Hey everyone! So happy you enjoyed this reaction so much! Nick loved the solo so much he had to cover it, check out the work in progress here: ua-cam.com/video/q0fUixdavmk/v-deo.html
Great reaction and cover. Can you also react to Steely Dan's "Bodhisattva" from the Countdown To Ecstasy album, if you please. Now that song has a guitar solo you can really sink your teeth into.
Nick & Lex … it’s cool to see your reactions to SD that I’ve been listening to since I bought their 1st record back in 1972. I was a 11 year old kid with some chore and lawn-mowing money in my pocket and I begged my mom to take me to the record store to buy my first album. Peaches Records & Tapes was hanging the promotional poster and had Can’t Buy A Thrill playing on the house speakers. I knew instantly that it’d be a lifelong obsession and that I’d be listening to Steely Dan for the rest of my life. I’m 60 now, and STILL play all their music in a daily rotation. Great video channel. Wishing you 2 a great Holiday season. Merry Christmas! 🎄⛄️❄️🥂
Larry Carlton's main solo is highly regarded as one of the all time greats. Rick Beato does an episode breaking down of the 2 solo's from this song that is well worth a listen.
It refers to Owsley Stanley, a famous LSD chemist in the 1960s…very biographical, the last verse, Owsley was arrested in 1967 when his car reportedly ran out of gas
@sonny henriksen - On the Aja album Fagan and Becker tried to tell Larry Carlton how to play guitar and Marcus Miller how to play bass. Thankfully they didn't listen. I love Steely Dan's music. But sometimes I hate their arrogance.
I just saw the drummer Bernard Purdie at a local small blues venue in town. He moved close to our home town in North Carolina and I can’t believe it. Total legend.
My favorite Steely Dan song of all time. The guitar playing by Larry Carlton, the bass playing by Chuck Rainey and the drums by Bernard Pretty Purdie might be the best performances on any album by the group. If you want some more Larry Carlton goodness do Don't Take Them alive from The Royal Scam, featuring Larry Carlton on guitar. Also LC did the middle solo for Kid Charlemagne in only two takes. The album cover was originally done for a Van Morrison album. He didn't use it and Steely Dan bought the cover and used it for The Royal Scam. The song was about notorious LSD chemist Owsley Stanley. The line "is there gas in the car?" refers to the time that Stanley was escaping from his lab and left in the car, the car stopped because of an empty gas tank and he was caught by the police. He asked his cohorts the next time the police were coming "if there was gas in the car?" to avoid getting caught again. On VH1 Storytellers, Walter Becker talked about having a taxi driver tell him that Steely Dan had one of the stupidest lyric lines ever and then quoting the gas in the car line! Becker and Fagen make reference to dayglow freaks, Meaning hippies who were all the rage in San Francisco in the late 60s. They joined the human race refers to the hippies leaving their hippy lifestyle behind and becoming normal John and Jnes smiths.
@@stevemurrell6167 Carlton also improvised the end solo! Remember that Steve Gadd did two takes of AJA. Becker, Fagen and Gary Katz were usually very exacting. Not only did they make session musicians do multiple takes BUT they would also erase famous musicians' contributions as well. Contrary to the assumption that Becker and Fagen knew what they wanted, there where musicians who worked with them who felt that they didn't know what they wanted!
Thanks for ‘splaining all about this great song. Truly SD’s greatest achievement. Rick Beato’s break-down musically and your story complete everything nicely. Waited a long time for Nick and Lex to react to it, knew it would be mind blowing.
Probably my favourite album with 2 standout solos by Larry Carlton on this track and 'Don't Take Me Alive'. Certainly, it is rated one of the best jazz solos and I was lucky to see Larry play it in recital a few years ago...it still sounded fantastic on his Gibson Es-335! This whole song, loosely based on Owsley Stanley (LSD chemist and Grateful Dead's sound technician) and the scene at the time in the late 60's with Ken Kesey (A beat poet and essayist), the Merry Pranksters and other colourful characters, is underpinned by the superb rhythm section of Bernard Purdie on drums (purdie shuffle) and Chuck Rainey on bass. A masterpiece of composition by Don & Walter!
I've never heard a Steely Dan album I didn't love. One of the most unique sounding bands that's ever been. Once their music pulls you in, it'll never let go.
Larry Carlton's solo is as revered as it gets but the outro solo is just as good to me and the incorporated unison bends are so tasty. And glad to hear you enunciate the words, Hatian Divorce, for it's a song which elevates one's beingness like many other Dan songs.
I know that Fagen is touring now with the Dan but to me, it can't be the same without Mr. Becker.. someone in the comment section please let me know if you've seen them since his passing and how was it? Thanks!
Man, Bernard Purdie can play! When they name licks after you, you know you're the stuff! You've heard Pretty's shuffle licks on "Babylon Sisters" and others already and probably heard "Home at Last" (Aja Album) by now. Those are two great examples of "Purdie half time shuffles". Steely Dan's dizzying array of fantastic players is one of the most appealing things about them to me, it's like a different gang of hired guns on every album, sometimes within the same album! If memory serves me, there are 5 or 6 different drummers on the AJA album alone! I think of Donald and Walter in terms similar to the lyrics of this song, referring to Owsley's chemical brilliance, "just by chance you crossed a diamond with a pearl, you turned it on the world, that's when you turned the world around..." So glad you found them, they're truly magnificent!!
This is my personal favorite Steely Dan song, they used it a lot to finish their encores. The whole thing is a masterpiece. Edit: The Royal Scam is an amazing album !!
Mind blowing for sure. Larry gives good guitar. Wait til you hear 'Third World Man' on Gaucho. That guitar work will give you chills. The last song from their 72-80 run of greatness.
Your smiles as it started and 30 seconds in says it all. One of SD's top songs. It has everything you could possibly want from a recording. Sheer perfection, amongst many from this band
Thanks so much! I always say this, but I know you know who Rick Beato is and he made a great breakdown video of this song and hes all about that solo as well and plays it note for note.
The song is about Owsley Stanley, San Francisco LSD dealer. See Rick Beato's treatment of Larry Carlton's (improvised) guitar solos (What Makes This Song Great Ep.#3), plus his Carlton interview. Larry's guitar playing is also prominent on "Don't Take Me Alive", and you might remember him as the liaison between Becker and Fagen and the other musicians on the Aja documentary. Some of my favorite Carlton playing is on the 1979 album Larry Carlton - Mr. 335 Live In Japan.
Yup, you stole my thunder...White Owsley was my first trip in 74.. I understand he was a sound guy for bands and quite a talented guy..He would get a standing ovation at Grateful Dead shows ..The " You are obsolete ,look at all the white men on the street ," referenced the fact that acid was sliding out of favor for the cocaine .
Ned from Spain here. Super cool guys, I love seeing you react to the really killer diller Steely Dan songs. This one is about Owsley Stanley the legendary maestro of LSD and the moment when he had to bail out followed by the " white men on the street " or the rise of cocaine. Besides Larry Carlton, there's Chuck Rainey on bass and Pretty Purdie making those drums sing just a whole load of legendary.
Great comment, Janet. Thanks. The music captives at first but then a deeper dive into the lyrics is the second punch. I admire this tribute to one of the legendary chemists of LSD told as only Steely Dan can - brilliantly! ✨🤪
Been watching your entire Steely Dan journey, and loving it. Larry Carleton's solo is really among the most brilliant you'll hear (check out another iconic solo of his to start the song Don't Take me Alive). I've heard these songs hundreds of times, and you're right about how much is going on in them - it's one of the reasons that they hold up so well after multiple listens. Knowing how much you've been loving the songs you've heard, I couldn't click on this one fast enough. Knew you'd love it. Selfishly, I'd love to see you continuing down this road as much as possible. Their entire catalog is well worth exploring.
