Love how this guy respects the essential music enough not to "over-analyse it". One of the best and wisest approaches to the best music in this world. Chill dude in deed...
I love this song. I named my beautiful female dog,..Aja. Steely Dan is a classic band with no peers. Every song is as perfect as it can be,...every one. When I was a kid back then, Steely Dan was used as THE BAND to test your audio equipment on, if they sounded good on it, everything else was cake. Listen to the first drum solo in the song for the "stick click" by Steve Gadd, one of the best ever drum players.
I never get tired of Steely Dan and I promise Sir, you will feel the same. Those meticulously scored intricate rhythms and vocals fit almost every circumstance you find yourself in and that's some achievement for a band. I was 14 when they released 'Can't buy a thrill' and my life has been richer because ever since. ps: Aja was the girlfriend of Donald Fagens close friend. She was apparently very mellow. Thank you.
Guys, let me tell you as a woman.....this song always puts me in mind of my best lover ever. Start low, slow and smooth, build up steadily to one climax after another. 😌
I love how, when the sax first comes in, you're like "What the... oh, yeah, that is indeed correct. Well done." I feel like that's the appropriate reaction to a completely unexpected sax solo.
Jeff Kilbride - Which is amazing considering the other masters like Porcaro, Hodder, and Purdie they had at their disposal. Can you imagine being in a band and thinking ‘hmmm, which one of these guys do we bring in today?’
"Abstract art" is a perfect description of this song, probably their most open ended sonic landscape. I think the reason people like it so much is that it invites the listener to bring their own story. The other thing is that it is probably one of their most technically difficult songs (especially live) for obvious reasons, yet was surprisingly easy to originally record.
So happy to see young people checking out Steely Dan. The mix of Jazz and Funk is such a gift for those of us that get it. Check out the piano on the Royal Scam album, Sign In Stranger is awesome.
@@jamfamily4287 They always always insisted on using the cream of the crop for drummers. Not that the other instruments were overlooked. This band, actually, project really, is so legendary and important in the history of music in general. Fagen and Becker were like the hard bop jazz musicians of the 50s where they were all about playing with different musicians for different takes or vibes for one tune only, never mind one album. They continue to tour, but Walter Becker sadly died a few years ago. If you ever get a chance to see this "band" (project) live, please do it. The world's top musicians are playing with Fagen on tour.
Word, man... honestly, one of the best and most interesting drum performances I can think of. Having made a similar comment on Talk Talk's "Life's what you make it", also an extremely interesting drum performance but more for the patterns than the overall performance. Worth a listen
Everett, no... I know that’s where Jim’s family lived when he was a kid. I met Jim in high school. He went to Pasadena High School and I went to the other Pasadena school, John Muir. We had a plethora of great jazz musicians at Muir including Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Lewis, Jack Fulks were there when I was. I studied for about a year with Bobby (I even rented his Musser gold concert vibes for 9 months). I met Jim at a gig in Pasadena in 1960. We’ve been friends ever since! Oh, and I switched from vibes to jazz piano in 1962 when I first heard Bill Evans on “Kind Of Blue”. Precisely “Blue And Green” and “Flamenco Sketches”! These two songs alone made me a pianist-composer!
Apparently Gadd got this down live with no click in two takes, sight reading. The energy is topping the playing, which is off the scale. I'm a big Gadd fan and I've been listening to this for over 30yrs and it still makes me lol with a lump in my throat. Astounding stuff!
Takes me right back - intense - intensely sad somehow - I was tormented - could got get enough - never understood a word - I just felt ! Never stopped feeling it for the Dan.
The greatest musicians, the greatest lyrics, the greatest band, Steely Dan is the best of the the best, the music is timeless! Dig down in there and listen to, The Caves of Altamira, Pearl of the Quarter, Home at Last, Pretzel Logic, Razor Boy, you are on a journey my friend, and life is about to change for you!
@@kilgoretrout3966 Shorter was actually the founder of the band, along with pianist Josef Zawinul from Vienna and bassist Miroslav Vitous from Prague. Weather Report existed between 1971 and 1985 with Shorter and Zawinul leading the band all along. (Pastorius was with them between 1976 and 1981.)
I remember vividly hearing Aja the first time when a friend played for me.. I was awestruck. I was thinking “Reeling In The Years.” But, Aja was very different. Every song from Aja and then Gaucho reached higher heights. I still play them regularly.
