Happy Friday!! Make sure to VOTE in the poll on our Community Tab!! 🔥 SUPER excited to be checking out more Steely Dan!!! This track was killer!! What’s the next one we gotta do from them?! Cheers friends have a great weekend!!! 🤟🏻🔥
Outstanding song next really needs to be "Deacon Blues" and "Midnight Cruiser." BTW: "white men on the street" talking about coke dealers. "Is there gas in the car? Yes, there's gas in the car." Owsley was busted, because he ran out of gas when he was trying to make his get away.
I’d describe that sentence the same way. Economy is so beautiful in language. Just the right amount and choice of words (like the music we’re hearing).
From Songfacts: This song was inspired by Owsley Stanley III, the first "underground" chemist to mass produce high-quality LSD in the 1960s in San Francisco. Walter Becker explained: "It was kind of an Owsleyesque figure that existed in our mind's eye. I think he was based on the idea of the outlaw-acid-chef of the '60s who had essentially outlived the social context of his specialty but of course he was still an outlaw." According to Donald Fagen, the story in this song takes place from 1968-1976. As time goes on, Charlemagne's services fall out of favor, leading to his demise. Steely Dan favorite Larry Carlton played guitar on this track. Donald Fagen said: "He's a real virtuoso. In my opinion he can get around his instrument better than any studio guitarist. He's also quite a good blues player. He did the solos on 'Kid Charlemagne.' The middle solo he did in two takes and we used parts of both. The last solo was straight improvisation." In a Rolling Stone interview before during Steely Dan's 2009 tour, Becker said that this was their most-requested song, with the line, "Is there gas in the car, yes there's gas in the car" providing a sing-along moment. Said Becker, "A cab driver once told me that that was the stupidest line he's ever heard."
From what I recall from The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, the LSD available at the time was inconsistent home-cooked garbage until Owsley came along, consistently putting out a product with a purity akin to Walter White's blue meth. What a great line in the song, "On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene... but yours was kitchen clean..."
Having dropped purple Owsley in the Haight when I was 12, I can testify that this song is only due justice to the product. It changed my life -- amazingly for the better.
I think these guys are Gen Z. The youngest Millennial is 24. Regardless, it *is* a lovely experience watching young people discover old music and appreciate it.
I'm a Millenial, I'll be 38 in July. I've been listening to Steely Dan for two and half decades. I took my BOOMER PARENTS to see The Dan. My first concert ever was Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. I think a lot of people are confused as to who Millenials are.
if you're asking "is that a bass" to that Stevie Wonder sounding keyboard, that's a Clavinet. Essential accompaniment to any self-respecting Jazz/Funk fusion band :)
@@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny THANK YOU for telling us! I was wondering that for the longest time! I've heard it in this, and I think even "Listen To What The Man Says" by Wings (which honestly A&A should do that song sometime). I thought it was like a Fender Rhodes or something
Larry Carlton's licks are so insane on this track that the brilliant bass work gets overlooked. Legend Chuck Rainey supplies the bass here; Carlton and Rainey jamming together is just masterful.
@@petepower4217 sorry, but this was Bernard Purdie, Gadd played on Gaucho and Aja, but he wasn't on The Royal Scam. Either way, they're both indescribably awesome.
Having someone say, "It's the best guitar solo of all time" is a nearly sure-fire way of ensuring others won't think so. I don't personally agree that any solo could receive such a title but rather the comment, "It's my favorite." Larry Carlton's solo is definitely top shelf. As Tally Kev says below, Rick Beato's analysis of Carlton's solo is a great lesson.
Bryan's absolutely right, Beato's breakdown is so illuminating. I don't play guitar and I learned so much as a listener, so you'll get that much more out of it. ua-cam.com/video/xKIC9zbSJoE/v-deo.html
I saw that Beato video. More like it's one of the best "technical" guitar solos. The best of anything musically is subjective. Everybody has different likes and dislikes.
There are one hell of a lot of people, including me, that think this is the most well-crafted and tasty guitar solo in the history of rock and roll. The way Larry Carlton progresses through the chord changes is frankly phenomenal. Rick Beato has a video about this song and he breaks down every aspect of Carlton's work on this tune. By the way, Rick thinks it's the best ever solo also.
Peg: Jay Graydon Reelin' In The Years: Elliott Randall Kid Charlemagne: Larry Carlton All world-class guitarists. Especially Carlton who was the best session guitarist in the world in the '70s. That is Steely Dan.
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter would have a major claim to the title as session guitarist of the 70's himself. He was one of Steely Dan's favorites, but was also a member of The Doobie Brothers for quite some time. Loved Larry's work with The Crusaders though.
Boys, you definitely need some Steely Dan “Deacon Blues”. It’s smoother than Barry White sliding down an ice luge pouring Courvoisier in a smoking jacket.
This happens to my kids all the time. Ages 28 to 34. They discover something and think they’re he first. About 2 years ago my daughter discovered Pink Floyd. She asked me if I’d ever head of them?😂
I am well over 50 and just a little ashamed to admit I never really got into Steely Dan before, although I've heard & liked their hits since I was old enough to choose the station on the radio. This pandemic gave me the time to listen to music a lot more, one thing led to another, and in the past 2 months or so have become convinced Fagen & Becker are every bit musical geniuses whose songwriting, recordings, and iconic musical style put them them way, *way* up there in 20th century musical history. Listening to their albums now, I feel I'm in the presence of a towering musical intellect. I'm prepared to say their work is up there with Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, even approaching the Lennon/McCartney league. Clearly they love(d) American jazz standards and are writing in appreciation of them (Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Ellington, Basie, Rodgers & Hart et al.) It's a funky sycopated pop full of hooks, gorgeous melodies, narrative lyrics full of astonishing wordplay. Just really superb on so many levels.
I remember when my son asked me if I'd ever heard of Chicago?! I had made sure since he was born to make sure he was introduced to PF, LZ, AC/DC, etc.. but I'd forgotten some of the classic bands. I felled him.
@@zzbear317 Not them, the song is about Owsley Stanley the famous manufacturer of quality LSD who got busted running out of gas when trying to ditch town.