Every day for the last week I’ve played the entire Royal Scam album and played drums to it. I’ve got almost every song down and today I added Aja (all but the title track) and even some Can’t Buy a Thrill tunes. I’m 63 and played drums in high school. Just got an E kit and started again after 45 years. So much fun! Love your honest appreciation of the music...
Sweet!!! You won't be disappointed. Always ask the question: "Is there gas in the car?" A question for Kramer? (Seinfeld fans will understand). "Royal Scam" the title track is a must as well.
Yes! One of the legendary lyric lines in music ... about the legendary chemist who turned us all on to LSD! I can trace my first trip back to Owsley “Bear” Stanley! He was also a music engineer. Leave it to Steely Dan to memorialize him properly. Thanks ✨🤪
We had so many great bands in the 70s when I was a teenager (Floyd, Bowie, Supertramp, Rush, Genesis/Gabriel, Queen, Yes, Styx, Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc) that Steely Dan sort of slipped through the cracks. I knew the radio "hits" like Realin in the years, Peg, Hey ninteen, FM, Rikki etc. but in the 90s a buddy played some of their albums for me and I started to see how good they really were.
@@dicklindell948 We still are because 70s music is for eternity, while nowadays chart music blows up like a balloon ...... explodes....... and is forgotten, but I'm sure, you can list 100 great tracks of the 70s within 10 minutes. I once listed my personal 444, that was a little more work ... but fun :-)
Vanetta, Clydie & Sherlie… those are the 3 wonderful backup singers we hear on many SD albums, and live gigs. I mention that because so many people start chirping about, “Oooh, Michael McDonald is doing the backups!” And they don’t mention the wonderful ladies of Steely Dan who contributed as much as Michael!
One of my favorite singers is Catherine Russell, who was a backup singer for them in the 80s and 90s. She's been making her own albums for quite some time now. It's not rock music- she sings jazz and blues songs, mostly from the 1930s. She's more than worth checking out. I suggest the title track from her album "Alone Together", for starters.
A few months ago I walked into the local WalMart and this song was playing in the store. Made me feel old, but as I listened to the lyrics (I know them by heart) I thought it was kind of funny that this track even made it to their "Musak" channel, since it deals with an LSD maker/dealer. I think everyone else in the store was oblivious to what was playing. Also, IMO, this does have one of the greatest lead guitar solos ever recorded, and the outro lead is just as good.
I want to suggest that Kroger put it on their playlist while I am working. They play mostly current crap. Best song their system offers is “ Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots. Rick Beato also did an awesome break-down of that song on his YT channel
on face value it seems to be word salad with no meaning but once you know the story of the real chemist who was behind LSD the lyrics become more interesting. He got out of some very heavy stuff because at that point LSD wasn't technically illegal
Nick and Lex - it is SO INCREDIBLE that you get Steely Dan the way that we, I do. Just like you, I took a break to comment just as you were taking a break after the second chorus. I just had to react to your Reaction! Because I know Steely Dan's catalog so well, I pushed Kid Charlemagne to the lower half - but, watching your reaction is giving me a new appreciation for the song. If you have ever wondered if your reaction videos touch people - well, I am here to tell you that they DO!!! Just finished the whole Reaction video. A thought came to my mind - You have made Steely Dan one of your favorite bands - and in the 10 months you have been reacting, you have become my FAVORITE REACTORs. Ken
The great Larry Carlton on lead guitar Big time studio guitarist and solo artist during that time Check out 'Room 335' from him You're gonna shed after listening to that one This solo was one of THE guitar solos for us inspiring guitarists in the 70s. Everyone was aware of it 'Don't Take me Alive " from the same album. Worth the 1 more album cut Very cool catchy tune and Another killer guitar track from Mr Carlton
The next Steely Dan song you listen to is your favorite one. There's not many bands that can have that effect on you. My favorite remains Aja though, but every other song is right there, when I listen to it.
This is a great choice ! (Although there is not a bad choice when it come to Steely Dan). I’m glad you are guys are enjoying them! WHEN you get to the second album, Count Down To Ecstasy, could you please cover “Bodhisattva”? So many theme they’ve opened their live shows with it. Great job on this video you two, Thank You!
Some of my favorite Steely Dan "Deep Cuts" are Don't Take Me Alive [Scam]; Any World (That I'm Welcome To) [Katy]; and Turn That Heartbeat Over Again [Thrill]
I'd like to see your reaction to "Don't Take Me Alive," too. Maybe feature each side of the album as separate reactions. That way you won't feel deprived for so long, and you'll get to share your enjoyment with the rest of us!
Larry Carlton's solo on Kid Charlemagne and Elliott Randall's solo on Reeling in the Years are perhaps the two most iconic guitar solos in Steely Dan's recordings!
@@gasaholic47 See the liner notes on the album, among other places. "Dias the Bebopper meets Baxter the skunk beneath the Bo Tree in this altered blues." Dias and Baxter both play solos on Bodhhisatva.
When I know the song, waiting for your reaction is one of my little big joy in my life. You two make my day (as usual ). I was waiting for the solo, smiling like an idiot and you were perfect. I was laughing so hard. Thank you ! A french fan
Steely Dan really knows how to take you on a ride. I knew Nick was going to love the guitar on this track.Great reaction N&L. I think we have all learned to listen to Michele.
You’re the nicest person in the world, RF. But hold out on that judgment until my next request. I requested something different (from ‘68) that might not be appreciated as much. I had planned on more Yes but changed directions last minute. We’ll see. lol 🤞
I'm typing before I even hear their response... This happens to be my favorite song by Steely Dan because it's put together so well and a highlight for me in it is Larry Carlton's solo - which so happens to be perfect, for the quick changes he's following it's in the pocket, melodic and so beautifully phrased - has to be among the best solos of all time.
Your reaction to Steely Dan songs make me smile. Kid Charlemagne is a Dan classic,love the clavinet playing on it.All the musicianship on their songs is exemplary. Keep up the great work. All the best from Scotland 🏴
One of my favorite Steely Dan songs. The guitar is so tasty and the lyrics are fun. Thank you for another great reaction. Watching you appreciate new music is cool.
That outro solo could go for 10 minutes and most people would be cool with that. First time I heard it I was driving my car with Royal Scam on the 8 track. You just never forget how good that sounds.
I wish I had a few friends who love good music as much as you two do! This is another song I heard on the radio station at work 1000 times, but enjoy it all the more after watching you enjoy it.
Well , you guys are making my Monday! Today was a dreadful work day. But i woke up to you reacting to my request! And now i got to watch this reaction on my way home from work! You mean so much to me! Every Steely Dan song is so great! Im such a fan of their music! I am currently listening to Steely Dan more than anything else right now. Listened the Pretzel Logic album multiple times this weekend! They never disappoint! And this song continues that trend for sure! Also i just picked up my mail. And my nick and Lex shirt is here! Just keeps getting better! Nick , i loved this guitar solo so much as well! Thanks for this reaction! Thanks for having this channel. Im happy to have you as my friends! Love you ! Have a good night!
