Me too...since the 70's - since childhood - I am a bit envious of people hearing it for the first time, but it still resonates the same, every time you listen.
Yep, this is typical Dan ambiguous word smithing, the groove and the funk beat is the primary thing. But yeah, Fez is a kind of arabic, usually Moroccan cap with a tassel, but they are toying with the condom slang for that double meaning and a few grins. Its interesting how quickly these guys recognized the almost modern hip hop funk groove in a song that was composed at the dawn of the DISCO age!
The Dan has you bopping along to their infectious grooves, then you realize you’re singing along to a song about a condom… or a drug dealer… or a murderer… or….
@@jimmoore8951 Or a prostitute (Pearl of the Quarter, Here at the Western World), or a sexual deviant (Everyone's Gone to the Movies, Cousin Dupree)......
Steely Dan was the album that the salesman put on the turntable back in the 70's when you were buying a stereo system. They were heads above every band back then in quality of recordings.
I brought Aja to stereo stores in the 70s and 80s whenever I purchased stereo equipment because I knew every note of that album and how it should sound. A true reference recording.
You guys are properly hooked. You are picking up the things you’re supposed to pick up, and more. Yes, the music is timeless. It’s possible that you will be able to listen to SD and NEVER tire of it. I refer to it as unbreakable …and that is the highest compliment I can give music. It means that I could sit down and listen to the entire catalogue and not get sick of it, not need to turn it off or put something else on.
That guitarist is Walter Becker....simply amazing - Rest his soul. I'm 62 yrs old and Steely Dan has been one of my favorite bands. Even our kids that are now in their 30's were raised listening to them and love this band as much as we do.
Steely Dan is one of a kind. No one has their style, their sound. Funk, jazz, brilliance. I have to say it again. I love watching you vibe on the good music.
@@AirplayBeats Video titled "Bernard "Pretty" Purdie: The Legendary Purdie Shuffle" that showcases not only his talent, but his phenomenal personality. It's definitely worth a watch, hope you enjoy it!
@Airplay Beats That would be awesome they don't call him the hit maker for nothing. Played with Aretha Franklin and James Brown and many other great artists
@@AirplayBeats If you interview Purdie, be prepared and do your homework. He's REALLY appreciate it, but doesn't suffer fools. I think you guys can handle it. You're smart and have an understanding of production, mix, sound, instrumentation. Ask Purdie how he and Roger Nichols (engineer) they mic'd the drums.
That rhythm section of Chuck Rainey on bass and Bernard Purdie on drums is all over this album and Aja, and they are both storied musicians with long lists of credits to their names. You can tell how much Don and Walt loved the funk/soul groove from the long outros they put on so many of their songs, just to play with the groove they set up and drop more and more layers on top
My uncle turned me on to them just before he passed away. I've always thought of this music as a gift from my uncle that keeps giving till this day. It's crazy how fast 5 years goes by.
You guys are SPOT ON........ there are simply NO FILLERS on Steely Dan albums. Although they did record some tracks that were left off their albums. This may be my favorite album by them. It has the funk and the R&B element .... not to mention the jazz change ups that they are known for. Great reaction, guys. Take care.
You two are taking SD fans on your journey of musical discovery, and that warms the heart of Steely Dan fans, like me, and transports us back to earlier times and memories. And as you journey further, you will cease to be surprised, and come to expect, great song after great song, as a matter of course. Every song on every album has its own deliciousness baked inside. Green Earrings will still hit you hard, even though you've been forewarned. I'm loving this journey! Buckle up brothers, we're just over halfway through Royal Scam and iconic songs are coming up.Lets ride.
@Airplay Beats ty for your kind words and for bringing this value to my life. This album was released when was 18 I can't tell you how much joy I derive from seeing you react to SD. And you have like 7 more albums to experience. SD just keeps on giving. On Green Earrings reaction I hope you remember that I told you so, same for Haitian Divorce. Enjoy. And listen to that ending all the way through on Green Earrings.its trippy.
This is so much fun watching you guys experience one of my favorite bands. I can't wait for Green Earrings. And yes, it's as good if not better. You always think it can't get any better and then it does. They really do not miss album after album. Can't wait for Everything Must Go.
GREEN EARRINGS: Is about a woman's boyfriend that would keep stealing her expensive Jewelry, Sells-It, and when she confronts him... he says: I am what I am, hope you love me for it... (Jist of it) FEZ: About a guy that wears a Condom before SEX. STEELY DAN: is the name of a 1960's Dildo....
