In 1983 i was in college and we were waiting for the bus to take us back to town. The dude i was with said lets light one up. So we walked down side of hill. And this guy was biggest Steely Dan fan i ever met. So we were listening to Deacon Blues and passing that joint back and forth when suddenly a professor was standing in front of us. We looked at each other thinking expelled. And professor says "Nobody Smokes Pot On This Campus". And i was about shaking. And then he says Without Me". He grabbed that joint and took biggest hit i ever saw and said. "gotta love Steely Dan". And off he was. I will never forget that.
I’m not going to knock The Bee Gees, as they have definitely put out some classic material; but given the choice, I’m kicking back and listening to Steely Dan’s catalog of music, every time!
This song is like gliding to earth in a paraglider. The descent is smooth, and you see life from a different perspective. Viewing things differently is natural, because after all, you "rise when the sun goes down."
".....I crawl like a viper Through these suburban streets Make love to these women Languid and bittersweet I'll rise when the sun goes down Cover every game in town A world of my own I'll make it my home sweet home...."
Ahhhhh... The sheer musical perfection that was Steely Dan! Aja was a tour de force album that stands as an all time great achievement. There's a fantastic BBC documentary on youtube about the making of the album. They had a stable FULL of players who'd be the cornerstones of smooth jazz, and were platooned on the different songs! (organized by guitar phenom Larry Carlton who wrote out the charts). Once again, I salute your border busting musical journey ma'am!
You need to listen to the song Aja, from the Aja album. It’s a masterpiece! Wayne Shorter on tenor and Steve Gadd on drums. Steve is Killin’ on the outro! The piece is sooo ahead of its time! Oh, on Josie, Jim Keltner, my close friend of 60 years, on drums! It’s rally worth your listening to.
The whole Aja album is fire 🔥! It’s one album you can listen to all the way through and get a different cool vibe on each song. Try the album title song ‘Aja’. That will take you on a trip!
They used fantastic back up singers for the chorus in all of their tracks, just perfect like every other element. Scribe PLEASE cover one of their tracks PRETTY PLEASE!!!!
I'm a 70s baby I grew up on steely Dan all there music is so jazz vibe like mix with soul Donald said he grew up admiring black music listen to his song the fez and i.g.y. you'll love them both and guacho 👍👍👍👍👍
Majic, hard work, or both ? Everyone of their songs just make my ears and brain happy. Seems they always put in the work all the way down to pressing the record, recently replaced my 38 yr old tuntable, Aja was the first record I played for the neighbors, swear I heard one of them yell " Turn it up ", so good !!!!!
They trick you, baby. It's not just smooth. The verse, chord wise, is tense. It's beautiful, but strained. It has you wanting to get out of it. Then when it dose, the B section hit's you with warmth like the most expensive Alpaca blanket. It doesn't just give you relief. It gives you more. It's almost transcendent. These brothers were the top of the top shelf. I wish I could subscribe to you again.
Their biggest song was Rikki Don't Lose That Number from 1974. It's still very smooth but has a little bit of a different sound. Look up their catalog and just pick one.
Wonder if she's ever seen leadsheets to SD/Fagen's music? It's the CHORDS, those jazz-chords that set this music so far above ordinary pop. Not to mention the jazz-solos and jazz-arrangements.
“That shape is my shade, there where I used to stand.” The shadow of his shameful past is always following him no matter where he stands today. F’ing genius! Nobody writes like this anymore. It’s all about a WAP now.
The whole AJA album is smooth. It was recorded in 1977 but I remember a majority of the hits from around the summer of 1978. Peg is a good one and Josie.
He's just going to keep on doing it. That's what he was made to do. And no, there is no better use of his time. Must be nice to know you are one of the best. Party on tho. That's Y we love you.
Song about a bored suburban man dreaming of learning to play the sax and living the "exciting" life of a jazz musician. Do "Josie" and "My Old School", you won't be sorry.
This song is about 2 college football teams. The Alabama Crimson Tide vs the Wake Forest Demons. Alabama was on an insane winning streak while Wake Forest had possibly the worst record. Somehow, Wake Forest pulked out a win against Alabama.
