You mentioned the incredible sound, Harri, and you are 100% correct. Amazing that 45 years later, Aja is still commonly used in high-end stereo shops to showcase equipment. This is surely among the best-recorded albums of all time - in addition to the incredible music!
Back in that era,I was earning good money so could afford top end hifi. Linn table Naim pre amp Meridian power amp Mission 700 floorstanders. This album and all their other works of perfection were constantly on in my house and the sound they created was heavenly on that system and I did indeed hear shortcomings in other bands work.
@Cockney Red me too: Ariston RD 40 / Jelco / Benz Micro on Sound Organization into Creek CAS 4040 integrated, Monitor speaker cables to Klipsch KG2 on sand-filled Target stands. Not nearly as good as your system, but good enough to hear how good Steely Dan sounded. 😉
It's good to see that high-end equipment still exists, in this age of laptops and cell phones. Audio from computers and phones has improved but a quality HT amp and set of speakers still reigns supreme.
How the hell can you choose a favourite Dan album? I find that impossible myself. From their brilliant debut through to Two Against Nature,they have been perfection for me.
There is one flaw. During the Steve Gadd amazing drum solo in Aja the sticks hit each other by accident. Musically the mistake was in time so it is subtle.
@@keithdf2001 Oh!, You heard that! (In inside joke for those who "listened" to this album.... flawless. I recently was caught by their previous album.. "The Royal Scam." Another flawless masterpiece!!!
@@samuelgates5935 The rumor is that SD kept it in so that it would not be the perfect album. I personally think that Steve Gadd was not going to screw around with a great drum solo. Arguably the best drum solo in rock history
From their sixth album Aja, from 1977, this song is based on the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer. This album was going in a different direction, with a great jazz introduction, holding different sessions with up to 40 musicians joining in to produce this masterpiece, Backing vocals were done with Timothy B Schmit. Amazing album. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Neal. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Great Choice. The hallmark of a good record/track/tune is the ability to take you to another place. In all Steely Dan tunes there's composition, best musicians, lyrics, in this song Homer Odyssey, I think.
IMO, this is a perfect song. From the opening piano cord, to the great horns, the famous 'Purdie shuffle' to Donald's great vocals, perfect. A young female producer working on the album at the time said the boys got to the studio at noon and proceeded to go outside to shoot hoops. When they went back in they spent hour after hour on the vocal framing of the 2 words that start the chorus. "Well the"(danger on the rocks) were the 2 words over and over. She said they were driving her nuts. She went to her boss to say she was quitting, she couldn't take it anymore (lol). He talked her out of quitting. They were extreme perfectionist. The Dan are legends. Especially Donald. Great stuff Harri..
Mark Knopfler was flown in for the Gaucho sessions and one song from that album he was used,Time Out of Mind,then he was sent home again. They never spoke to him but he was instructed by the producer as to what notes to hit,again and again until perfect. Knopfler got it done in one.
Hay Harry nice work, you'll get your holiday soon , you won't find a bad Fagan/steely Dan trak Ever ! The whole band are brilliant !! Have a listen to On the dunes Donald didn't enjoy his holiday he liked get back jack 😊❤
The entire song is superior musicianship and songwriting but that drum beat, good God! The "Purdie Shuffle" is one of the coolest drum beats I have ever heard, holy smoke Bernard Purdie is so damn good!
I had the privilege to hear Bernard Purdie play this song at my friend’s jazz club he opened earlier this year. Mr Purdie was moving to the town where my friend was opening his jazz club, and they had mutual friends. Mr. Purdie helped my friend set up the musical space and became the house drummer! I met him last year before the club opened and he is the nicest, most effervescent person you will ever meet! In his 80’s and still plays flawlessly.
One of several favourites from this great album, based on The Odyssey by Homer. The hero, Ulysses, is trying to get home across the ocean after the Trojan War, but the gods keep making it difficult: 'Well the danger on the rocks is surely past, Still I remain tied to the mast'. It also refers to Becker and Fagen being homesick for New York while they were living in California at the time when this song was being recorded.
