The talk box guitar was by Dean Parks and altered by Walter Becker. The album "Royal Scam" is my favorite album by The Dan. No "fillers" at all. Take care...
It's rare these days for someone your age to even give this music a try. You are a ray of sunshine and you give me hope for the future. You made me realize just how much our generation had musically. Seeing it through your eyes is like reliving the first time I heard these songs many years ago. I have a feeling your gonna do just fine in this thing called life.....cuz you rock! 😊
One of the amazing things about the Dan is that their lyrics are almost always as mind blowing as their musicianship, which is amazing in and of itself. In this case, the story is about the dictator of Haiti, papa doc duvalier, who created a law that allowed for divorce by only one person desiring the dissolution appearing. Both parties not required, so show up in Haiti for a weekend for your Haitian divorce
Great reaction as usual. I just subscribed for more SD insights. Babs & Clean Willie were madly in love, got married, but then the relationship fell apart. From 1957 - 1971, Haiti was ruled by Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, an otherwise iron-fisted dictator who encouraged foreigners to visit Haiti for quicky, unilateral divorces. Babs makes her getaway, checks into the "good hotel", starts drinking at the hotel, takes a taxi to the local nightclub (The Grotto) where she meets the local "Charlie" with his lotion and kinky hair. They hook up for a steamy one-night stand. She returns to the USA for a tearful reunion with Willie, but 9 months later, she gives birth to a curly haired, dark-skinned "semi-mojo" baby. We're left to our imaginations as to how that will play out. Amazing how within a few brief verses, Donald & Walter can create such vivid and memorable stories.
SD is the only band where you can play all their albums all day long, one after another, and never get tired of listening. Day, after day, after day... PS: Great Speech after the song. We have a bunch of 20 Y.O.'s at work, and I am always teaching them how to think and reason out their issues.
Yeah I had to learn the hard way how to even just be half of an adult.. I had no guidance. Or I wasn't very receptive to it as a younger teenager. My dad wasn't there. Mom was busy. It's tough. And the next generation will have it even worse.
Your reaction at the end of the tune is perfectly normal, but there is a solution - More Steely Dan tunes! I'd recommend specific ones, but you could pick 'em out of a hat, and still end up with a great track. But as long as I'm here, Deacon Blues, Do it Again, Reelin' in the Years, and my personal favorite, Dr. Wu are among the many you should get to!
Happy New Year...Keep it rolling, man...Dozens of masterpieces yet to come, you'll not find a bogus tune from these guys. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to these masterful musicians for 50 years.
I love your reactions to Steely Dan. My favorite band since the 70's. Now I'm in my 70's and I can remember back to when I first sat listening to the latest album released. It was a big day for me when a new album came out. Their evolution through the years never ceased to amaze me.
There are only a couple of bands that maintain production values this high - Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, The Alan Parsons Project ( another dynamic duo - Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, who like SD, surrounded themselves with an every-changing lineup of the best stars and session people available). Look into Alan Parsons for another rabbit hole to explore (Pink Floyd is the ultimate - more like a mine shaft, with countless side tunnels to get lost in). Keep 'em coming - you're fun to watch.
Yep, this was regular FM radio fare back in the day. One of my fave SD songs. Love the narrative plus the white-reggae groove. The talk box guitar simply seals the deal. The penchant for perfection WAS part of their MO, although this also made them a target for critics in the post-punk era.
What makes steely dan so good is their replay value. I'm 69 and been listening since 1977. Aja album was my first listen, been hooked ever since. You have good ear, don't pass on "green earrings "😊
What you will find out, if you do not already know, is that Steely Dan did tour for a while then they morphed into a "studio" band. They were known to bring in 30 to 40 "session" musicians for an album. They, at times, had two or more guitarists doing solos on a single track as well as two drummers on the same track. It appears to me that Walter Becker was primarily the one that "tweaked" their distinctive sound after the musicians were done. Walter and Donald collaborated obviously. They both knew what "sound" they were trying to achieve. I have listened to The Dan a number of ways... In person live in concert.... on the radio, through a set of high end Polk speakers and with a set of good headphones. For my money.... the headphones win out. There are so many nuances that headphones will pick up that that I may have missed otherwise. Great reaction. Take care...