A taxi cab driver asked Walter Becker what he did for a living he said he was a musician. Oh, anything I've heard of? I'm in Steely Dan Oh yeah, well one of your songs has some of the worst lyrics ever Becker was dumbfounded "Really which ones?" "Is there gas in the car, yes there's gas in the car", worst lyrics ever.
Steely Dan is just so damn good-every song is great and original, but with a real Steely Dan style. Jazz/funk/fusion by some of the finest, world-class, musicians.
YES! All time great album. One of the few albums (INXS is another group that has quality albums) that is good from song one on side one to last song on side 2!
I’m a Patreon member here and I just wanted to say that half of the magic of this song, and why it’s so near and dear to many Dan-heads of my age is that they are telling the story of the legendary Owsley who was making some of the BEST LSD on the San Francisco scene during that summer of love. He was the official supplier of the Grateful Dead, and when you hear of people like the Beatles and Dylan, and Grace Slick talking about their “first trips”-it was almost always Owsley’s chemistry skills that they were experiencing. Of course, when Owsley started out, LSD was LEGAL. I lived in Oakland in 66 and there were “happenings” where large groups of hippies would get together, often with the Dead playing as the house band, where the whole point was to experience Owsley’s handiwork together with some mellow music. Anyway, he truly went from being “a champion in their eyes” to an “outlaw in their eyes.” when the made LSD illegal. The lyric “Look at all the white men on the street” referred to all the guys selling the newest drug-cocaine. The solo by Carlton is one of the most complex solos EVER in a rock and roll song. I strongly STRONGLY recommend you watching Rick Beato’s video “What makes this song great” for a serious understanding of the players (legends) gathered for the recording of that song. PS-someone help me here-what’s the name of the song that STARTS with the Carlton solo-is it Don’t Take Me Alive? Also a brilliant example of Carlton’s guitar work. I got to see Carlton, Al Dimeola, and Paco de Lucia play together at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland in about 1980. Amazing doesn’t come close to describing that show. Rock on fellas. I’m happy I became a Patreon member because you fellas are a joy to watch. Semper Fi. Stay well.
When are these boys gonna sit through the 8 minute sonic masterpiece that is “aja”. I need to see their reaction to the Gadd/Shorter combo blessing this track with the greatest drum & saxophone combined solo of all time!
ever notice how the backing vocals are far beyond the typical ooohs and ahhhs of most songs, but they are more like 'characters' involved in the story lines of the songs. another level vocally.
My Old School is soooo slammin',.... to understand how complex and fantastic is it,..watch a cover band WORK HARD to just lay down the entire 'scene',...wow
"My Old School" is deceptively simple, but so complex and deep, the horn section, and the guitar is insanely written...The line: "Oleanders growing outside her door..." gets me every time. Just analyze the lyrics. Captures the college experience with layers of ineffable emotions, melancholy, and wistful, sweet pain. S-tier SD for sure.
The instrument you were hearing when you said ‘is that a bass?’ is the clavinet, which is an electric clavichord. Really popular in the 70s, highlighted on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition,’ Billy Preston’s ‘Outa-Space,’ and many other iconic songs of the decade.
Believe it or not, it used to be used as the theme music for a current affairs show here in Australia during the late 70's or '80's. Even more amazing, so was Jack Bruce's 'Never Tell Your Mother She's Out Of Tune."
I was a senior in high school in 1987 when my buddy’s dad played Steely Dan around us and they have been my favorite band ever since. Seen them live 3 times ! RIP Walter Becker
I too sing that exact line for no particular reason, just love that line. Devoted fan since my Uncle turned me onto the Aja album in my teens. Have not stopped listening and continue to get lost in their music. Rock on all!
Guys, guys, guys! The lyrics to this are epic. You really needed to have the lyrics to it. They're what make the song. Now... Aja, FM (No Static at All), Deacon Blues, Josie, My Old School
The title track of Steely Dan's masterpiece Aja is an epic magnum opus transitioning from phase to phase; its progression defying easy explanation even from the most trained ear. The musical narration incorporates some of the best musical arrangement and musicianship (guitar, saxophone, keyboards and percussion) in jazz rock annals. The lyrics are haunting. (Steve Gadd's drum solo is a revelation.) Aja is an enduring testament to an amazing songwriting duo at the height of their talent.
Great review... btw Rick Beato called this solo the most difficult he's ever heard...not necessarily the best. You want a shredding barn-burner solo from Steely Dan, check out Bodhisattva. Nearly impossible to find duds in the Dan catalog, but i'll suggest Showbiz Kids as one of my least favorites - but even with that one, there's a lot to love about it.
Yes indeed. In additon to the music, it is wonderful how they describe the feelings of the guy in the tower so well. And I dont think they're in any way making heroes of those cowardly jerks who shoot up school children
The solos on Kid Charlemagne GROW on you. I remember the first time hearing it thinking wow great guitar. Now? Damn, now it’s like OMG those solos are ORGASMIC!! BTW, the song is about Owsley Stanley, a maker of high grade LSD. Wiki him. Fascinating guy!! 2nd BTW, Rick Beato has a what makes this song great where he plays the first Larry Carlton solo note-for-note!!! Damned impressive!!!
Really, some of the greatest lyrics of any ballad ever. I know they liked the rhyming, but I wish they'd read up on the story behind it. It's so worthwhile.
@@HenryInHawaii he was the sound engineer for them, as well as other things for them, including being an early financier. He is an extremely interesting guy. Part of Kesey and the electric kool aid acid tests, rumored to be the first guy who gave The Beatles acid, recorder of some of the early Bay area concerts (Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis, Hendrix), etc, etc, etc.
I love that you guys use legit headphones for these reactions! Many of these classic rock artists are the epitome of "headphone music". Dynamics galore! Keep up the great work!
So enjoying watching you get into the music that I first discovered and loved when I was in my teens. I’m 61 now and if you put me on an island and only allowed me music from one band / artist it would be Steely Dan. Their music manages to be so complex and yet also so simple that you are always discovering new sides to it. They truly stand the test of time... Would love to see your reaction to the music of Bruce Cockburn....try ‘ Grim Travellers ‘ ‘ Wondering Where the Lions are ‘ States I’m In ‘ and ‘ If I had a rocket launcher’ to start...