Of all of the reaction videos across all of the channels i enjoy, this is my favorite reaction video. I always loved this song, and it's clear it blew you guys' musical minds just like it did mine back when i was a kid.
Gentlemen, thank you for taking us on your journey with this band. My favorite band. And watching you get into them is a joy. Can't wait for the next video and albums. Peace
Gaucho was released in 1980. Walter and Donald did solo albums thru the 80s and 90s and eventually got back together and did two more Steely Dan albums in 2000/2003 as well as touring. A fez is a hat but here it is a euphemism for a condom.
But don't forget Hatian Divorce for it's one of those songs that when you hear it you are instantly brought to a "happy place" where all is good. You'll see.
The Royal Scam was decades ahead of its time. That's Elliott Randall on guitar (Sign in Stranger, Reelin' in the Years). On Green Earrings there are not one, not two, but 3 guitarists doing the solos: Larry Carlton, Denny Dias, and Elliott Randall. It's wicked and the baddest, funkiest funk. Listen to Prince - he had to have heard a lot of Steely Dan. You also have to do FM - title track from the movies - 1978. Epic Steely Dan. Steely Dan regrouped for Two Against Nature (2000: 4 Grammys) and Everything Must Go (2003). Funky, a little sour with the sweet. Outstanding even if there's a little less ear candy. From TAN: Jack of Speed, Janie Runaway, What a Shame About Me, West of Hollywood, Negative Girl, Almost Gothic are classics. On Everything Must God, the back half is the best. I play it in reverse order: Everything Must Go, Lunch with Gina, Pixeleen, Greenbook, Godwhacker are probably the best songs from that album. Donald Fagen (4) and Walter Becker (2) have solo albums. The Nightfly is a Classic: New Frontier, IGY, The Goodbye Look.. Kamakiriad is a drier funk. I like Sunken Condos album a lot. Good Stuff, Slinky Thing, I'm not the Same Without You, Weather in My Head, Miss Marlene are excellent. Fagen never made a bad or even mediocre album.
That is the "hitmaker" on drums, Bernard Purdie. He always has the perfect groove and fills for every song. Wait until you hear the song Green Earrings...it has an absolutely killer groove (the drum fill before the first guitar solo will knock you off your chairs!), along with fantastic guitar solos and chord changes.
My girl friend played them once back in the 70’s and I said who is this!? I was forever hooked and got everything they put out. At that time I was into jazz and R@B. As I said before, forever hooked!
Once again - the magic sound is Bernard Purdie on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass! They really have such an amazing groove together that puts this SD album right next to Aja
I think The Fez and Green Earrings are equally badass grooves, but Green Earrings features some outrageous guitar work. When you listen to Green Earrings, you might realize you’re listening to a 16-bar blues. Steely Dan does this a lot. They’ll take a typical blues structure but change the chords from the typical I-IV-V 7th chords to more sophisticated chord structures and progressions.
Ruby Baby; Maxine ; NewFrontier ; The Nightfly are incredible from Donald Fagen’s solo album- The Nightfly. ( 1981) Great exploration, fellas! Love your channel! 🌹🥰
It’s great to see you guys react to music that I have loved for most of my life. I also appreciate that you both have a musical background. I can see that you are truly enjoying what you’re experiencing. 🤙
I've only recently started my deep dive into Steely Dan. Always appreciated their hits, but DAMN ... it's a cool, cool journey, and I'm enjoying watching you guys trip on them just like I have.
Green earring is the quintessence of funk! This one (the Fez) is great, but Green earrings is "next level"! Try to imagine Stevie Wonder's Contusion mixed with some Frank Zappa's work and you'll get some vague idea of what Green earrings is!
L.O.V.E. your reactions, gents. You've properly fallen into the Steely Dan Rabbit Hole! Cool. Oh, the 'fez'? It's a fancy hat, boys. One of a kind duo, Walter on the guitar, Donald on the piano. They'd roll in studio musicians, pay them, send them away, decided during the mixing which parts made it to the record. So amazing. Enjoy! Be well.
Stumbled onto your channel, and I am so enjoying you getting Danned !! Reminds me of hearing them first time with their debut album Can’t Buy A Thrill .. 1972 … us original Dan fans knew they were fantastic then, and like you mesmerized with every album.
