The chord changes between verses, and especially going into the instrumental bridge, blow my mind. So rich. Just enough reverb on the sax to make it sound three dimensional (like it's being played in the Caves of Altamira?) without sounding cheesy like Kenny G. Who else could pull off a song about paleolithic art besides the Dan? My favorite Steely Dan tune is usually the one I happen to be listening to, but I listen to this one pretty often.
Fagan and Becker have always hired some of the best musicians available.. Some of them obviously come from a "jazz" background. They have an uncanny ability to meld different genre's such as jazz, fusioin, rock, R&B into absolute ear candy. I can't compare them to anyone else or even to different albums from them. In my opinion the work done in the production, engineering and editing is nothing short of masterful. It always liked them but it wasn't until I listened to them on a quality set of headphones did I realize just how talented they are.
@@totallyradreactions5006 The audio from the streaming services like YT or Spotify can't compare to even a mediocre stereo system with vinyl or cd. Audiophiles routinely use SD (particularly Aja) to calibrate their home systems.
Alto sax on the solo, for sure-you can tell by the range. That was the first instrument that I ever studied. [Edit] I checked with Wikipedia (who is usually accurate on such things) and they credited John Klemmer on *tenor* saxophone. Best. Leo.
Awesome review bud! Most of this album is new to me, so hearing this song was new to me as well. I can hear the jazz throughout the songs so far on this album, but I've also classified alot of other Steely Dan under contemp/jazz as well as classic rock (and jazz stations never have a problem playing Steely Dan, just as rock stations so that must show the range the band had). I've felt the same with Genesis, where I feel they were more progressive rock/experiment sound early on, like Frank Zappa, then progressed into more modern pop/rock by the mid 80's. So glad you're back at it!!
Thanks brother. Dude im loving this album, gonna try and get another up from it over the weekend. Yeah I hear that jazz pushing through big time on this album I agree on your genesis take too. although i havent dug deep into their older material, from what i have heard it was way more prog rock back then. feels good to be back at it.
A lot of big Dan fans including myself think this album is better than Aja and Gaucho. There’s a little more to dig into on Scam than any of their albums which are all amazing in their own way of course.
The sax solo is either John Klemmer or Cornelius Bumphus and I think it was a Tenor. Your interpretation of the song is pretty much spot on. This album preceded Aja so yes, the jazz influence was still a bit more structured or conventional as you might say. Aja took it to another level. Donald’s phrasing is still great. At one point instead of singing the word “here” he says “he-yah”. Not a big thing but that’s why he is so unique. Great listen and looking forward to the rest of the album. 💿💿💿✌️
exactly why I love this man...his word phrasing at times catches you off guard. not quite the same but its another reason i love Alanis Morrissette. I looked it up and it says Cornelius but it didnt mention anything other than saxophone
Plaintive and yearning are the words that come to mind regarding the sax solo here on Caves. It's the note choice and phrasing. It's also cool to have the solo across the "B" section, dovetailing back into the chorus. The delayed echo is nice too. This song ALWAYS seems so short! If it had 3 more verses and choruses and a 3 minute outro I would probably still complain.
Great reaction and great tune. I do slightly disagree, I always thought of Royal Scam as the last of the more guitar rock/funk centric and then Aja was transition to more jazz influenced with more jazz phrasing and chord structure. Thanks Keep the Dan reactions coming.!
i didnt think of it that way, you might be onto something there. aja is a very funky album though for sure, but its up for interpretation i guess. LOL love the album so far and yes great tune
You are wrong on the jazz comment....they got more advanced as the albums progressed. Aja and Gaucho and the 2000's albums are more jazz than royal scam. But the album is definitely headed in that direction for sure...
Yea you will be proven wrong by the time you get to the end. But. You're not wrong for thinking that. There are at least two songs on this album that are closer to rock than jazz Don't take me alive. But it's also has a funk element that is very present. And Ska sound on Haitian divorce. Aja to me is jazz/r&,b album.
The Caves of utter fucken brilliance!
HAHA! I 2nd that
Back in the 70 we used SD to test out the speakers
The horns on this song are heavenly. I can't help but "sing along" with them!
The Caves of Altamira are in Spain and contain paintings that are at least 50,000 years old.
That's still one of my favorite Dan songs. I could put that instrumental end section on a loop and listen to it forever.
The chord changes between verses, and especially going into the instrumental bridge, blow my mind. So rich. Just enough reverb on the sax to make it sound three dimensional (like it's being played in the Caves of Altamira?) without sounding cheesy like Kenny G. Who else could pull off a song about paleolithic art besides the Dan? My favorite Steely Dan tune is usually the one I happen to be listening to, but I listen to this one pretty often.
