I agree. I've been listening to it for almost 40 years. It is so textured and deep as you can see from Amie's description. Some of Fagan's best lyrics too.
Donald Fagen is the master. His harmonies are sick. And he always has unexpected progressions with neat voicings. One of my favorite bands of all time. Agree SD the most jazz flavored rock band. I’ve always loved his voice. It’s so unique. There’s just something about it that gets me! Great video Aimee!
Yes, I was trying to explain to my brother once that the progressions were not typical, except for a few songs like standard blues songs (i.e. Black Friday) his (they're) songs went different directions.
Yes, I was trying to explain to my brother once that the progressions were not typical, except for a few songs like standard blues songs (i.e. Black Friday) his (they're) songs went different directions.
4 роки тому
@Terrel Brown Really??? I had no idea... That's lovely!
Hi Aimee, I feel honoured that you used my arrangement for this wonderful video! Thanks, I enjoyed it! And I KNEW you would comment on the Gm(maj9)/E chord ;-) It has puzzled me for quite some time....
The hole song is filled up with crazy but beautiful harmonies! I love it! Don and SD have always inspiring my own play (guitar) the latest 40 years. A soul gift.
Just stumbled on this, not only does Aimee musically deconstruct this song perfectly , she GETS It. My favorite line too, is drive to the coast and drive right back again. So glad to see others be impacted by this song as much as I.
Thank you for this video..❤ its an affirmation of Donald Fagen’s genius… a lot of talent, patience, creativity, uniqueness to create a masterpiece… a gift to us to really work meticulously on a song… thanks D.F.👏👏👏
Way to go Aimee. Maxine is exactly my favorite Donald Fagan tune. The word graduation in the lyrics strikes me as a tip of the hat to the Four Freshmen. Fagan, a genius.
Thank you for sharing your love for this music. You thoughts and pleasure in sharing this are rather infectious. I have been a fan of Steely Dan since my days as a rock musician; and the more local level. I have done Steely Dan tunes and had to work out the songs by simply listening to the records. I never really understood the voicing; just knew they were beautiful and unique. When this album came out I was truly blown away. Hard to even choose which songs are my favorite. I now have a deeper appreciation for this song. Thanks again.
Wow Aimee, that was quite an analysis. Thanks for that. Some people say his music is "over-produced" or something. I think it is superbly "invented" and excellently played and produced. Indeed there are many, many beautiful chords in many of his creations. I cannot read notes, although I do play bass on a mid-level. But I do "feel" the beauty of these awesome chords, as found on many of Donald's albums. I have tried to explain Donald's music (used chords, instrumentation etc.) to quite some people, but not even a handful seem to understand, or like it. That's a little sad, but I am glad I discovered his sound way back.
So glad I woke up to this in my suggested videos. My love for Donald Fagen and Steely Dan came from long car rides with my dad. I appreciate your very thoughtful take on the lyrics and music. This song always struck me like a photograph... The way he describes the emotional world of these characters just as they are... All the innocence and warmth. The Nightfly is a great album. Thanks!
Thank You Aimee Nolte. Maxine is a Beautiful Song. I Love Donald Fagen and His Philosophy. He is Cynical, Hopeful, and Beautiful at the Same Time. There is Still Hope for a New Frontier. I Love the Night Fly Album. Thanks Again Aimee!
I just grew a serious hankering to listen to Maxine after a rather blissful date tonight and your video popped up. I've always loved your vids. Knowing that this one is your favorite DF song makes me so happy. zOver the years it's also become mine even though I used to skip right past it because I had no love for a slow shuffle. LOL Haven't even watched this yet but I'm about to. MUCH love to you, Aimee!
What a wonderful analysis of Maxine. You are so cool. You break it down in several different levels - sophisticated harmonies, voicings, strange chord substitutions, voice arrangements, horn arrangements. Then you segue into deeper meanings of lyrics, teenage angst, teenage love, hope, and dreams. Then you point out that aspect of Fagen's songwriting genius - a 34 year old man recapturing his teen years, his penchant for jazz radio and other obscurities...it reminds me a bit of myself.
