get outta here" changes from minor to major. Glad it's over.
@@SightAfterDark Some artists allow you to use their material with no copyright, some don't. Others, the copyright date expires after 50 yrs or the artist's death. But if the copyright has been sold to someone else, they might still control it.
This song is legit "one of about 7" Steely Dan songs that isn't explicitly about drugs and/or inappropriate sexual actions/proclivities. Earbuds don't cut it. HEADPHONES.
😂😂😂 that’s hilarious, the only reason we mentioned headphones is because people kept calling us out in the comments for not using them. We’ve enjoyed the music regardless!
@@SightAfterDark I know, lol, just teasing. But definitely whenever I hear Steely Dan, I'm immediately like, "Honey, get started mixing martinis, I'm inviting the neighbors over."
It's the story of a man who's lover is out getting drunk and is out and about with other men and he is done with her, so he tells her to drink down her Black Cow (Alcoholic beverage) and "GET OUT OF HERE!!!
To me this is a song about a guy who's fet up with his girl who keeps getting messed up on booze and pills and sleeps around and then comes crying to him to make it all better, he's had enough of that shit and is telling her to finish her drink at GTFO.
We like to interact with ppl in the comments, that’s how we get our knowledge on this channel. Otherwise, what’s the point of doing the reaction if we know everything about the song already?
@@SightAfterDark You mention clarity and recording situations and how it's achieved...RNichols was there from the beginning with they're main producer Gary Katz..Becker and Fagen did hire First call studio musicians after the original band broke up...and yes they were anal and perfectionist in their approach to their material as time went on Roger Nichols was and is generally considered the genius to their recorded sound ie the separation of instruments and tightness to the rhythms The Wendel Jr..his invention..took over the SD sound Most people call it a drum machine but it's not Without getting to technical it's best you just Google it and discover yourself..peace
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If you enjoyed this, check out our podcast on Steely Dan!
ruclips.net/video/2tNasxBrqnM/видео.html
Aja is the best album ever. Every time I see a reaction video for any Steely Dan song I'm so happy for the reactioners because you can only hear these songs for the first time once. So enjoy every minute of your Steely Dan journey. It doesn't get any better than Steely Dan.
Fantastic album! Fantastic band!
Brilliant song from an amazing album.
The outro on Black Cow is one of my favourites of all time,it sounds so sophisticated.
Michael McDonald was with Steely Dan from 1973 to 1974. He toured as an additional keyboardist and background singer. Jeff Baxter, who was in the early lineup when Steely Dan was a 5 member band, suggested Michael McDonald to The Doobie Brothers when guitarist Tom Johnston had to stop touring because of health issues.
Great reaction. Steely Dan's entire catalog is 🔥🔥🔥 Aja is my second fave album after the Royal Scam, which I hope you'll also react to. Victor Feldman did the amazing keyboard solo on this track.
Whoo Hoo love this album..grew up with them🤩 love you did the whole album..well worth it
You guys are great
Thanks for watching Jennifer!
Black Cow cocktail is bourbon and baileys. Very famous drink in 1970s! We listened to Aja for the whole summer with our 8 track tapes. 💞✌ They are killer live! Musicians are always at a Steely concert.
naaaaa its an ice cream drink with cola or root beer, as least as they meant it. Walter and Donald talk about it the making of this Aja. Basically its a kids drink, so they are saying the girl in the song would drink this.
The whole album is a gem, a diamond you might say.
Nicely Said, You have a little of James Bond in you!!
As one considered “old enough to walk with dinosaurs” lol. It gives me hope that the younger generation is taking the time to truly understand and appreciate music from the past and the influence it has on music of today
Haha well, we can’t speak for everyone, but we’ve found that people who REALLY love music appreciate the good stuff. Regardless of age. Thanks for watching, and stay well!
Steely Dan' s genius continues to find new fans constantly.
Timeless. Their influence grows constantly.
For sure
YES!
Michael McDonald was in there on the 4th and 6th album cut!
This is a list of who performed on the Aja album and the cut they played in.