You can hear almost every detail with the headphones... they put it in A LOT of work on that sound afterwards... I watched a documentary about then and they are masters of the craft. They have completely sold me on their vision at this point :)
@@L33Reacts I was going to suggest that you check out: " Steely Dan : The Making of Aja" but it seems that you already found it. I was not a huge fan of headphones in my 20's and 30's. Wow, I later found out what I was missing. I had used headphones but they were not high quality ones. To get a GOOD set of headphones back in the day would have cost a LOT. I see reactors using those earbuds and I ask myself... "Why". Take care.
Everyone have a great (and safe) New Years Eve and day! I knew I got up at 5:30 am for something. ;-) What a great track to begin the last day of 2024. Let the music play!
Royal Scam my favorite album. Been a fan of SD since 72. It's dating me I know. You've just scratched the surface with SD. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert they brought it. Not a bad song on any of their albums. your listening to what great musicians sound like. You need to check out Can't Buy a Thrill there debut album it's clean. Love it keep up the good work..
Being into rock when young the first time I heard the Dan I didn't care for them. I bought the highly acclaimed album "Aja" and after that I became a fan and bought all their albums.
@@L33Reacts Yep, feeling my age here. First heard the Dan in 1973 when a school friend introduced me to Countdown to Ecstasy. He lent it to me on vinyl and I taped it on a Grundig reel-to-reel recorder. LOL.
Lee-- when you get a chance..listen to the lyrics next time. Pretty humorous. These guys always have something interesting going on lyrically. Hard to focus on everything first time out,of course. If you haven't reacted to 'My Old School' yet... top fav of mine by The Dan. Can't wait to see more reacts by them. Enjoy, T
An absolutely awesome album from The Dan. If I want some cool in my life I look no further ! Love to you and yours and the very best for the new year !! 😍
In the later 70's I was introduced to SD by a friend. It only took 1 listen to one song and now I own every LP they ever released. Lost touch with that friend but not the music of SD.
More please! Any Major Dude, Home at Last, Deacon Blues, Reeling in the Years, Bad Sneakers, Dr. Wu Make the most of what comes your way in 2024 and “to see the best, be the best.” I have faith in you Lee.
Happy new year Haley! Thank you so much for being here. I truly appreciate it and yes this is catchy and groovy as hell. I actually woke up this morning with it still in my head from last night LOL
I LOVED THIS SONG! especially since I was a huge Reggae fan long before Americans really took to it in the 70s. And the story of a woman frustrated with her new husband goes of to the caribbean, gets seduced & inpregnated by a island guy, returns to her man, has the baby and it comes out dark and her dad freaks out was lyrically Steely Dan perfect. Favorite line was "Now we dolly back, now we fade to black" before the cool solo. Get groove, fun and funny, another classic off of what was my favorite Dan album along with AJA.
Fagan is such a genius. Try the title song from this album. It's so great. He also made great solo albums and the Morph the Cat album is incredible - every song, but try The Great Pagoda of Funn.
I think that doing one Steely Dan reaction only on a Sunday is way too minimal. It would take you over a year to cover their catalog! I suggest you doing a Dan song every day of the week that ends in “day”. Thank you. That’s all I have to say about that.
With Steely D., there are good songs, great songs and iconic songs... Dean Parks did the lead, but the wah wah was Walter's idea (I think!). One thing I like pointing out, is that with S.D. the musical composition/mood often belie the lyrical message...in the coolest way. "Narrative might be a good descriptive"? Happy New Year's Eve! Your Rxns are great! p.s.,since you spoke of soul, have to add..."See some old friends, good for the soul". I'll let you discover the author of that verse....