So glad to hear that you are a Steely Dan and Donald Fagan fan! I've been a Steely Dan fan for years and we usually do 1-2 Steely Dan charts every year. Ironically, we are doing Green Earrings in a rehearsal tonight for our weekend show. (Early Steely Dan) LOVE Maxine...it's been one of my favorites for years. Mad props to you for the Donald Fagan shout out! :)
This is a beautiful deconstruction of an amazing song off one of my all times favorite albums. In so glad this came up in my recommendations. Your voice is wonderful and I'm not the jazz player you are but I got the basic points of the chordal discussion (i could watch this 20 times and keep getting more from it) and your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you, please do more of his songs!
Listened to this video several times and it gets better each time. Also I realize how great Donald is as a songwriter and also what an amazing breakdown this is . Aimee so glad to see someone who appreciates this song as much as I do.
I was fortunate to see SD perform The Nightfly in its’ entirety and to my surprise at the time, Maxine was a favorite and knocked me out. The background vocals were rich, lush and amazing. Kudos to our reviewer for insightful analysis.
I'm a pianist and I love Donald in every way. This is the best harmonic analysis I have ever heard. Better even than some of the interviews Donald gave explaining "josie" for example. You're very good.
thanks for such a real contribution to analyzing Donald Fagan's songwriting - I got the album when it came out as a cassette and was wowed by the sound and arrangements of this fine work ... your assessment of the chord movements and lyrics was superb :) many thanks Jake
This is just perfect… I love Donald Fagen and Steely Dan’s music, and to hear someone get it and articulate that passion so clearly is delightful. This is so well observed and deconstructed with thoughtful commentary through out. I’m so glad I stumbled across your video!
You have impeccable taste Aimee. A fabulous album and homage to the incredible musicality of Messrs Fagen and Becker. Thank you. For the next generation...
This is absolutely great! Although it is maybe my 3rd favorite song on this album. So glad I found your wonderful channel. Really appreciate that you told us about Hans’s arrangement/transcription.
Aimee is the best. She absolutely nails both Donald’s motives and his ingenious lyricism. His most perfect album, with the most perfect song on it. Many thanks for this excellent analytical breakdown.
"It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now." Yes indeed Aimee, I second that emotion. Wonderful music that evokes memories and feelings from a time gone by but very real today. I am more Fagen's age and also grew up in NJ, so can relate very much to the sentiment. So cool to think that a California girl like yourself also feels what he was communicating. Ah, the universal language! BTW, it's Lincoln Mall in the lyric. Thanks for reminding us how great this song is.....
Wonderful explanation of this incredible tune, Amy. One of my all time favorite albums. You’re clearly talented and knowledgeable and do it justice. I never really thought about the origins of the lyrics before. That, and your piano sounds beautiful!
A play along to Babylon Sisters literally got me back into playing piano after decades. The keyboard voicings and progressions are incredible. Fagan and Becker are wizards
Great stuff Aimee! This album was my first introduction to Jazz when it came out and have remained my absolute favourite Fagen ever since then, it just never get old or worn out. A true classic!
Thanks so much for this Aimee, I finally learnt it all. Not sure if I'll ever get it up to speed but I so love playing it. Such a blessing hearing what can be done with 12 notes; totally ear-opening!
Almost a decade ago, I was studying guitar with a teacher that is now a great friend - mostly blues/rock/pop stuff - but I have always loved Steely Dan and Donald - specifically Aja - sooooo... my teacher taught me all these crazy chords and I had no idea why - they turned out to be the chords to Deacon Blues. THAT moment led me down the jazz pathway and I haven't turned back. Since then I added piano to my study and I am lucky to learn from the best! ^^^^
Every time I visit your channel, I get a glimpse of what I want to achieve. You posted this about six months after I decided to learn piano, and it was rough sledding for the first year until I got my feet wet and made a more substantial commitment to practice time, and I try to ramp that up as time goes by. I am looking forward to the day when I have a practical understanding of your running commentary, because I love what Donald did in Steely Dan, and it gave me so much pleasure to share that music on the radio. Right now, I am working on Joni's "River," which is a favorite I share with Rick. I am learning theory as well, so I have a basic understanding of what you are describing, but it will take some time to put that into use and to play those voicings. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
What a great number. That was the best song on his solo album to me. And that is tough when you hear the other tracks. Thanks for sharing! I like the jazzy vocal interpretation as well!
Great commentary on this great song. I love how you can enjoy a song for years and then enhance your insight from someone else's take on a song (and your insight is very spot on imho).Great art is truly the gift that keeps on giving the deeper you go. Wail on Aimee.
"Steely Dan is the most jazz of any of the classic rock bands IMO" - Amiee Nolte We share the same opinion and the same love for the band Amiee. Thanks for this content...really enjoy it.
