Don't forget the mastering. Back when mastering meant creating a unified experience across an entire album, rather than making every song as loud as possible, this album flows from one track to the next and immerses you into the vibe. The very worst thing about this album (on vinyl) is that you have to get out of your chaise lounge and turn it over.
@@michaelanderson2881 and editing too!!! No Pro Tools, Garage Band, etc. It was all on tape and edited by physically cutting tape and reassembling! I couldn't imagine doing that!
Josie is okay... I think there are SO many great Steely Dan tunes.. my fave... Babylon Sisters (Shake it), Janie Runaway, The Fez, Bad Sneakers (and a Pina-Colada my Friend).... just so many good tunes.
try being 16 listening to time by pink floyd in 1973, 'and then 1 day you find 10 years have got behind you, no one told when to run you missed the starting gun'. 50 years laters you would change that 10 for 50. Any song that puts us face to face with the reality that time is the most important thing we have, will resonnate with anyone paying attention to the lyrics and life.
“The protagonist is not a musician. He just sort of imagines that that might be one of the mythic forms of loserdom to which he might aspire. And you know, who’s to say he’s not right about a thing like that?” - Walter Becker. R.I.P. 🥲
I'm 63 and bought the album on vinyl the year it came out. I think I must have listened to that record a hundred times in the first two weeks I had it. LOVED it. After a couple of days, I started skipping over Deacon Blues because I thought it was kind of dull and generic soft jazz-pop. My opinion about it hasn't changed over the years.
I agree. I was disappointed they were doing Deacon Blues, as it's not a favorite. I haven't heard it in many years, and I'm very surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Still, I agree with Andy...I like the other songs much more.
Oh man my late husband's favorite song. He'd get a little drunk and sing it with his eyes closed. It was kinda funny watching him try to sing the background along with lead vocals. Hahahahaha! Great memory. But thanks, gents, for this fabulous song and great reaction!
The song flows better when you're listening to the whole album. This is a mature album, that showed how they grew over the years, focusing more on jazz influence than rock.
This song requires some kind of inate "jazz sensibility" which comes with preparation, exposure to jazz and age. Having Aja (song) or Deacon be your entree to Steely Dan would be difficult to truly appreciate if you hadn't already been exposed to that particular musical style on say Katy Lied (although Jamal over at Jamel aka Jamal had his first experience with the Steely Universe through a request for the title track Aja and now includes them in his Top 5 All Time... so it does happen). Andy prefers radio-friendly, pop-oriented Steely Dan, i.e. Peg, Reelin' but didn't quite "feel" Deacon Blues or Black Cow (two songs that epitomize Steely Dan for me every frickin' time I hear them) and that's fine; his jazz sensibility needs to mature a bit. Good things take time.
Susan Klasinski The biggest thing this song was lacking is the guitar solos that permeate most SD songs(I'm a guitar guy). I _still_ love this song, just not as much as some others.
And the very same thing could be said about "Black Cow." Perhaps Andy is a bit too young and not really accustomed to music derived from a foundation of jazz influences. I myself never had that problem. Black Cow and Deacon Blues are just the epitome of SMOOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being young means you can't appreciate the song....no....I was 16 when hearing it the first time, still love it 42 years later...but I'm a prog rock guy, jazz/rock fusion isn't a big deal to me...
"I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long" That line in particular humanizes and personalizes the song in a way that makes listening to it an emotional experience in a way that elevates the musical perfection of it in a way that epitomizes the steely dan world. If you like that sort of thing.
For me, one of the craziest things about this genius song is that it was a Top-40 radio hit. That summer it came out it was on constant rotation on AM radio. Wild.
The tenor saxophonist, Pete Christlieb, said he went over to the studio and heard the track, and listened to what they wanted, did two takes, and left. Later, he'd hear himself while using the bathroom at airports around the world 😅.
Between SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock, 70s on 7, and most of the classic channels, you can hear this song 2-3 times in an hour. They play it pretty frequently.
@@radsterman I know 💜 I listen to an "oldies" station at work all day, when not listening to my Amazon music playlists. Unfortunately that, plus a classic rock station, is all that comes in.
People who grew up with music like this loved it but still took it for granted that we would always have music like this being played everywhere. We were so naive and spoiled by all the great talent that actually got airplay.
The horns and sax solo, tickling guitar, chords, Purdie on drums, the storytelling and lyrics, the long fade out...not a banger but definitely a fucking masterpiece.
@@johnlylemusic Incorrect. Purdie played on Deacon Blues. Gadd played on the SONG Aja and did the incredible solo, but did not play on this song. Five different drummers played on the album: Paul Humphrey, Rick Marotta, Ed Greene, Gadd and Purdie. Look it up.
@@andrewtrotter9023 you’re absolutely right, I had my songs mixed up as I was simultaneously watching another video where they were reviewing the SONG Aja. I always get into trouble when I multitask! My bad!😀😬
@@andrewtrotter9023 me too! I’m 59 years old and I’ve been a huge fan ever since they came out. I have a six carousel CD player in my car, and all six are currently SD records. I’m a professional guitarist, and I just recently spent about a year working out a solo guitar version of Deacon Blues. It was a total labor of love! 👍🏼🎸❤️😎
That’s the thing about Steely Dan. You may not like a certain song but you always walk away thinking DAMN THEY’RE FANTASTIC MUSICIANS!!!!! It can’t be denied.
There's a Steely Dan song for every, single, mood, you could ever find yourself in. Some days could be a Deacon Blues kind of day, and then the next could be a Reelin' in the Years kind of day!
The lyric is about a regular guy longing for the romanticism of a different life he imagines as that of a musician, free to play as they choose, live as they want..."I'll learn to work the saxophone, I'll play just what I feel, drink Scotch whiskey all night long, and die behind the wheel." He's anonymous, a number of sorts and is longing for "the essence of true romance" in his idealized world of making music.
Becker and Fagen said its about the waking daydream of 2 white suburbanite teens longing to fit in with the 52nd Street "Hep Cat's" of NYC's Birdland and Blue Note jazz scene and imaging themselves as part of that scene. Think Thelonius Monk in Chinos and Chuck Taylors.