I didn't write this. David Ryder gave this nice explanation of this song: "Check out the wikipedia article about Owsley Stanley. He was not the creator of LSD, but he certainly was "the best in town" and made literally millions of doses in his East Bay underground lab and "turned it on the world", while moonlighting as the Grateful Dead's first sound engineer. "Those San Francisco nights" would be "The Matrix", "Avalon Ballroom" and those other tiny acid-drenched venues the nascent San Francisco sound began in. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead owned an "A-frame" house in Mill Valley in Marin county and probably had Owsley's number on the wall. "Those day-glo freaks who used to paint the face have joined the human race." The daisy-chain hippies in Golden Gate Park with the painted faces eventually got jobs like their parents. Owlsey did go down to LA and supplied the six Acid Tests between Feb and March of '66 in southern California. "Still an outlaw in their eyes" ... LSD became outlawed in California in October of '66. Anyway... yeah, it's a potent song in many ways. Pregnant with meaning". I'll add that the "White men in the streets" refers to the rise of cocaine and how people turned from LSD after it was outlawed. Also Stanley was captured by the police when his car ran out of gas (Is there gas in the car? Yes there’s gas in the car).
Listen to Kayne West’ sampling of this song on “Champions”-he wrote to Becker and Fagen to ask permission, was told no and came back to Donald with a personal letter-he was granted the OK
It’s such a joy when we hear Bernard Purdie & Chuck Rainey on drums and bass. So sweet together!! This is the album that many Dan fans feel is their best because it still has the rock/ soul/jazz mix that disappeared when Aja came out. Listen to the guitar work on Sign in Stranger, the reggae- infused Haitian Divorce… much harder-edged but still rich sound which they absolutely nail!
Heaven! I’m late to the party today but this was such a treat. I knew Nick would claim this is his favorite - that solo! But also the funk and the lyrics are especially meaningful to me. Owsley was a renowned chemist of LSD. The line, “Is there gas in the car? Yes, there’s gas in the car 🚗!” is a line that friends have repeated for decades. Based on the rumor of Owsley’s bust because he ran out of gas. I credit Owsley for my first enlightened experience. Lol. Great song. Great album. Incredible band - once you have the bug, it’s for life! Great reaction. It was everything! And this whole album is stellar but “Don’t Take Me Alive” could be next. Thanks ✨🤪
I’m on the West Coast (Pacific Time Zone), USA. It wasn’t late in the day when I had discovered this reaction, but it had already been up for 6 hours when I realized it. Great treat for a busy day. Where are you, M? Oh, btw, my plan was to request more Yes (1st on my list) and then this Steely Dan track was 2nd on my list. But I went with someone totally different when I heard that this song was already in the can. Lol. I’m not sure if you’ll like who I finally went with. It’s from 1968. Oh well 🤪 - we’ll see. 💕
@@michelemichele3375 Yes that happens to me too sometimes. I am on the east coast close to DC. I am sure I will like your 1968 song even though I had yet to be born at that time but music is timeless and your taste impeccable. 🙏🏽✌🏽❤️
I love you guys, your reactions lighten up my days and evenings, you appreciate such good music that I grew up listening to from a young age in the mid-70s all the way through till now, keep it up 🙏!
"I had been in Hollywood for about a year when we recorded this one. I had already done some work for Gary Katz [producer] earlier in New York. The energy on this song is great, and I remember playing everything I knew on that song, based on my 1-5-1 style. I walked out the studio that day with my chest stuck out, enjoying the sunshine and my new car. I felt very good about that session, especially because we did it so quickly. I think the best sessions are the ones that happen quick. You don’t labor over it. Once you make sure you understand the music, the best things happen the first, second, or third take. I think I did Kid Charlemagne in one take." Rainey the GOAT
Always LOVED Steely Dan. They made music cool in the 70s. Have most of their albums, yes vinyl, when released. Thank you for reacting to the best of 70s music.
Legend has it that Jimmy Page has stated that this solo by Larry Carlton is his all time favorite. As regards to The Royal Scam - DO THE WHOLE ALBUM! It's utterly fantastic, esp. Green Earrings, Sign In Stranger, and the title track.
Nick & Lex, you ABSOLUTELY need to listen to "Reeling in the Years" from their first record. It is a killer song with one of their best guitar solos EVER. I can't believe you haven't hit that song yet. I PROMISE you it will also become a favorite. I'm BEGGING for you both to hear it. It was also one of their biggest hits (for good reason) and it came from their first record. Gosh I hope you heed my request, you will thank me just for that guitar solo AND it has some of my favorite Steely Dan lyrics, it's just a perfectly crafted smooth paced rocker. As always keep up the great work and keep loving each other.
I've been a fan of the Dan since I heard Reelin' in the years back in '72. Larry Carlton's solo on Kid is the best! Don't take me alive, and Green Earrings are also great songs from this album. Thank you for letting us re-live the journey of discovery of Steely Dan through you. Love your channel. you guys are great! I can't wait until you get to "Countdown to Ecstasy", one of my favorites.(well they all are favorites) The banger of "Bodhisattva", the horn inspired "My old school", "Your Gold teeth", ... just another great Steely Dan Album.
This song and this album defines an era in my life. Everything Steely Dan did punctuated a phase in my life, and it is such a gift to be nostalgic about such monumental song writing and music. I'm 65 and was there at the beginning. Musical historians in the future will analyze Steely Dan like we do with Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, in context.
Great cut! That's Jazz great Larry Carlton on lead guitar as well as Michael McDonald on backing vocals! Always loved the quality of players Steely Dan brought in to play on their projects.
As you guys astutely noticed, Steely Dan music is so brilliant and nuanced, first initial exposure to a song of theirs is very different as you start to absorb all the different layers. Lots of times I didn’t even appreciate some of their tunes first, second, or third time through! Been a fan now of The Dan and Fagen-solo for almost 50 years now.
Really enjoy you guys and your reactions, especially to Steely Dan. I've been listening to them for over 40 years. For 40 years they have been my favorite band, so it's fun to see younger folks discovering their music and appreciating it so much. Have to echo other comments and recommend Don't Take Me Alive as your next song from the album. Loved your reaction to the solo, but it isn't just the solos, but the chords and chord progressions under the solos that are always so brilliant with Steely Dan. Keep exploring!
The greatest thing about Steely Dan is there will be a solo by a musician that will absolutely blow you away. In this case it's the amazing Larry Carlton.
Guitar solo played by Larry Carlton. I always thought that Steely Dan was the only group that ever really fused Jazz and Rock. It took real genius to do that. This is a masterpiece and I envy you guys getting to hear this stuff for the first time. I've been listening to the Dan since they first hit in the early 70's and tracks like this still sound as fresh as they did 40 years ago. And BTW this song has a monster groove courtesy of some of the greatest LA session musicians that ever lived.
SPOT ON. I've heard this song so many times but I never realized that one layer of it sounds like "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" by Alan Parsons Project. You are a musician and picked that up right away. BTW.... Kid Charlemagne was released in 1976 and "I wouldn't Want to Be Like You" was released a year later in 1977. There are so many "layers" in most Steely Dan songs that it's easy to miss some of the riffs going on especially if you are NOT wearing headphones. Keep it up guys.....
love the steely reactions, guys - i've known these songs for lo! these many years but it's great hearing them afresh through new ears. you may not be aware of this yet but you really, really need those alluring "green earrings" - one of the smoothest, grooviest siren songs of the seventies - you can't go wrong with sir donald and sir walter!!