Superb Album, one of the best of the 80s, with very good session musicians. I was 12 years old at the time, and I remember well, we heard the songs from this album every day on French radio, on Tv's,, on commercial jingles, etc. It was a good time.
Aimee, I absolutely love your work and teaching style. I've been a diehard Steely Dan fan since Aja. Got all the albums, including Nightfly. Your approach to dissecting each chord and how they work around the melody (and vice-versa), is like listening to/watching someone paint. You have such a lovely voice as well. Thank-you for putting this video together. I truly enjoyed it. Best, Dave
Totally agree, Aimee! Well, as a piano player. In general, it's Babylon Sisters. But Maxine...so good. My favorite *moment* on that album is the line, "Tonight you're still on my mind," in The Nightfly.
Whenever I feel like I want to get in a "down" mood I get my favorite cognac and glass with a stogie and keep on listening to Maxine. Such wonderful pitifulness on oneself.
Hi Aimee, thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of music! When I saw the title of this video, I immediately thought “I’m sure it’s Maxine”. I enjoyed all the chord progression run down and explanation. I appreciated the biographical and sentimental analysis of the song.
Loved this offering, Aimee. Thanks for reminding me of the rich harmonies, voices, and instrumentations of Donald Fagen whether recording/performing as an ensemble or soloist.
What a joy it is to listen to a true fan discuss Nightfly. It’s one of my favorite albums. I was a teen when it came out and have been listening to it ever since then. I still have that original vinyl from then. Have you ever listened to Howard Jones’ cover of IGY? It’s really kool. Donald has such clever phrasing. One of my favorite lines is,” I hear you’re mad about Brubeck. I like your eyes, I like him too.” What a great pickup line for a bomb shelter. I enjoyed your breakdown of this piece. Your love for this masterpiece is quite endearing. Oh, have you ever checked out Walter’s “Eleven Tracks of Whack”? You might like “Little Kawai”
It's hard to find good quality content for playing and exploring steely dan, specially Donald Fagen content. Thank you so much for this. Please keep up the trend!
Thank you, Amy! I’m at least an octave short of the chops needed to analyze this tune. But it’s also one of my all-time favorites. It was such a joy to hear your articulate breakdown. And now...I know what’s going on with those changes!! It’s a great day.
Aimee, thanks for a nice feature of the great DF. I remember buying this Nightfly album just after its release in about ‘82. There’s nothing like a freshly minted vinyl with the visuals on the jacket + often the lyrics on the disc sleeve to enhance the listening experience. Also good is your postscript tie-in of the jazz elements of Steely Dan and DF. Their featured horns - sax, trumpet & trombone - were one of my gateways into loving jazz.
Maxine will always be my favorite Donald Fagen song. I get the same emotional experience every single time. It’s one of those songs I like to listen by myself so I’m not distracted because it deserves all of my attention.. even the sax solo is flawless.
Great video! I learned more about jazz theory from playing along with The Nightfly songbook than I ever did from any textbook. It put names to the chords I had heard hundreds of times and showed me how they work together. Thanks for the theory geekout down memory lane! Well done and I think you are spot on with the Darn That Dream allusion. Subconscious or otherwise, it fits the bill.
One of my favorite tunes & it's taken me over an hour to watch because I was reharmonising a simple African track on my bass & then you showed those chords esp at 5:19 when he goes to the C# half diminished...what a great sound! Went through that etc & felt great..;-)) Thanks!!
Great song, excellent breakdown. This is my favorite DF love song( he didn't write that many). I used to put this on and ask my lovely wife to dance. Many times. Eventually she would say you "going to play Maxine later" and laugh. Great memories..
The entire album is a masterpiece . " Night fly " one of the best albums ever recorded.
I agree. I've been listening to it for almost 40 years. It is so textured and deep as you can see from Amie's description. Some of Fagan's best lyrics too.
Agreed!
@D MD Great song and Fagan does it great. Howard Jones covered it very lovingly: ua-cam.com/video/CYC8Ap_2jfU/v-deo.html
A Masterpiece...and grossly underappreciated.
Agreed!
Donald Fagen is the master. His harmonies are sick. And he always has unexpected progressions with neat voicings. One of my favorite bands of all time. Agree SD the most jazz flavored rock band. I’ve always loved his voice. It’s so unique. There’s just something about it that gets me! Great video Aimee!
