My dad passed away and did not leave me any material nor money as inheritance but he gave me music that was so rich with soul which is hard to come by nowadays. We never had a good relationship but one thing is for sure.... I used sneak his old tapes just to play Steely Dan's music which is also one of the greatest influences in my own music. Aside from the melody & beats they're also lyrical geniuses! No debate!
I think in fifty years just as many people will be hearing this for the first time and they'll know then what all of us already knew 100 years before them. Millions of music recordings will certainly fade into oblivion but Steely Dan has created something that will be around for as long as humans have ears.
Prince was indeed influenced by STeely Dan, there is an account of an early performance by a band that included morris day and they did some Dan covers, he was also inspired by Deacon Blues: "I cried when I wrote this song so sue me if I play too long" -- "I was dreamin when I wrote this so sue me if it goes too fast" (1999)
it was definitely Chuck Rainey. He even had a disagreement with Donald and Walter who didn't want him to do the bass slapping part on Peg, so when he did it on the choruses he turned slightly away from them so they couldn't see his hands LOLOL
I have followed Steely Dan since 1972, immediately a huge fan. I saw my first Steely Dan concert in Sacramento in 1972. Since that time I've seen them perform live in concert at least 10 more times, including 2 especially memorable shows, one at Shoreline Amphitheater in Menlo Park in 1989 where I had vackstage passes and got to hang with Fagen and Becker after the show. Don was quiet, nervous, and reserved. Walter was so socially engaging and interesting. The other memorable show was in 2004 in San Francisco at the Masonic Auditorium where they played the complete Aja album for the first set followed by the complete Royal Scam album. In the middle of the second set some joker yelled out "Free Bird!!". Fagen stopped the whole show to berate this person high in the balcony for not only interesting the flow of the concert just to yell out an inappropriate comment as if it were funny. The crowd absolutely ROARED with approval. One common denominator for every single one of their live performances was the care and attention to the sound system and the mix. You could have sworn that it was the studio recordings, the sound was so perfect. Another thing about their concerts, upwards of 3/4 of the audience were all making the same head movement in time with the music... a kind of nodding similar to nodding "yes" That move is now known as Dan Bobbing ( like bobbing for apples)
I have always wanted to see them live never have I would love to still . I got turned on steely Dan when I bought this album then I went back to listen to all the other albums leading up to listening to AJA Album ! In my opinion is There Master Album next to the Groucho Album Just Sayin
The keyboard solo on "Black Cow" by Victor Feldman is just stellar. One of my favorites in SD's canon. Also for me the Wayne Shorter solo in "Aja" has so much depth and understanding of how to organize a solo. It's just mesmerizing. My favorite horn solo in all of SD's tunes.
Steve is my favorite drummer of all time...I believe the Sax sound is actually coming from Tom Scott's Lyricon. An instrument no longer made. An Analog Electronic wind instrument. Tom Scott liked and used it a lot. in fact, he is referred to as "Mr. Lyricon."..I don't know enough about it. It's just what I've read..I looked up the players on Peg, and there was no Sax used. The Lyricon can produce the sound of a sax....I think they closed their doors in 1980 because the instrument was to expensive to produce...The only song Shorter played on is Aja.
@@sjd5750 There are different solo sax players on the different tracks. Wayne Shorter on Aja, Pete Christlieb on Deacon Blues. Tom Scott did the horn section arrangements for the entire record.
Forget UA-cam, I'm sure some of us remember what it's like to hear this album for the first time on vinyl. Nice it still can blow younger generations away.
@@jsghetler Hey, you are missing the point. There is nothing like black, white or jewish music. There is good and bad music, and Steely Dan is good music
The guys really allow this song to breath. After the crazy, hectic sax solo with the energetic drum fills, they give it the full four measures before resuming the lyrics. I can feel the song resting and getting it's wind back. The Dan were on a different level musically.
Listening to the self titled track always makes me tear up as it was my late father's favorite song. He passed in July due to colon cancer. Such a brillant song loved by a brillant man
Watching you listening to this Album, reminds me of when I heard it for the first time on Vinyl record, 1977, Harmon Kardon amp, gigantic JVC speakers in a attic apartment, a bit of the herb.
Had this on vinyl (record eventually cracked), cassette tape (wore it out) and still have it on CD as well as digital. I will never be without this music while I'm alive.
The audio fidelity of this recording is unmatched, even today. It has been THE album used for testing the fidelity of audio reproduction equipment ever since it was released in 1977.
