A Steely Dan Marathon? Hmmm.. ABSOLUTELY! After the disappointing Led Zeppelin marathon, you guys need a palette cleanser. And that is coming from a Led Zeppelin fan. 😎
@@patjudd7914 Absolutely!! That of course is a follow-up to what everyone has been saying since Neil Peart's passing. About favorite drummers. Though Steve Gadd, who worked on many a Steely Dan song, is certainly no slouch.
This is so precious! I am an old white lady who was into Steely Dan back in the day. So great to hear a new generation enjoying it. I love it. Answers to your questions.: A Black Cow is a sweet soda fountain drink mixing either root beer or cola with milk. I think this implies that the person the singer is talking about is young and female. Not a real "manly" drink. Steely Dan was two dudes but had a lot of studio musicians added in. Becker was the guitarist. Fagan was the keyboards. Dude named Skunk Baxter did a lot of that awesome sax work. Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers did a lot of the vocals on that album. They were a force of nature. Unfortunately Becker is no longer with us.
Couple of corrections. Walter Becker played bass more than guitar (but he did play guitar, too), and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter plays guitar, not sax. The last time I saw Steely Dan perform was just a couple of months after Becker passed; Donald Fagan paused after a few songs and admitted to the crowd that it was weird performing without his musical partner of fifty years, but it wasn't going to keep him from putting on a show, which he (and the band) did. It was one of the best live shows I've ever been to.
@@markpowers7779 You'll love this; Skunk played sax too, LOL. I don't know if that is him but he definitley plays sax too. But hard to get past that guitar playing to care about his sax chops. He did some on stage when he was touring with them. I've seen it on video on the documentary of the Doobie Brothers. He played it on stage when he was a Doobie.
@@TonyTheBassPlayer1 How about that! Now I'm thinking that I might remember seeing him play sax, but it could just be the power of suggestion. At any rate, thanks for the correction. I hate to pass on bad information.
Gary Katz' name needs to be mentioned more often, though...people always leave him out of the equation. Probably the greatest collection of mic's in the business. And he knew how to mix.
Black Cow is indeed a drink. I'm a 60 year old Black female and Steely Dan was the SHIZNITZ when I was a teenager and beyond. One of the greatest bands of ALL time!
Root beer, float chocolate syrup, whipped cream, bourbon, or Kahlúa if you turn it into a mixed drink…. White Russian Was tequila, Kahlúa and milk/cream I preferred it just Kahlúa and cream .. looks like taste like chocolate milk lust the name black cow
Aja as in "Asia" You never did this song before? Fellas, welcome to the deep rabbit hole that is Steely Dan, Kings Of The Groove. Even the way these guys got their name is clever, funny, and ironic. If possible always have SD's lyrics handy. So, the story, as I see it. What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. At that time the lower class pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th ave down to 42nd, down to 7th ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. In the song he remains her home base that she brings her troubles and problematic life back to every night. He keeps asking her to break away but it just seems she can't. He is a man hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Peg", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", "Green Earrings", "The Fez", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. Try "The Fez" and "Kid Charlemagne" next and go from there.
4 роки тому+2
It's been a few years since I've scoured the web trying to find the meaning in the lyrics. This is the most informative and plausible explanation I've read. Thanks!
@@marvinnorstrom2636 Except they say they're at Rudy's, which is a famous bar. SupaSoul already gave you the recipe. It also says she's high and that she'll stagger home. But you stick with the soda fountain thing...
@@independenceltd. Donald's on record saying its an ice cream float mayne. Check out their classic albums documentary on youtube if youre interested in the source.
Steely Dan was totally different than anyone else in the 1970s. They were the funk/soul/jazz/rock combination that you never knew you needed until you heard them for the first time. Smooth, expertly produced and every musician that played with them was always a master.
Love this album. When I took my first audio engineering class, the instructor made us listen to this whole album the first day of class. He said this was the pinnacle of sound engineering. Home At Last is my jam.
The second time I watched this, I hit pause and was like "Alexa, play 'Uptown, Baby' by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunzs." That's one of the unexpected benefits of your reactions, guys. The almighty cross-reference, bringing us all together, in the same pocket.
I'm a true hip hop head, and truly love and appreciate Steely Dan. Got to see them 2 years ago before Walter Becker one of the founding members passed away. Perfect work or drinking music. Peace my brothers.
Indeed RIP Walter; saw Donald and Walter at the Minnesota State Fair in 2011 and they played through a pouring rain! We and the other audience members were covering ourselves garbage bags and clear tarp to stay dry! Fantastic set, soaked to the bones but no regrets and they sounded amazing!
In the 10 day challenge of albums that affected your musical taste/upbringing, this album was #1 on my list. I can't wait until they hear the title track.
As far as Steely Dan goes, he rocks! Dirty work is and always has been my favorite , it takes me back with such warm good feelings. Enjoy, oh, you guys crack me up!! Love ya
Some notes here: -Steely Dan are Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They met at Bard College in 1967. -Although just a two piece outfit, they have a vast knowledge of music. -They are perfectionists who know what they want out of other musicians. Steely Dan often used not just any session musicians, but the best that they could find. -It was not uncommon for Becker & Fagen to listen to hours of takes for a guitar solo or section before they got what they wanted, with exhausted sessions musicians crawling out of the studio. -A “Black Cow” is either an ice cream float with coke and chocolate ice cream or (more likely in this song) an alcoholic drink made with Kahlua, half and half, and coke. -The meaning of this song has been debated, although most listeners agree that it’s about a guy seeing his cheating gf in a bar and telling her off. It gets really cheeky when listeners think about who she has been cheating with. What kind of individual does big black cow remind you of?