PNC - You submitted a real gem again. Steely Dan is on my Top Hits list. Their originality, sound production, and songs are classics. Bravo!!! Very good review, Harri.
You cannot go wrong with Steely Dan. The Aja album was so well done and you are right Harri, quality. Thanks to the one and only Pncombies for this epic pick and Harri's spot on reaction. 👍👍👍
Oh man ! I think you're the first person to react to this underrated gem from (what I believe to be) the Dan's best album. The orchestration + gorgeous lyrics are a treat.
There have been a handful of people who have reacted to Home at Last before, but it's definitely not a common track for people checking out SD. I often earch for it on RUclips as it's my favorite track by the group.
Some people call it "boat rock." It has an air of class, and it makes you feel like you're out on holiday, for sure! Partying on the boat deck! Love your reviews! D
I'm glad you enjoyed this song -- Steely Dan is one of my all-time favorites! I hear ya about the holiday. Too bad we can't all enjoy this album on vacation, but Steely Dan can still take us to some magical place! 😀
One of my favorites from the nearly perfect record -- Aja. Title track, Josie, and this one are my 3 biggies from this record. But it's all terrific and nothing on here deserves anything less than an A rating, or a 9/10 at the very least.
The expression masterpiece might be a somewhat cliché but when it comes to the SD album Aja which this song appears on it's absolutely true! God knows how many musicians they had coming in to "audition" for a tune or just a solo on this album before they got satisfied. The syncope in the middle of this song gets me every time i hear this song!! The drummer is the legendary Bernard Purdie and the bassist is the just as much legendary Chuck Rainey they truly are some bad cats!!
All my lifelong black friends in South London,are all,and have always been,Dan heads. It’s perfection in music and of course,it’s fagen and beckers perfectionism bringing us this feast of music on every album. My favourite band among so many favourites.
Incredibly talented. Becker & Fagen always surrounded themselves with the best of the best musicians. But... that's only half the song, the writing and arranging is just unreal. Both lyrically and musically.
One day, I pray soon, you will sit down and listen to the entire Aja album from start to finish! Just do it for you, no reaction necessary, is such a musical experience. Keep on keepin on man!
Most people don’t know this the story of a homer epic. Listen closely and you understand it’s a guy who took ten years to get home after the Trojan war. That’s as much of hint you get. Not to brag but I got it the first time I heard it. Brilliant! “Who wrote that tired sea song, you think you’ve heard this one before”.
I read a quote a while back......... " Steely Dan is your favorite bands........ favorite band. I'm not going to argue with that. This "Ala" album is a sonic masterpiece. The "magic" happened in the studio. The engineers, producers and mixers were on point. Very few albums came out sounding this clear and crisp. It's EAR CANDY at it's best.
This song has one of my favorite guitar solos by Walter Becker. His style is simple but so effective &flows so effortlessly over Victor Feldman's piano. Larry Carlton plays rhythm guitar on this one. And we can't forget Bernard Purdie's intricate drumming. The whole album is a masterpiece. It was released just as I turned 20. It's been on my playlist since. The sound quality of this album is so great that we music nerds would use it as the standard for buying stereo equipment.
I have this album, Aja, on my phone, cassette tape, CD and physical album,(33, for those who know what 78, 33 and 45 mean🤣🤣) The drum beat is the Purdie shuffle!!!!!
The entire Aja album of 1977, I purchased it then of course as a record, was one of the best in the same year and I guess the best of Steely Dan at all, amazing !!! And on drums the awesome Bernard Purdie, guitar the great Larry Carlton and BTW background singer Tim Schmit of the Eagles.
A junior engineer threatened to quit during the recording of this song. Donald had spent 5 days recording and mixing 2 words, "Well the". Day one, recording "Well the". Day 2, doubling. Day 3, recording the harmonies. Day 4 doubling the harmonies. Day 5 mixing it all together. The engineer threatened to quit after day 5, she couldn't take it anymore. Donald had spent 6 hours mixing the 2 words just to get it to his liking. She was talked out of quitting. Ironic thing is, during live performances, he doesn't sing those 2 words.