The Dan, once heard... are never forgotten. There really are few musicians who can claim to have written thoroughly original material... the Dan are one of them...
I love the version that they have done in concert over the last few years with the background women taking all the vocals on that one. I know it's up on youtube.
Andy, IT WAS ALWAYS DEACON BLUES. Best opening lyrics...This is the day of the expanding man... So happy to see Alex loving this. I agree with Alex!!! My Jam since 1976. ✌🏻🧡
I like to think Donald Fagen's character in his solo song, New Frontier, is the younger, innocent, bright eyed version of this sad and cynical dude from Deacon Blues.
@@kevinkuckkan5102 I grew up in West San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica so their visuals about, cruising down Sunset to the sea are everything. 🌊 🌞 🌴
I so agree with Alex on this song. Deacon Blues is my favorite song by Steely Dan. The chords, the sax and percussion really does it for me. This was jazz perfection from one of my favorite bands.
I graduated hs in the 70s, it tickles me to see young people discover and enjoy “ my “ music. I always told my kids and grandkids good music will always be good music!
Billie Whyers - I really don’t think most of today’s music will be listened to 20 years from now. The music in that sense has died. Even from the perspective of sampling today’s music in the future as we do now with past generations of material. So much current music has no substance and nothing to draw from
The problem with these first listen impressions is that listening to a song just wants doesn’t do it justice. I have been living with Steely Dan since the early 70s. These songs evolve just like life
The value in these first time reaction channels is that it turns on new generations or new people to the music and for good channels, like Andy and Alex, there is a reciprocal exchange. Collectively we are dj for them, taking them on a journey of exploring these great songs of the past and they offer a unique perspective, which I won't speak for you, but sometimes they pick up on things I've never heard before, or at the very least we get to hear these songs vicariously through them as new and novel. I'm younger than you but older than Andy and Alex and to be honest besides Do It Again, I thought Steely Dan was awful when I was younger. This channel has at least given me a perspective as to why people in your generation thought so highly of this band.
@@brucedillinger9448 I heard them initially as a kid from my Dad's CD collection. I liked more of the Zeppelin, Stones, Sabbath stuff from that era, the heavier more uptrmpo Rock. Although Pink Floyd was one of my favorites as well. Steely Dan sounded too pop to me. Then throughout my teen and young adult years, I gravitated more towards contemporary music. However, I did pick up guitar and I found out how relatively difficult some of these jazz phrasings are. I just never went back and listened to Steely Dan until this reaction channel.
The more you listen to them the more you will like them. It will grow on you til the day you started singing "they call Alabama the Crimson tide" to yourself. I had honestly forgotten how much I liked Steely Dan. Haven't heard them for years but the words all came flowing back to me.
I was wondering why Andy was dressed up like Zsa Zsa Gabor on the thumbnail. Now I know why. Don't send Alex in a spiral anymore 😆 Edited: Can we wrap Andy back up in the blanket for the "B" rating?
Either "Hey Nineteen" or "Dirty Work" would be great as your next Steely Dan song, but make sure "Don't Take Me Alive" and "Josie" are on the "To Do" list.
Don't take me Alive! After I heard that song the first time I couldn't stop playing it. Steely Dan, what an amazing and difficult road taken to achieve success and fulfill a vision.
"They call Alabama the Crimson Tide, call me Deacon Blues". Love that lyric. Attention to musical detail is unmatched. The horns, drums, back up singers. Fabulous.
This song barely cracks my top 10 favorite Steely Dan songs. That being said, I think it could be the most perfectly recorded song ever. Classic Steely!
Hey Nineteen is a great next one, but consider this album’s title track ‘Aja.’ Stunning. The “jazziest” they get. And I agree with Alex. This tune smokes.
@@joannwoodworth8920 I'm a huge Dan fan, but for some reason have always thought that Hey 19 was one of their weaker efforts, even though it was enormously commercially successful. And Walter used to be very, very funny with his monologue during the live shows with this song. Just a personal thing.
To love this song, you have to know that it is a 70s vibe song. Back then, there were certain songs that were just so relaxing and smooth and cool, and that was the 70s mellowness. You had the banger rock out songs, then you had the smooth cool vibe songs too. And this is one of those.
"I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long...this brother is free.."" Ultimate in sophisticated, world-weariness. Band so together, they all sound like they "rise when the sun goes down...".
Their best IMO. Lyrics for sure; "I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long, this brother is free I'll be what I want to be" Alex is correct!!
A critic, addressing this couplet, took to task the notion that playing too long was the sin; that it should've been "sue me if I play it wrong," amplifying the emotion. It's an opinion that's long stuck with me, and I believe it's valid, to the point that when I sing along I use that line.
@@WRRHalum nah, "play too long" get's us to the notion of the could-have-been about the character in this song. There's a breathless sort-of melancholy to the whole number and this phrase tightly fits into the feeling of the piece, like a middle-aged saxophonist who has lost his luster playing at 2 AM when most of the crowd at the jazz club have gone home and it's quiet and almost dewy outside
Listening to Steely Dan: is like you've only ridden the bus all your life and suddenly you get to sit behind the wheel of a Ferrari and you think "OH, this what a road trip is meant to be!"
It's funny you should say that. I was just thinking that I used to take Steely Dan for granted. I think as a child of the 70s, my ears were flooded with so many types of great music, that I just assumed all music was high quality! And sadly, I think I assumed it always would be.
@@kathynicholson103 Their music just got better and better in those mid-70s huh? I remember hearing 'Do it Again' the first time and the guy I was playing pool with said 'Whoa, this song is soooo good", we were both lost in it.
Steely Dan was a regular at dorm parties in the mid 70's. This was a particular favorite kind early morning hours. Their music transcends ethnic lines, an important sign of superior musicianship. Heartwarming to see their genius rediscovered by younger generations!
@@robny1461, yeah. I've been suggesting that for awhile now. Hoping they broaden their scope just a lil bit to cover urban stuff. If they did the whole RnR Animal album I think my head would explode. With joy. Like seeing a boy grow up.