They got “Steely Dan” from the name of a dildo in a William Burroughs book. And they hired the absolute best session musicians. Sometimes they’d get 4 or 5 different ones to play the same part or solo and pick the best one. They are super bright, super creative, and super perfectionists.
There is a story that they actually were on their way back cross-country by jet, because they listened to one of the tracks, didn't like the way it sounded and contacted one of the musicians and had him redo it, just to make sure it was right
They DEFINITELY need to react to Aja! I've been a SD fan since the 70's, have seen them in concert 6 times and Aja is my #1 SD song of all time. THEY. WILL. LOSE. THEIR. SHIT.
I'm a boomer jazz musician. I bought the vinyl. This band transported me. Black music - The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Miles. White dudes - Chicago, Steely, Zappa. I didn't think about it at the time. But now, I realize that music was bringing people together in a beautiful, natural way. I pray that the current events won't destroy that simpatico. Music, after all, is a universal language... we need our poets and tunesmiths to help us untangle all the anger and confusion. Bless you all.
How true, how true. Saw most of the bands above, especially Zappa. The writing and musicianship take you to another dimension. Today, that's a good thing. LOL
MetalJames1282 - I can’t think of a song I don’t like by Steely Dan, but one of my favorites is “Don’t take me Alive“. I think it’s about the Unabomber, “I see you out there with rage in your eyes, and your megaphones. Saying: All is forgiven, Mad dog surrender”.
I actually like the one they hated song called DALLAS ..I was listen to it last night sitting outside around midnight on my cassette boom box ,it sounded great..
The discography should also include the solo albums Donald Fagen has released. Morph the Cat is my favorite but the others are also worth checking out.
Steely Dan is the shit!!!!! Y’all should definitely do more from the classic discography. Peace!!...Peter Gunn and Lord Tariq got the shit sued out of them for using that sample.
I like when you guys point out hip-hop similarities or samples, nothing wrong with giving some info to the viewers that might not be familiar with rap culture
Growing up in New England (my father was Air Force so we moved around a lot) a black cow was a root beer float but with coca cola instead of root beer. A mighty fine drink. Nice reaction, what a pleasure to have this song as your introduction to Steely Dan. Welcome to the club.
Hey guys in one of his documentaries Donald Fagan said by the late 60s there was something missing for him in the music on the radio. He said what was missing was black music, specifically R&B. So your dead on when you say this sounds like R&B. By the way, if you haven't already figured out, Donald Fagan is a stone cold musical genius! Walter Becker it too in his own right. RIP Walter!
Credit to whoever was in charge of engineering, producing and recording the albums as well because they sound like they could have been recorded in the 90s or later as far as fidelity goes.
EXCELLENT! I was 20 when this record came out and had been listening to Steely Dan for 6 years! Was a fan since the beginning. So gratifying to see people discovering them for the first time!
This makes me so happy! My mother raised me on a steady diet of R&B and Rock and Roll. Steely Dan was always at the center of it. Great brass... They are phenomenal musicians. Their lyrics always tell a unique story. A beautiful blend of Rhythm and rock and roll! I just became your biggest fan for playing this song. 🤩
How many people do you need to make it a marathon? C’mon now, do the right thing. Hit us up with that Steely Dan marathon! Do it for Steely, do it for Dan!
I would LOVE to see a Steely Dan marathon on Patreon!! You will love every song. Their albums are deep with great songs! This is their sound..so smooth! Grown folks music!
You're in for a LONG, SATISFYING ride if you journey down Steely Dan's endless road of iconic music. It reminds me of the time this guy told me he just started watching "The Wire," years after it ended. I was so jealous, wishing I could experience that again for the first time. Go down that road, you will be glad you did. Josie, Hey Nineteen, Kid Charlemagne, Dirty Work, Reeling in the Years, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Any Major Dude will Tell You
Old white guy, totally into R&B, jazz, and soul back in the day, loving to hear the new generation getting into my record collection. Me getting into introduced to rap and hip-hop the same way? Not gonna be able to do it, so I salute your courage... and your reaction.
I've been listening to SD for 50 years, hard, and have narrowed their catalog down to only 65 songs, in my Spotify library. Every one of them is one of the best songs I've ever heard. 65 of the best songs I've ever heard. One duo. There isn't anything close. A marathon would be awesome. You guys would love it as much as we would. Y'all make me love this stuff even more. Thanks for the very positive entertainment.
Kid Charlemagne, off of the Royal Scam album is very much the quintessential song of this era. The entire album is beyond amazing. Larry Carlton on the lead guitar and Bernard Purdie on the drums makes it such reminiscing moments from my father playing this in my childhood.
"Josie" off Aja "Night By Night" off Pretzel Logic, I think you'd dig how funky it is "Pretzel Logic" is a super soulful jam, I love the groove "Kid Charlemagne" "Only a Fool Would Say That" "Reelin' in the Years"
There's not a bad song on that album. "Aja" (as in Asia) is my favorite track, but you'd like Deacon Blues too, it's basically about being a jazz musician.