Check out Larry Carlon's many solo albums and before that his work with the Crusaders; Joni Mitchell (Court & Spark/Miles of Aisles) and Tom Scott & the LA Express (1st two albums - then Robben Ford took over the guitar seat)
I'm just coming on board with you guys. Love the fresh look and yes it does remind me and probably many others of when we first heard these songs. If you ever want to dive deep into the best live album, may I suggest Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat backed by the Tower of Power horn section. Dixie Chicken should be the first song you listened to. You will not be disappointed.
I love Steely Dan and I love you guys...and I love that you love Steely Dan. Your reactions bring tears of joy to me...keep up the great work...I'm with ya on this journey...
“Kid Charlemagne” tells the story of the rise and fall of a San Francisco drug manufacturer. In a 2000 online chat with the BBC, Becker revealed that the lyrics were based on Owsley Stanley, a famous LSD chemist of the 1960s known professionally as Bear.
This is my favorite Steely Dan album. You can't go wrong with any, though I suggest Haitian Divorce, Green Earrings and The Fez. Royal Scam, Sign in Stranger, and Don't Take Me Alive are nice songs also. Enjoy. Peace
I saw Steely Dan live a couple of months ago. They are still making it work -- I had a great time and they rocked it. I have listened to Steely Dan from the 70s onward, through all permutations in my taste and musical obsessions. Their songs make me feel good every time.
I think that Alan Parsons instrument you're referring to is a Hohner Clavinet D6, which SD used generously throughout Royal Scam (next on Green Earrings)and Aja (Black Cow opening) to add a funky vibe. Stevie Wonder - Livin' For The City, for example.
A friend of mine said that this was an oblique reference to Timothy Leary, and he knows stuff. I met Tim twice, and he signed my book of his, called "Jail Notes".
You know, funny thing is when I was a teen and Steely Dan's music was playing on the radio, it was usually played on the classic rock stations in Chicago and the suburbs (where I grew up) or everywhere else for that matter. It was always a rock, pop or classic rock radio station playing their music. I never associated Steely Dan as a jazz band per se. I classified them as classic rock artists. Now that I'm 61, I can hear those nuances everyone talks about in the jazz elements of their music but back then, to us, Steely Dan were an awesome rock n roll band. But in the end, it is all classic to me! jazz, rock, fusion, etc... whatever...Their library of music is mesmerizing. If I may be so bold as to suggest to you guys to try and do at least one Steely Dan tune a week, Don't deny yourself!! Plus you still have Donald Fagen's solo works which are in themselves, brilliant masterpieces!! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY YOU TWO HAVE BECOME STEELY DAN FANS AND CONTINUE TO DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR EXCELLENT MUSIC. I appreciate you both greatly....gracias!! By the way, I received my "Peace In Music" NickN Lex shirt which I proudly wore on my trip to Monterrey Mexico and got all great comments on it!! so thank you for that!!
It was the same with me, and at that time, nobody in my generation, the first rock generation, liked SD; in fact, they disliked them. Through the '70s and on SD was the music of my life; I waited urgently for each new album. But in the intervening decades, little by little, I put them aside. I was stunned recently to find these first reactions and discover that a generation of young first-time SD fans is as crazy about their now timeless music as I was those ages ago. It's thrilling, really
The Royal Scam was such a good late 70's party album for, shall we say, mature adults who never really grew up? What can I say. I guess I don't remember much of the 70's either! And I was actually a pretty boring guy for a teenager in that time period. But loved me some Steely Dan!
Haitian Divorce is great and reggae-themed. Don't Take Me alive is another one you need to listen to from this album. This entire album is a gem. Have you listened to Reelin' In the Years yet? Killer guitar work on that one as well. Virtually everything this band has done over the years is stellar. Love your Steely reviews, you two. Keep it up!
Man, I've been after them to get on "Waiting for Columbus" for quite some time! If that don't move you, you're dead! "Mercenary Territory" "Spanish Moon" "All That You Dream" "Rocket in My Pocket" "Fat Man in the bathtub" etc. One of the true smokers of all time!
It is appropriate that the comment section gives you an emotional lift, because watching you two react to the music I grew up with does the same for me.
Hey everyone! So happy you enjoyed this reaction so much! Nick loved the solo so much he had to cover it, check out the work in progress here: ua-cam.com/video/q0fUixdavmk/v-deo.html
Already done! 😀
Great reaction and cover. Can you also react to Steely Dan's "Bodhisattva" from the Countdown To Ecstasy album, if you please. Now that song has a guitar solo you can really sink your teeth into.
Nick & Lex … it’s cool to see your reactions to SD that I’ve been listening to since I bought their 1st record back in 1972. I was a 11 year old kid with some chore and lawn-mowing money in my pocket and I begged my mom to take me to the record store to buy my first album. Peaches Records & Tapes was hanging the promotional poster and had Can’t Buy A Thrill playing on the house speakers. I knew instantly that it’d be a lifelong obsession and that I’d be listening to Steely Dan for the rest of my life. I’m 60 now, and STILL play all their music in a daily rotation.
Great video channel. Wishing you 2 a great Holiday season. Merry Christmas! 🎄⛄️❄️🥂
Here is a Rick Beato interview with Larry Carlton on his solo in Kid Charlemagne
ua-cam.com/video/4wZp3LleWF0/v-deo.html
Great choice ❤
Larry Carlton's main solo is highly regarded as one of the all time greats. Rick Beato does an episode breaking down of the 2 solo's from this song that is well worth a listen.
Definitely check out the Rick Beato videos
I found Beato’s videos when they did “What makes this song so Great” on this song.
Agreed 100%. Larry Carleton in an incredible player 🎸 !
Yes! Rick Beato's breakdown of the song is AMAZING. ua-cam.com/video/xKIC9zbSJoE/v-deo.html
@@victorsixtythree Rick Beato is amazing. He is the University of Music. His knowledge of music theory is mind boggling
"Is there gas in the cah? Yes there's gas in the cah." Donald Fagen is so beyond cool...absolute legend.
Z-Man. YES! there's gas in the Cah!
Narrator: "There was not enough gas in the cah"
It refers to Owsley Stanley, a famous LSD chemist in the 1960s…very biographical, the last verse, Owsley was arrested in 1967 when his car reportedly ran out of gas
And later an innovator in concert sound for the Grateful Dead.
Owsley was a direct desendent of Charlemagne
Regarding your love for the Carlton solo : "Don't take me alive" from Royal Scam, outrageously STARTS with an equally great solo of his. A must hear!
probably one of the best solos to open up a song, Larry Carlton is a true Legend !!!!
You should check out Rick Beato's You Tube analysis of the Larry Carlton guitar solo.
OMG yes that opening solo (and all the work throughout) on Don't Take Me Alive is AWESOME even for Carlton and that is saying a LOT
My favorite song by my favorite band!
@sonny henriksen - On the Aja album Fagan and Becker tried to tell Larry Carlton how to play guitar and Marcus Miller how to play bass. Thankfully they didn't listen. I love Steely Dan's music. But sometimes I hate their arrogance.
This song is just fantastic - Larry Carlton’s solo is pure genius
Agreed. I've never come across a better solo in a song like this.
I just saw the drummer Bernard Purdie at a local small blues venue in town. He moved close to our home town in North Carolina and I can’t believe it. Total legend.
My favorite part besides Larry’s solo is when Donald sings Is there gas in the car? yes there’s gas in the car. 👍🏽
My favorite part of the lyrics also!
Yes! Because the rumor is: Owsley was busted making LSD because he ran out of gas. The whole story is about his chemistry skills. Love it 😍
@@michelemichele3375 This I did not know. Can’t wait for Nick and Lex to listen to Haitian Divorce and Don’t Take Me Alive 👍🏽
Getting into the car to see SD, I sang the 1st half and she answered with the second half.