Victor Feldman - Fender Rhodes (1, 3, 7), vibraphone (5, 6), piano (5, 6), percussion (2, 4)
Joe Sample - Fender Rhodes (2), clavinet (1)
Paul Griffin - Fender Rhodes (4), backing vocals (4)
Michael Omartian - piano (2)
Don Grolnick - clavinet (4)
Larry Carlton - guitar (1, 2, 3, 5, 7), guitar solo (6)
Lee Ritenour - guitar (3)
Dean Parks - guitar (3, 6, 7)
Steve Khan - guitar (4)
Denny Dias - guitar (2)
Paul Humphrey - drums (1)
Rick Marotta - drums (4)
Ed Greene - drums (6)
Steve Gadd - drums (2)
Bernard Purdie - drums (3, 5)
Jay Graydon - guitar solo (4)
Chuck Rainey - bass guitar (all but track 3)
Jim Keltner - drums, percussion (7)
Gary Coleman - percussion (4)
Tom Scott - tenor saxophone (1), Lyricon (4), horn arrangements
Wayne Shorter - tenor saxophone (2)
Pete Christlieb - tenor saxophone (3)
Jim Horn, Bill Perkins, Plas Johnson, Jackie Kelso - saxophone, flute
Chuck Findley, Lou McCreary, Dick Hyde - brass
Michael McDonald (4, 6), Timothy B. Schmit (2, 5, 7), Clydie King (1, 3, 6), Sherlie Matthews (1, 3, 6), Venetta Fields (1, 3, 6), Rebecca Louis (1, 6) - backing vocals
Tom Scott's earthy tenor solo in the outro is masterful
Agreed
Indeed also his work with Joni Mitchell is worth noting.
@@SightAfterDarkbtw...a Black Cow is a mixed drink that is either a Root Beer Float or a Coca Cola Float, with Kahlua mixed in. Sometimes they add half and half to make it creamier.
There were never a shortage of great player's.
Welcome to the world and rabbit hole that is Steely Dan. The reason you recognize the groove is because it was stolen by quite a few rappers. When you listen to Steely Dan you should use lyric videos. Even the way they came upon their name is clever. So, let's start at the top. What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. The pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th Ave down to 42nd, down to 7th Ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. He is a man who was hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. This is now perhaps his goodbye to her. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", “The Fez”, “Green Earrings”, "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. The late Victor Feldman is the pianist on "Black Cow". Tom Scott does the horn solo and arranged the horns.
Hel Gar They’re looking for a dance track, so The fez is a good shout!
Thanks for the info! Love the NYC knowledge. We’ll have to go there sometime post-COVID
@@SightAfterDark Well, as I told my niece in March, New York will soon be a safe zone while the rest of the country will be dealing with the frightening reality of COVID-19. Let the doubters beware.
@Insignificant Speck Of Dust Me too, although the adult version of a Black Cow is real and not conjecture. Nor is Rudy's Bar and Grill which SD was well aware of. The rest is just my interpretation.
I believe that your onterpretation was dead on.
Steely Dan has been my favorite band since I was 20. I’m 50 now. If you love Aja, I’d actually recommend you move to Donald Fagen’s first solo album next. The Nightfly.
Thanks for the suggestion Adam!
Yeah IGY is a great song.
Same! I’m 55 and got hooked on them at 16 in 1981 (even though I had heard songs on the radio). I once had every record on vinyl but they were lost at some point over the years. Gives me the sads just thinking about it. I know every word to every song from CBAT to Everything Must Go. Not to mention Fagen’s The Nightfly. I’ve seen them live 4 times. Yes, I’m a total Steely Dan nerd.
I second Nightfly. Its so good and timeless you literally don't know what year it was made. Genius
@@eileendobbs8574 Walk Between The Raindrops is a better one, but that's just a personal choice. 😃
Big respect for covering The Dan. 1st time viewer of your vids and you all did a great review of one of their crown jewels.
Thanks for watching! Love SD
Just might be my favorite Steely Dan song but there are 10 others! Love you guys keep up the good work
Thanks David! Glad you're enjoying the videos :)
Uptown baby...