I was about 10 when this came out, and i was a guitarist.....This sounded so ssslick , jazzy and " New York City" to a west coast kid, ..as i grew a little older and started really listening, I realized these arent quite as "Happy" songs as I first thought
@@johnsarli6788 Well this song is about Walter Becker's junkie girlfriend Karen Stanley.Her family sued him for wrongful death damages after she overdosed.
No one will mention this song but ""Caves of Altermira" is such a B side hit you'd blow everyone's mind as its not one of there mainstream hits. Definitely consider it in your marathon
Several members of Toto played on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album, precisely because they were all outstanding and well I respected session musicians.
Although Steely Dan's music was rooted in jazz and blues, the band's name came from a literary source--Edgar Burroughs' novel "Naked Lunch," which made mention of a "steely dan," a steam-powered adult toy.
The reaction to Steely Dan is going to surprise these guys. They're in for a ride. Steely Dan is the shit. I'm into Opeth, Tool, Gojira, lamb of God and Steely Dan. They are mind benders.
"Do It Again" is a song by American jazz-rock group Steely Dan that was released as a single from their debut 1972 album "Can't Buy A Thrill". The single version differed from the album version, shortening the intro, outro and two instrumental sections of the song.
I'm definitely in for a Steely Dan marathon. Deacon Blues, Do It Again, Hey 19, Reeling in the Years... They have so many good songs. PS, please get back to Stoner Rock some time soon!
This made my night!!! I just recently got turned onto Steely Dan and it’s been a life changer 👌🏻🔥 MARATHON MARATHON MARATHON Home At Last! Deacon Blues. Do It Again. Bad Sneakers.
The album is pronounced “Asia” like the continent. This album is considered to be so technically PERFECT, that sound specialist and audiologists utilize it to test sound and audio equipment. You’d do yourself a favor listening to the entire thing.
LaMonica Williams Hard to believe they haven’t heard Aja until now. Wow. Steely Dan are galaxies better than their contemporaries. Aja ALONE, is a masterpiece!
You guys should do some Dead Kennedys. They're hardcore punk so they have a lot of energy and an aggressive sound but their lyrics are almost prophetic and full of cutting edge (even today) social commentary. I'd recommend "Holiday in Cambodia" or "Well Paid Scientist".
If your question is, "Should we do a Steely Dan marathon?", the answer is always yes.
I read that like Winston in Ghostbusters and made it 10000% better. “When someone asks you if you’re a god, you say YES.”
YES
abombthecat it. Is. Necessary
Always.
A Steely Dan Marathon? Hmmm..
ABSOLUTELY!
After the disappointing Led Zeppelin marathon, you guys need a palette cleanser. And that is coming from a Led Zeppelin fan. 😎
Steely Dan is your favorite band’s favorite band.
That'd be Rush.
@@patjudd7914 Absolutely!! That of course is a follow-up to what everyone has been saying since Neil Peart's passing. About favorite drummers. Though Steve Gadd, who worked on many a Steely Dan song, is certainly no slouch.
Yup, any respectable musician knows Steely Dan's catalog inside and out.
lol love it.
Pat Judd o mm
The AJA album IS playlist, from start to finish. Flawless.
100%
It's my "stuck on a deserted island" album.
Yes
Flawless from start to finish, timeless!!
shit dude, AJA, The Royal Scam, Guacho, Katy Lied -- ALL damn near flawless albums to me.
This is so precious! I am an old white lady who was into Steely Dan back in the day. So great to hear a new generation enjoying it. I love it.
Answers to your questions.:
A Black Cow is a sweet soda fountain drink mixing either root beer or cola with milk. I think this implies that the person the singer is talking about is young and female. Not a real "manly" drink.
Steely Dan was two dudes but had a lot of studio musicians added in. Becker was the guitarist. Fagan was the keyboards. Dude named Skunk Baxter did a lot of that awesome sax work. Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers did a lot of the vocals on that album.
They were a force of nature. Unfortunately Becker is no longer with us.
Couple of corrections. Walter Becker played bass more than guitar (but he did play guitar, too), and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter plays guitar, not sax. The last time I saw Steely Dan perform was just a couple of months after Becker passed; Donald Fagan paused after a few songs and admitted to the crowd that it was weird performing without his musical partner of fifty years, but it wasn't going to keep him from putting on a show, which he (and the band) did. It was one of the best live shows I've ever been to.
There's another drink with Kahlua, half and half and Coca Cola, with the name Black Cow
@@markpowers7779 You'll love this; Skunk played sax too, LOL. I don't know if that is him but he definitley plays sax too. But hard to get past that guitar playing to care about his sax chops. He did some on stage when he was touring with them. I've seen it on video on the documentary of the Doobie Brothers. He played it on stage when he was a Doobie.
Were you that foxey chick I was doing cocaine on the Album cover with in hollywood???
@@TonyTheBassPlayer1 How about that! Now I'm thinking that I might remember seeing him play sax, but it could just be the power of suggestion. At any rate, thanks for the correction. I hate to pass on bad information.
If you like any Steely Dan song, then you'll probably like every other Steely Dan song.
So true. Not a bad song in the catalog.
especially Aja, it's one of those rare 10/10 albums
Exactly
PREACH!
That’s true. I listened in the last 70s and I still listen today.