I agree and i will make sure to bring the tshirts!! This group brings me back to 17 plus ➕ and great memories. Love the millennial d7des loving " the Dan"!!
"Haitian Divorce" and "Don't Take Me Alive" will blow you all away! Great character-driven songs that tell unique, bizarre stories. And the solos are impeccable. Check out the Frampton-esque talk-box guitar in the former, especially.
Kid Charlemagne, The Caves of Altamira, and Don’t Take Me Alive are my all time favorite three songs in a row from any album. The ending guitar solo on Kid Charlemagne is devastating, love the brass on Caves (every high school stage or jazz band should play that one), and the guitar riff on Don’t Take Me is also incredible.
My Old School !!! MY OLD SCHOOL! You must do MY OLD SCHOOL! My Old School has insane little guitar solos throughout the entire song, especially during the fade-out @ the end! My Old School invented the word "tasty", dudes!
That guitar play out by Larry Carlton really is the rich tapestry that oozes out of Becker & Fagen extravaganzas. Every album of theirs is delectable in their lavish jazz overtones.
My Old School has my favorite SD solos ever by Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, and it's one of my favorite songs of all time, so hoping you get to that one soon. Bodhisattva, Don't Take Me Alive, and Black Friday would all be my next picks.
I’ve been listening to this song for over 30 years. I love the guitar solo. And I think it’s probably is one of the best. But it’s one of those things that can actually be hidden in plain sight. As great as it is I probably never notice it until the last few years! It grows on you.
The songs about Charles Owsley making acid in his home in the Bay Area when it was still legal . The purple house , then the FBI came and shut it down .
George villarreal Villarreal actually his name is Owsley Stanley and he made the best acid ever, and .... it was legal until it wasn’t. Fascinating dude, use the google machine and learn
Mondegreen I love them both. I think A & A will love the drumming on Aja more than Kid Charlemagne's. Aja has so many things to hear in it, that through several listenings you keep noticing new pieces of the production.
The song Aja was their opus as far as the most musically advanced song they ever produced. It’s one for the drummers. Steve Gadd won Modern Drummers performance of the year with his playing on Aja. My drummer friends and I burned the grooves off of a few copies trying to learn it.
They have so many great songs you could react to whole albums by them and not go wrong. Anything off of "Aja" is incredible: Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Home at Last, Josie. Also FM, Babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, The Royal Scam, Black Friday, Chain Lightning
Don't Take Me Alive is a classic with another great solo, and The Caves of Altamira is one I like a lot. Those two and any of Aja are ones you definitely need to check out, but especially the title track, Deacon Blues, and Home At Last.
It is so much fun to watch you guys discovering songs I first heard when I was about your age. I was 20 for “Kid Charlemagne”. Nobody’s making bad suggestions, but seriously--next should be Bodhissatva, My Old School, Dr. Wu and Black Cow.
I think you’ll be sold on Steely Dan when you listen to “Aja” or “Deacon Blues”, thats what did it for me. The whole album Aja really. But every new song you’ll just appreciate them more, they are just on another level. One of the best ever. Not a bad song in the discography.
Couldn't agree more... Aja is really where it's at...no slight to the rest of the catalog...tough to pick a fav...but Aja makes it on more, start to finish, than most albums in my collection
"Do It again" has one of the best grooves ever, amazing guitar work, amazing percussion and keyboards - just a great piece of work. After that "My Old School" is awesome. Steely has amazing production, they never do anything lazy.
Thank you! The history of lead guitar cannot be written without both Kid Charlemagne solos. Larry is the cleanest guitarist. The solo is amazing based on the chords behind it. Peg and Reeling two other great guitarists. Now listen to Green Earring. Great job. Thanks
Happy Friday!! Make sure to VOTE in the poll on our Community Tab!! 🔥
SUPER excited to be checking out more Steely Dan!!! This track was killer!! What’s the next one we gotta do from them?! Cheers friends have a great weekend!!! 🤟🏻🔥
Outstanding song next really needs to be "Deacon Blues" and "Midnight Cruiser."
BTW: "white men on the street" talking about coke dealers.
"Is there gas in the car? Yes, there's gas in the car." Owsley was busted, because he ran out of gas when he was trying to make his get away.
Love it! Dont Take Me Alive has another great Larry Carlton solo. Rock on!
Gotta do Show Biz Kids next
WHEN ARE YOU GONNA DO "AJA" the song????
Deacon Blues or King of the World. Sooooo many great ones to choose from though!
I love the comment, "Complex but not cluttered", those 4 words epitomize Steely Dan better than any other 4 words could. Good job gentlemen.
Amen to that!
Exactly!
I’d describe that sentence the same way. Economy is so beautiful in language. Just the right amount and choice of words (like the music we’re hearing).
Best way to describe Steely Dan I’ve ever heard.
Well stated. These guys get it. Impressed that they catch the musicianship, lyrics, and subtleties. True Dan fans.
If you've ever picked up an musical instrument, eventually you will worship at the Temple of Steely Dan.
Well said. I'm a sax player who lives to jam along with Steely Dan. Even songs without sax. I'll fit something in.
@@pugman3174 the sax belongs in more music, not less!
Their roster of drummers is f'n unbelievable!!
Once I learned to play "Peg," "Josie," and "Babylon Sisters," I considered myself a decent guitarist (no, I cannot play those leads).
Absolutely. Blessed are Donald and Walter.