Gina Yes! plus a master lyricist
Robert Evvers yesss!
Yes, I was trying to explain to my brother once that the progressions were not typical, except for a few songs like standard blues songs (i.e. Black Friday) his (they're) songs went different directions.
Yes, I was trying to explain to my brother once that the progressions were not typical, except for a few songs like standard blues songs (i.e. Black Friday) his (they're) songs went different directions.
@Terrel Brown Really??? I had no idea... That's lovely!
Hi Aimee, I feel honoured that you used my arrangement for this wonderful video! Thanks, I enjoyed it!
And I KNEW you would comment on the Gm(maj9)/E chord ;-) It has puzzled me for quite some time....
I’m so glad you found this, Hans! I hoped that you would! Thanks for your great work.
The hole song is filled up with crazy but beautiful harmonies! I love it! Don and SD have always inspiring my own play (guitar) the latest 40 years. A soul gift.
Hi @Steven Sedai , Hans' page is here - www.hanskaldeway.nl/wp/portfolio/maxine/ , or maybe you meant Aimee's arrangement of Hans' transcription...
I have that one as Bbmaj7-5/E . Pretty close :-)
The transcript of Grant O'Brien has a E9b5 written there (e-g#-d-f#-a#) which sounds quite good I think.
That entire album is just a masterpiece
hey there nick
howz it hangin
Josh H hey joshy! ❤️ it’s going eh:/
You mention Donald Fagen or Steely Dan, I watch it.
Just stumbled on this, not only does Aimee musically deconstruct this song perfectly , she GETS It. My favorite line too, is drive to the coast and drive right back again. So glad to see others be impacted by this song as much as I.
Thank you for this video..❤ its an affirmation of Donald Fagen’s genius… a lot of talent, patience, creativity, uniqueness to create a masterpiece… a gift to us to really work meticulously on a song… thanks D.F.👏👏👏
This video is unbelievably enjoyable. It’s adding all these new dimensions to a song I’ve listen to for decades.
Way to go Aimee. Maxine is exactly my favorite Donald Fagan tune. The word graduation in the lyrics strikes me as a tip of the hat to the Four Freshmen. Fagan, a genius.
Interesting! I always wondered if it was a reference to Graduation Day by the Four Freshmen!!
Good ear on the Four Freshmen nod. Brian Wilson would agree I'm sure.
How about Teach me tonight..... Graduation is almost here.
By Diana Washington and Amy Winehouse with Jools Holland.
This song is absolutely, positively an homage to The Four Freshmen.
Like button immediately for delving into one of the best albums ever
Thanks!
Thank you so much, William!
And Greg Phillinganes played that beautiful piano intro!
Thank you for sharing your love for this music. You thoughts and pleasure in sharing this are rather infectious. I have been a fan of Steely Dan since my days as a rock musician; and the more local level. I have done Steely Dan tunes and had to work out the songs by simply listening to the records. I never really understood the voicing; just knew they were beautiful and unique. When this album came out I was truly blown away. Hard to even choose which songs are my favorite. I now have a deeper appreciation for this song. Thanks again.
Wow Aimee, that was quite an analysis. Thanks for that. Some people say his music is "over-produced" or something. I think it is superbly "invented" and excellently played and produced. Indeed there are many, many beautiful chords in many of his creations. I cannot read notes, although I do play bass on a mid-level. But I do "feel" the beauty of these awesome chords, as found on many of Donald's albums. I have tried to explain Donald's music (used chords, instrumentation etc.) to quite some people, but not even a handful seem to understand, or like it. That's a little sad, but I am glad I discovered his sound way back.
So glad I woke up to this in my suggested videos. My love for Donald Fagen and Steely Dan came from long car rides with my dad. I appreciate your very thoughtful take on the lyrics and music. This song always struck me like a photograph... The way he describes the emotional world of these characters just as they are... All the innocence and warmth. The Nightfly is a great album. Thanks!
So simple, but so perfect...
Still clever girls in the world.... Thanks
You are so right about Darn that Dream. Brava!
Thank You Aimee Nolte. Maxine is a Beautiful Song. I Love Donald Fagen and His Philosophy. He is Cynical, Hopeful, and Beautiful at the Same Time. There is Still Hope for a New Frontier. I Love the Night Fly Album. Thanks Again Aimee!
I own the entire SD and DF catalogs. I listen to them all the time. The best musicians in the world played on them
and such unique, complex arrangements. How did he make such quality from scratch? Nobody else from that era came close.