One of the best albums of the seventies impeccable produced and these songs are timeless Steely Dan is the benchmark in music and this drum solo at the end is incredible two takes that’s it😉
Don't forget the astounding engineering work by Roger "The Immortal" Nichols. Let's remember that this was the 1970's - and there has not been a better sounding album released since.
'Aja' and 'Deacon Blues' ... my favorites from a favorite commercially 'popular' band. Anything beyond them, and I'm getting into Pat Metheny-Oregon-Head Hunters territory. Both upvoted and followed for your recognition and reaction to excellence! Cheers from Japan!
This was Steely Dan saying: pop? rock? fusion? FU... we're doing jazz. Steve Gadd, go nuts on the drums, please. A really beautiful instrumental with compulsory lyrics.
Steely Dan .. Is it "classic rock"? Is it "a mashup of rock / prog/ different eras of jazz"? Is it "Futuristic Lounge music"? Does it even matter? It's Badass !
I remember I was in my junior year of high school when this album came out and this song just blew my socks off. Wow Steve Gadd’s drumming for a young drummer as myself at that time was just unbelievable.
Anyone who's a lover of Steely Dan I think would enjoy Joni Mitchells "Hissing of Summer Lawns" and "Hejira" albums. Great musicians, fabulous songs with more than a hint of Jazz. Pat Matheney, and Jaco on bass. Just saying!
It's definitely one of my favorite songs ever. It is in a sense abstract lyrically and the music so describes its abstract feeling of a guy walking through and observing and just having thoughts of his own as he journeys. And that is a very Oriental way of expressing it.
You’re doing this right, open mind, open ears, let the music play; then talk. What you have to say makes it more interesting for those of us who have heard this music for decades.
Hello and welcome down the rabbit hole that is Steely Dan., the look on your face from when the sax solo by Wayne shorter began to the very end of the song is the exact look that everyone who has ever heard Steely Dan has had., that beautifully brilliant moment that they were experiencing something they were never going to forget. Steely Dan is like watching sound actually come to life where you can literally see it if you just concentrate hard enough. With lyrics and tempo that no one's been able to match since, many have tried , many have failed.! all hail the magnificence of Steely Dan, they are the some of the elite when it comes to musicianship they are to music what the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are to flight. Typing this while re-watching video of the flyover over Atlanta this afternoon and it seems to fit both are magicians at what they do
Absolutely inspiring to see young bros & sisters expose themselves to such great music. Yes, it is abstract and then reconnects you to the soul & heart of expression!!
Takes me back to 78 . It is when it goes into that guitar break with that chopstick keyboard lick is when the song heats up . This song always chilled me out and brought a smile to my face .
Steely Dan (which is really Donald Fagen & Walter Becker with Fagen singing) were amazing writers. They were highly intelligent and very clever with words. They created amazing imagery and would give you bits of a story. You can tell there's a lot of inside jokes in Steely Dan songs. It also leaves you wishing you knew the full story to a lot of the songs. And as you can tell, musically they were perfectionists. Many great session musicians left the Steely Dan studio insulted because they didn't have the exact sound that Fagen and Becker were looking for.
@1:21 we see you're admiring the album cover work of the late SNL alum Phil Hartman. Phil was a graphic designer by trade before his comedic career took off. He also designed albums for the groups America and Poco and the Celtic-inspired logo for Crosby, Stills and Nash.
Aja is arguably their most solid album, with the best ratio of great songs to good songs. The other highlights for me are Josie, Deacon Blues, Black Cow, and Peg. Those are all a bit less 'abstract' than Aja, but the songwriting and playing is still top notch. One of their best tracks is called FM. It's a song they did for a movie soundtrack, so not too many people have heard it. They put it in some "Best of" compilations, but that's about it.
Thank you I was hoping someone would mention FM. If I had to pick a favorite it would be that, with too many close seconds like Aja, Peg, Don't Take Me Alive, Josie, Do It Again, Pretzel Logic, Kid Charlemagne....okay time to stop!