Great line!!!!!!
My favorite Steely Dan song of all time. The guitar playing by Larry Carlton, the bass playing by Chuck Rainey and the drums by Bernard Pretty Purdie might be the best performances on any album by the group. If you want some more Larry Carlton goodness do Don't Take Them alive from The Royal Scam, featuring Larry Carlton on guitar. Also LC did the middle solo for Kid Charlemagne in only two takes.
The album cover was originally done for a Van Morrison album. He didn't use it and Steely Dan bought the cover and used it for The Royal Scam.
The song was about notorious LSD chemist Owsley Stanley. The line "is there gas in the car?" refers to the time that Stanley was escaping from his lab and left in the car, the car stopped because of an empty gas tank and he was caught by the police. He asked his cohorts the next time the police were coming "if there was gas in the car?" to avoid getting caught again. On VH1 Storytellers, Walter Becker talked about having a taxi driver tell him that Steely Dan had one of the stupidest lyric lines ever and then quoting the gas in the car line!
Becker and Fagen make reference to dayglow freaks, Meaning hippies who were all the rage in San Francisco in the late 60s. They joined the human race refers to the hippies leaving their hippy lifestyle behind and becoming normal John and Jnes smiths.
Thanks for the background info!
Two takes.....that must be a record for the Dan!
@@stevemurrell6167 Carlton also improvised the end solo! Remember that Steve Gadd did two takes of AJA. Becker, Fagen and Gary Katz were usually very exacting. Not only did they make session musicians do multiple takes BUT they would also erase famous musicians' contributions as well. Contrary to the assumption that Becker and Fagen knew what they wanted, there where musicians who worked with them who felt that they didn't know what they wanted!
Thanks for ‘splaining all about this great song. Truly SD’s greatest achievement. Rick Beato’s break-down musically and your story complete everything nicely. Waited a long time for Nick and Lex to react to it, knew it would be mind blowing.
Probably my favourite album with 2 standout solos by Larry Carlton on this track and 'Don't Take Me Alive'. Certainly, it is rated one of the best jazz solos and I was lucky to see Larry play it in recital a few years ago...it still sounded fantastic on his Gibson Es-335! This whole song, loosely based on Owsley Stanley (LSD chemist and Grateful Dead's sound technician) and the scene at the time in the late 60's with Ken Kesey (A beat poet and essayist), the Merry Pranksters and other colourful characters, is underpinned by the superb rhythm section of Bernard Purdie on drums (purdie shuffle) and Chuck Rainey on bass. A masterpiece of composition by Don & Walter!
I've never heard a Steely Dan album I didn't love. One of the most unique sounding bands that's ever been.
Once their music pulls you in, it'll never let go.
Well there's a few I'm not as crazy about of course. But I get it. There's always something.
The ending of Kid Charlemagne with Larry Carlton on guitar and Bernard Purdie on drums is just magic so smooth .
You guys get it! As a person who grew up in the '70s I remember first hearing Steely Dan in high school and being amazed. They are my favorite band.
Same here!
Larry Carlton's solo is as revered as it gets but the outro solo is just as good to me and the incorporated unison bends are so tasty. And glad to hear you enunciate the words, Hatian Divorce, for it's a song which elevates one's beingness like many other Dan songs.
Please, PLEASE, do Haitian Divorce - the unique quality of this track will captivate you.
What more can be said about the Dan? One word - Perfection.
I agree
@@TebiCr As Steely Dan says in "Time Out of Mind" its Perfection and Grace.
I'm sure Walter Becker is smiling at new converts to his and Donald Fagen's music.
I know that Fagen is touring now with the Dan but to me, it can't be the same without Mr. Becker.. someone in the comment section please let me know if you've seen them since his passing and how was it? Thanks!
This was SUCH a great song. The album is excellent. Steely Dan was beyond great. Thanks Nick n Lex.
Man, Bernard Purdie can play! When they name licks after you, you know you're the stuff! You've heard Pretty's shuffle licks on "Babylon Sisters" and others already and probably heard "Home at Last" (Aja Album) by now. Those are two great examples of "Purdie half time shuffles". Steely Dan's dizzying array of fantastic players is one of the most appealing things about them to me, it's like a different gang of hired guns on every album, sometimes within the same album! If memory serves me, there are 5 or 6 different drummers on the AJA album alone! I think of Donald and Walter in terms similar to the lyrics of this song, referring to Owsley's chemical brilliance, "just by chance you crossed a diamond with a pearl, you turned it on the world, that's when you turned the world around..." So glad you found them, they're truly magnificent!!
This is my personal favorite Steely Dan song, they used it a lot to finish their encores. The whole thing is a masterpiece. Edit: The Royal Scam is an amazing album !!
Mind blowing for sure. Larry gives good guitar. Wait til you hear 'Third World Man' on Gaucho. That guitar work will give you chills. The last song from their 72-80 run of greatness.
Your smiles as it started and 30 seconds in says it all. One of SD's top songs. It has everything you could possibly want from a recording. Sheer perfection, amongst many from this band
Thanks so much! I always say this, but I know you know who Rick Beato is and he made a great breakdown video of this song and hes all about that solo as well and plays it note for note.
The song is about Owsley Stanley, San Francisco LSD dealer. See Rick Beato's treatment of Larry Carlton's (improvised) guitar solos (What Makes This Song Great Ep.#3), plus his Carlton interview. Larry's guitar playing is also prominent on "Don't Take Me Alive", and you might remember him as the liaison between Becker and Fagen and the other musicians on the Aja documentary. Some of my favorite Carlton playing is on the 1979 album Larry Carlton - Mr. 335 Live In Japan.
Yup, you stole my thunder...White Owsley was my first trip in 74.. I understand he was a sound guy for bands and quite a talented guy..He would get a standing ovation at Grateful Dead shows ..The " You are obsolete ,look at all the white men on the street ," referenced the fact that acid was sliding out of favor for the cocaine .
Ned from Spain here. Super cool guys, I love seeing you react to the really killer diller Steely Dan songs. This one is about Owsley Stanley the legendary maestro of LSD and the moment when he had to bail out followed by the " white men on the street " or the rise of cocaine. Besides Larry Carlton, there's Chuck Rainey on bass and Pretty Purdie making those drums sing just a whole load of legendary.
Great comment, Janet. Thanks. The music captives at first but then a deeper dive into the lyrics is the second punch. I admire this tribute to one of the legendary chemists of LSD told as only Steely Dan can - brilliantly! ✨🤪
Hiya España Hiya Madrid
You can't go wrong with the Dan. They've never made a bad record in their lives.
Been watching your entire Steely Dan journey, and loving it. Larry Carleton's solo is really among the most brilliant you'll hear (check out another iconic solo of his to start the song Don't Take me Alive). I've heard these songs hundreds of times, and you're right about how much is going on in them - it's one of the reasons that they hold up so well after multiple listens.
Knowing how much you've been loving the songs you've heard, I couldn't click on this one fast enough. Knew you'd love it. Selfishly, I'd love to see you continuing down this road as much as possible. Their entire catalog is well worth exploring.
Every day for the last week I’ve played the entire Royal Scam album and played drums to it. I’ve got almost every song down and today I added Aja (all but the title track) and even some Can’t Buy a Thrill tunes. I’m 63 and played drums in high school. Just got an E kit and started again after 45 years. So much fun! Love your honest appreciation of the music...