They enjoyed the creative freedom of fusion. Jazz started to become part of the mix like Blood Sweat& Tears in the late 60s , Sugar Loaf's 'Green Eyed Lady' . Rock, jazz& Classical fusion of early Genesis and in the mid 70s, Phil Collins & Brand X
Steely Dan is rock, funk, jazz, R&B is various combinations that just works sublimely. Their albums were the ultimate in sound quality, especially Aja and Gaucho. There are two cool UA-cam videos about Steely Dan that I highly recommend -VH1 Storytellers and Steely Dan: More than just a band.
It sounds current - though better - since it's so influential, even if second or third hand. This interview with Bernard Purdie is fabulous. Beyond him obviously being in the first tier of drummers and his incredible catalog, he seems to be such a nice man. What struck me from this interview beyond the obvious is his concern over the years that his drums were recorded well, the sound was great, etc. Earl Young (who you should also interview) also has mentioned over the years how engineering great Joe Tarsia (along with the other engineers at Sigma Sound) got his drums to sound right, and his appreciation for that. m.ua-cam.com/video/6uusF1iie88/v-deo.html You may also want to see if Elliot Scheiner would be interested in an interview...I saw one recently where he answered questions re working on GAUCHO. He is another incredible engineer, as you hear on this album. You both are great. I am truly enjoying your videos, with them coming from professionals adding insight that otherwise would not be possible to be there.
Airplay Beats! As you have no doubt noticed that "The Royal Scam" album is a whole lot funkier than the "Aja" album! Steely Dan is giving off serious "Sophistifunk" vibes! As an aside, they are singing about wearing protection "The Fez" to get busy! I can't wait until you hear "Green Earrings"! Peace!!!
Yes, Green Earrings will not be the funk or R&B that The Fez brought, but will be the best blend of rock and jazz in a song you will ever hear with a very heavy groove.
I always considered it pretty funky and like Haitian Divorce has reggae influences all over it. Not really one of my fav Dan tunes because I've heard it live so much, but I guess they liked playing it live.
Love your reactions guys, most of all, I love how you get this deepness INSTANTLY! Tiny point, The Fez is the last track on side A, not the first track on Side B…
I'm cycling through all your guys' steely Dan and Donald Fagen reactions. A heartfelt thank you for helping me and I suspect many others rediscover our joy in this band, not that we ever forsook them, but it's always nice to collectively take part in people enjoying this music for the first time. You should really get around a checking out two against nature by steely Dan from around 2000 or so. In my humble opinion just as good as their earlier work
Good morning!!! New subscriber from Portland, Oregon and let me tell yall something.....There is NOTHING BETTER than Steely Dan!! I saw them here in concert last year and lost my damn mind!!! Donald Fagen is a BAAAAAD BOY!!!! If you guys listen to Third World Man, that was sampled by Usher and Busta, and Kid Charlamagne was sampled by Kanye. If yall want their best grooves, listen to Home At Last and Babylon Sisters. Don't forget New Frontier by Donald Fagen. Love you guys!!!! Be blessed!!!
I was born in 1964 and will be 60 next month, which qualifies me as an OG Steely Dan fan. I saw them the last time they were in Sydney. Now, I was looking through your reviews and wondered how you would react to The Fez, which is my favourite, and sure enough, it was on the money. My top five are The Fez, King of the World, Josie, Your Gold Teeth, and Time Out of Mind (Countdown to Ecstasy was my first SD album, hence the bias).
My dad played this album whenever we took our boat out on the lake and this was always my favorite song! I later heard a rumor about this song that "THE FEZ" was a reference to a condom. Which, fits in with their theme, since they took their name from a strap-on ..... Anyhow, an innocent kid from the 70's just enjoyed the groove oblivious to the kinky lyrics. Cheers!
Love to watch you two reacting. I only knew the songs that had radio play back in the '70s. Never knew how great they were, but my musician friends were always talking about them....
Thank you guys for doing what you’re doing. Man I love your reactions to the music I grew up on. You guys get it. I’m not a musican by any means. I’m a music lover. I love that you pick out the “little” bits that pull the sounds together. You guys get the music. Thank you.
I was sooo fortunate to have seen them a few times back in the days but the last time l saw them in concert they opened up with "Green Earrings ", it was at the Hollywood Bowl, loving your reaction 🤟
The Fez is a a cylindrical hat, some with a tassel on top and most are red in color worn by Middle Eastern men and is a prominent fashion of Persian culture! Also , it’s a banging song from Steely!
I enjoy every single time you're gone to react to...Steely Dan X song! whatever! ;) ....I must express my admiration for the third and fourth (to me) "official" members of the band...Roger Nichols and Elliot Scheiner. (Royal scam, Aja, and Gaucho) They were so talented, They mixed and recorded almost totally of their records, the clarity, and the punch...so many little details across the stereo...uff...The perfect combination between music and engineering in unison!