Excellent representation of their insane quest for perfection. Some of their musicians, engineers, etc... thought they were nuts, but the results speak for themselves.
@@jjvermeer The documentary on the making of Aja...Michael MacDonald talking about harmonising and how almost mathematical he had to be to get it right. Absolute nutjobs for perfection. And how it shows. Magnificent.
Fagan and Becker have that ability to grab you by the short and curlies, leaving you wanting more. These guys have been on the top of my preferences for 50 years. They never get tired
The drummer is Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and this song is another example of his "Purdie Shuffle." Although Larry Carlton is on this track, Walter Becker plays the solo. Victor Feldman on piano, Fagen on synthesizer. Of course, Chuck Rainey on bass. Thanks Neil and Harri.
My brother was married to Dorothy Whites Donald Fagans ex girlfriend. We called her dotty. RIP . SHE gave me one of my favorite cars. Lol Fiat 124 sport. She was awesome artist and photographer.
Steely Dan's studio music sounded so great because Donald Fagen was a mad man for perfection during their recording sessions. Some say SD's music is too perfect, if that's actually a thing.
Band from your prior reaction? Ha! No one (band) can really stand up to SD. No one writes like them (DF). No one pursues recording perfection like them. No one swapped musicians like them (flying Knopfler in from the UK to use a few SECONDS of him playing guitar). Music isn't made like that anymore. It's made to be popular and accessible. More than 3 chords in a song? Uh oh. It's complicated. A sus, slash or a minor 7th/9th? Get out of here.
Видеоклипы
Steely Dan have never produced anything except masterpieces.
Amazing drumming by Bernard Purdie.
Steely Dan was a national treasure. No duo in history was producing such a blend of styles&studio magic
Steely Dan - quality at every possible level, writing, playing, production and feel. Only a very very few artists achieve that.
You mentioned the incredible sound, Harri, and you are 100% correct. Amazing that 45 years later, Aja is still commonly used in high-end stereo shops to showcase equipment. This is surely among the best-recorded albums of all time - in addition to the incredible music!
Back in that era,I was earning good money so could afford top end hifi.
Linn table
Naim pre amp
Meridian power amp
Mission 700 floorstanders.
This album and all their other works of perfection were constantly on in my house and the sound they created was heavenly on that system and I did indeed hear shortcomings in other bands work.
@Cockney Red me too:
Ariston RD 40 / Jelco / Benz Micro on Sound Organization into Creek CAS 4040 integrated, Monitor speaker cables to Klipsch KG2 on sand-filled Target stands. Not nearly as good as your system, but good enough to hear how good Steely Dan sounded. 😉
It's good to see that high-end equipment still exists, in this age of laptops and cell phones. Audio from computers and phones has improved but a quality HT amp and set of speakers still reigns supreme.
If I could only listen to ten albums for the rest of my life this would be one of them.
Bernard Purdy and his Purdy Shuffle style is so good. The hi-hat work is incredible.
Steely Dan, your favorite bands favorite band 🔥🤘✌
Favorite album. Favorite song on the album. Favorite song of all time. The perfect jazz/rock album. Definitely their swan song. A generational album.
How the hell can you choose a favourite Dan album?
I find that impossible myself.
From their brilliant debut through to Two Against Nature,they have been perfection for me.
@@TheCornishCockney I see your point, but to me, this was their best. It was perfect.
Always the "best" cats played with Steely Dan.
This is considered to be by many the best engineered rock album of all time.
I'd vote for that. It's just flawless.
There is one flaw. During the Steve Gadd amazing drum solo in Aja the sticks hit each other by accident. Musically the mistake was in time so it is subtle.
@@keithdf2001 I'll give 'em a free pass on that.
@@keithdf2001 Oh!, You heard that! (In inside joke for those who "listened" to this album.... flawless.
I recently was caught by their previous album.. "The Royal Scam." Another flawless masterpiece!!!