Aja is the legendary “test your sound system”, of any scale, album of all time. God bless their stubborn and relentless professionalism.
My dad worked at a stereo store back then. They had a sign on the wall that read "Play Aja, sell stereos"
Absolutely! Freaking "hifi"
Going to Radio SHACK and playing this on the HI FI was like going to Guitar center and playing Stairway!
Gary Katz' name needs to be mentioned more often, though...people always leave him out of the equation. Probably the greatest collection of mic's in the business. And he knew how to mix.
Perfect comment to sum them up.
the whole “Aja” album is fire... do the whole album..
absolutely do the whole album. and u can google where they got their name.
YES!
i mean they already did the opening track and loved it
First album I ever got on vinyl... easily my favorite album I own.
so much YES to this
Black Cow is indeed a drink. I'm a 60 year old Black female and Steely Dan was the SHIZNITZ when I was a teenager and beyond. One of the greatest bands of ALL time!
I grew up on this and, not one single person could tell me what in the world it was... 😅😅 Thank you for the clairification..
Root beer, float chocolate syrup, whipped cream, bourbon, or Kahlúa if you turn it into a mixed drink….
White Russian
Was tequila, Kahlúa and milk/cream
I preferred it just Kahlúa and cream .. looks like taste like chocolate milk lust the name black cow
Boys you have just scratched the surface of Steely Dan....your world just got a whole lot better
The Dan rabbit hole is the most seductive of them all.
Aja as in "Asia" You never did this song before? Fellas, welcome to the deep rabbit hole that is Steely Dan, Kings Of The Groove. Even the way these guys got their name is clever, funny, and ironic. If possible always have SD's lyrics handy. So, the story, as I see it.
What is a Black Cow? It's basically a root beer float using Kahlua. The adult version however uses bourbon. Rudy's (Bar and Grill) still exists here in NYC on 9th ave between 44th and 45th. Then and now it is essentially a dive bar. In the 70's 42nd St was a hub for pro's and johns, and Rudy's was often where pro's, musicians, artists, and actors would mingle. On the bar when he sees her are her remedies (alcohol and drugs), and her book of numbers, so she was more a high priced pro. At that time the lower class pros also strolled from 26th and 11th ave to the Javits Center on 34th and 11th ave down to 42nd, down to 7th ave. There were many on the east side on Greene St from Houston to Spring St as well. In the song he remains her home base that she brings her troubles and problematic life back to every night. He keeps asking her to break away but it just seems she can't. He is a man hopelessly in love with a prostitute that cannot change her ways, and his many attempts to change her have proven fruitless. My favorites by them are "Kid Charlemagne", "Aja", "Peg", "Deacon Blues", the entire "Aja" album, "Hey Nineteen", "Peg", "Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "Babylon Sisters", "Dirty Work", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Don't Take Me Alive", "My Old School", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", "Green Earrings", "The Fez", and "Doctor WU. There are more because there's really no bad Steely Dan song. Try "The Fez" and "Kid Charlemagne" next and go from there.
It's been a few years since I've scoured the web trying to find the meaning in the lyrics. This is the most informative and plausible explanation I've read. Thanks!
Hel Gar. Man! That was so informative! I remember buying “Can’t buy a thrill” when it came out. Huge fan ever since.
Absolutely DOWN for a Steely Dan marathon! BTW a Black Cow is a cocktail made with coffee liqueur, milk and Coke, served in a highball glass.
SupaSoul Productions, it can also be a root beer float.
It's diner-staff slang for a chocolate milk.
@@marvinnorstrom2636 They're in a bar, they're drinking.
@@marvinnorstrom2636 Except they say they're at Rudy's, which is a famous bar. SupaSoul already gave you the recipe. It also says she's high and that she'll stagger home. But you stick with the soda fountain thing...
@@independenceltd. Donald's on record saying its an ice cream float mayne. Check out their classic albums documentary on youtube if youre interested in the source.
Steely Dan was totally different than anyone else in the 1970s. They were the funk/soul/jazz/rock combination that you never knew you needed until you heard them for the first time. Smooth, expertly produced and every musician that played with them was always a master.
You guys would really dig “Deacon Blues” or “Do It Again.”
"Deacon Blues" is an absolutely perfect song.
Greatest lyric in their book!
@@cjcoake I feel that way about "Do It Again"
Glamour Profession as well...
yes
YES to a Steely Dan marathon! This band is one of the best ever.
"If their catalogue sounds like this, let's just playlist the whole discography." -- you will, guys, you will.
Love this album. When I took my first audio engineering class, the instructor made us listen to this whole album the first day of class. He said this was the pinnacle of sound engineering. Home At Last is my jam.
“Home at Last” is one of my top 5 favorite SD tunes, as well as “Any World That I’m Welcome To”
Hone at last is also my favorite from Aja.
Is Home At Last about death?
@@TerrySleuthit’s about Ulysses and his journey. ❤
@@TheDivayenta thanks
You'll listen to Steely Dan the REST of your life. They're Music Royalty.
I totally agree with this message!!!
Can confirm.
Word! Truth! Facts!
pls do Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne
Larry Carlton’s solo....straight fire.
@@bencrane8505 Came here to say this. One of the most creative and straight NASTY solos ever.
There used to be an official video live performance but I think it was removed from UA-cam. It was fire but I can't find it.