Fagen understood the assignment. Funk 101: "Funk originated in the mid-1960s, with James Brown's development of a signature groove that emphasized the downbeat-with a heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure ("The One"), and the application of swung 16th notes and syncopation on all basslines, drum patterns, and guitar riffs.
I started watching your channel, based on your Discovery of Steely Dan, so I want to give you guys an insight on actual Studio Creation of a Steely Dan Song......and as a Bonus, it's one you haven't covered! Check out Leonid and Friends on UA-cam, covering the song " My Old School". It's shot in a Studio, and it demonstrates 2 things: 1. How Diverse, and Deep the Original Steely Dan players were..... 2.This set of current RUSSIAN born musicians can really put out great Music, from Out of Nowhere! Got a chance to see them Live up here in Motown, and they are For Real! If you mind got blown, listening to the original tracks.....this UA-cam Video puts you in the Studio, and I know you gotta wanna see that! By the way, I've seen maybe 12 of your videos so far, and you guys are right on the hooks, the black keys, the sharps, and the sophistication of the Songs you're reviewing.......it's fun watching your heads Spin, while us Old OGs just smile, and revisit Times Back in the Day😉
While SD did write some stuff with radio airplay in mind, they didn't do filler material, it's all gold. I'm really enjoying you guys digging into Steely Dan like this and I can't wait until you get to their Pretzel Logic album.
2024. 67 years old. British. Wish I was listening to this band for the first time ever. Steely Dan fan since 72. No bad tracks
Me too...since the 70's - since childhood - I am a bit envious of people hearing it for the first time, but it still resonates the same, every time you listen.
me:same age and same year i started to listen
Ditto
A fez can be a type of hat, but it is also a slang term for a condom. Walter Becker is doing the guitar work on this tune.
LOL, a condom for Steely Dan. How appropriate. 😂
Yep, this is typical Dan ambiguous word smithing, the groove and the funk beat is the primary thing. But yeah, Fez is a kind of arabic, usually Moroccan cap with a tassel, but they are toying with the condom slang for that double meaning and a few grins. Its interesting how quickly these guys recognized the almost modern hip hop funk groove in a song that was composed at the dawn of the DISCO age!
Those sly guys. Always making you think.😊
The Dan has you bopping along to their infectious grooves, then you realize you’re singing along to a song about a condom… or a drug dealer… or a murderer… or….
@@jimmoore8951
Or a prostitute (Pearl of the Quarter, Here at the Western World), or a sexual deviant (Everyone's Gone to the Movies, Cousin Dupree)......
Steely Dan was the album that the salesman put on the turntable back in the 70's when you were buying a stereo system. They were heads above every band back then in quality of recordings.
Yup. "Aja" is my reference disc to demo audio equipment. 👍
Still are. Engineers today without computers have no clue how to mic drums, etc.
@@jml-rj5re awesome!
I brought Aja to stereo stores in the 70s and 80s whenever I purchased stereo equipment because I knew every note of that album and how it should sound. A true reference recording.
Omg. This is 💯 accurate!
You cats are my new favorite channel. You guys get it.
You guys are properly hooked. You are picking up the things you’re supposed to pick up, and more. Yes, the music is timeless. It’s possible that you will be able to listen to SD and NEVER tire of it. I refer to it as unbreakable …and that is the highest compliment I can give music. It means that I could sit down and listen to the entire catalogue and not get sick of it, not need to turn it off or put something else on.
These guys are fully 'in' to The Dan now. They get it, it great to see someone experiencing it for the first time and being blown away.
I couldn't agree more with your words!
There is always something new both in the lyrics and the music that hits me no matter how often I listen.🎶🏝️
You are so right. SD is still the music I listen to most, after 50 years.
That guitarist is Walter Becker....simply amazing - Rest his soul. I'm 62 yrs old and Steely Dan has been one of my favorite bands. Even our kids that are now in their 30's were raised listening to them and love this band as much as we do.
It’s Larry Carleton
Steely Dan is one of a kind. No one has their style, their sound. Funk, jazz, brilliance. I have to say it again. I love watching you vibe on the good music.
That bass line is BANGING 🔥
Maybe it's just me but to hear a song about the "use of condoms" while someone is repeatedly caught saying "that's hard" is flat out humorous.
You two guys are just a few of the reactors that 1 know what they are reacting to and 2 are honest and sincere.