From Songfacts: This song was inspired by Owsley Stanley III, the first "underground" chemist to mass produce high-quality LSD in the 1960s in San Francisco. Walter Becker explained: "It was kind of an Owsleyesque figure that existed in our mind's eye. I think he was based on the idea of the outlaw-acid-chef of the '60s who had essentially outlived the social context of his specialty but of course he was still an outlaw." According to Donald Fagen, the story in this song takes place from 1968-1976. As time goes on, Charlemagne's services fall out of favor, leading to his demise. Steely Dan favorite Larry Carlton played guitar on this track. Donald Fagen said: "He's a real virtuoso. In my opinion he can get around his instrument better than any studio guitarist. He's also quite a good blues player. He did the solos on 'Kid Charlemagne.' The middle solo he did in two takes and we used parts of both. The last solo was straight improvisation." In a Rolling Stone interview before during Steely Dan's 2009 tour, Becker said that this was their most-requested song, with the line, "Is there gas in the car, yes there's gas in the car" providing a sing-along moment. Said Becker, "A cab driver once told me that that was the stupidest line he's ever heard."
Cool. Thanks for the information
From what I recall from The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, the LSD available at the time was inconsistent home-cooked garbage until Owsley came along, consistently putting out a product with a purity akin to Walter White's blue meth. What a great line in the song, "On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene... but yours was kitchen clean..."
@@maryannanderson1744 You're welcome Mary Ann.
My favorite Steely Dan
Having dropped purple Owsley in the Haight when I was 12, I can testify that this song is only due justice to the product. It changed my life -- amazingly for the better.
I never would have thought Steely Dan, of all things, would register to Millenials. Perhaps there is hope after all. Tasty indeed.
Makes me very happy to see them so impressed!
I think these guys are Gen Z. The youngest Millennial is 24. Regardless, it *is* a lovely experience watching young people discover old music and appreciate it.
I'm a Millenial, I'll be 38 in July. I've been listening to Steely Dan for two and half decades. I took my BOOMER PARENTS to see The Dan. My first concert ever was Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. I think a lot of people are confused as to who Millenials are.
My Millennial son LOVES it.
I agree!!!
Even after hearing this at least a thousand times, I still get chills.
Absolutely!!!
@@heretohear8662 with you there...
yes, there's gas in the CA-ar!
“Don’t Take Me Alive” should be your next Steely Dan tune.
Same album and more great Carlton guitar work.
My choice also!
Best guitar intro of all time!
Yes yes yes! This is my favorite all time SD song. Please react to Don't Take Me Alive!
My thoughts exactly...got a case of dynamite, I could hold out here all night!
“Home at Last” for the Purdie Shuffle. “Aja” for the amazing saxophone and drum solo.
Yes! "Aja" is still one of my all-time favorite records and "Home at Last" might be my favorite song on it.
@@BlazingKrimson
"Aja" and "Home at Last" are both in my top-10 SD songs.
Indeed! The Purdie shuffle, especially cross reference with Toto’s Roseanna !
"Is that a bass?" Correction, that's Chuck Rainey on the bass. Impeccable, immaculate and funky.
Yup
if you're asking "is that a bass" to that Stevie Wonder sounding keyboard, that's a Clavinet. Essential accompaniment to any self-respecting Jazz/Funk fusion band :)
Chuck on bass and Jeff Porcaro on drums, I think? You won’t find a better rhythm section than that.
@@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny That’s EXACTLY what I was thinking. Literally the Stevie Wonder keyboard sound from his 70s funk songs
@@Sweep_The_Leg_Johnny THANK YOU for telling us! I was wondering that for the longest time! I've heard it in this, and I think even "Listen To What The Man Says" by Wings (which honestly A&A should do that song sometime). I thought it was like a Fender Rhodes or something
Larry Carlton's licks are so insane on this track that the brilliant bass work gets overlooked. Legend Chuck Rainey supplies the bass here; Carlton and Rainey jamming together is just masterful.
Larry Carlton on lead guitar, Bernard Purdue on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass. Three of the all-time greatest. One of my favorite songs ever
The only thing that need be said after this: Larry Carlton.
Steve Gadd laid down the whole track, the feel for this masterpiece. No way Carlton does this without the Gadd influence.
@@petepower4217 sorry, but this was Bernard Purdie, Gadd played on Gaucho and Aja, but he wasn't on The Royal Scam. Either way, they're both indescribably awesome.
Best outro. Ever.
@@davidfrancis273 Yes.
@@petepower4217 Bernard Purdie was the drummer
Steely Dan does it with the best studio musicians in the world. "Aja" amazing drums.
Steve Gadd's drumming in AJA is life-changing. There are 3 sections, but the end when he switches it up to a Samaba beat just defies description.
TRUTH - the drumming IS amazing!
That would be a “correct” Steve Gadd.
M Strut Agree on “Aja” drums!!! Sax work is also incredible!!!
That sax is the legendary Wayne Shorter. Finest, most underrated jazz-pop masterpiece of all time.
Having someone say, "It's the best guitar solo of all time" is a nearly sure-fire way of ensuring others won't think so. I don't personally agree that any solo could receive such a title but rather the comment, "It's my favorite." Larry Carlton's solo is definitely top shelf. As Tally Kev says below, Rick Beato's analysis of Carlton's solo is a great lesson.
Bryan's absolutely right, Beato's breakdown is so illuminating. I don't play guitar and I learned so much as a listener, so you'll get that much more out of it.
ua-cam.com/video/xKIC9zbSJoE/v-deo.html
Comfortably numb deserves the title of best solo
I saw that Beato video. More like it's one of the best "technical" guitar solos. The best of anything musically is subjective. Everybody has different likes and dislikes.
@@SuperWhofan1 Nope. Favorite for you.
Beato does awesome work
"Don't Take Me Alive" has the best guitar intro solo ever, IMO.
Yeah, pure grit from the start!! Love it!!
My opinion exactly. Larry Carlton.
There are one hell of a lot of people, including me, that think this is the most well-crafted and tasty guitar solo in the history of rock and roll. The way Larry Carlton progresses through the chord changes is frankly phenomenal.
Rick Beato has a video about this song and he breaks down every aspect of Carlton's work on this tune. By the way, Rick thinks it's the best ever solo also.
THIS
David Gilmour Comfortably Numb...then maybe this
@@actuariallurker9650 David Gilmour Comfortably Numb then Alex Lifeson La Villa Strangiato...then maybe this
Al di Meola is an acquired taste. Solos like two spiders running over a hot plate. Clean and melodic. Beato interviewed him too
Peg: Jay Graydon
Reelin' In The Years: Elliott Randall
Kid Charlemagne: Larry Carlton
All world-class guitarists. Especially Carlton who was the best session guitarist in the world in the '70s.