I was in a Denny's and my waitress' name was Aja as was inscribed on her name tag. I asked her if she was named after a Steely Dan album. She was amazed I knew that and said that no one had ever guessed that that none of her friends even know who Steely Dan is- let alone Aja. Said it was his dad's favorite band.
Love it! Thanks for watching!
On another Steely Dan first listen there was a girl who was named Aja after the song/album. Fagen does most of the keyboards. To hear anything close you have to go to Fagen’s solo album, Nightfly.
I had a co-worker and he and his wife named his daughter Aja which he told me was his favorite album. Their little girl was born in 1981. No doubt there are many now late 30/early 40-something year old women given the name Aja after their mom or dad's favorite SD album.
if you love Steely Dan.... Just plan to get down with their whole catalog.... it is worth it. You will grow as musicians like others have and sampled their stuff.
Kid Charlagne
Reeling in the Years
Do it Again
FM
Deacon Blues
Green Earrings
Hey Nineteen
My Old School
Don't Take Me Alive
Black Friday
Babylon Sisters
Bodhistava
............................Really......too many to list
There's always at least one R&B-flavored cut from a Steely Dan LP. "Black Cow" is that song from Aja. No. It's not a club banger... but it's surely a head-nodding, foot-tapping jam! Love the lyrics. The background & Donald's vocals make it soulful! Even before your critique, one could tell you two were DIGGING this one.
Hard not to dig this one!
@@SightAfterDark Agreed.
As you explore the music of SD, you'll start to realize that their characters represent the darker side of the "human condition". I've heard that the woman in the story is a high-priced call girl/hooker/escort, addicted to booze, narcotics and one night stands. "On the counter, by your keys, was a book of numbers (Johns) and your remedies (drugs). One of these surely will screen out the sorrow..." He knows she's no good for him, knows she'll never be faithful, yet he lets her into his world to "talk it out til daylight". Absolutely phenomenal song and band. 42 years later, as fresh and essential as ever.
sounds like bar life, sounds like my mid-20s and early 30s
There is an old australian saying''I'd rather a sister working in a brothel then a brother working as a copper''...and show me a hooker and I have had a sister and friends that were and never liked one night stands..sex is commodity and desire of is very little..These are god's people and life punishes them harder..They see through''the joke'' and can not do a 9-5...we have to bow before them for choosing the hardest row to hoe.
great reaction....glad to see you got yer shit together....a little more fine tuning and you will take off...I'm subscribing to you now....keep up the good work....here is a good recipe for a big black cow
Black Cow. Combine 1/2 cup of evaporated milk with 2 cups of root beer (your choice on the brand but we used A&W Root Beer for this particular one) and 2 ounces of your favorite bourbon. Mix then split between two tall cocktail glasses. Add ice to fill the glass. Drizzle chocolate sauce on the top. Serve.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for watching!
Nice aside about Ray Manzarek. Impressive depth of knowledge! That solo reminds me very much of Joe Sample. Check out the video about the making of Aja. I know you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for the tip Stephen!
Black cow is a coak float, yes :) Awesome that you’re doing the whole album!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for watching!
Sight After Dark yes, but coak wow🤣 I meant coke, how did I manage to spell it like that 💀
Haha 😂 we knew exactly what you meant!
Always more Steely Dan!
My favorite song from this masterpiece. ✌
"Martini espresso"
I"m now drinking my espresso trying not to imagine it has gin, vermouth, and an olive in it.
Little fun fact. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker met and started the band in college with Chevy Chase on drums but left long before their first album. Chevy Chase obviously followed his own path
Nice review - new subscriber - can't ever go wrong with Steely Dan!
Thanks for watching Paul!
I’m glad you are doing commentary during the song.
Thanks Al!
The bar mentioned "Rudy's" is a real bar and grill and it's in Manhattan. Opened in 1933 and still in business. I don't know if they make black cows though. lol
Had a feeling that was a real place in the city
I always thought black cow was a chocolate milkshake or something but just my opinion
"Black Cow" turned the joint into a cash cow...I'm sure they'd fix you up.
Ryan Tepper It’s basically a root beer float, but you can get an adult version with kahlua or bourbon.
