This album is a masterpiece. IMO it is the best album they ever did. This song has a brooding almost menacing feel about it. The musical touches throughout this song are the condiments they sprinkle on this awesome track. Enough to add flavour and some spice, but always blended with the other ingredients. Yes, top tier composers, arrangers and musicians.
When I was growing up, Steely Dan was always background music. We like didn't really know what we were listening to. I now see the glory. We scammed ourselves. ha ha LoL I agree with everything you said about this song.💙🎼🎹🎵🎶🎶
Haha, the Royal Scam was on you!! I think they have an asparagus song too 🤣 Glad you liked this one!! You ready for a barrage of groovy 60s goodness? 😁
I knew this would GRAB you! I Love this Album, it's in my top 5. There is just something about this album that hits me uniquely like no other. This Title Track is so good. I got to hear this when it first came out on my brothers high end stereo 4 speaker system. This album deserves to be heard cranked up to get the most from the incredible/impeccable production quality.
Another great choice my friend! This is such an amazing song from an equally amazing album! I LOVE the vibe that Steely Dan exudes!! Always a great listen. 🎧
Thanks! I enjoyed it just a tad....😏 They have sooo much more for me to discover still. You strapped in and ready for a wild ride through the 60s?? I think I compiled a really nice list..spoiler, it's likely gonna be more than 14 songs!!! 😬😀
Royal Scam has always been my favourite SD Album. ‘Kid Charlemagne’, ‘ Caves of Altamira, and ‘Don’t take me alive’ squeeze just above the others but there are no poor tracks
Yes. Masterpiece. High watermark for old school jazz/blues/funk infused rock. Most bands would kill to have just one song of SD's Royal Scam caliber. But here is an album filled with USDA Choice blue ribbon cuts. I like their follow-up Aja album. But the the raw-ness and grit of RS is tops for me. Keep up the good work.
Like Pink Floyd (the other band that has its own genre - often imitated, but NEVER duplicated), every unexpected sound, additional instrument, or effect has a specific purpose, woven expertly into the overall fabric of their music....complexity for a simple reason - the wonderment that permeates the listener. There are still side tunnels to explore with both of these incredible bands - keep digging, and reacting in your outstanding way. Bravo.
A twist at the end of the album, jazz first, then rock for the Dan(versus the usual trying to roughly balance the two). Lyrically, it is primarily a commentary about immigrants coming to America from Puerto Rico ( the city of Saint John = San Juan). But, as with all Steely Dan songs, YMMV as to lyric interpretation. Musically this can be viewed as the gateway to the " Aja " album(emphasis of jazz first)
Oh good. My favorite! But what will Monsieur think??? Methinks love. I was right! That was a Steinway grand piano making that awesome sound, I'm pretty sure. It is a different animal.
Yes, I think you know my musical taste well by now! 😀 Yea, definitely piano on relisten, maybe a phaser effect added to throw me off haha.. Thanks for watching!
Nice reaction here Brandon. Steeley Dan always blow a little hot and cold for me, but this was a nice track I’d not heard before and enjoyed it. Well presented my friend and put together. All the best. Dave✅✅
Probably the best overall SD album. You won’t go wrong listening to anything else from “The Royal Scam.” I don’t think you’ve done “Green Earrings” yet. You should.
For any other band "musical perfection", for Steely Dan "just another song". 😎 Jokes aside yeah great song, maybe 2nd favourite after 'Kid Charlemagne' on this album. Speaking of this great album... you you need to hear 'The Fez'. You'll never wanna do it without the fez on okay? 😉
Do yourself a favor and listen to the whole record. Preferably with headphones very loudly! Kid C is the opener and this song is the closer and in between it’s packed with banger after banger. Most hardcore Dan fans consider it their best album as do I. Aja and Gaucho are amazing of course but Scam has an edge to it their other records don’t have. It’s a perfect mix of jazz and rock
Don't know if that picture is actually of any real place, but it matched the vision I had in my head of the dark desolate reality of that false American dream in the song....
STEELY DAN dedicated itself to making rock in the manner of the early West Coast psychedelic-folk-jazz bands, attempting to reproduce the same type of orchestration and sound. Giving this objective is not a fault in itself; far from there. I like psych music (and stoner rock, later in its wake) produced between '65 and early '72. How could any rock fan who gets high enough to send you into a zone of enlightenment not appreciate the compositions of GRATEFUL DEAD, COUNTRY JOE AND THE FISH, 13TH FLOOR ELEVATOR, LOVE, SYD BARRETT or SMALL FACES, to take what are these six examples? But when I listen to STEELY DAN, I have the strange impression of hearing "as if"; a forced aggregation of musical genres from the "Peace and Love" years... minus the soul. In short, it vibrates false. Also, regarding STEELY DAN's discography, I must say that I have always had difficulty understanding the great irregularity of the quality of their compositions. That we produce an album as formidable as "Aja" (1977) only one year after releasing an album as ordinary as "The Royal Scam" (1976), that concerns me... even if I recognize it as a beautiful guitar performance. That said, the final composition ("The Royal Scam"), which gave its name to the album, is by far the most interesting and creative. Good choice. But advice to the die-hard STEELY DAN fans, that's just my opinion, nothing more. Thanks.