You put them on the stereo in any place and immediately class up the joint. There one of a kind.
I totally agree.
Fagan and Becker have always hired some of the best musicians available.. Some of them obviously come from a "jazz" background. They have an uncanny ability to meld different genre's such as jazz, fusioin, rock, R&B into absolute ear candy. I can't compare them to anyone else or even to different albums from them. In my opinion the work done in the production, engineering and editing is nothing short of masterful. It always liked them but it wasn't until I listened to them on a quality set of headphones did I realize just how talented they are.
HAHA i can only imagine how it would sound on some good headphones...thats one thing i will have to splurge on in the future
@@totallyradreactions5006 The audio from the streaming services like YT or Spotify can't compare to even a mediocre stereo system with vinyl or cd. Audiophiles routinely use SD (particularly Aja) to calibrate their home systems.
Alto sax on the solo, for sure-you can tell by the range. That was the first instrument that I ever studied. [Edit] I checked with Wikipedia (who is usually accurate on such things) and they credited John Klemmer on *tenor* saxophone. Best. Leo.
i always have a hard time differentiating between the 2
it sounded amazing
Caves is a great deep cut - as weighty as any of SD's more known hits.
Awesome review bud! Most of this album is new to me, so hearing this song was new to me as well. I can hear the jazz throughout the songs so far on this album, but I've also classified alot of other Steely Dan under contemp/jazz as well as classic rock (and jazz stations never have a problem playing Steely Dan, just as rock stations so that must show the range the band had). I've felt the same with Genesis, where I feel they were more progressive rock/experiment sound early on, like Frank Zappa, then progressed into more modern pop/rock by the mid 80's. So glad you're back at it!!
Thanks brother. Dude im loving this album, gonna try and get another up from it over the weekend.
Yeah I hear that jazz pushing through big time on this album
I agree on your genesis take too. although i havent dug deep into their older material, from what i have heard it was way more prog rock back then.
feels good to be back at it.
A lot of big Dan fans including myself think this album is better than Aja and Gaucho. There’s a little more to dig into on Scam than any of their albums which are all amazing in their own way of course.
Listen to this entire Album. There is no box you can put Steely Dan in. Unless you have a Steely Dan box!
The sax solo is either John Klemmer or Cornelius Bumphus and I think it was a Tenor. Your interpretation of the song is pretty much spot on. This album preceded Aja so yes, the jazz influence was still a bit more structured or conventional as you might say. Aja took it to another level. Donald’s phrasing is still great. At one point instead of singing the word “here” he says “he-yah”. Not a big thing but that’s why he is so unique. Great listen and looking forward to the rest of the album. 💿💿💿✌️
exactly why I love this man...his word phrasing at times catches you off guard.
not quite the same but its another reason i love Alanis Morrissette.
I looked it up and it says Cornelius but it didnt mention anything other than saxophone
The enigmatic Klemmer on tenor! :)
ua-cam.com/video/gUYt5WoZYc4/v-deo.html
“Nothing heeya but history can’t you see what has been done. “ that’s fagens nasally New York snark. So awesome
Plaintive and yearning are the words that come to mind regarding the sax solo here on Caves. It's the note choice and phrasing. It's also cool to have the solo across the "B" section, dovetailing back into the chorus. The delayed echo is nice too. This song ALWAYS seems so short! If it had 3 more verses and choruses and a 3 minute outro I would probably still complain.
love the horns, that made the song for me for sure
Great reaction and great tune. I do slightly disagree, I always thought of Royal Scam as the last of the more guitar rock/funk centric and then Aja was transition to more jazz influenced with more jazz phrasing and chord structure. Thanks Keep the Dan reactions coming.!
i didnt think of it that way, you might be onto something there.
aja is a very funky album though for sure, but its up for interpretation i guess. LOL
love the album so far and yes great tune
@@totallyradreactions5006 Cant' wait til you get through the Royal Scam and see what you think.
Check out DO IT AGAIN by The Dan
You are wrong on the jazz comment....they got more advanced as the albums progressed. Aja and Gaucho and the 2000's albums are more jazz than royal scam. But the album is definitely headed in that direction for sure...
Yeah a couple people have made that comment
I’ll have to see how the rest of the album goes
So far I love it
Yea you will be proven wrong by the time you get to the end. But. You're not wrong for thinking that. There are at least two songs on this album that are closer to rock than jazz Don't take me alive. But it's also has a funk element that is very present. And Ska sound on Haitian divorce. Aja to me is jazz/r&,b album.
ok
wow that Haitian divorce sounds interesting, cant wait to hear that.
this album seems like its going to be a lot of fun