Up on the Hill, You know who "They" are, The Elites, Steely Dan used cryptic lyrics, with subtle metaphors to drop hints about the "Real" world. This is the point in time where the Japanese were getting conned by the US and started getting into American culture, "Here at the Dude Ranch above the sea" for some reason the Japanese loved Westerns and Clint Eastwood,
I am still amazed that someone your age "gets" Steely Dan's music. I was in high school when Reelin' In The Years and Do It Again came out.Been hooked every since. Nobody can ever fully explain Steely Dan, but everybody knows what you mean. So many great songs, but check out Deacon Blues, Jack of Speed, and Cousin Dupree when you can. The reactions are funny 'cause you do have a clue as to what they're they're about! Jam on.
I’m always pleasantly surprised when I see someone under 40 at a concert. I was a kid during their early years, and while I knew their music, I never appreciated it. Steely Dan peaked and then broke up before I graduated high school, but I REALLY latched onto their music during college, including Fagen’s solo albums-while my peers were “discovering” The Grateful Dead, I was (re)discovering Steely Dan. I’m glad they got back together now that I can REALLY appreciate their music. I’ve traveled from SF to NYC twice to see multiple shows during each of their “residencies” at The Beacon. Missed them this year, but I hope that next year, they’ll “Do It Again” (see what I did there?).
I was raised on good music, but my parents didn't really know Steely Dan. I became a fan about 5 years ago on my own when I got into hi-fi and vinyl. I'm 34
Thanks for another great Steely Dan reaction! I think you hit the nail on the head that the tune has an abstract sound to it. 🎯 Started listening to them around age12 and loved this album cause....They were just different from any other band sound wise and didn’t really fit into an exact jandra of music. Chill out mode for sure!!! The entire album makes me think of relaxing things - SATURDAYS, music playing behind the scenes at a quaint cocktail party and at the same time, cruising thru windy hills and down the ocean side along the Pacific Coast HWY. 🌞🌊 🌴 🍸 Keep the array of true reactions coming. 💕
From the reactions i've seen you seem to really enjoy Steely Dan. They were EXCELLENT!!!! You seem drawn to quality. Four songs i've seen you react to and you seem drawn to them. No wonder. They were of a different breed!
I have a few dozen tracks in my Dan Top Ten. Stellar collection of musicians who only have a handful of less than great tunes. There middling tunes are still better than most group's best.
Black Cow Deacon Blue Josie Hey Nineteen These are some of their most popular songs BTW, your Steely Dan reactions and your profession of faith while reacting to some inspirational songs has gained you another subscriber (me!) 😊
@@jamfamily4287 ... Yes! God will bless you for your bold faith. I'm almost 60 yrs old and one thing that I have learned in this life is that God is so faithful! My favorite hymn is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and my favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
"...the most abstract one I've heard yet..." Yup. Arguably their most complex, with multi-layered, ethnically-influenced and diverse compositions and arrangements, with suggestions of an involvement with The Hill's (San Fran's) Asian culture with a smidgeon of Latin-rhythm and themes. It's a masterpiece...or so I say...
Wayne Shorter on Sax; my favourite Saxophonist of all time! He's played with the best: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell and of course with his own band. Sublime!
Not sure if this is my favorite, but it really stands out from any other Steely Dan song The arrangement is probably the most jazz oriented. It's also seen by man critics as their most ambitions song and album. Personally, I think this album is one of their best if not the best. It's in my top three, that's for sure. It's just too different, exceptional to ignore. Great stuff.
Great to see young kids taking the effort to listen to Steely Dan! Keep up the good work. From an old fart in Amsterdam who listened to this in the 1970’s.
Ah, so good JAMFam ... great reaction too. Two biggest hits off this album are Josie and Deacon Blues... Got to review those Bro... just got too... THANK''s! 👍👍👍😎😎😎
This whole album is so amazing. We can barely find one good song from todays so called artists, let alone a whole album. Tremendous musicians, lyrics, production. People actually singing and playing real instruments and they wrote all the lyrics and music, unheard of these days.
Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS), is a good companion band to listen to with Steely Dan...(A southern rock flavor) You can't loose with any of these - Champagne Jam; Homesick Quinella; Georgia Rhythm; So Into You; Imaginary Lover; Spooky; I’m Not Gonna Let it Bother Me Tonight.
This is the first day I've listened to your reactions. Thumbs up and I just subscribed cause of this one. Its the wakeup/alarm on my phone so I hear it EVERY day. Well done young one!