That is Steely Dan.
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter would have a major claim to the title as session guitarist of the 70's himself. He was one of Steely Dan's favorites, but was also a member of The Doobie Brothers for quite some time. Loved Larry's work with The Crusaders though.
also jeff baxter, and walter becker played guitar as well...
Denny Dias.
@@gregrambo606 Not just a favourite, he was one of the two original guitar players of the band until Becker and Fagan decided to go studio only.
@@markjf131 yes
This song is about Owsley "the Bear" Stanley legendary Grateful Dead soundman and LSD manufacturer.
Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl.
The Greateful Dead had better stage equipment than the Beatles thanks to Stan’s lsd sales....
And inventor of the stage monitor.
Aahhh I’m trippin!! 😁⚡️🎆✌️👊🇺🇸
Yep. You inversed his name though. Owlsey Stanley.
Boys, you definitely need some Steely Dan “Deacon Blues”. It’s smoother than Barry White sliding down an ice luge pouring Courvoisier in a smoking jacket.
😂
Excellent description and hilarious visual!!!
😂🤣yup😂🤣
deathsurge666 i can totally visualize that!
Yes Right there with you. They Must hear this song.
Jimmy Page called Reelin in the Years his favorite guitar solo of all time.
This happens to my kids all the time. Ages 28 to 34. They discover something and think they’re he first. About 2 years ago my daughter discovered Pink Floyd. She asked me if I’d ever head of them?😂
I am well over 50 and just a little ashamed to admit I never really got into Steely Dan before, although I've heard & liked their hits since I was old enough to choose the station on the radio. This pandemic gave me the time to listen to music a lot more, one thing led to another, and in the past 2 months or so have become convinced Fagen & Becker are every bit musical geniuses whose songwriting, recordings, and iconic musical style put them them way, *way* up there in 20th century musical history. Listening to their albums now, I feel I'm in the presence of a towering musical intellect. I'm prepared to say their work is up there with Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Cat Stevens, even approaching the Lennon/McCartney league. Clearly they love(d) American jazz standards and are writing in appreciation of them (Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Ellington, Basie, Rodgers & Hart et al.)
It's a funky sycopated pop full of hooks, gorgeous melodies, narrative lyrics full of astonishing wordplay. Just really superb on so many levels.
@@GildaLee27 Better late than never
Be cool about it, please. When I asked my dad about music he'd loved since he was young, he laughed at me. It wasn't fun.
I remember when my son asked me if I'd ever heard of Chicago?! I had made sure since he was born to make sure he was introduced to PF, LZ, AC/DC, etc.. but I'd forgotten some of the classic bands. I felled him.
@@steveandme63 He had the joy of discovery. That's a good thing.
"Is there gas in the cah? Yes, there's gas in the cah." D. Fagen is the coolest of the cool.
Nobody cooler than these guys...
So funny, after all these years, that line and the delivery still kills me.
They got busted once for not having gas in their car... true
@@zzbear317 Not them, the song is about Owsley Stanley the famous manufacturer of quality LSD who got busted running out of gas when trying to ditch town.
A taxi cab driver asked Walter Becker what he did for a living he said he was a musician.
Oh, anything I've heard of?
I'm in Steely Dan
Oh yeah, well one of your songs has some of the worst lyrics ever
Becker was dumbfounded "Really which ones?"
"Is there gas in the car, yes there's gas in the car", worst lyrics ever.
"Hey 19" , "FM (no static at all)" and "Deacon Blues" all by Steely Dan .... check them out and I'm sure one of them gets an "S".
yes these!
FM 🙏
Steely Dan is just so damn good-every song is great and original, but with a real Steely Dan style. Jazz/funk/fusion by some of the finest, world-class, musicians.
Exactly. You nailed it.
That solo just keeps growing on you. Stunning to be able to even THINK those notes and then PLAY them to PERFECTION.
To be very honest, this WHOLE ALBUM is fucking awesome. Front to back, I could listen to every song. It is fantastic.
YES! All time great album. One of the few albums (INXS is another group that has quality albums) that is good from song one on side one to last song on side 2!
1979 Parris island, SC. A buddy and I went to a music shop in Beaufort/Port Royal. He suggested this cassette. Best recommendation I ever got.
Which album? Other than Two Against Nature (not for me) they are all stunners
Try “Don’t Take Me Alive” for another of the greatest guitar solos of all time. Same guitar player too - Larry Carlton.
One of the best guitar intros of all time! I love that song!!!
Yessir. See my comment above. A masterpiece.
The intro is pure 🔥...
Don't Take Me Alive is intense, no song like it. Darkness of a killer's mind with a beautiful musical edge from beginning to end.
"Don't Take Me Alive" has the nastiest guitar intro I've ever heard. It'll make your hair stand up.
ES-335 + Fender Champ cranked = sonic heaven!
Agree....great intro and great vocals. The vocal harmonies are great.
Again...Larry Carlton at his very best
Yep ^
And this guitar intro is still making my hair stand up 40 years later. When I first heard it I just could'nt believe it!
I’m a Patreon member here and I just wanted to say that half of the magic of this song, and why it’s so near and dear to many Dan-heads of my age is that they are telling the story of the legendary Owsley who was making some of the BEST LSD on the San Francisco scene during that summer of love. He was the official supplier of the Grateful Dead, and when you hear of people like the Beatles and Dylan, and Grace Slick talking about their “first trips”-it was almost always Owsley’s chemistry skills that they were experiencing. Of course, when Owsley started out, LSD was LEGAL. I lived in Oakland in 66 and there were “happenings” where large groups of hippies would get together, often with the Dead playing as the house band, where the whole point was to experience Owsley’s handiwork together with some mellow music. Anyway, he truly went from being “a champion in their eyes” to an “outlaw in their eyes.” when the made LSD illegal. The lyric “Look at all the white men on the street” referred to all the guys selling the newest drug-cocaine. The solo by Carlton is one of the most complex solos EVER in a rock and roll song. I strongly STRONGLY recommend you watching Rick Beato’s video “What makes this song great” for a serious understanding of the players (legends) gathered for the recording of that song. PS-someone help me here-what’s the name of the song that STARTS with the Carlton solo-is it Don’t Take Me Alive? Also a brilliant example of Carlton’s guitar work. I got to see Carlton, Al Dimeola, and Paco de Lucia play together at the Front Row Theatre in Cleveland in about 1980. Amazing doesn’t come close to describing that show. Rock on fellas. I’m happy I became a Patreon member because you fellas are a joy to watch. Semper Fi. Stay well.