Thanks as always for your wonderful reactions. The harmonies on Peg are performed by Michael McDonald of early Steely Dan fame and later Doobie Brothers fame. He created a 5-part harmony with tiny gaps in the notes. He said that Becker and Fagen tortured him to exhaustion and near-insanity until he got it exactly, precisely perfect. In addition to the sheer musical enjoyment, you really get to appreciate the uncompromising dedication to craft.
The don't "Aja" is one of the top musical masterpieces of the 20th century! Everyone on this one shines! Me, being a drummer, always worshipped Steve Gadd for the work he put in on this track! Absolutely amazing! A game changer for sure! The whole album is a banger!💯
I saw them live a few years ago (RIP Walter Becker) and they played Aja front to back to start the concert. I actually had tears of joy listening and watching this epic album unfold before me. Sublime.
About the guitar solo on "Peg:" About 7-8 guitarists had given it a shot, none of which were to the satisfaction of Fagen and Becker. Then Jay Graydon came in, and did the solo you hear in one take.
Rick Derringer came in and worked on a solo for the entire day. They said it was great and thanked him. After he left, they told the engineer to erase it. Pretty brutal.
A local radio station used to play "album sides" one night per week at midnight. Your approach to playing an album reminds me a great deal of those times. In fact, it's the way I was first exposed to Steely Dan. Aja was simply the very best, the most perfectly arranged, and without a doubt the best musicians in the business for the time. SO GLAD you enjoyed it as much as I/we did when we were kids... Love the channel ..
It's so nice to have a different generation appreciate music from my era. You have great taste. I feel so blessed to have all the different flavors of music growing up.
Please pay attention and recognize the one, common-thread through the Aja album: Chuck Rainey on bass. Mr. Rainey is a GOD on the bottom. He is all chops-and-restraint all at once. Nobody is better in the studio than Chuck. Hard to make a better rhythm section than he holds-up.
I've been riding with Aja, the song, the album, since I used to borrow it from my mom'd collection in the late 80s, and only since I have started to watch react videos have I felt like I could relive listening to things again. Steve Gadd, on Aja. That is a piece of magick that takes you to other worlds all on its own. I know it is coming, I prepare for the trip, and I just GOOOOOOOO.
The "Aja" album won a Grammy for Best Engineered and Recording-Non Classical in 1978. You can see why. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were perfectionists in the studio. It took a year for then to complete the album. They hired about 40 of the best session musicians of the time to play on the album.
Was hooked with Countdown to Ecstasy, went back to Can't Buy A Thrill and never looked back. Thank you for your honest reactions! The fact that you are open to all different types of music is so refreshing. I know very little about the different musicians involved, but I know what has been in my heart since 1973.
This type of music was new to me when I first heard it, and I didn't know if I really liked it. But I had to kept listening, had no choice, it was some kind of deep itch in my brain.
Love your reactions to Steely Dan. I read recently that Fagen always wanted to create songs like these on Aja, but he waited until Steely Dan was big enough and famous enough to move in the jazz/fusion direction. You also mentioned that musically Aja is on a different scope than their earlier albums. They were a band on Can't Buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ecstasy. But the later albums were created using session musicians, the best money could buy - Larry Carlton, Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, Chuck Rainey, etc.
I have seen them twice, once in 93 at the roadhouse in NYC , they were playing with the name New York Knights , I remember a friend and I were trying to figure out something to do , we seen that a band with that name was playing at the Roadhouse, we know that the Roadhouse had famous artists that would play with incognito names , how nice it was . The other time was at a casino in Tahoe , they played with a 10 piece band that was 2004 . Glad you groove to one of my favorites .
Brings back memories. They were given a blank check by the record company to hire the best engineers, and session players. They spent a year recording this album. In 1978 the Aja album won a Grammy for best engineered recording. They would change musicians everyday until they got what they wanted.
Listening to Steely Dan always evokes such happiness and joy for me. They are awesome, and it takes me back to my childhood. I love your reactions and insight and especially your analysis and appreciation for these artists.
"I wonder if any bands have been influenced by Steely Dan..." Reminds of some of my favorite Steely Dan comment memes: "There are 2 kinds of people in the world: those who love Steely Dan and those who don't love Steely Dan... yet." and "Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band."
Your right. Lots of artist incorporate sounds that they like from other artists. No harm, no foul. Every successful musician will tell you they have done that. As a musician you need to know where that line is.
'Peg', their big single from the album, was what really got me into them in 1978 when it was released and I was 11 years old. It blew my mind then and it still does. Just an absolutely incredible album.