The great Bernard Purdie on drums.
Awesome!! We are trying to get an interview with him.
@@AirplayBeats Video titled "Bernard "Pretty" Purdie: The Legendary Purdie Shuffle" that showcases not only his talent, but his phenomenal personality. It's definitely worth a watch, hope you enjoy it!
@Airplay Beats That would be awesome they don't call him the hit maker for nothing. Played with Aretha Franklin and James Brown and many other great artists
@@AirplayBeats If you interview Purdie, be prepared and do your homework. He's REALLY appreciate it, but doesn't suffer fools. I think you guys can handle it. You're smart and have an understanding of production, mix, sound, instrumentation. Ask Purdie how he and Roger Nichols (engineer) they mic'd the drums.
Bernard is great on Home At Last
That rhythm section of Chuck Rainey on bass and Bernard Purdie on drums is all over this album and Aja, and they are both storied musicians with long lists of credits to their names. You can tell how much Don and Walt loved the funk/soul groove from the long outros they put on so many of their songs, just to play with the groove they set up and drop more and more layers on top
My uncle turned me on to them just before he passed away. I've always thought of this music as a gift from my uncle that keeps giving till this day. It's crazy how fast 5 years goes by.
I love your reactions! I have always loved Steely Dan, but you guys are reminding me why I love them so much. Thank you!
You guys are SPOT ON........ there are simply NO FILLERS on Steely Dan albums. Although they did record some tracks that were left off their albums. This may be my favorite album by them. It has the funk and the R&B element .... not to mention the jazz change ups that they are known for. Great reaction, guys. Take care.
“What’s a fez?” “I don’t know but that’s hard,” was hilarious!! So true!
You two are taking SD fans on your journey of musical discovery, and that warms the heart of Steely Dan fans, like me, and transports us back to earlier times and memories. And as you journey further, you will cease to be surprised, and come to expect, great song after great song, as a matter of course. Every song on every album has its own deliciousness baked inside. Green Earrings will still hit you hard, even though you've been forewarned. I'm loving this journey! Buckle up brothers, we're just over halfway through Royal Scam and iconic songs are coming up.Lets ride.
We always look forward to your great comments. Thank you so much for supporting us.
@Airplay Beats ty for your kind words and for bringing this value to my life. This album was released when was 18 I can't tell you how much joy I derive from seeing you react to SD. And you have like 7 more albums to experience. SD just keeps on giving. On Green Earrings reaction I hope you remember that I told you so, same for Haitian Divorce. Enjoy. And listen to that ending all the way through on Green Earrings.its trippy.
This is so much fun watching you guys experience one of my favorite bands. I can't wait for Green Earrings. And yes, it's as good if not better. You always think it can't get any better and then it does. They really do not miss album after album. Can't wait for Everything Must Go.
GREEN EARRINGS: Is about a woman's boyfriend that would keep stealing her expensive Jewelry, Sells-It, and when she confronts him... he says:
I am what I am, hope you love me for it... (Jist of it)
FEZ: About a guy that wears a Condom before SEX. STEELY DAN: is the name of a 1960's Dildo....
I love you guys. Thanks for being in the rabbit hole with me.
Of all of the reaction videos across all of the channels i enjoy, this is my favorite reaction video. I always loved this song, and it's clear it blew you guys' musical minds just like it did mine back when i was a kid.
Hearing again through someone’s reaction brings me back to when. 💜💜💜
This was my group in my 20s. No other band comes close to these guys. The Best. Enjoyed the reaction
Gentlemen, thank you for taking us on your journey with this band. My favorite band. And watching you get into them is a joy. Can't wait for the next video and albums. Peace
Gaucho was released in 1980. Walter and Donald did solo albums thru the 80s and 90s and eventually got back together and did two more Steely Dan albums in 2000/2003 as well as touring.
A fez is a hat but here it is a euphemism for a condom.
But don't forget Hatian Divorce for it's one of those songs that when you hear it you are instantly brought to a "happy place" where all is good. You'll see.
The Royal Scam was decades ahead of its time. That's Elliott Randall on guitar (Sign in Stranger, Reelin' in the Years). On Green Earrings there are not one, not two, but 3 guitarists doing the solos: Larry Carlton, Denny Dias, and Elliott Randall. It's wicked and the baddest, funkiest funk. Listen to Prince - he had to have heard a lot of Steely Dan.
You also have to do FM - title track from the movies - 1978. Epic Steely Dan.