Some of us (Steely Dan fans) can be a bit elitist and condescending about our love for this music, but I think Andy’s the type that can handle it without getting too offended. I actually do use this song to test new speakers. One of my absolute favorites.
Agree! This album and Dire Straights “Brother in Arms” are the best to test speakers. Still wish I had my family’s ESS speakers. What I heard some of the best albums on.
Omg Andy, you’re killing me. Lol It’s my favorite Steely Dan song. I wake up with it in my head on a regular basis. It’s usually my weekend, coffee making, coffee sipping, welcome in the beautiful day song.
Yeah, I think that after hearing this song over many years, this is one that lives in your head. Alex says he loves a good chorus and this one does stick with you.
This does seem to be the greatest difference in A&A ratings of any video I can recall. I think I could have anticipated that -- of all the SD songs they've heard, this is by far the most different in terms of lacking any upbeat chorus and lead guitars (since the saxophone takes the place as the "solo" instrument). I can actually very much see both sides as I prefer upbeat choruses and more rock/pop-oriented music, but I do think the combination of the lyrics and how well the music conveys the mood of the story is truly sublime (and the production/sound quality as good as I've ever heard). Not my favorite Steely Dan, and not even my preferred jazz-oriented SD song, as I prefer the title track on this album. Keep up the great work, guys!
FINALLY!!! Poor Alex has been tortured!!! The lyrics are so good. "They've got a name for the winners in the world; I want a name when I lose." Now, let's hit a full album reaction with "Aja" and really get into the sauce.
So this album they used Wayne Shorter, probably the most important saxophone player in the world at that time, and Ton Scott, the best known session sax player in LA, but on this tune they used a journeyman pickup player, Pete Christlieb. Becker and Fagen went on to produce albums of Christlieb's, monster straight ahead jazz.
Andy, I think you were underwhelmed by Deacon Blues because you have entrenched in your brain the other songs like Peg and Reelin In The Years already. Back then when the other songs were new, I had already heard them many times, before hearing Deacon and I felt the same way, even though it’s another “Picasso” by Steely Dan.
SWEET! I grew in to really appreciating DEACON BLUES and now it is one of my favorite STEELY DAN songs. Hope you get to HEY NINETEEN and DIRTY WORK. Can not have too much STEELY DAN!
When you said it wasn’t up there for you in the vocals and it wasn’t as smooth as other Steely Dan songs - THIS is why I love it because it’s raw. It’s him purely singing from the gut and the lyrics almost get caught in the back of his throat which evokes such an emotional response from me the first time I heard it and every time since. It’s a little shaky, and you might not be in the place in life to appreciate that and that’s okay. I loved when you said “give me 10 years”. Anyway, I’m glad you guys covered this song,it’s probably in my top 5 all time favorite songs ever. 💫
Steely Dan is one of the few bands that has about a dozen songs that when I hear them I think “that might be my favorite”. And I’m with Alex on this one, just so good! Loved A&A’s commentary after the song too.
Y'all need to do the Blues Brothers movie. It doesn't get better than Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Duck Dunn, Steve Cropper, Matt Guitar Murphy, and on and on.
My dad, who passed in 2008, loved The Blues Brothers! He was born in the 20s, so his love for this movie is awesome. My parents moved to Florida after Dad retired from the Police. I would meet them at the parks with my kids. My Dad was so excited and couldn't wait to see their street show. He was a kid at heart. I loved him more than I can say. The best man I ever knew 💜
@@mark-be9mq Thank you. I have so many great memories of my Dad. He retired as Chief in 1977. When he passed, the police and fire department still called him Chief. God bless you as well
Gotta go with Alex on this one. Hands down, one of the greatest (possibly the greatest) song in a catalogue of dozens of great songs by one of the greatest bands of all time. (The key word here is greatest).
I just watched the 20 year Anniversary special where Cameron Zoomed with Kate, "William", "Russell" & a guy from Rolling Stone. They shared so much about the film!
One of the things I love most about Steely Dan personally, is how they do so many unconventional things, like the chord changes, but do them so impeccably, so attractively, that you have to love it. Every song feels like a backwards blindfolded three-point shot.
I wanna say 1975... Lake LBJ in Texas.. parents stayed in a cabin.. kids (cousins) stayed in a screened in cabana, we played this album over and over.. playing games and listening to Steely Dan after a day of water skiing. Great times indeed.
My favorite Steely Dan song. Rather dark, cryptic lyrics but the music is so soothing. I can still remember driving down the road at night listening to this song in 1979 and just feeling the stress wash away.
@@jeanpotter4603, exactly. It was that period in my life when I felt stress about not meeting the expectations of people around me. I was feeling restless, but unsure of what to do. This song made me think, screw it. I'm doing things my way.
“Aja” is a total blast from the past for me. This song is exceptionally special. In the 70’s I was a limo driver and I lived with another limo driver who was a sax player, who could play as well as Pete Christlieb. Great memories, ‘nuf said. (Yeah, I’m gettin’ old)
I'm with Alex on this one. Deacon Blues is spectacularly cool/smooth and it's a lost-in-sauce for me song. There's a kind of heart about it that I haven't gotten from the other songs. Horns were irresistible. I can totally live in this one!
So glad your guys are hitting the tracks of my life lately. This whole album is a bonafide masterpiece (designed to be heard as an ensemble). This song is a shining example of the term, "Steely Dan Production Values", tippy-top shelf smoothy greatness. Next - (too many to pick from!) Any Major Dude Will Tell You Aja title track Don't Take Me Alive Josie FM Babylon Sisters Hey Nineteen
WE ARE FINALLY HITTING DEACON BLUES!!! It’s been a LONG time coming!! Cheers all hope you enjoyed it! 🙌🏻🔥
Still waiting on Bodhisattva...
You can't feel this song until you're about 50 and you realize that at least some of the dreams you had when you had when you were 20 ain't happening.
This is the first time I've heard this. I love it! Next "Dirty Work"!
Deacon may grow on you because it did for me.
Yeah you guys should do "Home At Last" next.
the whole Aja album is a study on how to write, record, mix and produce awesome music
Quite possibly the greatest album every recorded.