Hell yes. Wait, no. HELL YES X1000
Is there gas in the car?
"Kid Charlemagne" would be a perfect follow up. Then "Hey Nineteen".
A resounding YES to both songs!
FM
Is there gas in the car?
@@SvenTviking Yes, there's gas in the car.
Aja*
The second time I watched this, I hit pause and was like "Alexa, play 'Uptown, Baby' by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunzs." That's one of the unexpected benefits of your reactions, guys. The almighty cross-reference, bringing us all together, in the same pocket.
A Big YES on a Steely Dan marathon
They're going to hate themselves for not getting into Steely Dan much earlier. They don't know what they have been missing.
Yes Yes YES!!!!!!!!!!
Wait until they hear “Peg”, Kid Charlemagne” or “Black Friday”.
@@patrickmullen9485 Peg was on Patreon
Joseph Kuchar Did it blew them away?
Another song off Aja you will eventually get too, hopefully sooner than later; is Deacon Blues. Such an amazing song.
Ruckus Malone, if I had to pick one favorite SD song, that’s it!
@@matthewbyrd398 In that case, you'll enjoy this...
ua-cam.com/video/vSDD8rgUiNc/v-deo.html
Hammond Ehgs NIce! Thanks, man!!
Ruckus Malone absolutely!!
Agreed. Best song on the album.
As a certified Metal Head, steely Dan is still in my top 5.
As a Metal head myself, i listen to Classical when i go to sleep.
Word. Loved SD and tried to bring their feel into the Metal/Thrash I played. I was more of a groove bassist playing Death Metal. lol
Me too.
No 1 Dream Theater (nothing else can come close).
Rest of my top 10 - Steely Dan is right up there.
Same here. Love my thrash & death metal but also love Steely Dan. They certainly knew how to right grooves
Mike, I haven't certified you (yet), but I like your style.
In my opinion the "Aja" album is the perfect album.
I completely agree.
Word
I'm a true hip hop head, and truly love and appreciate Steely Dan. Got to see them 2 years ago before Walter Becker one of the founding members passed away. Perfect work or drinking music. Peace my brothers.
Indeed RIP Walter; saw Donald and Walter at the Minnesota State Fair in 2011 and they played through a pouring rain! We and the other audience members were covering ourselves garbage bags and clear tarp to stay dry! Fantastic set, soaked to the bones but no regrets and they sounded amazing!
“AJA” one of the best albums ever, the production is impeccable, it is so good and special, I just bought the LP again last week!
In the 10 day challenge of albums that affected your musical taste/upbringing, this album was #1 on my list. I can't wait until they hear the title track.
@@ArtofFreeSpeech
They very well may faint...
#1 for me too.
For 👍 sure people laugh at them
But only music lovers know the truth
As far as Steely Dan goes, he rocks! Dirty work is and always has been my favorite , it takes me back with such warm good feelings. Enjoy, oh, you guys crack me up!! Love ya
Do Kid Charlemagne. You'll love it.
I'd prefer bad Snickers but kid Charlemagne is good
YES!!!!
One of my favorites!!
Steely Dan’s Kid Charlemagne is another song used for a hip hop sample.
And Peg, by De La Soul.
Yep, I can instantly hear champion by Kanye West. They don't have a bad song.
Some notes here:
-Steely Dan are Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They met at Bard College in 1967.
-Although just a two piece outfit, they have a vast knowledge of music.
-They are perfectionists who know what they want out of other musicians. Steely Dan often used not just any session musicians, but the best that they could find.
-It was not uncommon for Becker & Fagen to listen to hours of takes for a guitar solo or section before they got what they wanted, with exhausted sessions musicians crawling out of the studio.
-A “Black Cow” is either an ice cream float with coke and chocolate ice cream or (more likely in this song) an alcoholic drink made with Kahlua, half and half, and coke.
-The meaning of this song has been debated, although most listeners agree that it’s about a guy seeing his cheating gf in a bar and telling her off. It gets really cheeky when listeners think about who she has been cheating with. What kind of individual does big black cow remind you of?
radtech21 when I was a kid in the early 70's Black Cow was a brand of chocolate milk sold in a can
Brilliant comment, thank you for the info
Interesting factoid - Seeing a black cow in a dream symbolizes connection to someone and transformation. Coincidence?
And Steely Dan is the name of a dildo in William Burroughs book Naked Lunch. Donald and Walter were avid readers of beat literature.
PLEASE DO A STEELY DAN MARATHON!!!
Absolutely!
DO IT LV
Title song “Aja” has an incredible sax and drum work that is one of the best I’ve heard. Jazz influence on this song.
Wayne Shorter
none other than Wayne Shorter (Weather Report).
Steely Dan ONLY use the very best musicians.
THE BEST song on the record hands down!!
The guitar work ain't no easy task in Aja as well
Aja would literally blow their minds... I'm not sure if they could even handle it!
They got “Steely Dan” from the name of a dildo in a William Burroughs book. And they hired the absolute best session musicians. Sometimes they’d get 4 or 5 different ones to play the same part or solo and pick the best one. They are super bright, super creative, and super perfectionists.
I think it was Naked Lunch. Peter “Robocop” Weller starred in an film adaptation of the book.
"Good enough" was never good enough for them.
try 10 or 12..