Steely Dan regrouped for Two Against Nature (2000: 4 Grammys) and Everything Must Go (2003). Funky, a little sour with the sweet. Outstanding even if there's a little less ear candy. From TAN: Jack of Speed, Janie Runaway, What a Shame About Me, West of Hollywood, Negative Girl, Almost Gothic are classics. On Everything Must God, the back half is the best. I play it in reverse order: Everything Must Go, Lunch with Gina, Pixeleen, Greenbook, Godwhacker are probably the best songs from that album.
Donald Fagen (4) and Walter Becker (2) have solo albums. The Nightfly is a Classic: New Frontier, IGY, The Goodbye Look.. Kamakiriad is a drier funk. I like Sunken Condos album a lot. Good Stuff, Slinky Thing, I'm not the Same Without You, Weather in My Head, Miss Marlene are excellent. Fagen never made a bad or even mediocre album.
Steely Dan for life! ❤
That is the "hitmaker" on drums, Bernard Purdie. He always has the perfect groove and fills for every song. Wait until you hear the song Green Earrings...it has an absolutely killer groove (the drum fill before the first guitar solo will knock you off your chairs!), along with fantastic guitar solos and chord changes.
Love watching you guys gush on Steely Dan. They were ahead of their time. Great reaction!
Pure Joy watching you guys! Thanks for the smiles.
Steely Dan was /is the best music ever. I didn't know I lived during the best years of music. THANKS for your words.
No fillers no artificial flavors no coloring just damn good music……
Yes indeed!!!
nutritious and delicious!
“Don’t Take Me Alive” and “Royal Scam” are two of my favorites. Loving your reactions.
I loved this reaction!! One of my favorite songs from my childhood and you guys totally appreciated the way it should be!
Love this so much! We miss you, Walter Becker!
Stay healthy, Donald Fagen!
"This shit's eternal". Right on. Great jazz funk has that timeless quality to it
the fez is incredible. my dad would literally put on his fez when this song would come on the old school record player i got him
My girl friend played them once back in the 70’s and I said who is this!? I was forever hooked and got everything they put out. At that time I was into jazz and R@B. As I said before, forever hooked!
This track is fire. I dont know how I slept on SD for years. They had JAMS!!!
Once again - the magic sound is Bernard Purdie on drums and Chuck Rainey on bass! They really have such an amazing groove together that puts this SD album right next to Aja
Cool hearing Walter Becker’s guitar solo on this tune matching Robin Trower’s flanged guitar tone.
I think The Fez and Green Earrings are equally badass grooves, but Green Earrings features some outrageous guitar work. When you listen to Green Earrings, you might realize you’re listening to a 16-bar blues. Steely Dan does this a lot. They’ll take a typical blues structure but change the chords from the typical I-IV-V 7th chords to more sophisticated chord structures and progressions.
I call those tracks "twisted blues", and SD wrote quite a few of them
One of my fav grooves of all time so deeeep
Ruby Baby; Maxine ; NewFrontier ; The Nightfly are incredible from Donald Fagen’s solo album- The Nightfly. ( 1981) Great exploration, fellas! Love your channel! 🌹🥰
It’s great to see you guys react to music that I have loved for most of my life. I also appreciate that you both have a musical background. I can see that you are truly enjoying what you’re experiencing. 🤙
A Fez is a ceremonial hat usually worn by The Shriners as well as men from Morocco.
I've got the entire Steely Dan catalog on a flash drive and play it in my vehicles and at work.
The bass is leading in the groove! Simple and powerful!
Never heard "The Fez" before and I love it! Thank you guys for exploring Steely Dan music 🎵
It doesn't sound like hip hop, hip hop sounds like it because hip hop wouldn't exist without the classic Rock and Roll constantly sampled by it.
THIS.
I've only recently started my deep dive into Steely Dan. Always appreciated their hits, but DAMN ... it's a cool, cool journey, and I'm enjoying watching you guys trip on them just like I have.
Green earring is the quintessence of funk! This one (the Fez) is great, but Green earrings is "next level"! Try to imagine Stevie Wonder's Contusion mixed with some Frank Zappa's work and you'll get some vague idea of what Green earrings is!
Thanks to you guys ... I'm gaining a NEW found appreciation for The Dan ... And Ive been listening to them 50 years !!!! 😎🙋😏
The Fez is a hat identified with Morocco that Shriners wear. Here it's slang for condoms. Hee hee.
That's it.