@@fmgeclipse1011 I don't know which the song refers to, but a black cow was also a slang term for a glass of plain chocolate milk.
Black Cow is an enormous groove, and it’s like movie script. I was on the scene in those 1970s nightclubs and discos. Drink your big black cow and get out of here.
BTW: "Black Cow" is a type of vodka, derived from milk (hence the 'cow'). Googled it.
This has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid in the 70's. We traveled every summer and every place that I could ask my parents for a "black cow/chocolate malt", I did.
The fact that my life played out as if it's prophetic, that's just a thing.
The California blonde that I slept with was a lab mutt I adopted in City of Orange, CA in 1992.
If I'd gotten MY way, she'd have been named Pavlov. Instead, she raised a "Dwarf Chinese Blue Wolf" named Pavlov, instead. (I was single this time)
🥰That was a cool trip into your past Artemis, thanks for sharing!
That's Victor Feldman on Fender Rhodes and Donald Fagan is on synthesizer. This entire album is "Ear Candy".
You guys mentioned listening to SD with headphones, and that’s fine... but you miss the stereo spacing - the soundstage in your that’s generated when you listen with decent gear and great speakers.
Haha the only reason we mentioned it is because people kept calling us out for now using headphones. We haven’t had any issue enjoying the music without them. I guess there’s no one correct answer.
@@SightAfterDark My rule is always listen in space when possible. Headphones are the second choice, pods last.
Okay, so since nobody else in the comments has filled you in, allow me to take a crack at it:
First, we enter into the song with this chick at Rudy's, high as a kite, with her phone book and her pills (book of numbers and your remedies), and one of those... either someone from the phone book or some pill, will drown out the sorrow from the previous night. Rudy's is a well known dive bar in Hell's Kitchen.
He tells her to drink her big black cow, basically an ice cream float, done with chocolate ice cream and coke. There's an alcoholic version with Kahlua and cream, but you get the idea.
Now she was seen on Greene Street, a street in the Tribeca district which, when this song was written, was well known for street walkers. It's arguable whether she was turning tricks herself, was a regular there, or just doing it for a night, but the "pros change their name" comment tells you she didn't.
In the end, she "staggers home to [her] precious one" (arguable whether this is a husband, boyfriend, or whatever), but the narrator is the one who must make everything right... talk it out til daylight.
It's debated whether this chick was a romantic relationship or just a friendship with an emotional vampire who sucks the life out of people, but either way, the narrator is finally ending the relationship, breaking away, telling her to drink her big black cow and get outta her. IIRC, Donald Fagen called it an anthem to masochism.
(oh, and definitely 420 it up when listening. Steely Dan is my choice of artist on Pandora for when I ride my recumbent trike down the Florida Gulf Coast, something I do for 40 miles 4-5 days a week)
Love the analysis. Thanks for watching!
I must add you have to kind of. KNOW the minds of Becker and Fagan to figure out their songs. You can make yourself crazy trying to figure it out
Headphones....yeah, a must....you will be the tambourine next to the drummer....
Helgar’s comment below is great.
One thing u gotta realize about Fagen’s ‘stories’, is while the story seems to be about him, it’s always a ‘character’ him... putting himself in the role of protagonist, but with the ability to see things ‘third-party’, or like a fly on the wall.
Another thing is that often, Walter and Donald would write some story, but realize that listeners might too easily figure out what the story was or who was in it... so they would reverse verses, or even lines in a verse, to make things more cryptic.
Makes sense! You can definitely feel all the time and energy they put into crafting these words
Steely Dan Royal Scam album is amazing as well. All Steely Dan albums are amazing
Big Steely Dan fan here. You asked for a band that puts out a similar vibe. The one great musician that comes to mind is Boz Scaggs. Check out "Lowdown", you'll love it. After that try "Lido Shuffle", "We're All Alone", "Look What You've Done to Me" and "Miss Sun".
Thanks Joe!
Sight After Dark 👍
Show Biz Kids is a good groove. Also from The Royal Scam you have The Fez or Haitian Divorce or Green Earrings (great album)
Thanks for the suggestions Eileen!