Don't forget the mastering. Back when mastering meant creating a unified experience across an entire album, rather than making every song as loud as possible, this album flows from one track to the next and immerses you into the vibe. The very worst thing about this album (on vinyl) is that you have to get out of your chaise lounge and turn it over.
@@michaelanderson2881 and editing too!!! No Pro Tools, Garage Band, etc. It was all on tape and edited by physically cutting tape and reassembling! I couldn't imagine doing that!
@@TrashWerewolf True.
@@michaelanderson2881 That at least kept your legs from falling asleep.
It's the kind of song that hits too close to home when you hit middle age and life hasn't gone exactly as planned.
So true! Life doesn't always go the way we plan. Be thankful for what we have.
Truth!
Absolutely the truth.
fagen/becker were in their twenties when they wrote it
Just had to go there huh. lol
"Josie" fans, we need to make an undeniable showing that "Josie" needs to be hit in the near future. Please support.
Yes!
Josie is okay... I think there are SO many great Steely Dan tunes.. my fave... Babylon Sisters (Shake it), Janie Runaway, The Fez, Bad Sneakers (and a Pina-Colada my Friend).... just so many good tunes.
Yes! One of my favs.
Josie is in my top 3 SD songs.
@@connieb4372 Just goes to show how good SD is. I am also eagerly waiting for Don't Take Me Alive and FM
Andy nailed it with his "gimme 10 years" comment. I'm a 50-something jazz player and this song hits harder every year.
try being 16 listening to time by pink floyd in 1973, 'and then 1 day you find 10 years have got behind you, no one told when to run you missed the starting gun'. 50 years laters you would change that 10 for 50. Any song that puts us face to face with the reality that time is the most important thing we have, will resonnate with anyone paying attention to the lyrics and life.
“The protagonist is not a musician. He just sort of imagines that that might be one of the mythic forms of loserdom to which he might aspire. And you know, who’s to say he’s not right about a thing like that?” - Walter Becker. R.I.P. 🥲
Thank you! :)
As a 25 year old I probably would have also given Deacon Blues a B. But now as a 55 year old, it’s a definite S tier song.
Exactly
I'm 63 and bought the album on vinyl the year it came out. I think I must have listened to that record a hundred times in the first two weeks I had it. LOVED it.
After a couple of days, I started skipping over Deacon Blues because I thought it was kind of dull and generic soft jazz-pop. My opinion about it hasn't changed over the years.
@@bobbabai Same, except I'm 69 now.
I agree. I was disappointed they were doing Deacon Blues, as it's not a favorite. I haven't heard it in many years, and I'm very surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
Still, I agree with Andy...I like the other songs much more.
@@TallyDrake but a B is a bit low for me. To each his own.
Oh man my late husband's favorite song. He'd get a little drunk and sing it with his eyes closed. It was kinda funny watching him try to sing the background along with lead vocals. Hahahahaha! Great memory. But thanks, gents, for this fabulous song and great reaction!
That's awesome. It's also my favorite song. Forget Steely Dan or Beatles or Stones, it's my favorite song, period.
@@theivory1 very cool!
I know all the words....such a groove!
@@user-rs6ln7nc4g cool!
I (ah) I play just what i feeeeeeellll
The song flows better when you're listening to the whole album. This is a mature album, that showed how they grew over the years, focusing more on jazz influence than rock.
Exactly what Susan said.
This song requires some kind of inate "jazz sensibility" which comes with preparation, exposure to jazz and age. Having Aja (song) or Deacon be your entree to Steely Dan would be difficult to truly appreciate if you hadn't already been exposed to that particular musical style on say Katy Lied (although Jamal over at Jamel aka Jamal had his first experience with the Steely Universe through a request for the title track Aja and now includes them in his Top 5 All Time... so it does happen). Andy prefers radio-friendly, pop-oriented Steely Dan, i.e. Peg, Reelin' but didn't quite "feel" Deacon Blues or Black Cow (two songs that epitomize Steely Dan for me every frickin' time I hear them) and that's fine; his jazz sensibility needs to mature a bit. Good things take time.
Susan Klasinski The biggest thing this song was lacking is the guitar solos that permeate most SD songs(I'm a guitar guy). I _still_ love this song, just not as much as some others.
And the very same thing could be said about "Black Cow." Perhaps Andy is a bit too young and not really accustomed to music derived from a foundation of jazz influences. I myself never had that problem. Black Cow and Deacon Blues are just the epitome of SMOOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Being young means you can't appreciate the song....no....I was 16 when hearing it the first time, still love it 42 years later...but I'm a prog rock guy, jazz/rock fusion isn't a big deal to me...
"I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long" That line in particular humanizes and personalizes the song in a way that makes listening to it an emotional experience in a way that elevates the musical perfection of it in a way that epitomizes the steely dan world. If you like that sort of thing.
I love that line so much. It hits so perfectly.
For me, one of the craziest things about this genius song is that it was a Top-40 radio hit. That summer it came out it was on constant rotation on AM radio. Wild.
The tenor saxophonist, Pete Christlieb, said he went over to the studio and heard the track, and listened to what they wanted, did two takes, and left. Later, he'd hear himself while using the bathroom at airports around the world 😅.
Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive, Babylon Sisters, Time Out Of Mind
Show biz kids
Imagine hearing this on the radio EVERY DAY. 😎😎😎✌✌✌💟
We had it soooooo good back then, and didn't even know it.
Yea, I was just thinking, they never play SD anymore on the radio. And yes I still love the radio.
@@maryannanderson1744 Look for a classic rock or easy listening (🤮 I hate that label) station.
Between SiriusXM’s Yacht Rock, 70s on 7, and most of the classic channels, you can hear this song 2-3 times in an hour. They play it pretty frequently.
@@radsterman I know 💜 I listen to an "oldies" station at work all day, when not listening to my Amazon music playlists. Unfortunately that, plus a classic rock station, is all that comes in.
JUnior HIgh era for me.... just moving into High School
Steely Dan is my "stuck on a desert island with only one group" band. Love their music, including their solo work.