When are these boys gonna sit through the 8 minute sonic masterpiece that is “aja”. I need to see their reaction to the Gadd/Shorter combo blessing this track with the greatest drum & saxophone combined solo of all time!
The "Aja" album was considered Musically perfect. Great album to "stretch out" your home sound system.
Harry J Wells I agree wholeheartedly!
...and don’t wear a Led Zeppelin shirt while reviewing it
I'm drooling for that day as well!
Harry J Wells YES! These guys neeed to go through the “process” and experience the full effect as it was meant to be!!!
ever notice how the backing vocals are far beyond the typical ooohs and ahhhs of most songs, but they are more like 'characters' involved in the story lines of the songs. another level vocally.
I agree. Donald and Walter treated the background vocals like they were their own instrument.
The guitars often seem to be "commenting" after certain lyrics too.
@@appletree6898 yeah, kudos for larry carlton for the conversational, amazing guitar work
“My Old School” for fun and a really big horns section. Beware of another guitar solo fadeout though.
100%, underrated but their best!!
My Old School is soooo slammin',.... to understand how complex and fantastic is it,..watch a cover band WORK HARD to just lay down the entire 'scene',...wow
Hope I could easily list 10 songs by steely Dan that I love, my old school is my favorite!
"My Old School" is deceptively simple, but so complex and deep, the horn section, and the guitar is insanely written...The line: "Oleanders growing outside her door..." gets me every time. Just analyze the lyrics. Captures the college experience with layers of ineffable emotions, melancholy, and wistful, sweet pain. S-tier SD for sure.
The instrument you were hearing when you said ‘is that a bass?’ is the clavinet, which is an electric clavichord. Really popular in the 70s, highlighted on Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition,’ Billy Preston’s ‘Outa-Space,’ and many other iconic songs of the decade.
Steely Dan’s “My Old School” is killer.
An absolute masterpiece. The interplay between drummer Bernard Purdie, bassist Chuck Rainey, and the keyboards is ridiculously sick.
“Don’t Take me Alive”
Same album. Same soloist.
Or Haitian Divorce
My fave SD song Don’t take me Alive. Great solo
Arguably Larry Carlton's best work.
"Don't take me alive" favourite nasty guitar ever. "Hatian Divorce" awesome lyrics and the nicest wah run.
"Bodhisattva" You definitely have to listen to this one next. The guitar work is out of this world. You both will be blown away, I guarantee it!
When I heard some old Les Paul way-ahead-of-his-time work, it sounded like that.
It is GREAT! (Also, the cover by the Stray Cats guy, Brian Setzer, is awesome too.)
Yes...i agree ....one of my favorites
I'll join you as a co-guarantor on "Bodhisattva" - it's outstanding!
Believe it or not, it used to be used as the theme music for a current affairs show here in Australia during the late 70's or '80's. Even more amazing, so was Jack Bruce's 'Never Tell Your Mother She's Out Of Tune."
MY OLD SCHOOL! A great Steely Dan song that you never forget.
-and Larry Carlton the famous session guitarist did the solos here
Mr. 335!
And of course, the legendary rhythm section of Chuck Rainey on bass and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on the drums. GOATs.
I love Larry Carlton. Discovered him in College in the late 70's.
I was a senior in high school in 1987 when my buddy’s dad played Steely Dan around us and they have been my favorite band ever since. Seen them live 3 times ! RIP Walter Becker
Same here. But I remember our baby-sitter bought Aja when it came out. I even remeber the television commercial for that album when it came out.
"Is there gas in the car? Yes there gas in the CAAAR?!"
My friend will sing that out of nowhere and cracks me up every time!
I too sing that exact line for no particular reason, just love that line. Devoted fan since my Uncle turned me onto the Aja album in my teens. Have not stopped listening and continue to get lost in their music. Rock on all!
The lyric is a question and answer. The second part is "Yes, there's gas in the car."
@@tombrearton3435 Right.
There’s no ‘r’ in Donald’s cahhhh.
You asked for it!
Josie
Hey Nineteen
FM
My Old School
Black Cow
Don’t Take Me Alive
Things I Miss the Most
Just some of my favorites.
I’ll second that!!!
Guys, guys, guys! The lyrics to this are epic. You really needed to have the lyrics to it. They're what make the song.
Now... Aja, FM (No Static at All), Deacon Blues, Josie, My Old School
Of all the song recommendations I'm seeing here I agree with yours the most. All great songs. I would also include "Black Cow."
@@bluengrey1 Definitely Black Cow... I forgot Babylon Sisters and Time Out of Mind as well.
Art of Free Speech
Aja. So unique.
Definitely FM
"Hey Nineteen" or anything off of the Aja album that you haven't reacted to yet would be my next recommendation.
Guys you HAVE to review Steely Dan “Aja”, it’ll blow you away.
Ooooohh yes
I don’t think they’ll “get it”.
I do.
I think they'll totally get it.
They started with Peg.
The title track of Steely Dan's masterpiece Aja is an epic magnum opus transitioning from phase to phase; its progression defying easy explanation even from the most trained ear. The musical narration incorporates some of the best musical arrangement and musicianship (guitar, saxophone, keyboards and percussion) in jazz rock annals. The lyrics are haunting. (Steve Gadd's drum solo is a revelation.) Aja is an enduring testament to an amazing songwriting duo at the height of their talent.
Yes! Beautifully expressed!!😊
Weird lyrics??? Check out “Deacon Blues” next! 💯
One of the ultimate "I'm my own man" songs!