Watched you react to half a dozen SD videos. This one sold you. Could see it in your eyes. P.s. look up what a steeley dan is. You seem to have a great sense of humor. Think you'll smile.
"If you want to become a better guitarist,copy saxophone solos for two reasons;one,all saxophone notes are singular and two,the average saxophonist plays better than the average guitarist"-Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple.
Lol, Smooth like the Bee Gee's, first time I've heard Steely Dan compared to the Bee Gee's, I heard that Bono (U2) really likes the Bee Gee's as well? 👍
Thank you for doing this one. Please give Hey Nineteen a listen, about an older dude still dating younger women and realizing it just doesn't work anymore. Been there
Steely Dan smooth and The Bee Gees smooth are two different smooths in my opinion. The Bee Gees smooth makes you wanna do the cool disco dance while the Steely Dan smooth makes you wanna drank scotch/whiskey in a hookah bar!
Steely Dan and the Bee Gees isn't the connection I would have made as a kid back in the 70's, but looking back now both groups did deploy top notch production values. I think I would have connected Steely Dan with late 70's Doobie Brothers maybe, in large part due to Michael McDonald's background vocals on "Peg". Definitely smooth, so smooth it may also have led to the formation of the smooth jazz genre, perhaps best epitomized by the 1984 song "Smooth Operator" by Sade. The most recent song that sounds this smooth which quickly comes to my mind is "Shiki no Uta" by Nujabes, aka, the ending theme to Samurai Champloo. And that song is 16 years old already.
Why this sounds so smooth is that the two minds behind the group who wrote this -- Donald Fagen (lead vocals) and Walter Becker (guitar) -- were perfectionists almost to the point of madness when it came to producing and arranging. I've linked a video that will show you what I mean; much of it has Becker (glasses) and Fagen showing them sitting at a mixing console what they were looking for and close to perfection performances weren't good enough for them--only *_exact_* passed muster. They play back a few guitar solos, and they all sound good--all of their sidemen were top musicians and singers (even the ones they didn't use). ruclips.net/video/waIBA6_0GQc/видео.html
I agree. Except I think you meant drum "fills". There is a thing called a "drum roll" but it involves one drum(snare or tom) and a sequence of many quick strikes in succession... usually drum "rolls" occur just before results are given in a public venue. A drum "fill" is a flourish involving as few as one drum up to as many drums as one has. Fills are named because they add flair, syncopation, punctuationn and/or tension and release... usually (but not always) at the end of a measure or set of measures... more often than not - "fills" end with cymbal crash(es). From a musician and die hard SD fan: What Mr. Gadd is doing on Aja is giving a master class on percussion. And showboating with some staggering "fills". What's unbelievable is that he played through the song once with no recording taking place. They turned on the equipment and KEPT HIS 1st TRY on "Aja".😳
In 1983 i was in college and we were waiting for the bus to take us back to town. The dude i was with said lets light one up. So we walked down side of hill. And this guy was biggest Steely Dan fan i ever met. So we were listening to Deacon Blues and passing that joint back and forth when suddenly a professor was standing in front of us. We looked at each other thinking expelled. And professor says "Nobody Smokes Pot On This Campus". And i was about shaking. And then he says Without Me". He grabbed that joint and took biggest hit i ever saw and said. "gotta love Steely Dan". And off he was. I will never forget that.
lol
Awesome.
What did he teach?
Aja is one of the greatest albums ever recorded IN ANY GENRE.
It's true...
The Royal Scam is in my opinion the greatest Steely Dan album
No doubt
Every Steely Dan album = two geniuses and the best jazz session players in the world
Absolutely!
I’m not going to knock The Bee Gees, as they have definitely put out some classic material; but given the choice, I’m kicking back and listening to Steely Dan’s catalog of music, every time!
Steely Dan had a lot more substance.
She just said they were smooth.
'Smooth like the Bee Gees'? ...
You just put me off your breakdown.
"I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long..." The greatest lyrics ever written.