A brooding haphazard musical journey with zero redemption, hopelessly yet funkily pounding at my very soul... Thanks for watching! 🥰
Keep going back and forward to and fro wit this and AJA
need to react to glamour profession on the gaucho album or the whole album steely dan
This album is a masterpiece. IMO it is the best album they ever did. This song has a brooding almost menacing feel about it. The musical touches throughout this song are the condiments they sprinkle on this awesome track. Enough to add flavour and some spice, but always blended with the other ingredients. Yes, top tier composers, arrangers and musicians.
Excited to hear the rest! Well said....now I'm hungry LOL...
When I was growing up, Steely Dan was always background music. We like didn't really know what we were listening to. I now see the glory. We scammed ourselves. ha ha LoL I agree with everything you said about this song.💙🎼🎹🎵🎶🎶
Haha, the Royal Scam was on you!! I think they have an asparagus song too 🤣 Glad you liked this one!! You ready for a barrage of groovy 60s goodness? 😁
Are you kidding me? YES I am ready!!
Woohoo!! Should be a fun and interesting week!
👍
I knew this would GRAB you! I Love this Album, it's in my top 5. There is just something about this album that hits me uniquely like no other. This Title Track is so good. I got to hear this when
it first came out on my brothers high end stereo 4 speaker system. This album deserves to be heard cranked up to get the most from the incredible/impeccable production quality.
Gary Katz produced all the albums in their heyday and he was so, so good.
Grabbed and shook and slammed my soul to the ground (all in a good way haha)! Yes, the louder the better! Thanks so much for watching Michael!
Another great choice my friend! This is such an amazing song from an equally amazing album! I LOVE the vibe that Steely Dan exudes!! Always a great listen. 🎧
Thanks! I enjoyed it just a tad....😏 They have sooo much more for me to discover still. You strapped in and ready for a wild ride through the 60s?? I think I compiled a really nice list..spoiler, it's likely gonna be more than 14 songs!!! 😬😀
A great album closer, setting us up for their next album.Great reaction,
Thanks Andy, and thanks for being first today! 🥇
Royal Scam has always been my favourite SD Album. ‘Kid Charlemagne’, ‘ Caves of Altamira, and ‘Don’t take me alive’ squeeze just above the others but there are no poor tracks
Hello! Loved Kid, excited for Caves for sure. I wonder if it's really about what I read it's about.....haha
best album every single song
I just know it! LOVE the Dan....Thank you so much for watching Jamie!
One of many highlights from my favourite Steely Dan album
Hi Kevin! I can see why it's your favorite SD album. This song alone blew me away as you saw... thanks for tuning in!
@@retroreactions.... Your welcome. Yes its a real highlight of the album
this is such a great song and such a great album. i've seen steely dan twice and both concerts were absolutely amazing.
Hello. So lucky! Never saw them live but so happy to be discovering their amazing music finally! Thanks
hmmm, never really knew the meaning of the lyrics. A bit of a revelation. Definitely one of my favorites of theirs.
Yes. Masterpiece. High watermark for old school jazz/blues/funk infused rock. Most bands would kill to have just one song of SD's Royal Scam caliber. But here is an album filled with USDA Choice blue ribbon cuts. I like their follow-up Aja album. But the the raw-ness and grit of RS is tops for me. Keep up the good work.
Amazing music! Thanks for watching and for the kind words!!
Like Pink Floyd (the other band that has its own genre - often imitated, but NEVER duplicated), every unexpected sound, additional instrument, or effect has a specific purpose, woven expertly into the overall fabric of their music....complexity for a simple reason - the wonderment that permeates the listener. There are still side tunnels to explore with both of these incredible bands - keep digging, and reacting in your outstanding way. Bravo.
Thanks bud, I want to hear everything from The Dan!!
Great band great album,the 70's a magic time for music.
A twist at the end of the album, jazz first, then rock for the Dan(versus the usual trying to roughly balance the two). Lyrically, it is primarily a commentary about immigrants coming to America from Puerto Rico ( the city of Saint John = San Juan). But, as with all Steely Dan songs, YMMV as to lyric interpretation. Musically this can be viewed as the gateway to the " Aja " album(emphasis of jazz first)
Hello. What a song! Ah, Aja came next...excited to finish up that album too!