There is a story that they actually were on their way back cross-country by jet, because they listened to one of the tracks, didn't like the way it sounded and contacted one of the musicians and had him redo it, just to make sure it was right
Kid Charlemagne. Is there gas in the car?
Yes, there's gas in the car
I think the people down the hall know who we are!
@@alicewonderland7218
Careful what you carry!
Clean this mess up before we all end up in Jail
@@kennethdias9988
The test tubes and the scale, get it all outta here.
...those San Francisco nights. you were the best in town.
Anyone else think they will lose their shit upon first hearing the drums during the midsection on the song "Aja"?
Gadd will blow their minds......
Uh, yep!
Or the end!
I mean, that entire song is mindblowing, tbh. Whether it's Shorter on the sax or Gadd on the drums, it never fails to satisfy.
They DEFINITELY need to react to Aja! I've been a SD fan since the 70's, have seen them in concert 6 times and Aja is my #1 SD song of all time. THEY. WILL. LOSE. THEIR. SHIT.
These guys make masterpieces. They are audiophiles too with their production so listening to them with a high-end system is an even greater treat.
I'm a boomer jazz musician. I bought the vinyl. This band transported me. Black music - The Crusaders, Herbie Hancock, Miles. White dudes - Chicago, Steely, Zappa. I didn't think about it at the time. But now, I realize that music was bringing people together in a beautiful, natural way. I pray that the current events won't destroy that simpatico. Music, after all, is a universal language... we need our poets and tunesmiths to help us untangle all the anger and confusion. Bless you all.
Exactly... that's what Sly was singing about back then (and what his band looked like).
Beautifully said.
How true, how true. Saw most of the bands above, especially Zappa. The writing and musicianship take you to another dimension. Today, that's a good thing. LOL
Your guys’ breakdowns and descriptive dissections of every song posted is a cut above any other reaction pages out there. Anyone else agree?
💯 accurate!!
riggermorpus Jamal aka Jamal is great as well.
@@jimeiden2360 I watch his stuff too. He's fun but not as indepth as these guys I find.
I've never heard a bad Steely Dan song. Ever.
Never ever!!!
Word!!
Guys, you have tapped into the motherlode. Steely Dan will keep you busy. Once you've gone Steely Dan, you'll never go back. Hey Nineteen. FM, etc.
"Dirty Work", "Deacon Blues", and "Hey Nineteen" are a few other stellar songs by them imho gentlemen.
MetalJames1282 - I can’t think of a song I don’t like by Steely Dan, but one of my favorites is “Don’t take me Alive“. I think it’s about the Unabomber, “I see you out there with rage in your eyes, and your megaphones. Saying: All is forgiven, Mad dog surrender”.
I actually like the one they hated song called DALLAS ..I was listen to it last night sitting outside around midnight on my cassette boom box ,it sounded great..
OOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH MMMMMAAAANNNNNNN!!!!!! I totally forgot about "Deacon Blues" and "Hey Nineteen"!!!!!! I am a 70's baby, and I grew up to this.
There are NO bad Steely Dan Songs, they are the kings of Jazz/Rock.
"Don't do a Steely Dan marathon." Only a fool would say that.
I see what you did there ;)
kudos - nice reference!
@@completecharleston7142 nice
Nice one!
Well, you can't buy a thrill.
Their entire discography is fire. You can't lose with any song you pick.
The discography should also include the solo albums Donald Fagen has released. Morph the Cat is my favorite but the others are also worth checking out.
Steely Dan Aja is considered one of greatest studio produced albums ever created.
Steely Dan is the shit!!!!! Y’all should definitely do more from the classic discography. Peace!!...Peter Gunn and Lord Tariq got the shit sued out of them for using that sample.
"Deacon Blues" next! Who's with me?
Heck yeah. That or "Josie."
ME!!!
black tuesday or pick almost ant other song
Josie is great and one right down the alley is Hey Nineteen “the Cuervo Gold the fine Columbian”
Babylon sisters!
I like when you guys point out hip-hop similarities or samples, nothing wrong with giving some info to the viewers that might not be familiar with rap culture
"You and I" would be a straight up R&B tune. "You were high" can only be Steely Dan.
There is Stevie Wonder's You and I, one of his best
Excellent observation, and a perfect example of what sets The Dan apart.
Love this comment. So true😂
@@TrippedGian1 Black Ivory “You and I”
You guys will not be disappointed by anything you play by Steely Dan...
This whole record is a banger! Also check out their album The Royal Scam.
My favorite Dan album!
The Royal Scam is fantastic as well.
FM - Deacon Blues - My Old School - Pretzel Logic, that's a start.
Growing up in New England (my father was Air Force so we moved around a lot) a black cow was a root beer float but with coca cola instead of root beer. A mighty fine drink. Nice reaction, what a pleasure to have this song as your introduction to Steely Dan. Welcome to the club.
That's the non alcoholic version of a black cow. It can also be made with bourbon, vodka, or Kahlua.
@@ammaleslie509 Sounds delicious!
You guys will lose your minds over “Josie”’ from this album!!
Nostra Thomas absolutely!!
“I got the news”
Nostra Thomas yesh!