I cant sfford patreon ,but this is one of my fav albums that they put out back in the day. I Forgot what they call that tube you put in your mouth but it channels the guitar notes to your mouth Peter Frampton used it Joe Walsh used it David Gillmore used it .its cool
Yes 1 steely Dan song a day You should do it album by album There is no bad song ever with steely Dan so many different genres little bit of reggae there
A bit late to the comment party, but the Dan had an attitude, this track distinctively is a Reggae beat. The attitude is one of fearlessness, due to the fact that at this time that beat was niche, with Marley, Tosh, etc. etc. was just starting it’s journey of awareness into the US musical ear. The Dan created music that got stabbed by their Steely knives, as a beast should be stabbed 😉
I think Steely Dan's lyrics are typically funny and cynical, as opposed to a band like Earth Wind and Fire, where their lyrics are intended to be uplifting.
you missed the whole story line (surprise) talking over it.... Maybe the next time you listen (one tends to do that with Steely Dan songs, relisten. and relisten, and relisten)
@@L33Reacts talk box was Walter adding that effect in the studio to someone elses guitar work after the fact. he nailed it. "Some babies grow in a percular way. It came. it grew. then everybody knew [yeah, semi-mojo, who's this kinky so-and-so] papa say congratulations, this is your Haitian divorce"
The talk box guitar was by Dean Parks and altered by Walter Becker. The album "Royal Scam" is my favorite album by The Dan. No "fillers" at all. Take care...
Thanks for filling me in I couldn't find who it was! It was sick sounding. And so far, you are so right. No filler in the slightest lol
My understanding is that Dean Parks wasn't initially happy about it either.
It's rare these days for someone your age to even give this music a try. You are a ray of sunshine and you give me hope for the future. You made me realize just how much our generation had musically. Seeing it through your eyes is like reliving the first time I heard these songs many years ago. I have a feeling your gonna do just fine in this thing called life.....cuz you rock! 😊
One of the amazing things about the Dan is that their lyrics are almost always as mind blowing as their musicianship, which is amazing in and of itself. In this case, the story is about the dictator of Haiti, papa doc duvalier, who created a law that allowed for divorce by only one person desiring the dissolution appearing. Both parties not required, so show up in Haiti for a weekend for your Haitian divorce
Excellent. Had not seen a contextualizing comment until now. Kudos
Great reaction as usual. I just subscribed for more SD insights. Babs & Clean Willie were madly in love, got married, but then the relationship fell apart. From 1957 - 1971, Haiti was ruled by Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, an otherwise iron-fisted dictator who encouraged foreigners to visit Haiti for quicky, unilateral divorces. Babs makes her getaway, checks into the "good hotel", starts drinking at the hotel, takes a taxi to the local nightclub (The Grotto) where she meets the local "Charlie" with his lotion and kinky hair. They hook up for a steamy one-night stand. She returns to the USA for a tearful reunion with Willie, but 9 months later, she gives birth to a curly haired, dark-skinned "semi-mojo" baby. We're left to our imaginations as to how that will play out. Amazing how within a few brief verses, Donald & Walter can create such vivid and memorable stories.
They danced the famous Marango…. Lol
Well put.
SD is the only band where you can play all their albums all day long, one after another, and never get tired of listening. Day, after day, after day...
PS: Great Speech after the song. We have a bunch of 20 Y.O.'s at work, and I am always teaching them how to think and reason out their issues.
Yeah I had to learn the hard way how to even just be half of an adult.. I had no guidance. Or I wasn't very receptive to it as a younger teenager. My dad wasn't there. Mom was busy. It's tough. And the next generation will have it even worse.
You could say the same for Billy Joel albums.
The title track and Kid Charlemagne are a must. The whole album is worth the effort!
My old school and Riki dont lose that number are musts too...
Steely Dan was the quintessential 70's band
Your reaction at the end of the tune is perfectly normal, but there is a solution - More Steely Dan tunes! I'd recommend specific ones, but you could pick 'em out of a hat, and still end up with a great track. But as long as I'm here, Deacon Blues, Do it Again, Reelin' in the Years, and my personal favorite, Dr. Wu are among the many you should get to!
More Dan sounds like a plan.. thanks for the suggestions I'll add them to the list! Love these dudes. So damn good.
There is actually a SD dictionary online to explain their lyrics.