Dont miss the stick click!
Sweet!!! You won't be disappointed. Always ask the question: "Is there gas in the car?" A question for Kramer? (Seinfeld fans will understand).
"Royal Scam" the title track is a must as well.
Yes! One of the legendary lyric lines in music ... about the legendary chemist who turned us all on to LSD! I can trace my first trip back to Owsley “Bear” Stanley! He was also a music engineer. Leave it to Steely Dan to memorialize him properly. Thanks ✨🤪
We had so many great bands in the 70s when I was a teenager (Floyd, Bowie, Supertramp, Rush, Genesis/Gabriel, Queen, Yes, Styx, Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple etc) that Steely Dan sort of slipped through the cracks. I knew the radio "hits" like Realin in the years, Peg, Hey ninteen, FM, Rikki etc. but in the 90s a buddy played some of their albums for me and I started to see how good they really were.
We were definitely spoiled!
@@dicklindell948 We still are because 70s music is for eternity, while nowadays chart music blows up like a balloon ...... explodes....... and is forgotten, but I'm sure, you can list 100 great tracks of the 70s within 10 minutes. I once listed my personal 444, that was a little more work ... but fun :-)
Vanetta, Clydie & Sherlie… those are the 3 wonderful backup singers we hear on many SD albums, and live gigs. I mention that because so many people start chirping about, “Oooh,
Michael McDonald is doing the backups!” And they don’t mention the wonderful ladies of Steely Dan who contributed as much as Michael!
One of my favorite singers is Catherine Russell, who was a backup singer for them in the 80s and 90s. She's been making her own albums for quite some time now. It's not rock music- she sings jazz and blues songs, mostly from the 1930s. She's more than worth checking out. I suggest the title track from her album "Alone Together", for starters.
@@DGardn100 Yes, I remember her name! Thanks for bringing her up... and I will check her out today.
A few months ago I walked into the local WalMart and this song was playing in the store. Made me feel old, but as I listened to the lyrics (I know them by heart) I thought it was kind of funny that this track even made it to their "Musak" channel, since it deals with an LSD maker/dealer. I think everyone else in the store was oblivious to what was playing. Also, IMO, this does have one of the greatest lead guitar solos ever recorded, and the outro lead is just as good.
Thanks for this comment. It’s funny to think of people bopping their heads in Walmart to a tune about an LSD chemist. Lol. Great song. ✨🤪
I had the same reaction to hearing Joni Mitchell - Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire playing in the supermarket. it's a song about heroin addiction
I want to suggest that Kroger put it on their playlist while I am working. They play mostly current crap. Best song their system offers is “ Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots. Rick Beato also did an awesome break-down of that song on his YT channel
on face value it seems to be word salad with no meaning but once you know the story of the real chemist who was behind LSD the lyrics become more interesting. He got out of some very heavy stuff because at that point LSD wasn't technically illegal
Nick and Lex - it is SO INCREDIBLE that you get Steely Dan the way that we, I do. Just like you, I took a break to comment just as you were taking a break after the second chorus. I just had to react to your Reaction! Because I know Steely Dan's catalog so well, I pushed Kid Charlemagne to the lower half - but, watching your reaction is giving me a new appreciation for the song.
If you have ever wondered if your reaction videos touch people - well, I am here to tell you that they DO!!!
Just finished the whole Reaction video. A thought came to my mind - You have made Steely Dan one of your favorite bands - and in the 10 months you have been reacting, you have become my FAVORITE REACTORs.
Ken
You might want to add Don't Take Me Alive from this album to your To Do list. More great Larry Carlton solo guitar.
Larry Carlton’s solo(s) will blow Nick’s mind!
Totally agree.... The guitar intro is a work of art.... Never gets old....
Agree! “Don’t Take Me Alive”. The Royal Scam is full of great tunes!
The great Larry Carlton on lead guitar
Big time studio guitarist and solo artist during that time
Check out 'Room 335' from him
You're gonna shed after listening to that one
This solo was one of THE guitar solos for us inspiring guitarists in the 70s. Everyone was aware of it
'Don't Take me Alive " from the same album. Worth the 1 more album cut
Very cool catchy tune and Another killer guitar track from Mr Carlton
The next Steely Dan song you listen to is your favorite one. There's not many bands that can have that effect on you. My favorite remains Aja though, but every other song is right there, when I listen to it.
This is a great choice ! (Although there is not a bad choice when it come to Steely Dan). I’m glad you are guys are enjoying them! WHEN you get to the second album, Count Down To Ecstasy, could you please cover “Bodhisattva”? So many theme they’ve opened their live shows with it. Great job on this video you two, Thank You!
Some of my favorite Steely Dan "Deep Cuts" are Don't Take Me Alive [Scam]; Any World (That I'm Welcome To) [Katy]; and Turn That Heartbeat Over Again [Thrill]
I'd like to see your reaction to "Don't Take Me Alive," too. Maybe feature each side of the album as separate reactions. That way you won't feel deprived for so long, and you'll get to share your enjoyment with the rest of us!
Larry Carlton's solo on Kid Charlemagne and Elliott Randall's solo on Reeling in the Years are perhaps the two most iconic guitar solos in Steely Dan's recordings!
Agree completely!
Let's not forget Skunk Baxter's solo on "Bohdisattva." 😁
@@gasaholic47 And Denny Dias on the same song.
@@argelbargel7680 Nope. Walter Becker was the rhythm guitarist.
@@gasaholic47 See the liner notes on the album, among other places. "Dias the Bebopper meets Baxter the skunk beneath the Bo Tree in this altered blues."
Dias and Baxter both play solos on Bodhhisatva.
When I know the song, waiting for your reaction is one of my little big joy in my life. You two make my day (as usual ). I was waiting for the solo, smiling like an idiot and you were perfect. I was laughing so hard.
Thank you !
A french fan
Steely Dan really knows how to take you on a ride. I knew Nick was going to love the guitar on this track.Great reaction N&L.
I think we have all learned to listen to Michele.
You’re the nicest person in the world, RF. But hold out on that judgment until my next request. I requested something different (from ‘68) that might not be appreciated as much. I had planned on more Yes but changed directions last minute. We’ll see. lol 🤞
And funny, but true. After Yes, this song was next on my request list. Haha. ✅ Check and Check. ✨🤪
I'm typing before I even hear their response... This happens to be my favorite song by Steely Dan because it's put together so well and a highlight for me in it is Larry Carlton's solo - which so happens to be perfect, for the quick changes he's following it's in the pocket, melodic and so beautifully phrased - has to be among the best solos of all time.
Your reaction to Steely Dan songs make me smile.
Kid Charlemagne is a Dan classic,love the clavinet playing on it.All the musicianship on their songs is exemplary.
Keep up the great work.
All the best from Scotland 🏴
One of my favorite Steely Dan songs. The guitar is so tasty and the lyrics are fun. Thank you for another great reaction. Watching you appreciate new music is cool.
That outro solo could go for 10 minutes and most people would be cool with that. First time I heard it I was driving my car with Royal Scam on the 8 track. You just never forget how good that sounds.
I wish I had a few friends who love good music as much as you two do! This is another song I heard on the radio station at work 1000 times, but enjoy it all the more after watching you enjoy it.