You had a nice take on this. Loved watching you moved by the sassy Wayne Shorter on sax. Aja is the woman's name and the songwriter said it was about the calm that could be found in a quiet relationship with a beautiful woman. "When all my dime dancing is through, ...I'll run to you."
Since UA-cam hides when I play guitar for you..
ua-cam.com/video/gj9cPDB5QiM/v-deo.html
He has described the song as being about the "tranquility that can come of a quiet relationship with a beautiful woman."[
ua-cam.com/video/PH3l4mjh2y8/v-deo.html
The song is really about the birth of a neutron star gedddit?
Love how this guy respects the essential music enough not to "over-analyse it". One of the best and wisest approaches to the best music in this world. Chill dude in deed...
There is only one rule to being a Steely Dan-head,and that is,you CANNOT have a single favourite track from them,it would take far too long.
I do have a #1 spot on my Steely Dan faves list. The problem is there are like 15 songs tied for #1. The rest are tied for #2.
@@Revelwoodie So many great songs. I just could not pick out one favorite.
Your so right red rip walter
AMEN!!!!!!!
Truth!
I love this song. I named my beautiful female dog,..Aja. Steely Dan is a classic band with no peers. Every song is as perfect as it can be,...every one. When I was a kid back then, Steely Dan was used as THE BAND to test your audio equipment on, if they sounded good on it, everything else was cake. Listen to the first drum solo in the song for the "stick click" by Steve Gadd, one of the best ever drum players.
I never get tired of Steely Dan and I promise Sir, you will feel the same. Those meticulously scored intricate rhythms and vocals fit almost every circumstance you find yourself in and that's some achievement for a band. I was 14 when they released 'Can't buy a thrill' and my life has been richer because ever since.
ps: Aja was the girlfriend of Donald Fagens close friend. She was apparently very mellow.
Thank you.
Guys, let me tell you as a woman.....this song always puts me in mind of my best lover ever. Start low, slow and smooth, build up steadily to one climax after another. 😌
As a life-long Dan fan who first heard this in 1976, it is so great to hear the opinion of someone much younger really liking this.
I love how, when the sax first comes in, you're like "What the... oh, yeah, that is indeed correct. Well done." I feel like that's the appropriate reaction to a completely unexpected sax solo.
Everyone giving you Steely Dan recommendations, but the real recommendation is every song on their first seven albums
Let the Church say Amen....
One of the best purchases I made in the 90s was the Citizen box set.
Every song on their first seven albums, except... Yeah, you're right. Every one of them, no exceptions!
@@margaretfogler1848 My parents had this box set. It was my introduction to Steely Dan, I've been a fan ever since.
Pretty much.
My favorite on this album...so jazzy. Steve Gadd is a beast on drums.
wpollock1 this was my driving tune..................19 yrs old.
They brought Gadd in specifically for this song. No one else could play it the way Fagen envisioned it.
Jeff Kilbride - Which is amazing considering the other masters like Porcaro, Hodder, and Purdie they had at their disposal. Can you imagine being in a band and thinking ‘hmmm, which one of these guys do we bring in today?’
Home At Last is my fave from the Aja album.
It only gets better with multiple plays... I've been listening to this album since it came out, and I''ve never gotten tired of it.
Never. got. tired.
Steely Dan. The masters of "happy" music with deeper/darker lyrics.
Perfect description.
"Abstract art" is a perfect description of this song, probably their most open ended sonic landscape. I think the reason people like it so much is that it invites the listener to bring their own story.
The other thing is that it is probably one of their most technically difficult songs (especially live) for obvious reasons, yet was surprisingly easy to originally record.
Ego Equus excellent analogy and analysis 😎♥️
I said the other day, It's a marvelous painting that should hang in the MOMA.
So happy to see young people checking out Steely Dan. The mix of Jazz and Funk is such a gift for those of us that get it. Check out the piano on the Royal Scam album, Sign In Stranger is awesome.
The legendary Steve Gadd, *sight reading* the entire drum part on the first take. Utterly amazing!