@@samuelgates5935 The rumor is that SD kept it in so that it would not be the perfect album. I personally think that Steve Gadd was not going to screw around with a great drum solo. Arguably the best drum solo in rock history
The shuffle sets this one on fire.
They were known as perfectionists, and their music shows it!
From their sixth album Aja, from 1977, this song is based on the epic poem, The Odyssey by Homer.
This album was going in a different direction, with a great jazz introduction, holding different sessions with up to 40 musicians joining in to produce this masterpiece, Backing vocals were done with Timothy B Schmit. Amazing album. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Neal. 👏👏
Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
It *_references_* _The Odyssey._ It isn't *based on it.* Also, _The Odyssey_ is an *_epic poem,_* not a novel.
@@rollomaughfling380 What Rollo said.
@@rollomaughfling380 Thanks for the info. 🇨🇦
@@rollomaughfling380 - i remain tied to the mast .....
This is my favorite track from this album.
Steely Dan always hired the best session artists in circulation....look at the line up on this album...Hall of Fame artists!
Great Choice. The hallmark of a good record/track/tune is the ability to take you to another place. In all Steely Dan tunes there's composition, best musicians, lyrics, in this song Homer Odyssey, I think.
@geoff6942 Thank you!
IMO, this is a perfect song. From the opening piano cord, to the great horns, the famous 'Purdie shuffle' to Donald's great vocals, perfect. A young female producer working on the album at the time said the boys got to the studio at noon and proceeded to go outside to shoot hoops. When they went back in they spent hour after hour on the vocal framing of the 2 words that start the chorus. "Well the"(danger on the rocks) were the 2 words over and over. She said they were driving her nuts. She went to her boss to say she was quitting, she couldn't take it anymore (lol). He talked her out of quitting. They were extreme perfectionist. The Dan are legends. Especially Donald. Great stuff Harri..
Mark Knopfler was flown in for the Gaucho sessions and one song from that album he was used,Time Out of Mind,then he was sent home again.
They never spoke to him but he was instructed by the producer as to what notes to hit,again and again until perfect.
Knopfler got it done in one.
MAGIC!!
This is my favorite Steely Dan song ever. The song that made the Purdie Shuffle famous! #BenardPurdie
great reaction - probably my favorite SD song! fantastic!
Hey Neal! I’m baffled as to how I missed this when it was posted 6 days ago 🤷🏻♀️. Anyway, I love Steely Dan. They are so amazing. Great request 🌺✌️
That drum shuffle is so sweet! Thank you Mr purdy!
You have so many other great Steely Dan songs ahead of you. Haitian Divorce, Green Earrings, Doctor Wu, Showbiz Kids, Cousin Dupree and many more
Hay Harry nice work, you'll get your holiday soon , you won't find a bad Fagan/steely Dan trak Ever ! The whole band are brilliant !! Have a listen to On the dunes Donald didn't enjoy his holiday he liked get back jack 😊❤
The entire song is superior musicianship and songwriting but that drum beat, good God! The "Purdie Shuffle" is one of the coolest drum beats I have ever heard, holy smoke Bernard Purdie is so damn good!
I just said this!!!! One of the best drummers ever!
I had the privilege to hear Bernard Purdie play this song at my friend’s jazz club he opened earlier this year. Mr Purdie was moving to the town where my friend was opening his jazz club, and they had mutual friends. Mr. Purdie helped my friend set up the musical space and became the house drummer! I met him last year before the club opened and he is the nicest, most effervescent person you will ever meet! In his 80’s and still plays flawlessly.
@@WilliamTheMovieFan That is cool, truly, Purdie does seem like a genuinely cool guy, what a privilege to hear him play the skins live and up close
One of several favourites from this great album, based on The Odyssey by Homer. The hero, Ulysses, is trying to get home across the ocean after the Trojan War, but the gods keep making it difficult: 'Well the danger on the rocks is surely past, Still I remain tied to the mast'. It also refers to Becker and Fagen being homesick for New York while they were living in California at the time when this song was being recorded.
The whole album is 🔥
This entire album is sheer perfection from start to finish!