U right eastern stars wear fez and I said condoms too lol
Timeless music
Way ahead of their time-their music never seems old. Saw Larry Carlton on tour decades ago, anything he did was golden.
L.O.V.E. your reactions, gents. You've properly fallen into the Steely Dan Rabbit Hole! Cool. Oh, the 'fez'? It's a fancy hat, boys. One of a kind duo, Walter on the guitar, Donald on the piano. They'd roll in studio musicians, pay them, send them away, decided during the mixing which parts made it to the record. So amazing. Enjoy! Be well.
Stumbled onto your channel, and I am so enjoying you getting Danned !!
Reminds me of hearing them first time with their debut album Can’t Buy A Thrill .. 1972 … us original Dan fans knew they were fantastic then, and like you mesmerized with every album.
They assault the senses in the most profound and beautiful way!!
I am so glad you are digging that song, that groove is crazy good. Can't wait to see you thoughts on Green Earings.
They enjoyed the creative freedom of fusion. Jazz started to become part of the mix like Blood Sweat& Tears in the late 60s , Sugar Loaf's 'Green Eyed Lady' . Rock, jazz& Classical fusion of early Genesis and in the mid 70s, Phil Collins & Brand X
Chicago, Return to Forever, Weather Report
Steely Dan is rock, funk, jazz, R&B is various combinations that just works sublimely. Their albums were the ultimate in sound quality, especially Aja and Gaucho. There are two cool UA-cam videos about Steely Dan that I highly recommend -VH1 Storytellers and Steely Dan: More than just a band.
It sounds current - though better - since it's so influential, even if second or third hand.
This interview with Bernard Purdie is fabulous. Beyond him obviously being in the first tier of drummers and his incredible catalog, he seems to be such a nice man. What struck me from this interview beyond the obvious is his concern over the years that his drums were recorded well, the sound was great, etc. Earl Young (who you should also interview) also has mentioned over the years how engineering great Joe Tarsia (along with the other engineers at Sigma Sound) got his drums to sound right, and his appreciation for that.
m.ua-cam.com/video/6uusF1iie88/v-deo.html
You may also want to see if Elliot Scheiner would be interested in an interview...I saw one recently where he answered questions re working on GAUCHO. He is another incredible engineer, as you hear on this album.
You both are great. I am truly enjoying your videos, with them coming from professionals adding insight that otherwise would not be possible to be there.
Airplay Beats! As you have no doubt noticed that "The Royal Scam" album is a whole lot funkier than the "Aja" album! Steely Dan is giving off serious "Sophistifunk" vibes! As an aside, they are singing about wearing protection "The Fez" to get busy! I can't wait until you hear "Green Earrings"! Peace!!!
"There it is again " love it❤👍
Keep spreading the word. Unfortunately there are people on the Earth who have not heard this song
Great album. And this way beyond hip hop.
There was good music back in the day.... :>) Thanks for recognizing Steely Dan!!
Yes, Green Earrings will not be the funk or R&B that The Fez brought, but will be the best blend of rock and jazz in a song you will ever hear with a very heavy groove.
I always considered it pretty funky and like Haitian Divorce has reggae influences all over it. Not really one of my fav Dan tunes because I've heard it live so much, but I guess they liked playing it live.
@@kbrewski1 I consider Green Earrings funk predominantly even, with some jazz fusion touches.
Love your reactions guys, most of all, I love how you get this deepness INSTANTLY! Tiny point, The Fez is the last track on side A, not the first track on Side B…
Their music is "timeless".
I'm cycling through all your guys' steely Dan and Donald Fagen reactions. A heartfelt thank you for helping me and I suspect many others rediscover our joy in this band, not that we ever forsook them, but it's always nice to collectively take part in people enjoying this music for the first time.
You should really get around a checking out two against nature by steely Dan from around 2000 or so. In my humble opinion just as good as their earlier work
Good morning!!! New subscriber from Portland, Oregon and let me tell yall something.....There is NOTHING BETTER than Steely Dan!! I saw them here in concert last year and lost my damn mind!!! Donald Fagen is a BAAAAAD BOY!!!! If you guys listen to Third World Man, that was sampled by Usher and Busta, and Kid Charlamagne was sampled by Kanye. If yall want their best grooves, listen to Home At Last and Babylon Sisters. Don't forget New Frontier by Donald Fagen. Love you guys!!!! Be blessed!!!
Thanks for rocking with us!!
I was born in 1964 and will be 60 next month, which qualifies me as an OG Steely Dan fan. I saw them the last time they were in Sydney.