That's the one instrument I've never played but that's super impressive to imagine
Was actually two takes. They combined parts from both takes for the final track that was released
@@jamfamily4287 They always always insisted on using the cream of the crop for drummers. Not that the other instruments were overlooked. This band, actually, project really, is so legendary and important in the history of music in general. Fagen and Becker were like the hard bop jazz musicians of the 50s where they were all about playing with different musicians for different takes or vibes for one tune only, never mind one album. They continue to tour, but Walter Becker sadly died a few years ago. If you ever get a chance to see this "band" (project) live, please do it. The world's top musicians are playing with Fagen on tour.
Critics of Bebop in the 1940s-early 50s often called it "Chinese Music."
Unbelievable drumming by Steve Gadd!!
My favorite drummer of all time!
SD used him a lot for good reason.
Superb sticksman.
But then,Steely Dan only ever used the very best musicians and session guys (and gals)
First time I heard it I was suddenly pregnant. And I'm a dude, bro.
Word, man... honestly, one of the best and most interesting drum performances I can think of. Having made a similar comment on Talk Talk's "Life's what you make it", also an extremely interesting drum performance but more for the patterns than the overall performance. Worth a listen
Steve Gadd is killin’ on drums on this! Oh, and my close friend of 55 years is the drummer on “Josie”, Jim Keltner.
Jim kills it on Josie, doesn't he. Man, the talent The Dan brought to the table. Man...
Are you from Tulsa, by any chance?
Everett, no... I know that’s where Jim’s family lived when he was a kid. I met Jim in high school. He went to Pasadena High School and I went to the other Pasadena school, John Muir. We had a plethora of great jazz musicians at Muir including Bobby Hutcherson, Herbie Lewis, Jack Fulks were there when I was. I studied for about a year with Bobby (I even rented his Musser gold concert vibes for 9 months). I met Jim at a gig in Pasadena in 1960. We’ve been friends ever since! Oh, and I switched from vibes to jazz piano in 1962 when I first heard Bill Evans on “Kind Of Blue”. Precisely “Blue And Green” and “Flamenco Sketches”! These two songs alone made me a pianist-composer!
@@rmac1042 Nice! Quite a high school you attended.
Apparently Gadd got this down live with no click in two takes, sight reading. The energy is topping the playing, which is off the scale. I'm a big Gadd fan and I've been listening to this for over 30yrs and it still makes me lol with a lump in my throat. Astounding stuff!
Met a young girl named Aja. She was surprised that I knew she was named after a Steely Dan album which was her dads fav group.
SA-C90 * TDK we named a dog Aja.
Takes me right back - intense - intensely sad somehow - I was tormented - could got get enough - never understood a word - I just felt !
Never stopped feeling it for the Dan.
The greatest musicians, the greatest lyrics, the greatest band, Steely Dan is the best of the the best, the music is timeless! Dig down in there and listen to, The Caves of Altamira, Pearl of the Quarter, Home at Last, Pretzel Logic, Razor Boy, you are on a journey my friend, and life is about to change for you!
And on the saxophone, the legendary Mr. Wayne Shorter.
from Miles Davis' band.
@@kilgoretrout3966 or from Weather Report.
@@herrfriberger5 Yes, Great point! Was he in WR aty the same time as Jaco Pastorius?
@@kilgoretrout3966 Shorter was actually the founder of the band, along with pianist Josef Zawinul from Vienna and bassist Miroslav Vitous from Prague.
Weather Report existed between 1971 and 1985 with Shorter and Zawinul leading the band all along. (Pastorius was with them between 1976 and 1981.)
@@herrfriberger5 Thanks! i also need to correct my spelling on his name i see :/
I remember vividly hearing Aja the first time when a friend played for me.. I was awestruck. I was thinking “Reeling In The Years.” But, Aja was very different. Every song from Aja and then Gaucho reached higher heights. I still play them regularly.
I think Gaucho is a close second to Aja in terms of sheer pocket, Walter put down an absolutely perfect bass line, RIP. Good taste.
I've been listening to these songs since the 70's. It's so cool to watch someone hear these songs for the first time. It's just great!
One of the best albums of the seventies impeccable produced and these songs are timeless Steely Dan is the benchmark in music and this drum solo at the end is incredible two takes that’s it😉
Steve Gadd...one of he greatest drum performances ever recorded
yesssss
Welcome to the family dog, Steely Dan is a way of life.
Don't forget the astounding engineering work by Roger "The Immortal" Nichols. Let's remember that this was the 1970's - and there has not been a better sounding album released since.
you are so very right. way ahead of their time.