Yes I was posed the same scenario, i chose dan too. Reason being, i never tire of their music. Complex and cerebral.
I listen to Steely Dan at work almost every day.
People who grew up with music like this loved it but still took it for granted that we would always have music like this being played everywhere. We were so naive and spoiled by all the great talent that actually got airplay.
So true....and a lot of it anazingly on AM radio!!
Guilty!
Omg TOTALLY agree!!!!
Wait. I was going to say that. I so took it for granted. Today’s music, by comparison, um. I feel sorry for this generation.
Truth, my friend. I weep for what we’ve lost.
The horns and sax solo, tickling guitar, chords, Purdie on drums, the storytelling and lyrics, the long fade out...not a banger but definitely a fucking masterpiece.
Bernard Purdie didn’t play drums on Aja.
It was Steve Gadd.
@@johnlylemusic Incorrect. Purdie played on Deacon Blues. Gadd played on the SONG Aja and did the incredible solo, but did not play on this song. Five different drummers played on the album: Paul Humphrey, Rick Marotta, Ed Greene, Gadd and Purdie. Look it up.
@@andrewtrotter9023 you’re absolutely right, I had my songs mixed up as I was simultaneously watching another video where they were reviewing the SONG Aja. I always get into trouble when I multitask!
My bad!😀😬
@@johnlylemusic All good, brother. Loved the Dan for 45 years (I’m old AF!)
@@andrewtrotter9023 me too!
I’m 59 years old and I’ve been a huge fan ever since they came out. I have a six carousel CD player in my car, and all six are currently SD records.
I’m a professional guitarist, and I just recently spent about a year working out a solo guitar version of Deacon Blues.
It was a total labor of love!
👍🏼🎸❤️😎
That’s the thing about Steely Dan. You may not like a certain song but you always walk away thinking DAMN THEY’RE FANTASTIC MUSICIANS!!!!! It can’t be denied.
💯
And where surrounded by them too!
Next one should be the title track “Aja”. But you need to be ready for 50% relaxed dreamlike state and 50% “OMG those drums and those solos!”
Yep, definitely need to do Aja.
Lost in lyrical sauce, and freaking with the drums and sax eargasms. Trust us!
Yes, Gadd just went crazy in Aja.
I agree, I think their ready for AJA
I've been waiting for them to do the song "Aja" since they first dipped into this album. I can't wait for the reactions to *everything* that is "Aja".
In golf you get a Mulligan. On behalf of everyone in the Freedom Shack, we bestow upon Andy his mulligan for that B rating.
perhaps a skulligan?
There's a Steely Dan song for every, single, mood, you could ever find yourself in. Some days could be a Deacon Blues kind of day, and then the next could be a Reelin' in the Years kind of day!
Boz Scaggs - Lido Shuffle - 1976 Silk Degrees
Enjoy!
Or Lowdown. Or Miss Sun. Or Breakdown Dead Ahead. Or...... 😊
That's a great song. I think A&A would love it.
They MIGHT have done it already? Not positive
The Silk Degrees band was pretty much the origins of Toto.
The lyric is about a regular guy longing for the romanticism of a different life he imagines as that of a musician, free to play as they choose, live as they want..."I'll learn to work the saxophone, I'll play just what I feel, drink Scotch whiskey all night long, and die behind the wheel." He's anonymous, a number of sorts and is longing for "the essence of true romance" in his idealized world of making music.
Becker and Fagen said its about the waking daydream of 2 white suburbanite teens longing to fit in with the 52nd Street "Hep Cat's" of NYC's Birdland and Blue Note jazz scene and imaging themselves as part of that scene. Think Thelonius Monk in Chinos and Chuck Taylors.
The lyric is much more Walter Becker than Donald Fagen.
Dude I kid you not, I always thought it's "dine behind the wheel" like eating burgers while driving or something haha
@@MartijnFrazer LOL!!!
@@MartijnFrazer Me too!
The whole Aja album is stellar!
I agree 100%
The Dan, once heard... are never forgotten. There really are few musicians who can claim to have written thoroughly original material... the Dan are one of them...
The entire “Aja” album is incredible! I have seen them play it live in its entirety..
“Home at Last” is very underrated song!!!
Any Monday with Steely Dan is immediately made better.
You can almost just pick any Steely Dan song at random. That might be a cool deep cut move. But I like the call for Dirty Work next.
I love the version that they have done in concert over the last few years with the background women taking all the vocals on that one. I know it's up on youtube.
Andy, IT WAS ALWAYS DEACON BLUES. Best opening lyrics...This is the day of the expanding man... So happy to see Alex loving this. I agree with Alex!!! My Jam since 1976. ✌🏻🧡
I like to think Donald Fagen's character in his solo song, New Frontier, is the younger, innocent, bright eyed version of this sad and cynical dude from Deacon Blues.
Beautifully said
2nd best opening lyric from same album (?) - ‘In the corner of my eye, I saw you in Rudy’s...you were very high (you were high)’😎
@@kevinkuckkan5102 I grew up in West San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica so their visuals about, cruising down Sunset to the sea are everything. 🌊 🌞 🌴
@@b2squared Babylon Sisters, great tune...have never been there but ‘see’ it ev time I hear that song...’just until we’re out of town...’
Summer mid 70’s breeze blowing the curtain of a third story apartment balcony, and this on the turntable , nothing better 🎶🥰
I so agree with Alex on this song. Deacon Blues is my favorite song by Steely Dan. The chords, the sax and percussion really does it for me. This was jazz perfection from one of my favorite bands.
"Decon Blues" will come to you like "Sultans Of Swing" did. Promise.
I graduated hs in the 70s, it tickles me to see young people discover and enjoy “ my “ music. I always told my kids and grandkids good music will always be good music!
Agreed
Me too and we got spoiled. This was weekly with some band!
Billie Whyers - I really don’t think most of today’s music will be listened to 20 years from now. The music in that sense has died. Even from the perspective of sampling today’s music in the future as we do now with past generations of material. So much current music has no substance and nothing to draw from
@@cirenosnor5768 yes most of today’s music is not what I would call truly good music.