Someone else commented that musicians listen to Steely Dan when they go home at night; I agree
Hey guys in one of his documentaries Donald Fagan said by the late 60s there was something missing for him in the music on the radio. He said what was missing was black music, specifically R&B. So your dead on when you say this sounds like R&B. By the way, if you haven't already figured out, Donald Fagan is a stone cold musical genius! Walter Becker it too in his own right. RIP Walter!
Credit to whoever was in charge of engineering, producing and recording the albums as well because they sound like they could have been recorded in the 90s or later as far as fidelity goes.
Lee Doyle Donald Fagan needed Walter Becker to temper his obsession with perfection playing songs over and over til they got it right!
EXCELLENT! I was 20 when this record came out and had been listening to Steely Dan for 6 years! Was a fan since the beginning. So gratifying to see people discovering them for the first time!
Some of us “boomers” appreciate a wide variety of music, tech & old school....good is good 😜
Exactly. Good music is good music no matter genre.
Playing Steely Dan's whole discography would not be a bad move. At all.
BlackSH0veldeath you’re insane
"DON'T TAKE ME ALIVE" My all time favorite SD song
This makes me so happy! My mother raised me on a steady diet of R&B and Rock and Roll. Steely Dan was always at the center of it. Great brass... They are phenomenal musicians. Their lyrics always tell a unique story. A beautiful blend of Rhythm and rock and roll! I just became your biggest fan for playing this song. 🤩
How many people do you need to make it a marathon? C’mon now, do the right thing. Hit us up with that Steely Dan marathon! Do it for Steely, do it for Dan!
I get the vibe "smoothly disgusted" is how most Steely Dan songs are!!
Is that you Red?
You'll be pleased to know that YES this is what Steely Dan sounds like. Marathon!
In some bands they have a couple great masterpieces and you wish “If only everyone of their songs are this good.” In Steely Dan that wish comes true.
I would LOVE to see a Steely Dan marathon on Patreon!! You will love every song. Their albums are deep with great songs! This is their sound..so smooth! Grown folks music!
From everyone on the Steely Dan bandwagon: Welcome. Have a seat up front. Would you like a drink? This will take a while.
Yep. This will take a long while. Lots of perfect songs to experience. Not a single bad song in the whole bunch.
You're in for a LONG, SATISFYING ride if you journey down Steely Dan's endless road of iconic music. It reminds me of the time this guy told me he just started watching "The Wire," years after it ended. I was so jealous, wishing I could experience that again for the first time. Go down that road, you will be glad you did.
Josie, Hey Nineteen, Kid Charlemagne, Dirty Work, Reeling in the Years, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Any Major Dude will Tell You
Guy Henderson The Wire was excellent. Season 4 gutted me.
Was waiting for the immediate reaction and "up town babehh" 😂 love it
Woohoo! Get Steely Dan stuck in my head so often. Steely Dan may be the most sampled band ever lol. A marathon would be appreciated, by us and you.
A couple joints I recommend from the great Steely Dan: Kid Charlemagne, Do It Again, Doctor Wu, Home at Last, Your Gold Teeth
Doctor Wu is horribly overlooked and underrated (as is the Katy Lied album, generally)
I'm not sure which one's "Steely" and which one's "Dan"--I'm still trying to figure out which one's "Pink."
Have you been riding the gravy train?
You can't have any pudding if you don't eat your meat.
Thank you to all of you floydians. I'd like to hear some more floyd on this channel
@@austingreer7331 Is that a Floydian slip?
Old white guy, totally into R&B, jazz, and soul back in the day, loving to hear the new generation getting into my record collection. Me getting into introduced to rap and hip-hop the same way? Not gonna be able to do it, so I salute your courage... and your reaction.
AAAHH listen to more Steely Dan 😍😍🔥 Do it Again, Deacon Blues, Aja, Reelin in the Years, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number are all fantastic songs!
I was born in 67. My mom was a huge fan of the LPS. Music was every day thing. And this takes me back.
I've been listening to SD for 50 years, hard, and have narrowed their catalog down to only 65 songs, in my Spotify library. Every one of them is one of the best songs I've ever heard. 65 of the best songs I've ever heard. One duo. There isn't anything close. A marathon would be awesome. You guys would love it as much as we would. Y'all make me love this stuff even more. Thanks for the very positive entertainment.
I 100% support a Steely-a-thon
Kid Charlemagne, off of the Royal Scam album is very much the quintessential song of this era. The entire album is beyond amazing. Larry Carlton on the lead guitar and Bernard Purdie on the drums makes it such reminiscing moments from my father playing this in my childhood.
"Josie" off Aja
"Night By Night" off Pretzel Logic, I think you'd dig how funky it is
"Pretzel Logic" is a super soulful jam, I love the groove
"Kid Charlemagne"
"Only a Fool Would Say That"
"Reelin' in the Years"
Great selection! All my favs are here
"Night By Night" is my favorite Dan song, for some reason people don't suggest it.
@@NeolithGrey Yeah it's one of my faves too. Pretzel Logic is a good album, lots of jams.
@@NeolithGrey nobody suggests my favorites, like razor boy, caves of altamira, bodhisattva, and king of the world
Yesss FINALLY.. female hip hop head who loves Steely Dan....
There's not a bad song on that album. "Aja" (as in Asia) is my favorite track, but you'd like Deacon Blues too, it's basically about being a jazz musician.
I love this song. You guys have good taste. "Kid Charlemagne" is another great Steely Dan song, if you're looking for the next one. 😎
The whole point of Steely Dan is to marry their pristine music with biiter, brutal, sometimes very dark subject matter.