@@SightAfterDark you're very welcome. I think you're going to like a lot of SD songs but yeah do.yourselves a favor and get headphones. Their music is pretty complex. 😍
The Caves Of Altimira is also a great song off of that album. Title track too!
Hey Brooklyn you 2 always lookin good . I'm up in the Northwest Adirondacks. Thx God pretty Puerto Rican gurl from da Bronx threw a dart at the the dart board and it hit my town . White boy b happy . Think I'll drink a big black cow and I'm outta here . Becker was an incredible observer of humanity . He saw all the nuances. Your street instincts are matched by your intellectual prowess . Peace back at ya !
Peace to you good sir!
Victor Feldman does the keys solo you like which is mad considering Joe sample played on the album too. You should check out the crusaders. steely Dan borrowed most of their band. really great. rural renewal is a powerful recording
HEADPHONES are a MUST w the DAN. Stereo stores back in the day would play Steely Dan in their show rooms to show the dynamic range of their components and speakers to the customers who would walk in.... you might need to re-listen to these songs.
We’ve re-listened many times since :)
"MF DOOM - Gas Drawls" is another awesome track that used samples from Black Cow
Hell yeah! MF DOOM is the mf man
“You were very high” RIP DOOM RIP Walter Becker
A Black Cow is a Ice Cream Float. Root beer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Yum!
On the clavinet keyboard was Joe Sample of Crusaders fame!
Sometimes lyrics only make sense to the writer. No one is reacting to this music decades later because of the words. Music is sound and great music never gets old. Of course Rap is primarily about the words with a solid rhythm and that probably explains the obsession so many reactors have on the words. Also, when it comes to the lyrics and old school music you gotta consider context, what was going on in society and the world? You want words, check out Gil Scott Heron, great music and great lyrics like some of the Marvin Gaye stuff you have done...
Relatively new to this , We see. These reactions always welcome. Helps keep the music alive..." Black Cow', IMO, is allegorical. The drink is vodka, tia maria and milk, but symbolizes Black/white,yin/yang, someone who; s conflicted emotionally over an alcoholic/ addicted lover..Knows he has to quit it. doesn;t want to. Has to
Love your interpretation!
According to Becker and Fagan "Black Cow" is actually the ice cream and soda drink very popular in the 50s and 60s. Usually vanilla ice cream and cola similar to a root beer float. It has regional variations.
@@scottmcgregor562 Sure..but then again, given SD's penchant for the enigmatic, and my experience years ago as a barkeep, I prefer to believe that the 'regional variation' would have been , regionally,..in a bar, and of course, there's this.Can't see the woman portrayed in the song being satisfied with a coke float.
.."Rudy's is definitely not a soda fountain. Rudy's is a dive bar in Hell's Kitchen, 627 9th Ave., New York. Becker and Fagan used to hangout there in the 1970's when they had cheap drinks, free hot dogs, and jazz on the jukebox. Now, they still have cheap drinks, and free hot dogs, but the jazz has been replaced by rock and roll. You can't miss the place. They have a statue of a pig out front. Also, the Black Cow in the song refers to an adult beverage made with Kahlua, half-and-half, and Coca-Cola, or evaporated milk, root beer, and bourbon... sometimes with a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce on top! It's usually a drink women order... just like in the song.'
A big black cow sounds amazing for when you are very high.
Indeed
Skate rinks, pool parties, and block parties... side note; eagles hotel California makes a steely Dan reference.
The Dan had mentioned The Eagles in the lyrics of "Everything You Did" (from "The Royal Scam" LP):
"Turn up The Eagles. / The neighbors are listening..."
The original Black Cow is 2 Tbsp chocolate syrup, 1 coca - cola, 1 tbsp of cream and 1 scoop of chocolate ice cream.
Rudy's is a diner and a Black Cow is an ice cream/root beer float. Budget on this album was something like 2 million bucks. Here's some real trivia for you. Most recordings lay down drums from the drummers aspect. What's on the drummers right is recorded on the right channel. You'll find Steely Dan lays down drums from the audience perspective. Drummers always have the high hat on the left side. However if you listen closely the high hat will be playing in the right side of your head phones or the right speakers in your car. So the drums are basically backwards to your ear " recording wise" but correct "concert wise"!