Ahhhhhh, a song for the misbegotten. Ummmm.
I love Kid Charlemagne, but Deacon Blues is the best
Killer Steely Dan track with horns: "The Caves of Altamira"
"Caves" opens my Dan playlist for exactly that reason. Those horns just smack you upside the head with the lushness of their sound. ✌
“Is there gas in the car?....yes there’s gas in the car...”. Best lyrics!!!!
My favorite part!!! Lol
that kind of thing is pure Becker
Stanley got busted when he ran out of gas on the highway.
But it's not your caaaar...
Life lesson kids, ALWAYS have at least 1/4 tank
I love how you guys are just now discovering great music. Love the musicianship knowledge you bring to the table.
They had some off of the best lyrics and complex arrangements ever. Fagin is a genious
Same guitarist, Larry Carlton... “Don’t Take Me Alive”. ✌🏼
Great review... btw Rick Beato called this solo the most difficult he's ever heard...not necessarily the best. You want a shredding barn-burner solo from Steely Dan, check out Bodhisattva. Nearly impossible to find duds in the Dan catalog, but i'll suggest Showbiz Kids as one of my least favorites - but even with that one, there's a lot to love about it.
True, dat, but I think My Old School is a better song - more catchy, great horns and great back-up singers.
I was about to mention this too. I'm not a musician, but apparently this is extremely difficult to play (and still awesome!)
@@keithdixon6595 Can't argue with My Old School - love it. But I feel that way about so many of their songs.
I knew this would make your day!! lol. I'm still going with "Do It Again"... Have a great weekend, Kevin! :)
I've been suggesting Bodhisatva for a year!
Ah - Splendid choice. I’ve been waiting for this! Respect guys!
Same!
Have to vote for “My Old School” next. One of the top 50 songs by anyone ever. Guitar, lyrics, everything is top shelf.
I want to restate what another guy suggested below: "Don't Take Me Alive" (off The Royal Scam album). So good. More amazing Larry Carlton guitar work.
Yes!
Yes indeed. In additon to the music, it is wonderful how they describe the feelings of the guy in the tower so well. And I dont think they're in any way making heroes of those cowardly jerks who shoot up school children
My Old School & Bodhisaltva.
Actually listen to the greatest hits album from the 70s. All songs all awesome
The solos on Kid Charlemagne GROW on you. I remember the first time hearing it thinking wow great guitar. Now? Damn, now it’s like OMG those solos are ORGASMIC!!
BTW, the song is about Owsley Stanley, a maker of high grade LSD. Wiki him. Fascinating guy!!
2nd BTW, Rick Beato has a what makes this song great where he plays the first Larry Carlton solo note-for-note!!! Damned impressive!!!
Really, some of the greatest lyrics of any ballad ever. I know they liked the rhyming, but I wish they'd read up on the story behind it. It's so worthwhile.
I'm glad you used the plural on "solos." This has two great guitar solos both that fit the song perfectly and both are very melodic.
Wasn't Stanley the Grateful Deads manager or something like that?
@@HenryInHawaii he was the sound engineer for them, as well as other things for them, including being an early financier.
He is an extremely interesting guy. Part of Kesey and the electric kool aid acid tests, rumored to be the first guy who gave The Beatles acid, recorder of some of the early Bay area concerts (Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Janis, Hendrix), etc, etc, etc.
"Clean this mess up or we'll all end up in jail those test tubes in the scales get them all..outta here"🎸🎸🎸🎧🎧🎧🎼
I love that you guys use legit headphones for these reactions! Many of these classic rock artists are the epitome of "headphone music". Dynamics galore! Keep up the great work!
The Chuck Rainey/Bernard Purdie tandem on The Royal Scam album is the stuff of legend. The sickest pocket ever.
"Haitian Divorce", "Midnight Cruiser, and "Dirty Work" are all great options for more Steely Dan songs.
Haitian Divorce. I second that
@@zzuave2666 .Yes, it tells such a story and the voice box, ala Peter Frampton, gives the song such an edge.
Ditry Work . Yes .
I love midnight Cruiser. What a sense of longing and loss and memories of wonderful late teenage times
I feel like you guys would really enjoy the guitar solo in "My Old School."
Agreed.. “Night by night” has a really tasty solo as well..
Yes! That's my favorite all time SD solo. Tasty. Shit, I'm starting to talk like these dudes.
"Any Major Dude Will Tell You"
Not a heavy rocker, but one of my favorite Dan tunes!
Forgot all about that one💕
"Don't take alive" has one of the best intro's ever done,right up there with lou reed's sweet jane
So enjoying watching you get into the music that I first discovered and loved when I was in my teens. I’m 61 now and if you put me on an island and only allowed me music from one band / artist it would be Steely Dan. Their music manages to be so complex and yet also so simple that you are always discovering new sides to it. They truly stand the test of time...
Would love to see your reaction to the music of Bruce Cockburn....try ‘ Grim Travellers ‘ ‘ Wondering Where the Lions are ‘ States I’m In ‘ and ‘ If I had a rocket launcher’ to start...
I agree and i will make sure to bring the tshirts!! This group brings me back to 17 plus ➕ and great memories. Love the millennial d7des loving " the Dan"!!
“My Old School “ and “Midnight Cruiser” please.
So happy to see Midnight Cruiser show up in some of the comments now!
"Haitian Divorce" and "Don't Take Me Alive" will blow you all away! Great character-driven songs that tell unique, bizarre stories. And the solos are impeccable. Check out the Frampton-esque talk-box guitar in the former, especially.
Don't Take Me Alive is an all time favorite, great suggestion!
The Caves of Altamira #GrosslyUnderrated. :-)
The best solo in any Steely Dan song is Wayne Shorter's tenor solo during Steve Gadd's insane drum break on the title track of "Aja".
100%🤙
i believe carltons solo in this song is better, but the tener solo in Aja and Deacon Blues are close
Oh man! That’s an understatement at best... EPIC!!! (IMO)!!!