Steely Dan is the only band,one can listen alone and contemplate where your goin and where you've been!!!
This song is like gliding to earth in a paraglider. The descent is smooth, and you see life from a different perspective. Viewing things differently is natural, because after all, you "rise when the sun goes down."
Steely Dan utilizes back-up singers better than anybody.
ABSOLUTELY !
I CANNOT THINK of another background act that’s better ! 🤷🏾♂️
I always hear ice klinking in a glass when I listen to S.D.
SD was one of the reasons I was turned onto Smooth Jazz many a year ago.
Love the Steely Dan kick you're on. Keep it coming!
".....I crawl like a viper
Through these suburban streets
Make love to these women
Languid and bittersweet
I'll rise when the sun goes down
Cover every game in town
A world of my own
I'll make it my home sweet home...."
What I like best about your reactions is that I get to re-live my original experience through you. Thanks
Young lady every song on the Aja album is very good love me some steely dan
Ahhhhh... The sheer musical perfection that was Steely Dan! Aja was a tour de force album that stands as an all time great achievement. There's a fantastic BBC documentary on youtube about the making of the album. They had a stable FULL of players who'd be the cornerstones of smooth jazz, and were platooned on the different songs! (organized by guitar phenom Larry Carlton who wrote out the charts). Once again, I salute your border busting musical journey ma'am!
You need to listen to the song Aja, from the Aja album. It’s a masterpiece! Wayne Shorter on tenor and Steve Gadd on drums. Steve is Killin’ on the outro! The piece is sooo ahead of its time! Oh, on Josie, Jim Keltner, my close friend of 60 years, on drums! It’s rally worth your listening to.
Check out some Donald Fagen solo work. "I.G.Y." and " New Frontier. "
"Century's End."
These newbies probably don't even get that Fagen's catalogue is a big part of Steely's. They think SD's actually a "band."
Frank Zappa dubbed Steely Dan as "Downer Surrealism" , he respected Steely's work.
The whole Aja album is fire 🔥! It’s one album you can listen to all the way through and get a different cool vibe on each song. Try the album title song ‘Aja’. That will take you on a trip!
They used fantastic back up singers for the chorus in all of their tracks, just perfect like every other element. Scribe PLEASE cover one of their tracks PRETTY PLEASE!!!!
Ok Im smokin flower and drinkin pina coladas in a cabana by the beach with this one
Steely Dan had such a unique sound. Love it.
"They got a name for the winners in the world, I want a name when I lose." If that's not a bar than I don't know music...
Thanks. Here are some more: Black Friday, Kid Charlemagne, West of Hollywood
Oh yes...Kid Charlemagne for the win 😏
Steely Dan songs are a master class in harmony
and I'm not talking about the vocal harmonies or the horn parts. I speaking of the chord structures and progressions
Best studio band ever! Hands down! You da bomb Scribe..
I'm a 70s baby I grew up on steely Dan all there music is so jazz vibe like mix with soul Donald said he grew up admiring black music listen to his song the fez and i.g.y. you'll love them both and guacho 👍👍👍👍👍
"That water's fire" that made me laugh, apparently I am tired, thanks for the reaction.
Like most if not all Steely Dan songs, wonderful backup singers.
Majic, hard work, or both ? Everyone of their songs just make my ears and brain happy. Seems they always put in the work all the way down to pressing the record, recently replaced my 38 yr old tuntable, Aja was the first record I played for the neighbors, swear I heard one of them yell " Turn it up ", so good !!!!!
almost there big dog.....only 20 more steely hits....glad you like them as much as we do....
Going slightly down a half step as the sun goes down. Subtle, sublime, shibumi.
They trick you, baby. It's not just smooth. The verse, chord wise, is tense. It's beautiful, but strained. It has you wanting to get out of it. Then when it dose, the B section hit's you with warmth like the most expensive Alpaca blanket. It doesn't just give you relief. It gives you more. It's almost transcendent. These brothers were the top of the top shelf.
I wish I could subscribe to you again.
Jazz, Funk and Rock .... that's Steely Dan.