This what 'Urban Music' used to be... smooth, sophisticated, stylish, cool as hell
Olde Dominion I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s the most atmospheric music that I always stop to listen to. 💚
That stick click.... Steve Gadd gave us a friggin unbelievable stick click! Wow! I remember hearing that and thought, PERFECTION!
This song makes me tear up too. So I’m not the only one...
'Aja' and 'Deacon Blues' ... my favorites from a favorite commercially 'popular' band. Anything beyond them, and I'm getting into Pat Metheny-Oregon-Head Hunters territory.
Both upvoted and followed for your recognition and reaction to excellence!
Cheers from Japan!
This was Steely Dan saying: pop? rock? fusion? FU... we're doing jazz. Steve Gadd, go nuts on the drums, please. A really beautiful instrumental with compulsory lyrics.
You’re getting deep in the weeds now. Aja is top of the Steely food chain, brother. Me thinks you’re hooked. Nothing better than the Dan.
36 year old boy here i listen to Aja 24 hours a day always on my playlist
Steely Dan is pure genius
To watch you just close your eyes and just groove to the tunes, says it all Sir. Someone that appreciates good music when they hear it.
Aja is my favorite Steely Dan album.
Steely Dan .. Is it "classic rock"? Is it "a mashup of rock / prog/ different eras of jazz"? Is it "Futuristic Lounge music"?
Does it even matter? It's Badass !
Aja is a masterpiece that will live on through the ages.
Dude! Anything Steely Dan is top drawer! Cant miss....ever!
I remember I was in my junior year of high school when this album came out and this song just blew my socks off. Wow Steve Gadd’s drumming for a young drummer as myself at that time was just unbelievable.
Anyone who's a lover of Steely Dan I think would enjoy Joni Mitchells "Hissing of Summer Lawns" and "Hejira" albums. Great musicians, fabulous songs with more than a hint of Jazz.
Pat Matheney, and Jaco on bass. Just saying!
Joe Sample on keys too!
This happens when great musicians collaborate...PERFECTION!!!
It's definitely one of my favorite songs ever. It is in a sense abstract lyrically and the music so describes its abstract feeling of a guy walking through and observing and just having thoughts of his own as he journeys. And that is a very Oriental way of expressing it.
The look on his face when the first drum solo hit... amazing
You’re doing this right, open mind, open ears, let the music play; then talk. What you have to say makes it more interesting for those of us who have heard this music for decades.
Hello and welcome down the rabbit hole that is Steely Dan., the look on your face from when the sax solo by Wayne shorter began to the very end of the song is the exact look that everyone who has ever heard Steely Dan has had., that beautifully brilliant moment that they were experiencing something they were never going to forget. Steely Dan is like watching sound actually come to life where you can literally see it if you just concentrate hard enough. With lyrics and tempo that no one's been able to match since, many have tried , many have failed.! all hail the magnificence of Steely Dan, they are the some of the elite when it comes to musicianship they are to music what the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are to flight. Typing this while re-watching video of the flyover over Atlanta this afternoon and it seems to fit both are magicians at what they do
Absolutely inspiring to see young bros & sisters expose themselves to such great music. Yes, it is abstract and then reconnects you to the soul & heart of expression!!
Takes me back to 78 . It is when it goes into that guitar break with that chopstick keyboard lick is when the song heats up . This song always chilled me out and brought a smile to my face .
Steely Dan (which is really Donald Fagen & Walter Becker with Fagen singing) were amazing writers. They were highly intelligent and very clever with words. They created amazing imagery and would give you bits of a story. You can tell there's a lot of inside jokes in Steely Dan songs. It also leaves you wishing you knew the full story to a lot of the songs. And as you can tell, musically they were perfectionists. Many great session musicians left the Steely Dan studio insulted because they didn't have the exact sound that Fagen and Becker were looking for.
3rd Floor Beaver Hall Zog's room. Gold shag carpet. Bean bags. Steely Dan and mother nature. amazing Friday afternoons from another life time.
The musicianship on this song is fantastic a true masterwork..
Love it! 5:53 "Damn is it over? 5:57 "Yeah buddy!"
I subscribed the second after I saw your face when they played the first note. I can so relate to that look. Have loved Steely Dan for decades.