Elevates my mood every listen...😊
PNC - You submitted a real gem again. Steely Dan is on my Top Hits list. Their originality, sound production, and songs are classics. Bravo!!! Very good review, Harri.
Appreciate the kind words, Dave. So glad you liked this nugget from Steely Dan!
Great line: "She serve me smooth retsina, she keep me safe and warm, it's just the calm before the storm".
You cannot go wrong with Steely Dan. The Aja album was so well done and you are right Harri, quality. Thanks to the one and only Pncombies for this epic pick and Harri's spot on reaction. 👍👍👍
Imadrumin my brother -- thank you, sir.
Such a great selection Neal and thanks to Harri...
Thank you, Cynthia!
Great song, excellent album.
Thank you 💖🎵🎵
Second to none imo. You never knew what to expect with each song but knew it would be 🔥
Oh man ! I think you're the first person to react to this underrated gem from (what I believe to be) the Dan's best album. The orchestration + gorgeous lyrics are a treat.
There have been a handful of people who have reacted to Home at Last before, but it's definitely not a common track for people checking out SD. I often earch for it on RUclips as it's my favorite track by the group.
@@markfilla9305 Welp. But yeah, this one is underrated
That bass holds its own throughout the entire song! It keeps everything else in the song cohesive and grounded.
Oh I love this one! They’re my favorite band! Ever ❤
Such a great album...Should be heard at least a thousand times...
I dare anyone to sit still while this song is playing. These guys always make me feel good.
Some people call it "boat rock." It has an air of class, and it makes you feel like you're out on holiday, for sure! Partying on the boat deck! Love your reviews! D
Yacht Rock
@@007ndc lol. Yeah, that's the one! LOL.
I'm glad you enjoyed this song -- Steely Dan is one of my all-time favorites! I hear ya about the holiday. Too bad we can't all enjoy this album on vacation, but Steely Dan can still take us to some magical place! 😀
One of my favorites from the nearly perfect record -- Aja. Title track, Josie, and this one are my 3 biggies from this record. But it's all terrific and nothing on here deserves anything less than an A rating, or a 9/10 at the very least.
love this song. it's a treat to hear them play this in their live show.
The expression masterpiece might be a somewhat cliché but when it comes to the SD album Aja which this song appears on it's absolutely true! God knows how many musicians they had coming in to "audition" for a tune or just a solo on this album before they got satisfied. The syncope in the middle of this song gets me every time i hear this song!! The drummer is the legendary Bernard Purdie and the bassist is the just as much legendary Chuck Rainey they truly are some bad cats!!
Top Shelf Harri .
Brilliance never gets old .
All my lifelong black friends in South London,are all,and have always been,Dan heads.
It’s perfection in music and of course,it’s fagen and beckers perfectionism bringing us this feast of music on every album.
My favourite band among so many favourites.
Incredibly talented. Becker & Fagen always surrounded themselves with the best of the best musicians. But... that's only half the song, the writing and arranging is just unreal. Both lyrically and musically.
I totally agree with you. It's the DF/WB composition that excels here.
One day, I pray soon, you will sit down and listen to the entire Aja album from start to finish! Just do it for you, no reaction necessary, is such a musical experience. Keep on keepin on man!
Most people don’t know this the story of a homer epic. Listen closely and you understand it’s a guy who took ten years to get home after the Trojan war. That’s as much of hint you get. Not to brag but I got it the first time I heard it. Brilliant! “Who wrote that tired sea song, you think you’ve heard this one before”.
Great song. 👍
I read a quote a while back......... " Steely Dan is your favorite bands........ favorite band. I'm not going to argue with that. This "Ala" album is a sonic masterpiece. The "magic" happened in the studio. The engineers, producers and mixers were on point. Very few albums came out sounding this clear and crisp. It's EAR CANDY at it's best.