Their biggest song was Rikki Don't Lose That Number from 1974. It's still very smooth but has a little bit of a different sound. Look up their catalog and just pick one.
Listening to these classics, is going to raise your game.
Wonder if she's ever seen leadsheets to SD/Fagen's music? It's the CHORDS, those jazz-chords that set this music so far above ordinary pop. Not to mention the jazz-solos and jazz-arrangements.
“That shape is my shade, there where I used to stand.”
The shadow of his shameful past is always following him no matter where he stands today. F’ing genius! Nobody writes like this anymore. It’s all about a WAP now.
I think it’s shade - as in ghost.
@@davejcampbe11 You are correct!
And what Dave Campbell said!
The whole AJA album is smooth. It was recorded in 1977 but I remember a majority of the hits from around the summer of 1978. Peg is a good one and Josie.
Pure NYC!
This former early 90s stage band alto sax player absolutely loves Steely Dan.
AJA came out while my wife and I were dating. We loved every second of it and still do.
Thank you for covering this song.
Steely Dan is like no other. Dr. Wu and home at last are personal favorites. You need to check out Donald Fagen‘s solo work as well. Start with Maxine
THANK YOU MORE STEELY DAN🌝
This is my story, though not with music, when I was twenty. I became who I was meant to be, and it worked out well.
A bittersweet ode to all the losers in the world. Everyone has a dream, even if it never comes true.
Everything they did was pure gold....
You're a Warrior, SC.
Saw your emotions.
Respect. - and thanks.
“They got a name for the winners in the world, and I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama the Crimson Tide. Call me Deacon Blues!” #RollTide
Enough with the smooth Steely Dan, Let's get our heart rates up with My Old School, King of The World, or Bodhissatva
I was about to say the same thing. I’ll add Kid Charlemagne, Do It Again, Haitian Divorce, & even Hey 19 too.
steely dan is smoother then the bee jeeys. steely dan is pouring his soul out. he is a real man
He's just going to keep on doing it. That's what he was made to do. And no, there is no better use of his time. Must be nice to know you are one of the best. Party on tho. That's Y we love you.
My theme song. Gotta love that jazz. Smooth as Old Bushmills.
I cried when I wrote this song, excuse if I play to long , This brother is free he making his life music
This song is to making music his life, this you should relate too.
Smooth & jazzy
"Hey Nineteen" by Steely Dan.
Song about a bored suburban man dreaming of learning to play the sax and living the "exciting" life of a jazz musician. Do "Josie" and "My Old School", you won't be sorry.
2nd for "My Old School." It doesn't get the attention it deserves.
I bought the album in 1977. Hagen and Becker are HUGE Jazz fans. They KNOW the music. The song is their homage to Jazz musicians.
STEELY DAN, "DEACON BLUES". IS ONE OF SO MANY GROOVY SONGS... THAT IS ALL THIS GROUP KNEW HOW TO DO IT. "FM", "HEY 19". SOME MORE GREAT LISTENS...✌
This song is about 2 college football teams. The Alabama Crimson Tide vs the Wake Forest Demons. Alabama was on an insane winning streak while Wake Forest had possibly the worst record. Somehow, Wake Forest pulked out a win against Alabama.
I have to correct myself. It's the Wake Forest Blue Devils...not Demons
Smooth like wine! Another classic is FM
Steeley Dan, specifically this album, has been sampled many times by today's songwriters.
You have a way of making the day better....nice reaction
Best music ever.
Isnt it great just havening these great bands from years ago thatl I loved, get some crosby stills and nash
Watched you react to half a dozen SD videos. This one sold you. Could see it in your eyes.
P.s. look up what a steeley dan is. You seem to have a great sense of humor. Think you'll smile.
"If you want to become a better guitarist,copy saxophone solos for two reasons;one,all saxophone notes are singular and two,the average saxophonist plays better than the average guitarist"-Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple.
I had to make a major career move in the early 80s . The Aja Album got me through it ...
Aja is wall to wall greatness.