This was the album where I absolutely fell in love with Steely Dan. I know that everyone says this about the specific album but some thing about Aja Every single time doesn’t even seem like music
Donald and Walter, two absolute geniuses. Backing band not bad too. Only joking, all very brilliant musicians. Thank you America 🇺🇸, love from England 🇬🇧
This is the best 'reaction' channel out there my friend. You have a very honest, from the heart and head reaction. Your knowledge of sound, musical phrase and harmonic tone is second to none. Thanks for these fantastic videos... I am really enjoying them. I would love to recommend some of my own Favourites... someday!
I used to hate Steely Dan as a kid it wasn't until I was in my 40's did I really start to really appreciate them and now they're one of my top 5 artists 😊
Ah, yes - clarity....the thing that is missing from compressed music. That is why why when I really want to LISTEN, I dig into my 1000 or so vinyls, drop one on my turntable and sit back to wonder why it seems there is no longer talent like this. The youth of today are not only missing out on the best music ever, even when they discover it, they are unaware of how it should sound either. Keep digging - there's gold to be found. Love your reactions/critiques.
Takes me back to the days of laying out in Hermosa Beach slathered in Coppertone, blasting this as a freshly bought cassette tape. Desert island disc choice number 1 these days.
Jay Graydon on guitar on 'Peg', Rick Marotta on drums, Michael McDonald on backing vocals - the whole song is incredible, and what got me into this album in the first place. It was the big single on the album. There's a VH-1 special on the making of the album with interviews with everyone on the album. It's a who's who of some of the greatest session musicians of all time, and Becker and Fagen play back various tracks from the multitrack recordings and analyze and make fun of both the outtakes *and* the material that appeared on the final recording. It's fascinating and hilarious and sardonic and even a little mean at times. Fascinating and essential viewing, and listening, of course. The musicians demonstrate what they did on the record - just watch it. You'll be glad you did. It has been here on UA-cam at various times, most of the time, and is probably available now.
This album is just so great that it's actually making me cry. Long, long history with this album, from when it came out in 1978 and I was 11 years old. It was actually released in September of 1977, but by the time most people heard it it was the following year. So much to say about it - I'm overwhelmed.
When this was released, I played this album constantly. Couldn't get enough. I got a shihzu girl puppy 7 yrs ago and named her Aja. Love her as much as I love this album.💜
You are so right the music tells the story if one allows the beauty of it to come through. This is my favorite track on this album for that very reason, especially Mr. Gadd’s solo explosion on it!❤️☮️✌🏻🎼
The highest fidelity possible is the way to hear this album (or any music really for that matter) Actually this album was once considered a great test recording for audiophile stereo systems.
The drum rhythm by Rick Marotta in 'Peg' is a swing shuffle. Non musicians often call this a cadence, which is the wrong word. It's a rhythm. When non musicians say 'cadence' to mean a rhythm what they're actually referring to is a rhythmic cadence, which is a very specific reference to a drum rhythm used in marching band music, and the cadence part of the term is extremely misleading because a rhythmic cadence is a rhythmic pattern played by a drum or drums, but a cadence is literally the end of a piece of traditional western tonal music as indicated by usually either of two chord progressions of two chords indicating the end of the piece of music: the plagal cadence, which is the the IV chord resolving to the I chord (the ending "Amen" in a hymn), or the perfect cadence, which is the V chord followed by the I chord (almost every single cadence heard - the ending of Mary Had a Little Lamb technically is a perfect cadence in terms of harmony). This is all really simple stuff, even though it sounds much more involved than it actually is. Anyone who has listened to popular music from the past 150 years at least has heard these chord progressions thousands of times. You'd definitely know it if you heard it.
Nobody listens to Peg for the first time and doesn’t recognize how great it is. It’s just universally agreed upon.
It's my favorite pop song of all-time and will be played at my funeral :) It makes me so happy.
I love the whole album including
Peg 😍
Recently played Peg and couldn’t get it out of my head literally for days. Thank you SD!
So outrageous! 😀
The first listen is magic, it's like a whole new thing
My dad passed away and did not leave me any material nor money as inheritance but he gave me music that was so rich with soul which is hard to come by nowadays. We never had a good relationship but one thing is for sure.... I used sneak his old tapes just to play Steely Dan's music which is also one of the greatest influences in my own music.
Aside from the melody & beats they're also lyrical geniuses! No debate!
I think in fifty years just as many people will be hearing this for the first time and they'll know then what all of us already knew 100 years before them.