Well , you guys are making my Monday! Today was a dreadful work day. But i woke up to you reacting to my request! And now i got to watch this reaction on my way home from work! You mean so much to me! Every Steely Dan song is so great! Im such a fan of their music! I am currently listening to Steely Dan more than anything else right now. Listened the Pretzel Logic album multiple times this weekend! They never disappoint! And this song continues that trend for sure! Also i just picked up my mail. And my nick and Lex shirt is here! Just keeps getting better! Nick , i loved this guitar solo so much as well! Thanks for this reaction! Thanks for having this channel. Im happy to have you as my friends! Love you ! Have a good night!
I didn't write this. David Ryder gave this nice explanation of this song:
"Check out the wikipedia article about Owsley Stanley. He was not the creator of LSD, but he certainly was "the best in town" and made literally millions of doses in his East Bay underground lab and "turned it on the world", while moonlighting as the Grateful Dead's first sound engineer. "Those San Francisco nights" would be "The Matrix", "Avalon Ballroom" and those other tiny acid-drenched venues the nascent San Francisco sound began in. Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead owned an "A-frame" house in Mill Valley in Marin county and probably had Owsley's number on the wall. "Those day-glo freaks who used to paint the face have joined the human race." The daisy-chain hippies in Golden Gate Park with the painted faces eventually got jobs like their parents. Owlsey did go down to LA and supplied the six Acid Tests between Feb and March of '66 in southern California. "Still an outlaw in their eyes" ... LSD became outlawed in California in October of '66. Anyway... yeah, it's a potent song in many ways. Pregnant with meaning".
I'll add that the "White men in the streets" refers to the rise of cocaine and how people turned from LSD after it was outlawed. Also Stanley was captured by the police when his car ran out of gas (Is there gas in the car? Yes there’s gas in the car).
Listen to Kayne West’ sampling of this song on “Champions”-he wrote to Becker and Fagen to ask permission, was told no and came back to Donald with a personal letter-he was granted the OK
It’s such a joy when we hear Bernard Purdie & Chuck Rainey on drums and bass. So sweet together!!
This is the album that many Dan fans feel is their best because it still has the rock/ soul/jazz mix that disappeared when Aja came out.
Listen to the guitar work on Sign in Stranger, the reggae- infused Haitian Divorce… much harder-edged but still rich sound which they absolutely nail!
I love that they let Michael McDonald cut loose in the last chorus: "Get aloooong, get along!"
Heaven! I’m late to the party today but this was such a treat. I knew Nick would claim this is his favorite - that solo! But also the funk and the lyrics are especially meaningful to me. Owsley was a renowned chemist of LSD. The line, “Is there gas in the car? Yes, there’s gas in the car 🚗!” is a line that friends have repeated for decades. Based on the rumor of Owsley’s bust because he ran out of gas. I credit Owsley for my first enlightened experience. Lol. Great song. Great album. Incredible band - once you have the bug, it’s for life! Great reaction. It was everything! And this whole album is stellar but “Don’t Take Me Alive” could be next. Thanks ✨🤪
Hey MM what time zone are you in?
I’m on the West Coast (Pacific Time Zone), USA. It wasn’t late in the day when I had discovered this reaction, but it had already been up for 6 hours when I realized it. Great treat for a busy day. Where are you, M?
Oh, btw, my plan was to request more Yes (1st on my list) and then this Steely Dan track was 2nd on my list. But I went with someone totally different when I heard that this song was already in the can. Lol. I’m not sure if you’ll like who I finally went with. It’s from 1968. Oh well 🤪 - we’ll see. 💕
@@michelemichele3375 Yes that happens to me too sometimes. I am on the east coast close to DC. I am sure I will like your 1968 song even though I had yet to be born at that time but music is timeless and your taste impeccable. 🙏🏽✌🏽❤️
I love you guys, your reactions lighten up my days and evenings, you appreciate such good music that I grew up listening to from a young age in the mid-70s all the way through till now, keep it up 🙏!
That is so sweet of you, thanks for your love and support! ❤️ It’s great to have you! - Lex
Love the bass line on King Charlemagne.
Chuck Rainey is the shit
"I had been in Hollywood for about a year when we recorded this one. I had already done some work for Gary Katz [producer] earlier in New York. The energy on this song is great, and I remember playing everything I knew on that song, based on my 1-5-1 style. I walked out the studio that day with my chest stuck out, enjoying the sunshine and my new car. I felt very good about that session, especially because we did it so quickly. I think the best sessions are the ones that happen quick. You don’t labor over it. Once you make sure you understand the music, the best things happen the first, second, or third take. I think I did Kid Charlemagne in one take."
Rainey the GOAT
Yeah underrated, love the guitar solo, but the rhythm section and Fagans vocals always stood out, particularly his inflections.
Rainey’s bass is amazing but I think it’s Fagan’s clav riffs that bring the funk.
I was totally thinking Alan Parsons during that segment as well. You guys are the best and Lex has never looked happier and more beautiful!
Always LOVED Steely Dan. They made music cool in the 70s. Have most of their albums, yes vinyl, when released. Thank you for reacting to the best of 70s music.
Your 70's Music Education will not be complete till you hear 'Low spark of High Heeled Boys' by Traffic. =))
Legend has it that Jimmy Page has stated that this solo by Larry Carlton is his all time favorite.
As regards to The Royal Scam - DO THE WHOLE ALBUM! It's utterly fantastic, esp. Green Earrings, Sign In Stranger, and the title track.
First time I heard it I thought of Page's style, in the bends mostly
Reelin' in the Years.
Wrong song.
Page said the solo in "Reeling in the Years" was his favorite solo of all time.
Green Earrings is my favorite but I love the whole album
@tbjfsu @Frank Marsh - thanks for the correction. Appreciated.
Nick & Lex, you ABSOLUTELY need to listen to "Reeling in the Years" from their first record. It is a killer song with one of their best guitar solos EVER. I can't believe you haven't hit that song yet. I PROMISE you it will also become a favorite. I'm BEGGING for you both to hear it. It was also one of their biggest hits (for good reason) and it came from their first record. Gosh I hope you heed my request, you will thank me just for that guitar solo AND it has some of my favorite Steely Dan lyrics, it's just a perfectly crafted smooth paced rocker. As always keep up the great work and keep loving each other.
My favorite Steely Dan song.
I've been a fan of the Dan since I heard Reelin' in the years back in '72.
Larry Carlton's solo on Kid is the best!
Don't take me alive, and Green Earrings are also great songs from this album.
Thank you for letting us re-live the journey of discovery of Steely Dan through you.
Love your channel. you guys are great!
I can't wait until you get to "Countdown to Ecstasy", one of my favorites.(well they all are favorites)
The banger of "Bodhisattva", the horn inspired "My old school", "Your Gold teeth", ... just another great Steely Dan Album.
This song and this album defines an era in my life. Everything Steely Dan did punctuated a phase in my life, and it is such a gift to be nostalgic about such monumental song writing and music. I'm 65 and was there at the beginning. Musical historians in the future will analyze Steely Dan like we do with Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, in context.
Another reaction to my favorite band! Great job guys! Kid Charlemagne is amazing with superb guitar, I love it! Love your channel, Gary
Great cut! That's Jazz great Larry Carlton on lead guitar as well as Michael McDonald on backing vocals! Always loved the quality of players Steely Dan brought in to play on their projects.
"You never grow out of Steely Dan...you grow into them!" -Jack after many years of loving the Dan and solo Fagen!
As you guys astutely noticed, Steely Dan music is so brilliant and nuanced, first initial exposure to a song of theirs is very different as you start to absorb all the different layers. Lots of times I didn’t even appreciate some of their tunes first, second, or third time through! Been a fan now of The Dan and Fagen-solo for almost 50 years now.