Smooth AND tight as a drum. Keys are amazing but that BASS!
i think my fav steely dan tune, though it changes, but right now, bad sneakers. boommmm
Home at Last. Aja, Black Cow, there's so many,,,
This song is vibe ! 💖
great song
Think about how long the university of alabama has been winning this came out in the 70s! the Crimson Tide
relaxation
Awesome Scribe🌷《☆》Call him Deacon Blues :*: Greetings from⛾Florida🤳my friend🤓🗣🔊☮✌👍🏾
Lol, Smooth like the Bee Gee's, first time I've heard Steely Dan compared to the Bee Gee's, I heard that Bono (U2) really likes the Bee Gee's as well? 👍
Kid Charlemagne!
If anyone that can relate to the song it should be you
Jazz music with exceptional lyrics🤗🤗🤗
Thank you for doing this one. Please give Hey Nineteen a listen, about an older dude still dating younger women and realizing it just doesn't work anymore. Been there
I would like to hear YOU cover this song if only in a karaoke way with your brilliant voice.
back again - and i subscribed this time!
Classic
Steely Dan smooth and The Bee Gees smooth are two different smooths in my opinion. The Bee Gees smooth makes you wanna do the cool disco dance while the Steely Dan smooth makes you wanna drank scotch/whiskey in a hookah bar!
Yes! Do Josie🔥
I can see by your reaction. After all this is a musicians song. Your part of the tide.
SC:- "That Water is Fire"...............
Me:- WHaaaaaa....LOL :))))))
SD is the best rockfunkjazzfusion band ever
You gotta do Babylon sisters and green earrings.
Play "Josie" from this same album...
...smooth, got that right..and you've got a lovely voice yourself...just saying...
Steely Dan and the Bee Gees isn't the connection I would have made as a kid back in the 70's, but looking back now both groups did deploy top notch production values. I think I would have connected Steely Dan with late 70's Doobie Brothers maybe, in large part due to Michael McDonald's background vocals on "Peg". Definitely smooth, so smooth it may also have led to the formation of the smooth jazz genre, perhaps best epitomized by the 1984 song "Smooth Operator" by Sade. The most recent song that sounds this smooth which quickly comes to my mind is "Shiki no Uta" by Nujabes, aka, the ending theme to Samurai Champloo. And that song is 16 years old already.
Michael McDonald did background vocals on many other Steely Dan songs besides Peg. Check out some of the other ones if you haven’t.
Why this sounds so smooth is that the two minds behind the group who wrote this -- Donald Fagen (lead vocals) and Walter Becker (guitar) -- were perfectionists almost to the point of madness when it came to producing and arranging. I've linked a video that will show you what I mean; much of it has Becker (glasses) and Fagen showing them sitting at a mixing console what they were looking for and close to perfection performances weren't good enough for them--only *_exact_* passed muster. They play back a few guitar solos, and they all sound good--all of their sidemen were top musicians and singers (even the ones they didn't use). ruclips.net/video/waIBA6_0GQc/видео.html
It’s the roulette wheel ma,am, habitual gambler, uk
"I crawl like a viper through the suburban streets; make love to the women languid and bittersweet."
That water is fire..no fire got better chemicals in it.. than that water.. love to see you love The Dan though...
You should do Aja, there's a couple awesome drum rolls in there and I know you like drums.
I agree. Except I think you meant drum "fills". There is a thing called a "drum roll" but it involves one drum(snare or tom) and a sequence of many quick strikes in succession... usually drum "rolls" occur just before results are given in a public venue.
A drum "fill" is a flourish involving as few as one drum up to as many drums as one has. Fills are named because they add flair, syncopation, punctuationn and/or tension and release... usually (but not always) at the end of a measure or set of measures... more often than not - "fills" end with cymbal crash(es).
From a musician and die hard SD fan: What Mr. Gadd is doing on Aja is giving a master class on percussion. And showboating with some staggering "fills". What's unbelievable is that he played through the song once with no recording taking place. They turned on the equipment and KEPT HIS 1st TRY on "Aja".😳
@@roundtownKen Thanks for the explanation, I believe you're right
Home At Last! or Kid Charlamagne