@@MikeMelarkey No one "came close"? Well, Gino Vannelli certainly does.
I also agree.. Been drumming it for many years.. So simple and precise. Nice call Aimee.
I just grew a serious hankering to listen to Maxine after a rather blissful date tonight and your video popped up. I've always loved your vids. Knowing that this one is your favorite DF song makes me so happy. zOver the years it's also become mine even though I used to skip right past it because I had no love for a slow shuffle. LOL Haven't even watched this yet but I'm about to. MUCH love to you, Aimee!
What a wonderful analysis of Maxine. You are so cool. You break it down in several different levels - sophisticated harmonies, voicings, strange chord substitutions, voice arrangements, horn arrangements. Then you segue into deeper meanings of lyrics, teenage angst, teenage love, hope, and dreams. Then you point out that aspect of Fagen's songwriting genius - a 34 year old man recapturing his teen years, his penchant for jazz radio and other obscurities...it reminds me a bit of myself.
So glad to hear that you are a Steely Dan and Donald Fagan fan! I've been a Steely Dan fan for years and we usually do 1-2 Steely Dan charts every year. Ironically, we are doing Green Earrings in a rehearsal tonight for our weekend show. (Early Steely Dan) LOVE Maxine...it's been one of my favorites for years. Mad props to you for the Donald Fagan shout out! :)
This is a beautiful deconstruction of an amazing song off one of my all times favorite albums. In so glad this came up in my recommendations. Your voice is wonderful and I'm not the jazz player you are but I got the basic points of the chordal discussion (i could watch this 20 times and keep getting more from it) and your enthusiasm is infectious. Thank you, please do more of his songs!
Listened to this video several times and it gets better each time. Also I realize how great Donald is as a songwriter and also what an amazing breakdown this is . Aimee so glad to see someone who appreciates this song as much as I do.
I was fortunate to see SD perform The Nightfly in its’ entirety and to my surprise at the time, Maxine was a favorite and knocked me out. The background vocals were rich, lush and amazing. Kudos to our reviewer for insightful analysis.
SD never performed that album in its entirety, if at all, but thanks for playing.
@@joe-vz6hx sorry idiot - saw it at the Beacon in NYC - maybe didn’t happen in The sticks where you live
One of the best tunes from THE best album ever made, as far as I'm concerned. Great video as always, Aimee!
Cinematic lyrics always.
I'm a pianist and I love Donald in every way. This is the best harmonic analysis I have ever heard. Better even than some of the interviews Donald gave explaining "josie" for example. You're very good.
thanks for such a real contribution to analyzing Donald Fagan's songwriting - I got the album when it came out as a cassette and was wowed by the sound and arrangements of this fine work ... your assessment of the chord movements and lyrics was superb :) many thanks Jake
This is just perfect… I love Donald Fagen and Steely Dan’s music, and to hear someone get it and articulate that passion so clearly is delightful. This is so well observed and deconstructed with thoughtful commentary through out. I’m so glad I stumbled across your video!
You have impeccable taste Aimee. A fabulous album and homage to the incredible musicality of Messrs Fagen and Becker. Thank you. For the next generation...
Thank you so much open my eyes for a beautiful harmony Now I look at all Donald Fagen songs differently
Fascinating! Thank you. How can anyone be churlish enough to dislike this?!
Churlish indeed. Probably more into T Swift. Oh well. One has a right to be wrong in the U.S.
Excellent analysis of this song where I love these harmonious transitions and great song writing!!
Loved! I will listen again this album!!! Thank you so much!!!!
This is absolutely great! Although it is maybe my 3rd favorite song on this album. So glad I found your wonderful channel. Really appreciate that you told us about Hans’s arrangement/transcription.
Incredible breakdown....love all of your videos.
Aimee is the best. She absolutely nails both Donald’s motives and his ingenious lyricism. His most perfect album, with the most perfect song on it. Many thanks for this excellent analytical breakdown.
ikr, it's amazing, she's amazing
Another favourite. I think this was one of my most played albums …. Thank you Aimee. Subscribed. 👍
Love your analysis of this - such a great song!
Brilliant .
Loved your piano and vocal interpretation.
Loved your chord dissections too.
Thank You! !Greetings from nearby the Arctc Circle/Finland
Loved your exploration of my favourite album. Thanks for doing this.
Great work, talking it through. Rooted in reality and good ears!