Kid Charlemagne, The Caves of Altamira, and Don’t Take Me Alive are my all time favorite three songs in a row from any album. The ending guitar solo on Kid Charlemagne is devastating, love the brass on Caves (every high school stage or jazz band should play that one), and the guitar riff on Don’t Take
Me is also incredible.
The best way I’ve heard it said is “Steely Dan is your favourite band’s favourite band.”
“Complexed but not cluttered” ... it’s gotta be the experience those top notch musicians 🤙🏼
Cheers! 🥃
It’s criminal that you guys haven’t done “Do it again” yet. Second only to reelin in the years commercially. Great song, you guys need to hit it next
My Old School !!! MY OLD SCHOOL! You must do MY OLD SCHOOL! My Old School has insane little guitar solos throughout the entire song, especially during the fade-out @ the end! My Old School invented the word "tasty", dudes!
I agree... and add to that the horn section, and amazing crescendo as the verses go by...
That guitar play out by Larry Carlton really is the rich tapestry that oozes out of Becker & Fagen extravaganzas. Every album of theirs is delectable in their lavish jazz overtones.
This entire album is brilliant.
Don't take me alive, pretzel logic, do it again, my old school, it doesn't matter what you play, it's all great!
Randy Graham - So true my friend.
YES!
My Old School has my favorite SD solos ever by Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter, and it's one of my favorite songs of all time, so hoping you get to that one soon. Bodhisattva, Don't Take Me Alive, and Black Friday would all be my next picks.
I’ve been listening to this song for over 30 years. I love the guitar solo. And I think it’s probably is one of the best. But it’s one of those things that can actually be hidden in plain sight. As great as it is I probably never notice it until the last few years! It grows on you.
Melodic and groovy enough to become a hit, complex and extraordinary enough to make musicians drool and everybody enjoy things over time.
The songs about Charles Owsley making acid in his home in the Bay Area when it was still legal . The purple house , then the FBI came and shut it down .
No it's not
it's about Owsley Stanley
The house on Virginia was green. It's still there, I lived around the corner- this was Berkeley my home town.
George villarreal Villarreal actually his name is Owsley Stanley and he made the best acid ever, and .... it was legal until it wasn’t. Fascinating dude, use the google machine and learn
@@woodydude Augustus Owsley Stanley III, AKA Bear
@@mikegraves9682 Stanley Owsley AKA The Bear.
You should do "Deacon Blues" and/or "Aja" next.
You have great taste! 😂 My two Steely Dan favorites.
Mondegreen I love them both. I think A & A will love the drumming on Aja more than Kid Charlemagne's. Aja has so many things to hear in it, that through several listenings you keep noticing new pieces of the production.
@@Live2swim Have they not done "Aja"???? OMG, I thought they had!
My Old School is another gem from Steely Dan.
YES!!!! Bodhisatva must be next!
greeeat song
Yes please!
Yea I agree
The song Aja was their opus as far as the most musically advanced song they ever produced. It’s one for the drummers. Steve Gadd won Modern Drummers performance of the year with his playing on Aja. My drummer friends and I burned the grooves off of a few copies trying to learn it.
The great Chuck Rainey on bass.
Awesome bass work, I'd never tuned into it before, shame on me.
"Don't Take Me Alive"
"My Old School"
They have so many great songs you could react to whole albums by them and not go wrong. Anything off of "Aja" is incredible: Black Cow, Deacon Blues, Home at Last, Josie. Also FM, Babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, The Royal Scam, Black Friday, Chain Lightning
Don't Take Me Alive is a classic with another great solo, and The Caves of Altamira is one I like a lot. Those two and any of Aja are ones you definitely need to check out, but especially the title track, Deacon Blues, and Home At Last.
It is so much fun to watch you guys discovering songs I first heard when I was about your age. I was 20 for “Kid Charlemagne”. Nobody’s making bad suggestions, but seriously--next should be Bodhissatva, My Old School, Dr. Wu and Black Cow.
If you want to change it up and hear a slower more ballad type song than do "Dirty Work". Great song, but they all are.
"Is that a bass?" That's a Clavinet. Stevie Wonder's weapon of choice on many songs.
Speaking of Stevie Wonder, why doesn't anyone react to his music? Is it copyright problems? He has put out sooooooo many great songs.
I used to own a hohner D6. I'm heel kicking myself in the balls for selling it.
Yeah and with a phaser on it too.
armadillotoe Andy and Alex did a Stevie Wonder reaction to "superstition" on their 50K Sub Stream about a week ago. Timestamp 1:25:25....Enjoy❣️
Stevie Wonder is a must, as well was a creep rabbit hole! He changed my life!
I think you’ll be sold on Steely Dan when you listen to “Aja” or “Deacon Blues”, thats what did it for me. The whole album Aja really. But every new song you’ll just appreciate them more, they are just on another level. One of the best ever. Not a bad song in the discography.
Couldn't agree more... Aja is really where it's at...no slight to the rest of the catalog...tough to pick a fav...but Aja makes it on more, start to finish, than most albums in my collection
To quote one of my favorite songs of theirs - It's perfection and grace, it's the smile on my face
Thanks guys! I highly recommend checking out Rick Beato's breakdown of this song in his "What Makes This Song Great" series.
Have fun!
Bodhisattva please
It's already been mentioned in the comments, but need to push "Bodhisattva." the guitar solos (several) will blow your mind, as will the drumming.
YES!
OMG, I was just thinking that the guitar solo in “Bodhisattva” is insanely great!
"Do It again" has one of the best grooves ever, amazing guitar work, amazing percussion and keyboards - just a great piece of work. After that "My Old School" is awesome. Steely has amazing production, they never do anything lazy.
"Is that a bass?" No. It's a keyboard instrument caller a clavinet.
War Eagle The clav.....the funkiest instrument there is.
I think that's what Stevie Wonder was playing in the song "Superstition" right?
@@aggiejason4305 Yep. That's the one.
Don grolnick on clavinet!
Thank you! The history of lead guitar cannot be written without both Kid Charlemagne solos. Larry is the cleanest guitarist. The solo is amazing based on the chords behind it. Peg and Reeling two other great guitarists. Now listen to Green Earring. Great job. Thanks