The problem with these first listen impressions is that listening to a song just wants doesn’t do it justice. I have been living with Steely Dan since the early 70s. These songs evolve just like life
The value in these first time reaction channels is that it turns on new generations or new people to the music and for good channels, like Andy and Alex, there is a reciprocal exchange. Collectively we are dj for them, taking them on a journey of exploring these great songs of the past and they offer a unique perspective, which I won't speak for you, but sometimes they pick up on things I've never heard before, or at the very least we get to hear these songs vicariously through them as new and novel.
I'm younger than you but older than Andy and Alex and to be honest besides Do It Again, I thought Steely Dan was awful when I was younger. This channel has at least given me a perspective as to why people in your generation thought so highly of this band.
Yes!
Guerrilla ... You thought they were awful?!
Man, if you were around in the 70's you and I would not have hit it off, musically anyway. ✌
@@brucedillinger9448 I heard them initially as a kid from my Dad's CD collection. I liked more of the Zeppelin, Stones, Sabbath stuff from that era, the heavier more uptrmpo Rock. Although Pink Floyd was one of my favorites as well. Steely Dan sounded too pop to me.
Then throughout my teen and young adult years, I gravitated more towards contemporary music. However, I did pick up guitar and I found out how relatively difficult some of these jazz phrasings are.
I just never went back and listened to Steely Dan until this reaction channel.
The more you listen to them the more you will like them. It will grow on you til the day you started singing "they call Alabama the Crimson tide" to yourself. I had honestly forgotten how much I liked Steely Dan. Haven't heard them for years but the words all came flowing back to me.
Definitely S tier. I cry when I HEAR this song. This is THE ONE: “the essence of true romance”.
Not your favorite but sorry dude, the song and the whole album is an iconic masterpiece. Literally a work of art from start to finish.
I was wondering why Andy was dressed up like Zsa Zsa Gabor on the thumbnail. Now I know why. Don't send Alex in a spiral anymore 😆
Edited: Can we wrap Andy back up in the blanket for the "B" rating?
Zsa Zsa Gabor! LOL!!!
We needed to wrap Andy more for negative opinions! Lol 😆
Zsa Zsa Ha ha! Shout out to my Hungarian roots!! Always get Ava and Zsa Zsa mixed up,lol.
@@jgsrhythm100 They really could have been twins!
@@susanklasinski1805 Green Acres is the place for me.
Either "Hey Nineteen" or "Dirty Work" would be great as your next Steely Dan song, but make sure "Don't Take Me Alive" and "Josie" are on the "To Do" list.
Don't take me Alive! After I heard that song the first time I couldn't stop playing it. Steely Dan, what an amazing and difficult road taken to achieve success and fulfill a vision.
"Any major dude will tell you" should be next up. It has always been one of my 'go to' tracks when I need to reset my perspective on things.
"They call Alabama the Crimson Tide, call me Deacon Blues". Love that lyric. Attention to musical detail is unmatched. The horns, drums, back up singers. Fabulous.
Next it should be 'Don't Take Me Alive'. It is almost the complete opposite of Deacon Blues. Opens with a stunning guitar solo.
I'm still rooting for "Don't Take Me Alive" but would be equally pleased with "FM" or "Josie" or "Hey Nineteen".
Kid Charlemagne
Can't go wrong with any of these!
Still rooting for “Don’t Take Me Alive” as well!!!
Excellent song.. I'm with you on that.
FM
The King of the Pocket, Mr. Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on the drums.
Yup, and the bass drum samba ostinato is just perfect for this track.
Purdy is a rhythm god.
Steve Gadd played the drums on Aja, but Bernard Purdie played on MANY great
Steely Dan songs!
Steely Dan: "Don't Take me Alive"!!! Best intro guitar solo!
Steely Dan, one of a kind, never imitated impossible to duplicate. Don't take me alive still is as good as first day I heard it.
This song barely cracks my top 10 favorite Steely Dan songs. That being said, I think it could be the most perfectly recorded song ever. Classic Steely!
The kid with the long hair is right! Every sound is perfectly placed for maximum effect. This song is just beautiful.
Must do title track "Aja." Steve Gadd's drumming is just so delicious.
Amen!
Not to mention Wayne Shorter's sax solo ..
And he hid it in a single take, without even listening to the music beforehand!
Yes. Aja. Please
Delicious isn't appropriate. Insane is more like it. Check out Rick Beato on it.
Hey Nineteen is a great next one, but consider this album’s title track ‘Aja.’ Stunning. The “jazziest” they get. And I agree with Alex. This tune smokes.
Completely agree. I’d also throw Babylon Sisters up there. Well, I’d throw tons of Dan songs in there actually.
Next Steely Dan songs:
• Josie
• FM (No Static At All)
Not bad choices.
@@triscat Thanks, but I forgot...
• Dirty Work
• Hey Nineteen
@@joannwoodworth8920 I'm a huge Dan fan, but for some reason have always thought that Hey 19 was one of their weaker efforts, even though it was enormously commercially successful. And Walter used to be very, very funny with his monologue during the live shows with this song. Just a personal thing.
Black Cow
@@Sanderay007 ruclips.net/video/qQJ8SpomQbg/видео.html
To love this song, you have to know that it is a 70s vibe song. Back then, there were certain songs that were just so relaxing and smooth and cool, and that was the 70s mellowness. You had the banger rock out songs, then you had the smooth cool vibe songs too. And this is one of those.
"I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long...this brother is free.."" Ultimate in sophisticated, world-weariness. Band so together, they all sound like they "rise when the sun goes down...".
Their best IMO. Lyrics for sure; "I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long, this brother is free I'll be what I want to be" Alex is correct!!
YES!
I have to go with Alex on this one. You can see the growth and maturity in Steely Dan on this album.
A critic, addressing this couplet, took to task the notion that playing too long was the sin; that it should've been "sue me if I play it wrong," amplifying the emotion. It's an opinion that's long stuck with me, and I believe it's valid, to the point that when I sing along I use that line.
@@WRRHalum whatever floats your boat.