"It spoke to me then and it speaks to me now." Yes indeed Aimee, I second that emotion. Wonderful music that evokes memories and feelings from a time gone by but very real today. I am more Fagen's age and also grew up in NJ, so can relate very much to the sentiment. So cool to think that a California girl like yourself also feels what he was communicating. Ah, the universal language! BTW, it's Lincoln Mall in the lyric. Thanks for reminding us how great this song is.....
Lincoln MALL! Whoa!! Lol thanks!
Thank you very much for this!
I Looooooooove this song!!!! The harmonies!! And brecker on the solo!!
Aimee my piano teacher has said I am ready to give this a go! I have conquered the intro and working on the main tune! This video is helpful! Thanks!!
You did a wonderful Work. A lot of thanks
Brilliant rundown and great playing thank you:)I love r Donald Fagan's music:)
Indepth insights mixed with the music analysis, I love it!
Wonderful explanation of this incredible tune, Amy. One of my all time favorite albums. You’re clearly talented and knowledgeable and do it justice. I never really thought about the origins of the lyrics before. That, and your piano sounds beautiful!
You're a true talent Aimee
The whole album is a masterpiece, I think Walk Between the Raindrops is my current favourite
Such a beautiful video, thank you.
Beautiful
A play along to Babylon Sisters literally got me back into playing piano after decades. The keyboard voicings and progressions are incredible. Fagan and Becker are wizards
You're brilliant!!! Great analysis!!!
Great stuff Aimee! This album was my first introduction to Jazz when it came out and have remained my absolute favourite Fagen ever since then, it just never get old or worn out. A true classic!
Thanks so much for this Aimee, I finally learnt it all. Not sure if I'll ever get it up to speed but I so love playing it. Such a blessing hearing what can be done with 12 notes; totally ear-opening!
Thank you Aimee for such an awesome analysis, thoroughly enjoyed it
'You'll be my señorita in jeans and pearls.' How do you get more romantic than this?
Almost a decade ago, I was studying guitar with a teacher that is now a great friend - mostly blues/rock/pop stuff - but I have always loved Steely Dan and Donald - specifically Aja - sooooo... my teacher taught me all these crazy chords and I had no idea why - they turned out to be the chords to Deacon Blues. THAT moment led me down the jazz pathway and I haven't turned back. Since then I added piano to my study and I am lucky to learn from the best! ^^^^
Beautifully done Aimee. You are awesome.
Every time I visit your channel, I get a glimpse of what I want to achieve. You posted this about six months after I decided to learn piano, and it was rough sledding for the first year until I got my feet wet and made a more substantial commitment to practice time, and I try to ramp that up as time goes by. I am looking forward to the day when I have a practical understanding of your running commentary, because I love what Donald did in Steely Dan, and it gave me so much pleasure to share that music on the radio. Right now, I am working on Joni's "River," which is a favorite I share with Rick. I am learning theory as well, so I have a basic understanding of what you are describing, but it will take some time to put that into use and to play those voicings. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
What a great number. That was the best song on his solo album to me. And that is tough when you hear the other tracks. Thanks for sharing! I like the jazzy vocal interpretation as well!
YES! I just picked up this on vinyl. Great tune for sure. The organ line in the second verse gets me every time.
Thanks for this, very thoughtful & informative. Made my evening!
44 people gave this a thumbs down?? Are they deaf?
Love your analysis of this masterpiece. Great stuff.
Great Pagoda of Fun. My favorite!
Great commentary on this great song. I love how you can enjoy a song for years and then enhance your insight from someone else's take on a song (and your insight is very spot on imho).Great art is truly the gift that keeps on giving the deeper you go. Wail on Aimee.
"Steely Dan is the most jazz of any of the classic rock bands IMO" - Amiee Nolte
We share the same opinion and the same love for the band Amiee. Thanks for this content...really enjoy it.
Jay Graydon and Randy Goodrum's JaR takes the SD vibe to another level...Jay played the iconic guitar solo on "Peg" by the way.
Excellent Aimee. Amazing song and appreciate you breaking it down.
What a fantastic analysis of that wonderful piece. Super enjoyed it! Thank you.
Superb Album, one of the best of the 80s, with very good session musicians.
I was 12 years old at the time, and I remember well, we heard the songs from this album every day on French radio, on Tv's,, on commercial jingles, etc.
It was a good time.