So glad your playing STEELY DAN'S songs
Deacon Blues is one of the best one's
The way this song builds and takes you on a journey(it's making me corny) really is incredible. It's a great song in about 20 different ways.
There's chill, then there's smooth silky jazz and then there's Steely Dan.
@1:21 we see you're admiring the album cover work of the late SNL alum Phil Hartman. Phil was a graphic designer by trade before his comedic career took off. He also designed albums for the groups America and Poco and the Celtic-inspired logo for Crosby, Stills and Nash.
I'm so glad you are reacting to some of the best music ever made. And it moves you. That is worth more than anything!
Aja is arguably their most solid album, with the best ratio of great songs to good songs. The other highlights for me are Josie, Deacon Blues, Black Cow, and Peg. Those are all a bit less 'abstract' than Aja, but the songwriting and playing is still top notch.
One of their best tracks is called FM. It's a song they did for a movie soundtrack, so not too many people have heard it. They put it in some "Best of" compilations, but that's about it.
Thank you I was hoping someone would mention FM. If I had to pick a favorite it would be that, with too many close seconds like Aja, Peg, Don't Take Me Alive, Josie, Do It Again, Pretzel Logic, Kid Charlemagne....okay time to stop!
Up on the Hill, You know who "They" are, The Elites, Steely Dan used cryptic lyrics, with subtle metaphors to drop hints about the "Real" world.
This is the point in time where the Japanese were getting conned by the US and started getting into American culture, "Here at the Dude Ranch
above the sea" for some reason the Japanese loved Westerns and Clint Eastwood,
It’s fantastic such a young guy is listening to SD ....welcome to our world and enjoy the ride
I am still amazed that someone your age "gets" Steely Dan's music. I was in high school when Reelin' In The Years and Do It Again came out.Been hooked every since. Nobody can ever fully explain Steely Dan, but everybody knows what you mean. So many great songs, but check out Deacon Blues, Jack of Speed, and Cousin Dupree when you can. The reactions are funny 'cause you do have a clue as to what they're they're about! Jam on.
zylem13 you know thats right!
Oh yes. 'Deacon Blues'..cool history to that too.
I’m always pleasantly surprised when I see someone under 40 at a concert. I was a kid during their early years, and while I knew their music, I never appreciated it. Steely Dan peaked and then broke up before I graduated high school, but I REALLY latched onto their music during college, including Fagen’s solo albums-while my peers were “discovering” The Grateful Dead, I was (re)discovering Steely Dan. I’m glad they got back together now that I can REALLY appreciate their music. I’ve traveled from SF to NYC twice to see multiple shows during each of their “residencies” at The Beacon. Missed them this year, but I hope that next year, they’ll “Do It Again” (see what I did there?).
I was raised on good music, but my parents didn't really know Steely Dan. I became a fan about 5 years ago on my own when I got into hi-fi and vinyl. I'm 34
Love the songs you suggested especially Jack of Speed off of Two Against Nature album. Also What a Shame About Me and Cousin Dupree!
Thanks for another great Steely Dan reaction! I think you hit the nail on the head that the tune has an abstract sound to it. 🎯 Started listening to them around age12 and loved this album cause....They were just different from any other band sound wise and didn’t really fit into an exact jandra of music. Chill out mode for sure!!! The entire album makes me think of relaxing things - SATURDAYS, music playing behind the scenes at a quaint cocktail party and at the same time, cruising thru windy hills and down the ocean side along the Pacific Coast HWY. 🌞🌊 🌴 🍸 Keep the array of true reactions coming. 💕
They do have a unique, relaxing and peaceful vibe that I haven't heard before
This is my favourite. Wayne Shorter's saxophone playing is superbly sublime.
From the reactions i've seen you seem to really enjoy Steely Dan. They were EXCELLENT!!!! You seem drawn to quality. Four songs i've seen you react to and you seem drawn to them. No wonder. They were of a different breed!
so fun watching you digging this, Ive loved it for 30 years, amazing!
Great reaction. Yes, this tune is def. an experience. And that smile! 😂
Best track on one of my top ten albums of all time.
They were such perfectionist in the studio.
Steve what a performance.. great drums
I have a few dozen tracks in my Dan Top Ten. Stellar collection of musicians who only have a handful of less than great tunes. There middling tunes are still better than most group's best.