@@WRRHalum nah, "play too long" get's us to the notion of the could-have-been about the character in this song. There's a breathless sort-of melancholy to the whole number and this phrase tightly fits into the feeling of the piece, like a middle-aged saxophonist who has lost his luster playing at 2 AM when most of the crowd at the jazz club have gone home and it's quiet and almost dewy outside
The Dan does not make bad songs. They are amazing 🤩
East St Louis Toodle Doo is pretty skippable after you've heard it a few times
@@brianmiller1077 I don’t even skip ⏭ that track!‼️
Fire In The Hole stinks, but 90% success rate on a debut record is still pretty impressive.
Sadly...they were a great band! Waaaah!
Dead on it!
Listening to Steely Dan: is like you've only ridden the bus all your life and suddenly you get to sit behind the wheel of a Ferrari and you think "OH, this what a road trip is meant to be!"
Or - you finally got girl friend.
It's funny you should say that. I was just thinking that I used to take Steely Dan for granted. I think as a child of the 70s, my ears were flooded with so many types of great music, that I just assumed all music was high quality! And sadly, I think I assumed it always would be.
Well said ! 🍻
@@kathynicholson103 Their music just got better and better in those mid-70s huh? I remember hearing 'Do it Again' the first time and the guy I was playing pool with said 'Whoa, this song is soooo good", we were both lost in it.
Steely Dan was a regular at dorm parties in the mid 70's. This was a particular favorite kind early morning hours. Their music transcends ethnic lines, an important sign of superior musicianship. Heartwarming to see their genius rediscovered by younger generations!
FM has to be the long version plus the ultimate musician track is actually AJA. Showbizness kids has an insane guitar riff running through it guys.
From the Aja album, Aja is probably the best song. Should be the next Steely Dan song. Great everything on it. Great show as usual.
I think they already did it...
FM has always been my fav
The whole album a banger
"One chord is fine. Two chords is pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz."
-- Lou Reed
Speaking of Lou Reed, would love to see a reaction to Take A Walk On The Wild Side. A little curveball for the boys.
@@scottingram7634, that and Intro/Sweet Jane!
The saxophone solo on Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" is performed by Ronnie Scott, a jazz musician.
@@robny1461, yeah. I've been suggesting that for awhile now. Hoping they broaden their scope just a lil bit to cover urban stuff. If they did the whole RnR Animal album I think my head would explode. With joy. Like seeing a boy grow up.
@@privatename123 I've actually never listened to that whole album either!
It’s Steely Dan. Smooth and so well produced it makes your ears bleed. Great harmonies. Suitably honest and respectful reaction as well guys
Some of us (Steely Dan fans) can be a bit elitist and condescending about our love for this music, but I think Andy’s the type that can handle it without getting too offended.
I actually do use this song to test new speakers. One of my absolute favorites.
Agree! This album and Dire Straights “Brother in Arms” are the best to test speakers. Still wish I had my family’s ESS speakers. What I heard some of the best albums on.
Listen to this tune again in 15 or 20 years after life gets real for you.
Omg Andy, you’re killing me. Lol It’s my favorite Steely Dan song. I wake up with it in my head on a regular basis. It’s usually my weekend, coffee making, coffee sipping, welcome in the beautiful day song.
Yeah, I think that after hearing this song over many years, this is one that lives in your head. Alex says he loves a good chorus and this one does stick with you.
This does seem to be the greatest difference in A&A ratings of any video I can recall. I think I could have anticipated that -- of all the SD songs they've heard, this is by far the most different in terms of lacking any upbeat chorus and lead guitars (since the saxophone takes the place as the "solo" instrument). I can actually very much see both sides as I prefer upbeat choruses and more rock/pop-oriented music, but I do think the combination of the lyrics and how well the music conveys the mood of the story is truly sublime (and the production/sound quality as good as I've ever heard). Not my favorite Steely Dan, and not even my preferred jazz-oriented SD song, as I prefer the title track on this album. Keep up the great work, guys!
Aint it cool
FINALLY!!! Poor Alex has been tortured!!! The lyrics are so good. "They've got a name for the winners in the world; I want a name when I lose." Now, let's hit a full album reaction with "Aja" and really get into the sauce.
As much as I have pushed for the title track, yes, the album deserves to be heard in order.
YES!
Agreed. Even Home At Last, which never ever gets a mention, is brilliant.
@@triscat Yes! My personal favorite off of this album.
I'm with Alex on this one. A definite S-tier, top notch tune from the Dan. Don't miss out on
some more gems like "Don't Take Me Alive" and "Josie".
Don't forget about "Don't Take Me Alive"..... possibly the best opening guitar solo of ALL time.
Josie, Black Friday, Hatian Divorce, and Showbiz Kids are all bangers that need to be checked out.
:Show business kids makin' movies of themselves. You know they don't give a fuck about anybody else."
So this album they used Wayne Shorter, probably the most important saxophone player in the world at that time, and Ton Scott, the best known session sax player in LA, but on this tune they used a journeyman pickup player, Pete Christlieb. Becker and Fagen went on to produce albums of Christlieb's, monster straight ahead jazz.
Wayne and Joni are EPIC...
Check out Tom Scott's saxophone work on the theme from TAXI DRIVER. Exquisite.
@@robertjewell9727 You're right! Scott has a massive discography.
Pete Christlieb from Johnny Carson’s band.
@@alzucca He was in the Tonight Show band led by Doc Severinsen, yes.
Absolutely love the sax in this song and the way it just floats you along.
Andy, I think you were underwhelmed by Deacon Blues because you have entrenched in your brain the other songs like Peg and Reelin In The Years already.
Back then when the other songs were new, I had already heard them many times, before hearing Deacon and I felt the same way, even though it’s another “Picasso” by Steely Dan.
Every single morning? Dude. You're in The Dan club. The greatness of SD can't be put into words. You get it.
This band was so under appreciated back in the day due to not touring, and due to such amazing musical talent back then. They are musical geniuses!!!
SWEET! I grew in to really appreciating DEACON BLUES and now it is one of my favorite STEELY DAN songs. Hope you get to HEY NINETEEN and DIRTY WORK. Can not have too much STEELY DAN!