A haunting and musically chunky number from the Dan. Definitely a favorite.
Tremendous tune from the Great Steely Dan as always💫❤️☝️ thanks for the reaction Brandon ☝️
You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Oh good. My favorite! But what will Monsieur think??? Methinks love.
I was right! That was a Steinway grand piano making that awesome sound, I'm pretty sure. It is a different animal.
Yes, I think you know my musical taste well by now! 😀 Yea, definitely piano on relisten, maybe a phaser effect added to throw me off haha.. Thanks for watching!
Another classic masterpiece from SD. Hello Brandon!
Pommie!! Hello 🙂 Just in love with this cool dark song already... Thanks so much for tuning in. Hope all is well!
Nice reaction here Brandon. Steeley Dan always blow a little hot and cold for me, but this was a nice track I’d not heard before and enjoyed it. Well presented my friend and put together. All the best. Dave✅✅
SD blows hot and cold? I do not think I have ever heard anyone say something like that about them. What tracks do not do it for you out of interest?
Thanks Dave. Glad you liked this one! Appreciate your support as always..
Really enjoyed your reaction and analysis. Kind of feels a bit like a Pink Floyd song. The background graphic is great.
Thank you so much! I love choosing my daily backgrounds...
Specifically, it’s a big metaphor for the Puerto Rican immigration experience. St. John = San Juan
A fantastic review sir. The Spectacular music production of SD - there nothing quite like the DAN. Donald's voice is so unique and simply incredible.
Producer is Gary Katz - amazing!
Thank you so much! Yes and happy any time I get to travel down the Steely Dan Highway- always the BEST journey! Thanks for watching 🙂
Incredible end to a fantastic album! 🤩
One of my favorites as well !
Awesome, you have great taste LOL....thanks so much for stopping by today!
Probably the best overall SD album. You won’t go wrong listening to anything else from “The Royal Scam.” I don’t think you’ve done “Green Earrings” yet. You should.
Oh believe me I will eventually. Will almost certainly do their full catalog on the channel...thanks!
There is NO equivalent to Steely Dan.
'from the beginning' by Emerson,, Lake & Palmer's awfully good.
Agree 100% I have already reacted to that one. Let me know if you'd like the link...thanks
For any other band "musical perfection", for Steely Dan "just another song". 😎
Jokes aside yeah great song, maybe 2nd favourite after 'Kid Charlemagne' on this album. Speaking of this great album... you you need to hear 'The Fez'.
You'll never wanna do it without the fez on okay? 😉
Absolutely no clue what the fez might be 🤣😂
I’m not familiar with this album except for King Charlemagne. This cut is amazingly cool! 🤘😁
I thought you'd like it! Even some cool bass amongst all the awesome instrumentation!
Do yourself a favor and listen to the whole record. Preferably with headphones very loudly! Kid C is the opener and this song is the closer and in between it’s packed with banger after banger. Most hardcore Dan fans consider it their best album as do I. Aja and Gaucho are amazing of course but Scam has an edge to it their other records don’t have. It’s a perfect mix of jazz and rock
Definitely will. I did react to Kid C in case you missed: ruclips.net/video/9F2yR9W7j1U/видео.html
What the "Bleep" is that behind you? Dresden circa 1945?
Don't know if that picture is actually of any real place, but it matched the vision I had in my head of the dark desolate reality of that false American dream in the song....
@@retroreactions.... Very appropriate.
checkout King of the World...
...
Yes!!!!
Adding it to my list!
STEELY DAN dedicated itself to making rock in the manner of the early West Coast psychedelic-folk-jazz bands, attempting to reproduce the same type of orchestration and sound. Giving this objective is not a fault in itself; far from there.
I like psych music (and stoner rock, later in its wake) produced between '65 and early '72. How could any rock fan who gets high enough to send you into a zone of enlightenment not appreciate the compositions of GRATEFUL DEAD, COUNTRY JOE AND THE FISH, 13TH FLOOR ELEVATOR, LOVE, SYD BARRETT or SMALL FACES, to take what are these six examples? But when I listen to STEELY DAN, I have the strange impression of hearing "as if"; a forced aggregation of musical genres from the "Peace and Love" years... minus the soul. In short, it vibrates false.
Also, regarding STEELY DAN's discography, I must say that I have always had difficulty understanding the great irregularity of the quality of their compositions. That we produce an album as formidable as "Aja" (1977) only one year after releasing an album as ordinary as "The Royal Scam" (1976), that concerns me... even if I recognize it as a beautiful guitar performance. That said, the final composition ("The Royal Scam"), which gave its name to the album, is by far the most interesting and creative. Good choice.
But advice to the die-hard STEELY DAN fans, that's just my opinion, nothing more.
Thanks.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
This song does not get the attention it deserves!