Black Cow
Deacon Blue
Josie
Hey Nineteen
These are some of their most popular songs
BTW, your Steely Dan reactions and your profession of faith while reacting to some inspirational songs has gained you another subscriber (me!) 😊
The most important thing on this channel is the glorification of the Savior..thanks for the support
@@jamfamily4287 ... Yes! God will bless you for your bold faith. I'm almost 60 yrs old and one thing that I have learned in this life is that God is so faithful! My favorite hymn is "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and my favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
@@unrulyjulie4382amen, thanks for that , yes He truly is
it's a long trip getting through Steely.. top quality workmanship for 40 years
"Deacon Blues" is a must if you like Steely Dan at all. :-)
My ex wife (who was not a Steely Dan fan) considered it their signature song.
SD has so many great songs/ God I miss the 70s. it was a great era for music
I can't think of any bad SD songs. Maybe a couple of lamer ones, but I tend to love over 90% of their stuff.
"...the most abstract one I've heard yet..." Yup. Arguably their most complex, with multi-layered, ethnically-influenced and diverse compositions and arrangements, with suggestions of an involvement with The Hill's (San Fran's) Asian culture with a smidgeon of Latin-rhythm and themes. It's a masterpiece...or so I say...
Up here in New England i snow plow tons of hrs straight through and play the whole album blasting and just letting it flow through you, killer.
Wayne Shorter on Sax; my favourite Saxophonist of all time! He's played with the best: Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell and of course with his own band. Sublime!
Just ONE of my SD faves!
I love Steely Dan esp AJA
I agree one hundred percent. It’s one of my faves and SD is in my top five of all time. Thank you. ❤️
I caught that laugh at 🎵 "Roll out the hardware, let's do it right". Lol
Mr. Steve Gadd on drums, Mr. Wayne Shorter on saxophone. Talk about giants.
Not sure if this is my favorite, but it really stands out from any other Steely Dan song The arrangement is probably the most jazz oriented. It's also seen by man critics as their most ambitions song and album. Personally, I think this album is one of their best if not the best. It's in my top three, that's for sure. It's just too different, exceptional to ignore. Great stuff.
Great to see young kids taking the effort to listen to Steely Dan! Keep up the good work. From an old fart in Amsterdam who listened to this in the 1970’s.
Ah, so good JAMFam
... great reaction too. Two biggest hits off this album are Josie and Deacon Blues... Got to review those Bro... just got too... THANK''s! 👍👍👍😎😎😎
This whole album is so amazing. We can barely find one good song from todays so called artists, let alone a whole album. Tremendous musicians, lyrics, production. People actually singing and playing real instruments and they wrote all the lyrics and music, unheard of these days.
PS , loved watchin you react to this great band. Peace!!
You gotta hear the rest of this album and Two Against Nature.
Dude... You move right. You get it. Thank you!!!
Atlanta Rhythm Section (ARS), is a good companion band to listen to with Steely Dan...(A southern rock flavor) You can't loose with any of these - Champagne Jam; Homesick Quinella; Georgia Rhythm; So Into You; Imaginary Lover; Spooky; I’m Not Gonna Let it Bother Me Tonight.
i like "Another Man's Woman" from their Red Tape album
This is the first day I've listened to your reactions. Thumbs up and I just subscribed cause of this one.
Its the wakeup/alarm on my phone so I hear it EVERY day.
Well done young one!
Back in the day, I'd listen to Rush, (Heavy Prog) and Steely Dan (Trip Jazz) in the same session!!👍
How about some love for "Home at Last" too, but every track on this is genius. So awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Steely Dan is great! Very jazzy and smooth but also innovative. Have you done Hey Nineteen? Great reaction!
You'll never go wrong with any Steely Dan.
I remember seeing Steely Dan on a cool night at Jones Beach doesn't get better then that...Jazzy Cool 😎
Used to put this album on and clean my apartment so relaxing!
You had a nice take on this. Loved watching you moved by the sassy Wayne Shorter on sax. Aja is the woman's name and the songwriter said it was about the calm that could be found in a quiet relationship with a beautiful woman.
"When all my dime dancing is through, ...I'll run to you."
This song is so elegant, like flirting with a beautiful woman.