Now, I was looking through your reviews and wondered how you would react to The Fez, which is my favourite, and sure enough, it was on the money.
My top five are The Fez, King of the World, Josie, Your Gold Teeth, and Time Out of Mind (Countdown to Ecstasy was my first SD album, hence the bias).
King of the World intro is truly something else, respectable choice
My dad played this album whenever we took our boat out on the lake and this was always my favorite song! I later heard a rumor about this song that "THE FEZ" was a reference to a condom. Which, fits in with their theme, since they took their name from a strap-on ..... Anyhow, an innocent kid from the 70's just enjoyed the groove oblivious to the kinky lyrics. Cheers!
All those listens and never knew the double-entendre! At least I knew about a Steely Dan. 🤣
5:37 "id but that hard this music is hard" lmaooo na deadass!
They were decades ahead of their time
You said it..."there it is again" with a shake of the head.
Can't wait for Green Earrings! Y'all better prepare yourselves for that one...coming up next!
Love to watch you two reacting. I only knew the songs that had radio play back in the '70s. Never knew how great they were, but my musician friends were always talking about them....
What is a Fez? I don’t know, but I’m digging this groove! Bro, that’s classic! LMAO 🤣 😂❤
Can;t wait til you check out their first three albums!!!
Can we go get a beer ...you guys are sooo chill....best groove ever ...what's better than a deep funk grooove....mmmmm nothing.
First round on me!!
Thank you guys for doing what you’re doing.
Man I love your reactions to the music I grew up on.
You guys get it.
I’m not a musican by any means.
I’m a music lover.
I love that you pick out the “little” bits that pull the sounds together.
You guys get the music.
Thank you.
I was sooo fortunate to have seen them a few times back in the days but the last time l saw them in concert they opened up with "Green Earrings ", it was at the Hollywood Bowl, loving your reaction 🤟
The Fez is a a cylindrical hat, some with a tassel on top and most are red in color worn by Middle Eastern men and is a prominent fashion of Persian culture! Also , it’s a banging song from Steely!
Green Earings is great but Haitian Divorce is even better. Funny lyrics too.
Such a fun groove to jam along to 🥁😊
No fillers from Steely Dan. The title track is my favourite.
I enjoy every single time you're gone to react to...Steely Dan X song! whatever! ;) ....I must express my admiration for the third and fourth (to me) "official" members of the band...Roger Nichols and Elliot Scheiner. (Royal scam, Aja, and Gaucho) They were so talented, They mixed and recorded almost totally of their records, the clarity, and the punch...so many little details across the stereo...uff...The perfect combination between music and engineering in unison!
Top 5 of all time band...!
There's really no sense in requesting something, because you're doing tracks/albums in order.
Fagen understood the assignment. Funk 101: "Funk originated in the mid-1960s, with James Brown's development of a signature groove that emphasized the downbeat-with a heavy emphasis on the first beat of every measure ("The One"), and the application of swung 16th notes and syncopation on all basslines, drum patterns, and guitar riffs.
I started watching your channel, based on your Discovery of Steely Dan, so I want to give you guys an insight on actual Studio Creation of a Steely Dan Song......and as a Bonus, it's one you haven't covered!
Check out Leonid and Friends on UA-cam, covering the song " My Old School".
It's shot in a Studio, and it demonstrates 2 things:
1. How Diverse, and Deep the Original Steely Dan players were.....
2.This set of current RUSSIAN born musicians can really put out great Music, from Out of Nowhere!
Got a chance to see them Live up here in Motown, and they are For Real! If you mind got blown, listening to the original tracks.....this UA-cam Video puts you in the Studio, and I know you gotta wanna see that!
By the way, I've seen maybe 12 of your videos so far, and you guys are right on the hooks, the black keys, the sharps, and the sophistication of the Songs you're reviewing.......it's fun watching your heads Spin, while us Old OGs just smile, and revisit Times Back in the Day😉
While SD did write some stuff with radio airplay in mind, they didn't do filler material, it's all gold. I'm really enjoying you guys digging into Steely Dan like this and I can't wait until you get to their Pretzel Logic album.
Me too - Pretzel Logic
Ice Cubes No 8Balls samples this if you didn't know already, love the content!
You guys had me dancing. LOL..
The first time I heard Steely Dan I was in 8th grade in 1972. The song was Do It Again and I've been listening ever since.
I’ve been waiting for someone to do this song, it’s one of my favorites from them… thanks.
Eternal thanks…you guys gave me Steely Dan. 🙏
Serious groove.