I love your interpretation and explanation about this album 💿
That’s a great summation of what the album is all about. There are so many great tunes there. Tough to pick just one. Thanks for sharing.
Aimee, I absolutely love your work and teaching style. I've been a diehard Steely Dan fan since Aja. Got all the albums, including Nightfly. Your approach to dissecting each chord and how they work around the melody (and vice-versa), is like listening to/watching someone paint. You have such a lovely voice as well. Thank-you for putting this video together. I truly enjoyed it. Best, Dave
Totally agree, Aimee! Well, as a piano player. In general, it's Babylon Sisters. But Maxine...so good.
My favorite *moment* on that album is the line, "Tonight you're still on my mind," in The Nightfly.
But that one is Steely Dan! ;) Today was only about DF. I adore Babylon Sisters.
A very excellent review of a great song! Thank you for sharing!
Whenever I feel like I want to get in a "down" mood I get my favorite cognac and glass with a stogie and keep on listening to Maxine. Such wonderful pitifulness on oneself.
Hi Aimee! Just discovering you. All the videos I’ve seen so far are helpful and great. Love this song and album, glad to see it.
I love that song so much I named my daughter Maxine ;) Great choice and skills! TY
Amazing. Excellent work
Great song! My fav from Night Fly is Goodbye Look.
Wonderful analysis! Beautiful in its complexity.
delicious homage to an amazing song and musician… loved it… thank you for doing and posting it
Hi Aimee, thank you for sharing your knowledge and love of music! When I saw the title of this video, I immediately thought “I’m sure it’s Maxine”. I enjoyed all the chord progression run down and explanation. I appreciated the biographical and sentimental analysis of the song.
Thank you so much for this, and the other video.
Loved this offering, Aimee. Thanks for reminding me of the rich harmonies, voices, and instrumentations of Donald Fagen whether recording/performing as an ensemble or soloist.
What a joy it is to listen to a true fan discuss Nightfly. It’s one of my favorite albums. I was a teen when it came out and have been listening to it ever since then. I still have that original vinyl from then. Have you ever listened to Howard Jones’ cover of IGY? It’s really kool. Donald has such clever phrasing. One of my favorite lines is,” I hear you’re mad about Brubeck. I like your eyes, I like him too.” What a great pickup line for a bomb shelter. I enjoyed your breakdown of this piece. Your love for this masterpiece is quite endearing. Oh, have you ever checked out Walter’s “Eleven Tracks of Whack”? You might like “Little Kawai”
It's hard to find good quality content for playing and exploring steely dan, specially Donald Fagen content. Thank you so much for this. Please keep up the trend!
Thank you, Amy!
I’m at least an octave short of the chops needed to analyze this tune. But it’s also one of my all-time favorites. It was such a joy to hear your articulate breakdown. And now...I know what’s going on with those changes!! It’s a great day.
Aimee, thanks for a nice feature of the great DF. I remember buying this Nightfly album just after its release in about ‘82. There’s nothing like a freshly minted vinyl with the visuals on the jacket + often the lyrics on the disc sleeve to enhance the listening experience. Also good is your postscript tie-in of the jazz elements of Steely Dan and DF. Their featured horns - sax, trumpet & trombone - were one of my gateways into loving jazz.
Aimee this is my favorite song from my favorite album, so happy you did this. Such a great tune 😄😄😄
Maxine will always be my favorite Donald Fagen song. I get the same emotional experience every single time. It’s one of those songs I like to listen by myself so I’m not distracted because it deserves all of my attention.. even the sax solo is flawless.
Great video! I learned more about jazz theory from playing along with The Nightfly songbook than I ever did from any textbook. It put names to the chords I had heard hundreds of times and showed me how they work together. Thanks for the theory geekout down memory lane! Well done and I think you are spot on with the Darn That Dream allusion. Subconscious or otherwise, it fits the bill.
Max_Aimee....
Clever girl, clever music
Thanks for your kind touch on Fagen's heart ❤️
One of my favorite tunes & it's taken me over an hour to watch because I was reharmonising a simple African track on my bass & then you showed those chords esp at 5:19 when he goes to the C# half diminished...what a great sound! Went through that etc & felt great..;-)) Thanks!!
Awesome as usual Aimee!
Great song, excellent breakdown. This is my favorite DF love song( he didn't write that many). I used to put this on and ask my lovely wife to dance. Many times. Eventually she would say you "going to play Maxine later" and laugh. Great memories..