The purdie shuffle -drums- driving the song
This song has one of my favorite guitar solos by Walter Becker. His style is simple but so effective &flows so effortlessly over Victor Feldman's piano. Larry Carlton plays rhythm guitar on this one. And we can't forget Bernard Purdie's intricate drumming. The whole album is a masterpiece. It was released just as I turned 20. It's been on my playlist since.
The sound quality of this album is so great that we music nerds would use it as the standard for buying stereo equipment.
Let's not forget Tom Scott's tasty horn chart 🎷
I have this album, Aja, on my phone, cassette tape, CD and physical album,(33, for those who know what 78, 33 and 45 mean🤣🤣)
The drum beat is the Purdie shuffle!!!!!
Purdy Shuffle!
Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainey. Drums and bass. The end. 😂🙌🏼
YES. So before I had to jet- this record was on constant rotation. I highly recommend playing this on vinyl.
The entire Aja album of 1977, I purchased it then of course as a record, was one of the best in the same year and I guess the best of Steely Dan at all, amazing !!! And on drums the awesome Bernard Purdie, guitar the great Larry Carlton and BTW background singer Tim Schmit of the Eagles.
A junior engineer threatened to quit during the recording of this song. Donald had spent 5 days recording and mixing 2 words, "Well the". Day one, recording "Well the". Day 2, doubling. Day 3, recording the harmonies. Day 4 doubling the harmonies. Day 5 mixing it all together. The engineer threatened to quit after day 5, she couldn't take it anymore. Donald had spent 6 hours mixing the 2 words just to get it to his liking. She was talked out of quitting. Ironic thing is, during live performances, he doesn't sing those 2 words.
Excellent representation of their insane quest for perfection. Some of their musicians, engineers, etc... thought they were nuts, but the
results speak for themselves.
@@jjvermeer The documentary on the making of Aja...Michael MacDonald talking about harmonising and how almost mathematical he had to be to get it right. Absolute nutjobs for perfection. And how it shows. Magnificent.
Well, Tha... Danger On the Rocks is surely past,,, Still I Remain Tied to the Mast... ;) :(
The groove has a Caribbean-esque feel - contributes to that "on holiday" feel for those of us who don't live in a warm, seaside place, IMO.
Fagan and Becker have that ability to grab you by the short and curlies, leaving you wanting more. These guys have been on the top of my preferences for 50 years. They never get tired
I sold my old car, got an ok price for it, was totally pissed I forgot the Aja CD in the deck dammit!!!
The drummer is Bernard "Pretty" Purdie and this song is another example of his "Purdie Shuffle." Although Larry Carlton is on this track, Walter Becker plays the solo. Victor Feldman on piano, Fagen on synthesizer. Of course, Chuck Rainey on bass. Thanks Neil and Harri.
My pleasure, John. You're welcome.
My brother was married to Dorothy Whites Donald Fagans ex girlfriend. We called her dotty. RIP . SHE gave me one of my favorite cars. Lol Fiat 124 sport. She was awesome artist and photographer.
Her photographer is the album cover for Katy lied. Lol it's a katidid
She definitely had a sense of humor.
Steely Dan's studio music sounded so great because Donald Fagen was a mad man for perfection during their recording sessions. Some say SD's music is too perfect, if that's actually a thing.
and odysseus sails on and on...
242 takes on the two words "well the crazy
The word is Engineering, no coincidence that Aja won the grammy for best engineered album in 78.
Dittto everything you said!
Steve Gad drums and skunk Baxter on bass.
need to re-up on some retsina myself
Harri, How about Steely's ,"Everyone's Gone To The Movies", no one has reacted to that one, sounds like pure island heaven.
Marle meko
Band from your prior reaction? Ha! No one (band) can really stand up to SD. No one writes like them (DF). No one pursues recording perfection like them. No one swapped musicians like them (flying Knopfler in from the UK to use a few SECONDS of him playing guitar). Music isn't made like that anymore. It's made to be popular and accessible. More than 3 chords in a song? Uh oh. It's complicated. A sus, slash or a minor 7th/9th? Get out of here.
Killer Choice
Thank you!
Insane production by 2 people that expected perfection and were only satisfied, if so, when it was achieved!