Kinda like getting made love to by a robot?
I was about 10 when this came out, and i was a guitarist.....This sounded so ssslick , jazzy and " New York City" to a west coast kid, ..as i grew a little older and started really listening, I realized these arent quite as "Happy" songs as I first thought
Including the entendre of "black cow" in this song. Nuff said.
@@johnsarli6788 Well this song is about Walter Becker's junkie girlfriend Karen Stanley.Her family sued him for wrongful death damages after she overdosed.
No one will mention this song but ""Caves of Altermira" is such a B side hit you'd blow everyone's mind as its not one of there mainstream hits. Definitely consider it in your marathon
Caves of Altamira is probably my favorite song from RS. Well played.
Fantastic song!!
It’s really ridiculous how many of their songs we could say this about.
If you are a Dan fan, there is no such thing as a B side haha
The horns !!!
A black cow is a float.. Vanila and Rootbeer… Steely Dan used tons of sessions musicians.. The group Toto started as their session musicians
we used to make it with cola instead of rootbeer.
Several members of Toto played on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" album, precisely because they were all outstanding and well I respected session musicians.
@@johnholzhauer7137 they were they also played with many other musicians, including Jon Anderson in City of Angels Album.
My favorite Steely Dan album, "Aja" (1977). The year I graduated high school. The 70s was an incredible time in music. The innovation was amazing.
"Who's on the piano steely or dan?" haha
Made me think of the line "Oh by the way which ones 'Pink'"
I just recently heard why they named the band Steely Dan. Funny story! 😂
Although Steely Dan's music was rooted in jazz and blues, the band's name came from a literary source--Edgar Burroughs' novel "Naked Lunch," which made mention of a "steely dan," a steam-powered adult toy.
Fagan is a genius!
@@rogerwaters3165 Of course, you meant William S. Burroughs, not the author of Tarzan.
Me too
And I hate to be that guy, but "Aja" is pronounced Asia. Sincerely, Tony Lommi.
The Donald I was coming here to say the same thing. My sister is named after their song Aja.
+5 LIV internet points for that
Tony Lommi reference! 😆
The Donald no shit? Damn dude. I have ALWAYS thought it was pronounced “ah-ha”. Learned something new!
It's cool man. Someone always has to be "that guy."
I see that it's pronounced Asia from Wikipedia, but why? I always heard ah-ha too.
The reaction to Steely Dan is going to surprise these guys. They're in for a ride. Steely Dan is the shit. I'm into Opeth, Tool, Gojira, lamb of God and Steely Dan. They are mind benders.
"Do It Again" is a song by American jazz-rock group Steely Dan that was released as a single from their debut 1972 album "Can't Buy A Thrill". The single version differed from the album version, shortening the intro, outro and two instrumental sections of the song.
ua-cam.com/video/BkmfOIvHzD4/v-deo.html "Woman In Chains," by Tears For Fears....Incredible group!!!! Incredible Song!!!!
Should we tell them what a "steely dan" is?
Tell em....
Yup. Tell em 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Maybe we tell them AFTER the marathon.
Have them google it
I can't wait till they find out
I'm definitely in for a Steely Dan marathon. Deacon Blues, Do It Again, Hey 19, Reeling in the Years... They have so many good songs.
PS, please get back to Stoner Rock some time soon!
This made my night!!! I just recently got turned onto Steely Dan and it’s been a life changer 👌🏻🔥 MARATHON MARATHON MARATHON Home At Last! Deacon Blues. Do It Again. Bad Sneakers.
I will look forward to their reaction when they hear "Kid Charlemagne" and the lines 'that you were a champion in their eyes'..... :)
The album is pronounced “Asia” like the continent.
This album is considered to be so technically PERFECT, that sound specialist and audiologists utilize it to test sound and audio equipment. You’d do yourself a favor listening to the entire thing.
LaMonica Williams pretty sure its like Asia but a j instead of n, like the way fagan says in Aja the song
Spelled "AJA"
Corey YELLOWMAN Jackson
I grew up with this album. I have a friend NAMED AFTER this album.. I KNOW HOW ITS SPELLED!🙄
LaMonica Williams Hard to believe they haven’t heard Aja until now. Wow. Steely Dan are galaxies better than their contemporaries. Aja ALONE, is a masterpiece!
As they say .. "Steely Dan.. is your favorite band's ..FAVORITE BAND" !
Aja is one of the best albuns ever! Hands down.
You guys should do some Dead Kennedys. They're hardcore punk so they have a lot of energy and an aggressive sound but their lyrics are almost prophetic and full of cutting edge (even today) social commentary. I'd recommend "Holiday in Cambodia" or "Well Paid Scientist".
Not Lucas Well Paid Scientist is the shit.
Good band. Police Truck, Teminal Preppy, Buzzbomb, Man with a Dog. Etc etc...So many great DK tunes
So great to see a legendary band getting the kudos they so deserve. You guys are spectacular. It’s a privilege
Their whole discography is amazing.
Go for all Steely Dan the way you went through Alice in Chains. You are going to be blown away.
" ... if their catalog is like this ?!?! "
...hands up if you can't WAIT for them to react to " Do It Again"
Not a favorite really
Best Black Cow reaction - and I've watched them all.