No shit really? I'm checking that out lol
Happy New Year...Keep it rolling, man...Dozens of masterpieces yet to come, you'll not find a bogus tune from these guys. I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to these masterful musicians for 50 years.
Thanks Donald! Yeah I am so down with these cats.... it's always so good . No matter what. They are always on their game. I love it.
I love your reactions to Steely Dan. My favorite band since the 70's. Now I'm in my 70's and I can remember back to when I first sat listening to the latest album released. It was a big day for me when a new album came out. Their evolution through the years never ceased to amaze me.
There are only a couple of bands that maintain production values this high - Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, The Alan Parsons Project ( another dynamic duo - Alan Parsons and Eric Woolfson, who like SD, surrounded themselves with an every-changing lineup of the best stars and session people available). Look into Alan Parsons for another rabbit hole to explore (Pink Floyd is the ultimate - more like a mine shaft, with countless side tunnels to get lost in). Keep 'em coming - you're fun to watch.
Walter Becker mouthed the talkbox after Park's solo was originally recorded. Best. Mike.
That is so cool... they knew what they were doin! Shit was awesome
Don't skip "The Fez" and "Green Earrings" 😊
"Green Earrings" is a must. Phenomenal guitar work.
Also Sign in Stranger! Heck, make sure you don’t skip any!
I tried to download them but I couldn't get the links to work for some reason. I'll circle back and get them. If I can get them to work lol
Please...the whole album!!
Yep, this was regular FM radio fare back in the day. One of my fave SD songs. Love the narrative plus the white-reggae groove. The talk box guitar simply seals the deal. The penchant for perfection WAS part of their MO, although this also made them a target for critics in the post-punk era.
The vibraphone is exquisite on this song.
Gotta tell you dude - you’re one of the best reactors I’ve seen and this one is no exception!
Wow thank you so much dude!! I appreciate that 🙏🙏 honestly when the music is this good, it does half the work for me 😂🙌
What makes steely dan so good is
their replay value. I'm 69 and been
listening since 1977. Aja album was my first listen, been hooked ever since. You have good ear, don't pass on "green earrings "😊
What you will find out, if you do not already know, is that Steely Dan did tour for a while then they morphed into a "studio" band. They were known to bring in 30 to 40 "session" musicians for an album. They, at times, had two or more guitarists doing solos on a single track as well as two drummers on the same track. It appears to me that Walter Becker was primarily the one that "tweaked" their distinctive sound after the musicians were done. Walter and Donald collaborated obviously. They both knew what "sound" they were trying to achieve. I have listened to The Dan a number of ways... In person live in concert.... on the radio, through a set of high end Polk speakers and with a set of good headphones. For my money.... the headphones win out. There are so many nuances that headphones will pick up that that I may have missed otherwise. Great reaction. Take care...
You can hear almost every detail with the headphones... they put it in A LOT of work on that sound afterwards... I watched a documentary about then and they are masters of the craft. They have completely sold me on their vision at this point :)
@@L33Reacts I was going to suggest that you check out: " Steely Dan : The Making of Aja" but it seems that you already found it. I was not a huge fan of headphones in my 20's and 30's. Wow, I later found out what I was missing. I had used headphones but they were not high quality ones. To get a GOOD set of headphones back in the day would have cost a LOT. I see reactors using those earbuds and I ask myself... "Why". Take care.
Do It Again and Pretzel Logic!
Dean Parks alter ego with Larry Carlton and Jay Greydon , top notch studio cats
Everyone have a great (and safe) New Years Eve and day!
I knew I got up at 5:30 am for something. ;-) What a great track to begin the last day of 2024. Let the music play!
Hahaha glad you enjoyed my friend. You must be on the west coast lol. Happy new year my friend! Thank you for being here.
Excellence on full display.
I think it's Dean Parks on that guitar work where he did his solo and Walter remiced it through a voice box.
It's so damn cool sounding! When I was editing I got to hear it a few more times and yeah, that shit is hot. 😆🙃
Royal Scam my favorite album. Been a fan of SD since 72. It's dating me I know. You've just scratched the surface with SD. I had the pleasure of seeing them in concert they brought it. Not a bad song on any of their albums. your listening to what great musicians sound like. You need to check out Can't Buy a Thrill there debut album it's clean. Love it keep up the good work..