Millions of music recordings will certainly fade into oblivion but Steely Dan has created something that will be around for as long as humans have ears.
🔥💯
Prince was indeed influenced by STeely Dan, there is an account of an early performance by a band that included morris day and they did some Dan covers, he was also inspired by Deacon Blues: "I cried when I wrote this song so sue me if I play too long" -- "I was dreamin when I wrote this so sue me if it goes too fast" (1999)
Nice
Prince's "Money Don't Matter 2 Nite" is essentially a fan letter to "Aja"-era Steely Dan.
that's doooope thanks for bridging the gap
There are some live recordings of solos that make you make that "wait a minute" face.
I think the bass player on Peg was absolutely crushing it. Nothing ridiculous just those little things.I think it was Chuck Raney. A Cleveland guy.
it was definitely Chuck Rainey. He even had a disagreement with Donald and Walter who didn't want him to do the bass slapping part on Peg, so when he did it on the choruses he turned slightly away from them so they couldn't see his hands LOLOL
The saxophonist on Aja is Wayne Shorter, a legendary jazz musician who played with Miles, Herbie, Blakey, and so many more. Great video!
I have followed Steely Dan since 1972, immediately a huge fan. I saw my first Steely Dan concert in Sacramento in 1972. Since that time I've seen them perform live in concert at least 10 more times, including 2 especially memorable shows, one at Shoreline Amphitheater in Menlo Park in 1989 where I had vackstage passes and got to hang with Fagen and Becker after the show. Don was quiet, nervous, and reserved. Walter was so socially engaging and interesting. The other memorable show was in 2004 in San Francisco at the Masonic Auditorium where they played the complete Aja album for the first set followed by the complete Royal Scam album. In the middle of the second set some joker yelled out "Free Bird!!". Fagen stopped the whole show to berate this person high in the balcony for not only interesting the flow of the concert just to yell out an inappropriate comment as if it were funny. The crowd absolutely ROARED with approval. One common denominator for every single one of their live performances was the care and attention to the sound system and the mix. You could have sworn that it was the studio recordings, the sound was so perfect. Another thing about their concerts, upwards of 3/4 of the audience were all making the same head movement in time with the music... a kind of nodding similar to nodding "yes"
That move is now known as Dan Bobbing ( like bobbing for apples)
I have always wanted to see them live never have I would love to still . I got turned on steely Dan when I bought this album then I went back to listen to all the other albums leading up to listening to AJA Album ! In my opinion is There Master Album next to the Groucho Album Just Sayin
The keyboard solo on "Black Cow" by Victor Feldman is just stellar. One of my favorites in SD's canon. Also for me the Wayne Shorter solo in "Aja" has so much depth and understanding of how to organize a solo. It's just mesmerizing. My favorite horn solo in all of SD's tunes.
I believe that’s Wayne Shorter on sax on “ Aja”And Steve Gadd is on the most game changing drum solo in rock music.
Steve is my favorite drummer of all time...I believe the Sax sound is actually coming from Tom Scott's Lyricon. An instrument no longer made. An Analog Electronic wind instrument. Tom Scott liked and used it a lot. in fact, he is referred to as "Mr. Lyricon."..I don't know enough about it. It's just what I've read..I looked up the players on Peg, and there was no Sax used. The Lyricon can produce the sound of a sax....I think they closed their doors in 1980 because the instrument was to expensive to produce...The only song Shorter played on is Aja.
@@sjd5750 yes, I was referring to the song “ Aja”!
@@sjd5750 There are different solo sax players on the different tracks. Wayne Shorter on Aja, Pete Christlieb on Deacon Blues. Tom Scott did the horn section arrangements for the entire record.
@@TheDivayenta Sorry. I misread it..Thought you meant on Peg.
@@sjd5750 no worries!
Forget UA-cam, I'm sure some of us remember what it's like to hear this album for the first time on vinyl. Nice it still can blow younger generations away.
Yes, Wayne Shorter on tenor. It is mind blowing to hear him tell the story that “he just happened to be in the studio that day”. Absolutely gorgeous.
Now you hitting one of best albums of all time !!! Not bad for a couple funky white boys
Lol
Fagan is Jewish. Not white. Becker white.
@@kensteel6100 they’re both Jewish
@@jsghetler Hey, you are missing the point. There is nothing like black, white or jewish music. There is good and bad music, and Steely Dan is good music
@@andreasglaesel3811 yeah but context is always helpful and it sure doesn’t hurt
The guys really allow this song to breath. After the crazy, hectic sax solo with the energetic drum fills, they give it the full four measures before resuming the lyrics. I can feel the song resting and getting it's wind back. The Dan were on a different level musically.