I was hoping you guys were saving Deacon Blues for an "Aja" full album reaction.
Steely Dan are the dogs bolocks.! (That’s a compliment in Scotland BTW.)
✌️
NOBODY does production better than Steely Dan.
When you said it wasn’t up there for you in the vocals and it wasn’t as smooth as other Steely Dan songs - THIS is why I love it because it’s raw. It’s him purely singing from the gut and the lyrics almost get caught in the back of his throat which evokes such an emotional response from me the first time I heard it and every time since. It’s a little shaky, and you might not be in the place in life to appreciate that and that’s okay. I loved when you said “give me 10 years”. Anyway, I’m glad you guys covered this song,it’s probably in my top 5 all time favorite songs ever. 💫
Such a great pick to listen to on my birthday. BEST. PRESENT. EVER.!!!!
Steely Dan is one of the few bands that has about a dozen songs that when I hear them I think “that might be my favorite”. And I’m with Alex on this one, just so good!
Loved A&A’s commentary after the song too.
For me that band is Radiohead it always comes down to what kind of mood I am in.
Agreed. Also, I so much respect the honesty of the reviews.
Y'all need to do the Blues Brothers movie. It doesn't get better than Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Cab Calloway, John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Duck Dunn, Steve Cropper, Matt Guitar Murphy, and on and on.
Second that. Too fun, too many greats now gone to miss.
My dad, who passed in 2008, loved The Blues Brothers! He was born in the 20s, so his love for this movie is awesome. My parents moved to Florida after Dad retired from the Police. I would meet them at the parks with my kids. My Dad was so excited and couldn't wait to see their street show. He was a kid at heart. I loved him more than I can say. The best man I ever knew 💜
. Beautiful memory to hold. God bless his souls, God bless you.
@@mark-be9mq Thank you. I have so many great memories of my Dad. He retired as Chief in 1977. When he passed, the police and fire department still called him Chief. God bless you as well
Yes!!!!
Andy, your brain isn't quite wired right. This is a top three of Dandom!
Gotta go with Alex on this one. Hands down, one of the greatest (possibly the greatest) song in a catalogue of dozens of great songs by one of the greatest bands of all time. (The key word here is greatest).
Great song! Great album! ALMOST FAMOUS is a phenomenal movie!!!
Yes and like 90% actually happened to Cameron Crowe.
@@darrens2558 I know the movie so well. Fantastic music throughout the whole movie.🎥
One of my favorite movies EVER!
@@jennhurl Definitely in my top 3!
👉 Steely Dan - Any Major Dude Will Tell You
👉 Joni Mitchell - Edith & The Kingpin
🔥
The live version of the Joni masterpiece, from the Shadows and Lights tour--
"Almost Famous" is one of my
favorite movies of all time! Enjoy!
Me too! Cameron Crowe certainly led an amazing life!
I just watched the 20 year Anniversary special where Cameron Zoomed with Kate, "William", "Russell" & a guy from Rolling Stone. They shared so much about the film!
"Enveloping" ... That is probably the best way to describe most SD songs. Great take Alex!
Enveloping - we heard them use that to describe Supertramp also.
MY God its Steely Dan They are THE best Studio Band EVER
It's about freaking time! 😃 My absolute favorite Steely Dan.
One of the things I love most about Steely Dan personally, is how they do so many unconventional things, like the chord changes, but do them so impeccably, so attractively, that you have to love it. Every song feels like a backwards blindfolded three-point shot.
Takes me back to the 70s in California, listening to radio on a summer day...
I wanna say 1975... Lake LBJ in Texas.. parents stayed in a cabin.. kids (cousins) stayed in a screened in cabana, we played this album over and over.. playing games and listening to Steely Dan after a day of water skiing. Great times indeed.
The Deacon Blues were the Wake Forest football team that list 55 games in a row to The Crimson tide of Alabama.
Hi guys, Nice that you’re still doing Steely Dan, but I’m still waiting to hear Don’t Take Me Alive. I promise it won’t disappoint.
Steely Dan = Unique, phenomenal, one of a kind, impossible to duplicate 💖🖤💖
My favorite Steely Dan song. Rather dark, cryptic lyrics but the music is so soothing. I can still remember driving down the road at night listening to this song in 1979 and just feeling the stress wash away.
That's the year I got my license and finally was able to drive was 1979, and I listened to this song too.
Mine too. It’s like - screw everything I’ll do what I want
@@jeanpotter4603, exactly. It was that period in my life when I felt stress about not meeting the expectations of people around me. I was feeling restless, but unsure of what to do. This song made me think, screw it. I'm doing things my way.
“Aja” is a total blast from the past for me. This song is exceptionally special. In the 70’s I was a limo driver and I lived with another limo driver who was a sax player, who could play as well as Pete Christlieb. Great memories, ‘nuf said. (Yeah, I’m gettin’ old)
I'm with Alex on this one. Deacon Blues is spectacularly cool/smooth and it's a lost-in-sauce for me song. There's a kind of heart about it that I haven't gotten from the other songs. Horns were irresistible. I can totally live in this one!
So glad your guys are hitting the tracks of my life lately. This whole album is a bonafide masterpiece (designed to be heard as an ensemble). This song is a shining example of the term, "Steely Dan Production Values", tippy-top shelf smoothy greatness.
Next - (too many to pick from!)
Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Aja title track
Don't Take Me Alive
Josie
FM
Babylon Sisters
Hey Nineteen
Finalllllllllyyyyyy. Proper tune.
One of my friends has gone by the nickname of Deacon Blues for over 40 years due to this song.
Please do some Boz Scaggs! Lido Shuffle or Lowdown at least.
Loan Me A Dime is a fantastic Boz tune (with Duane Allman on slide as well).
They did Lido Shuffle on Patreon
“Loan me a dime” is definitely the one to listen to. Masterful playing all around. ruclips.net/video/oTFvAvsHC_Y/видео.html
JoJo from 2004 live.....Damn!
The whole Aja album hits the mark! A band that stands apart - exceptional writing, production and execution. Consistently high standards.
Steely Dan has incredible engineering on all of their albums. Love it! Each instrument is so clear. Great writers too.