You can’t have a bad day when you listen to Steely Dan.
If you love Steely Dan, you should checkout Little Feat!!😮😊
doing this whole album is great
Jazz, blues funk, country and reggae are all in the Steely Dan repetroire.
It's an insane chimera of musical genres and styles that seems near inexhaustible 😁
'Don't end, ....please'. lol
The ultimate compliment to a band.
Absolutely dude.... and steely Dan always makes the outros the best part of the song lol its not fair
Steely Dan is the top of the top, the upper echelon of groovy jazz funk. They go down as smooth as midnight bourbon.
Guitar solos by Dean Parks....the voice-box effects were added by Walter in post-production.
Being into rock when young the first time I heard the Dan I didn't care for them. I bought the highly acclaimed album "Aja" and after that I became a fan and bought all their albums.
NOW is the time to start playing SD tracks for your daughter as she sleeps...
Trust me on this...
What a banger of a song.
Absolutely dude... this is fantastic. All of their tracks have been so good. ☺️
Never tire of this song. Love it! Remember it being played on the radio in the 6th form common room in school back in the 70s!
Damn that is so crazy lol... like what. That's wild how long this song has been around!!
@@L33Reacts Yep, feeling my age here. First heard the Dan in 1973 when a school friend introduced me to Countdown to Ecstasy. He lent it to me on vinyl and I taped it on a Grundig reel-to-reel recorder. LOL.
@@L33Reacts Well, I would have been around 17 so I'm guessing '77. LOL
Awesome reaction as always.
I just love almost every single thing they've done. Another song I gravitate to is, "Don't Take Me Alive"... I'm seeing you gave it a listen! : )
Lee-- when you get a chance..listen to the lyrics next time. Pretty humorous. These guys always have something interesting going on lyrically. Hard to focus on everything first time out,of course. If you haven't reacted to 'My Old School' yet... top fav of mine by The Dan. Can't wait to see more reacts by them. Enjoy, T
Telling a story? Yes, always. And always wry, forever wry
An absolutely awesome album from The Dan. If I want some cool in my life I look no further ! Love to you and yours and the very best for the new year !! 😍
Talkbox say Happy New Year. More please mate. HNY.
Every music expert loves Aja the best, but I like The Royal Scam the most. Caves of Altamira...ridiculously good.
Ahhhhhh The Royal Scam, Mr. Driver take me where the music play...Haitian Divorces were quite common at the time & yes they're telling a story. 🎉🎉🎉
Love it! It is why I am here. Glad you like the Dan.
Haha so happy you enjoy the Dan videos my friend. I love them too... it's just too good not to listen to every week :) instant dopamine LOL
One of the best story songs ever written. Listen again. ICYMI, the reference to Papa is Papa Doc Duvall who used to run Haiti.
Funny you said: "Sounds like the guitar is talking". It actualy is. A talk-box is used by guitarist Hank Easton....
the Bernard Purdie shuffle drummer
In the later 70's I was introduced to SD by a friend. It only took 1 listen to one song and now I own every LP they ever released. Lost touch with that friend but not the music of SD.
So cool! As always! Happy New Year to you & yours Lee 🤩🎶
More please! Any Major Dude, Home at Last, Deacon Blues, Reeling in the Years, Bad Sneakers, Dr. Wu
Make the most of what comes your way in 2024 and “to see the best, be the best.” I have faith in you Lee.
Any Major Dude is one of my favorite songs. I sing to myself when things are going south.
Hey Lee! Wishing you and yours a Happy New 2024❗️Looking forward to you continuing the YES journey in the new year. FOREVER YES ❣️❣️❣️😎
Thank you Jeff I appreciate you bro. Happy new year to you as well. I am excited to continue with Yes😊
@@L33Reacts 👍☮️😎
I love this song, it's so catchy! Gets stuck in my head a lot 😏 Happy New Year, Lee!!