Really enjoy you guys and your reactions, especially to Steely Dan. I've been listening to them for over 40 years. For 40 years they have been my favorite band, so it's fun to see younger folks discovering their music and appreciating it so much. Have to echo other comments and recommend Don't Take Me Alive as your next song from the album. Loved your reaction to the solo, but it isn't just the solos, but the chords and chord progressions under the solos that are always so brilliant with Steely Dan. Keep exploring!
The greatest thing about Steely Dan is there will be a solo by a musician that will absolutely blow you away. In this case it's the amazing Larry Carlton.
Guitar solo played by Larry Carlton. I always thought that Steely Dan was the only group that ever really fused Jazz and Rock. It took real genius to do that. This is a masterpiece and I envy you guys getting to hear this stuff for the first time. I've been listening to the Dan since they first hit in the early 70's and tracks like this still sound as fresh as they did 40 years ago. And BTW this song has a monster groove courtesy of some of the greatest LA session musicians that ever lived.
SPOT ON. I've heard this song so many times but I never realized that one layer of it sounds like "I Wouldn't Want To Be Like You" by Alan Parsons Project. You are a musician and picked that up right away. BTW.... Kid Charlemagne was released in 1976 and "I wouldn't Want to Be Like You" was released a year later in 1977. There are so many "layers" in most Steely Dan songs that it's easy to miss some of the riffs going on especially if you are NOT wearing headphones. Keep it up guys.....
love the steely reactions, guys - i've known these songs for lo! these many years but it's great hearing them afresh through new ears. you may not be aware of this yet but you really, really need those alluring "green earrings" - one of the smoothest, grooviest siren songs of the seventies - you can't go wrong with sir donald and sir walter!!
Check out Larry Carlon's many solo albums and before that his work with the Crusaders; Joni Mitchell (Court & Spark/Miles of Aisles) and Tom Scott & the LA Express (1st two albums - then Robben Ford took over the guitar seat)
This whole album is a masterpiece. RIP Walter Becker. Watching those two in the studio was like watching one brain with 2 bodies.
This song is about a guy named Owsley Stanely, who was a legendary acid maker in San Francisco. It's about his fall.
I'm just coming on board with you guys. Love the fresh look and yes it does remind me and probably many others of when we first heard these songs. If you ever want to dive deep into the best live album, may I suggest Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat backed by the Tower of Power horn section. Dixie Chicken should be the first song you listened to. You will not be disappointed.
I love Steely Dan and I love you guys...and I love that you love Steely Dan. Your reactions bring tears of joy to me...keep up the great work...I'm with ya on this journey...
The "travel-group" is getting bigger and bigger :-) it started on a bus, then needed an A380 and now we need more than one cruise ship .... LOL
Greetings from Kentucky! Steely Dan hitting home right now! Love your enthusiasm for Steely Dan! Love your channel!
“Kid Charlemagne” tells the story of the rise and fall of a San Francisco drug manufacturer. In a 2000 online chat with the BBC, Becker revealed that the lyrics were based on Owsley Stanley, a famous LSD chemist of the 1960s known professionally as Bear.
This is my favorite Steely Dan album. You can't go wrong with any, though I suggest Haitian Divorce, Green Earrings and The Fez. Royal Scam, Sign in Stranger, and Don't Take Me Alive are nice songs also. Enjoy. Peace
I saw Steely Dan live a couple of months ago. They are still making it work -- I had a great time and they rocked it. I have listened to Steely Dan from the 70s onward, through all permutations in my taste and musical obsessions. Their songs make me feel good every time.
The reason Larry's solo is so highly regarded is because he improvised it over these complex changes, legend.
I think that Alan Parsons instrument you're referring to is a Hohner Clavinet D6, which SD used generously throughout Royal Scam (next on Green Earrings)and Aja (Black Cow opening) to add a funky vibe. Stevie Wonder - Livin' For The City, for example.
A friend of mine said that this was an oblique reference to Timothy Leary, and he knows stuff. I met Tim twice, and he signed my book of his, called "Jail Notes".
Next up: Green Earrings with stellar guitar and drum work
Steely Dan set the bar for 70's music. They are amazing.
It is great to see young people venturing down the Steely Dan rabbit hole. I really enjoy your videos! - Jeff
You know, funny thing is when I was a teen and Steely Dan's music was playing on the radio, it was usually played on the classic rock stations in Chicago and the suburbs (where I grew up) or everywhere else for that matter. It was always a rock, pop or classic rock radio station playing their music. I never associated Steely Dan as a jazz band per se. I classified them as classic rock artists. Now that I'm 61, I can hear those nuances everyone talks about in the jazz elements of their music but back then, to us, Steely Dan were an awesome rock n roll band. But in the end, it is all classic to me! jazz, rock, fusion, etc... whatever...Their library of music is mesmerizing. If I may be so bold as to suggest to you guys to try and do at least one Steely Dan tune a week, Don't deny yourself!! Plus you still have Donald Fagen's solo works which are in themselves, brilliant masterpieces!! IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY YOU TWO HAVE BECOME STEELY DAN FANS AND CONTINUE TO DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR EXCELLENT MUSIC. I appreciate you both greatly....gracias!! By the way, I received my "Peace In Music" NickN Lex shirt which I proudly wore on my trip to Monterrey Mexico and got all great comments on it!! so thank you for that!!
Taking me back to my youth. Haven't heard these songs for years.
It was the same with me, and at that time, nobody in my generation, the first rock generation, liked SD; in fact, they disliked them. Through the '70s and on SD was the music of my life; I waited urgently for each new album. But in the intervening decades, little by little, I put them aside. I was stunned recently to find these first reactions and discover that a generation of young first-time SD fans is as crazy about their now timeless music as I was those ages ago. It's thrilling, really
And the Drums, it all meshes so perfectly!!
IS THERE GAS IN THE CAHH?! YES, THERE'S GAS IN THE CAHHHHHH!!!
The story of Owsley Stanley, LSD chemist extraordinaire
Kid Charlemagne 1976; I wouldn't Want to Be Like You 1977
The Royal Scam was such a good late 70's party album for, shall we say, mature adults who never really grew up? What can I say. I guess I don't remember much of the 70's either! And I was actually a pretty boring guy for a teenager in that time period. But loved me some Steely Dan!
So glad you liked this and you'll will enjoy the whole album. Thanks!
Now here's another guitar solo that Nick has to learn note for note....and there's more to come!🎸🎶🌴
I watch 40% for reaction, 60% to see Lex look into the camera and smile that smile!
Haitian Divorce is great and reggae-themed. Don't Take Me alive is another one you need to listen to from this album. This entire album is a gem. Have you listened to Reelin' In the Years yet? Killer guitar work on that one as well. Virtually everything this band has done over the years is stellar. Love your Steely reviews, you two. Keep it up!
Hey, if you like Tower of Power check out Little Feat's double live album Waiting for Columbus featuring the Tower of Power horns!
Man, I've been after them to get on "Waiting for Columbus" for quite some time! If that don't move you, you're dead! "Mercenary Territory" "Spanish Moon" "All That You Dream" "Rocket in My Pocket" "Fat Man in the bathtub" etc. One of the true smokers of all time!
It is fun to watch people discover what I have known for a very long time; Steely Dan are masters of songwriting, production, and performance.
It is appropriate that the comment section gives you an emotional lift, because watching you two react to the music I grew up with does the same for me.
That’s so sweet of you to say, thank you! :) - Lex