That’s awesome! Never heard about that before. Thanks for dropping your knowledge Steve!
@@SightAfterDark or Black Cow #2 is an alcoholic drink of kahlua, half & half, coke.
Ray Manzarek was no Joe Sample who played the clav on that track. RIP to both.
Legends!
Someone else mentioned the black cow cocktail. Another kind is just vanilla ice cream in root beer. Mmmmm.
I think Arrested Development sampled this too, I kinda remember a MTV video for it. Make sure you hit up Donald Fagan's legendary solo album 'The Nightfly', an album I have seen used by audio engineers in giant clubs to see if it sounds right.
We plan on getting to the solo albums once we finish all the SD ones. Thanks Robert!
lol, it cracks me up that you try to figure out the meaning to Steely Dan songs, honestly, we never did. They are obtuse. On purpose. And that's part of why we love them. Growing up in the 50/60's, a black cow was a rootbeer float made with vanilla ice cream and coke instead of rootbeer. But as far as a Steely Dan metaphor, it's anyone's guess. :)
😆
This album is like a smart-talking noir, set in a summer evening in LA in 1977. I wonder what you guys would make Bete Noire by Bryan Ferry.
Hell yeah it is! Thanks for watching Matthew!
Steely Dan believe it or not never had a #1 song.
Another bit if trivia..The band Becker and Fagen were in Before they formed Steely Dan...
Jay and the Americans
We believe it. Their music is too intelligent to reach number 1
Different musicians for just about every album! This is Steely Dan's work ethic: "Hey guys! Great job on this album! You really came thru!....But were gonna make a "new" album...so you're all fired!" Lol!
Lol great job security!
black cow is a non alcoholic rootbear float but also a coffee liquor type drink
pausing doesn't have any effect on getting blocked for copy right, many people think it does, but simply...it doesn't.
Yeah, we’re finding that out the hard way
Late to the Sight After Dark party, but PLEASE tell me you weren't listening to this music on the computer's built-in speakers!
Yeah this was one of the first videos we ever did. We’ve improved our setup a lot since then
@@SightAfterDark If nobody else has recommended it, I suggest you give the original album version of "Starship Trooper" by YES a listen. When entering the world of YES, I always recommend a glass of whatever helps you forget your troubles before you hit play, and a second glass to sip as you listen. Dim the lights as your environment has a major impact on what your ears hear.
As far as other Steely Dan groups.... you have to go to Donald Fagan. His album The Nightfly is superb, Morph the Cat is crazy good and Kamakiriad is the THE absolute bomb, nothing better. Enjoy!
Thanks!
yesss love recognizing stuff before you read the credits. Doobie brother detected lmao
craziest one for me was hearing that the backing vocals on the chorus of living for the city are all. stevie. i ran to Wikipedia to confirm my realization lol. i mean i knew he played all the instruments but i assumed he brought in some backing vocalist ladies like in the earlier motown days but no he was just wailing in the mix. classic stevie moment lmao
Unreal! That's awesome!
around the time this album was made "black cow" was a common drink - coke, kahlua and vodka
Sounds delicious!
I think the point of view of this song is from someone who is frustrated with the relationship, but isn't willing to end it: "Just when it seems so clear, that it's over now, drink your big Black Cow, and get outta here." In a long-term relationship, "get outta here" can be an almost affectionate way of saying, "I just want to leave this problem of yours alone again." And cycle continues.
Deep!
Pretzel Logic album please....
Thanks for the suggestion!
A Black Cow used to be carme & chocolate l candy on a stick. How this information makes the meaning any clearer escape's me.
I heard if you get copyrighted three times you get thrown off, so you do have to pause the video a couple times. But, you can get away with pausing, saying "sorry!" and going right back in. A non-alcoholic Black Cow is a root beer float, I think, that used to be sold at Arby's. The alcoholic version had Kahlua in it, I think. Sounds delicious. She's doing a little more than drinking in bars. (They saw your face, they change their face). She's making a little money on the streets. That last "and get outta here" changes from minor to major. Glad it's over.