Happy new year Haley! Thank you so much for being here. I truly appreciate it and yes this is catchy and groovy as hell. I actually woke up this morning with it still in my head from last night LOL
Steely Dan: Smooth
Like a single malt whiskey. Even though I don't drink anymore lol
Donald Fagen had a solo career after the Dan broke up in 1980. You will find that work to be top level music. No doubt!
Check out some of the solo work by Elliott Randall who did the lead guitar work on Reelin' In The Years. Amazing stuff.
I LOVED THIS SONG! especially since I was a huge Reggae fan long before Americans really took to it in the 70s. And the story of a woman frustrated with her new husband goes of to the caribbean, gets seduced & inpregnated by a island guy, returns to her man, has the baby and it comes out dark and her dad freaks out was lyrically Steely Dan perfect. Favorite line was "Now we dolly back, now we fade to black" before the cool solo. Get groove, fun and funny, another classic off of what was my favorite Dan album along with AJA.
Fagan is such a genius. Try the title song from this album. It's so great. He also made great solo albums and the Morph the Cat album is incredible - every song, but try The Great Pagoda of Funn.
Perfect!👍
It was great! 😊😊
if and when you get back to Jethro Tull. You should check out the video " My God" live. Amazing and humorous performance!!
I think that doing one Steely Dan reaction only on a Sunday is way too minimal. It would take you over a year to cover their catalog! I suggest you doing a Dan song every day of the week that ends in “day”. Thank you. That’s all I have to say about that.
Hmmmm.....maybe I should! We will see 😂😊
The Royal Scam , Aja , Pretzel logic , oh fuck it every album they did .
Music can heal! Next rabbit hole…The Pat Metheny Group-“First Circle’
It absolutely can don.... and I've never even heard of them before! Cool. 🙃
With Steely D., there are good songs, great songs and iconic songs... Dean Parks did the lead, but the wah wah was Walter's idea (I think!). One thing I like pointing out, is that with S.D. the musical composition/mood often belie the lyrical message...in the coolest way. "Narrative might be a good descriptive"? Happy New Year's Eve! Your Rxns are great! p.s.,since you spoke of soul, have to add..."See some old friends, good for the soul". I'll let you discover the author of that verse....
Yeah, dean parks - lots of session players of the world!. like Stones Exile Mainstreet.
I cant sfford patreon ,but this is one of my fav albums that they put out back in the day. I Forgot what they call that tube you put in your mouth but it channels the guitar notes to your mouth Peter Frampton used it Joe Walsh used it David Gillmore used it .its cool
I'm not a guitar player but I always thought that was the wah wah peddle.
Yes 1 steely Dan song a day You should do it album by album There is no bad song ever with steely Dan so many different genres little bit of reggae there
Please listen once for the song and twice for the lyrics
A bit late to the comment party, but the Dan had an attitude, this track distinctively is a Reggae beat. The attitude is one of fearlessness, due to the fact that at this time that beat was niche, with Marley, Tosh, etc. etc. was just starting it’s journey of awareness into the US musical ear.
The Dan created music that got stabbed by their Steely knives, as a beast should be stabbed 😉
Do DEACON BLUES!
I think Steely Dan's lyrics are typically funny and cynical, as opposed to a band like Earth Wind and Fire, where their lyrics are intended to be uplifting.
They are deconstructing the "American dream" through different stories that pertain to it. To me at least. It's cynical for sure
Talking over that end solo...no, no
you missed the whole story line (surprise) talking over it.... Maybe the next time you listen (one tends to do that with Steely Dan songs, relisten. and relisten, and relisten)
Kinda hard to follow the story when the music is that good on the first listen. And it's a reaction, it's kinda about the talking 😂
@@L33Reacts talk box was Walter adding that effect in the studio to someone elses guitar work after the fact. he nailed it. "Some babies grow in a percular way. It came. it grew. then everybody knew [yeah, semi-mojo, who's this kinky so-and-so] papa say congratulations, this is your Haitian divorce"
Their older stuff is much better in my opinion.
We'll get there! After we finish this album up. We're almost there ;)