The RUclips copyright system makes no sense at all. We’ve had other videos we didn’t pause at all that didn’t get copyrighted 🤷♂️
@@SightAfterDark Some artists allow you to use their material with no copyright, some don't. Others, the copyright date expires after 50 yrs or the artist's death. But if the copyright has been sold to someone else, they might still control it.
Great piano by Victor Feldman. He was a great player.
Absolutely!
You won’t be sorry you did this album.
We weren’t!
Do you have the vinyl?
We wish!!
I do
Hopefully you realize the song is about the hopelessness of being in love with a junkie.
Absolutely
Victor Feldman solo on electric piano.
Check out the Doobie brothers, not steely Dan but Michael MacDonald, Jeff Baxter are in the band
Thanks Dennis! We’re big fans of the Doobies, Michael and Jeff 😊
This song is legit "one of about 7" Steely Dan songs that isn't explicitly about drugs and/or inappropriate sexual actions/proclivities.
Earbuds don't cut it.
HEADPHONES.
We stepped it up ☺️! These were our first videos.
Donald Fagen on keys and vocals
And he did a great job! (As always)
Black cow + Chocolate shake
Yum!
Be sure to use headphones if you ever do Pentatonix!
Our next album review (dropping this friday) is our first with headphones! Hopefully you'll enjoy it!
a Black Cow is a drink...
When your girl friend is a “working girl” tryin’ to leave the life.
A black cow is an cocktail w/ Kaluha.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for watching!
"just the fade-out" You paused Tom Scott's beautiful solo...
Is it just me or is your video backwards?
It’s not just you. We’re still new at this, trying to figure out the best way to do things.
Thanks for watching Sammy!
@@SightAfterDark I get it. Getting the bugs out
Joe Sample is on keys
Thanks for watching!
Good luck.
Thanks for watching Scott!
Its about her taking drugs!!! Jeeez!!
Haha yeah we've since figured that out. Shoutout to you and everybody else for letting us know in the comments!
"Steely Dan with headphones on"? NO. It's meant to be listened to in a room full of your chillest friends. Steely Dan is for home stereo systems.
😂😂😂 that’s hilarious, the only reason we mentioned headphones is because people kept calling us out in the comments for not using them. We’ve enjoyed the music regardless!
@@SightAfterDark I know, lol, just teasing. But definitely whenever I hear Steely Dan, I'm immediately like, "Honey, get started mixing martinis, I'm inviting the neighbors over."
But if you want to hear EVERYTHING they put in, you need good headphones.
The song is about a guy that has a girlfriend that maybe drinks to much and he's moving on.
Money and Black Cow don’t share anything.
It's the story of a man who's lover is out getting drunk and is out and about with other men and he is done with her, so he tells her to drink down her Black Cow (Alcoholic beverage) and "GET OUT OF HERE!!!
Hopefully she got out of there!
Root beer float.....
Haha yeah we figured that one out. Thanks for watching!
Uptown Peter gunz hook
Yessir!
Drugs. Then more drugs. And then some more. Drugs.
ALL THE DRUGS!
To me this is a song about a guy who's fet up with his girl who keeps getting messed up on booze and pills and sleeps around and then comes crying to him to make it all better, he's had enough of that shit and is telling her to finish her drink at GTFO.
Great take, thanks Jousting Ape!
Roger Nichols and his invention Wendel Jr do some homework
We like to interact with ppl in the comments, that’s how we get our knowledge on this channel. Otherwise, what’s the point of doing the reaction if we know everything about the song already?
@@SightAfterDark
You mention clarity and recording situations and how it's achieved...RNichols was there from the beginning with they're main producer Gary Katz..Becker and Fagen did hire First call studio musicians after the original band broke up...and yes they were anal and perfectionist in their approach to their material as time went on
Roger Nichols was and is generally considered the genius to their recorded sound ie the separation of instruments and tightness to the rhythms
The Wendel Jr..his invention..took over the SD sound
Most people call it a drum machine but it's not
Without getting to technical it's best you just Google it and discover yourself..peace
Maybe it's a slot nachine