Listening to the self titled track always makes me tear up as it was my late father's favorite song. He passed in July due to colon cancer. Such a brillant song loved by a brillant man
I feel for your loss!
Watching you listening to this Album, reminds me of when I heard it for the first time on Vinyl record, 1977, Harmon Kardon amp, gigantic JVC speakers in a attic apartment, a bit of the herb.
The chord progressions can make you emotional. "My favorite is the one I'm hearing" lol
One does not listen to Steely Dan, One feels Steely Dan in your soul 🙂
Had this on vinyl (record eventually cracked), cassette tape (wore it out) and still have it on CD as well as digital. I will never be without this music while I'm alive.
Obviously life long fan And for good reason!
"They did something different every album." Yes, the sign of a true artist.
The audio fidelity of this recording is unmatched, even today. It has been THE album used for testing the fidelity of audio reproduction equipment ever since it was released in 1977.
Drama nice bringing up that Prince song...I agree. Not just him but a lot of hip hop artists sampled their music
Aja and Gaucho are my two favorite LPs.
Me too. Both are great
same here in different order as Gaucho was the first record I ever bought in a store at the age of 12
Tom Welch Totalmente de acuerdo, son 2 albums buenísimos, para mi, son Obras Maestras”
Thanks as always for your wonderful reactions. The harmonies on Peg are performed by Michael McDonald of early Steely Dan fame and later Doobie Brothers fame. He created a 5-part harmony with tiny gaps in the notes. He said that Becker and Fagen tortured him to exhaustion and near-insanity until he got it exactly, precisely perfect. In addition to the sheer musical enjoyment, you really get to appreciate the uncompromising dedication to craft.
Mike McDonald Paul Griffin sang backing vocals on peg!
The harmonies (micro pitch intervals) was all McDonald’s work. Gave it a swing band feel as SD were striving for
AJA IS NEXT LEVEL.
Next. Level. 💯❤️🎶
The don't "Aja" is one of the top musical masterpieces of the 20th century! Everyone on this one shines! Me, being a drummer, always worshipped Steve Gadd for the work he put in on this track! Absolutely amazing! A game changer for sure! The whole album is a banger!💯
Do you hear Michael McDonald singing background on Peg? He was with them before the Doobies.
Thank you, Skunk Baxter!
I'm ashamed that I forgot MM was with these dudes beforehand...appreciate you posting that little tid-bit of info and refreshing my senile-ass brain.
“With them?” Uh, on a couple of vocal tracks.
@@AU88 Uh..... WRONG!!!! ultimateclassicrock.com/michael-mcdonald-steely-dan/
@@juaneato He’s a missile expert.
The GOAT Band of all time? Quite possibly...
I saw them live a few years ago (RIP Walter Becker) and they played Aja front to back to start the concert. I actually had tears of joy listening and watching this epic album unfold before me. Sublime.
About the guitar solo on "Peg:" About 7-8 guitarists had given it a shot, none of which were to the satisfaction of Fagen and Becker. Then Jay Graydon came in, and did the solo you hear in one take.
Absolutely. Jay is a big time producer too.
Rick Derringer came in and worked on a solo for the entire day. They said it was great and thanked him. After he left, they told the engineer to erase it. Pretty brutal.
Walter Becker and Donald Fagan have said they have over 70 alternate solos. They weren't stopping til somebody played what they heard in their heads.
The sustained last note of the solo is epic
„Sometimes you have to listen for what the music is telling you“. This is so true!
Quality sound, + Steely Dan’s Aja = Early Christmas present! Thanks Michael and I appreciate your appreciation for the Dan!
A local radio station used to play "album sides" one night per week at midnight. Your approach to playing an album reminds me a great deal of those times. In fact, it's the way I was first exposed to Steely Dan. Aja was simply the very best, the most perfectly arranged, and without a doubt the best musicians in the business for the time. SO GLAD you enjoyed it as much as I/we did when we were kids... Love the channel ..
Deacon Blues is my anthem.
When I first heard the record my favorites were Peg and Josie. Now I can’t stop listening to the title track, it’s truly sensational
Initially those two tracks jumped out at me also. Later the entire album enveloped me. Black Cow and Aja in particular move me every time I hear them.
I cant imagine anyone with an ear for sophisticated yet catchy music not loving this the very first time like I did.
It's so nice to have a different generation appreciate music from my era. You have great taste. I feel so blessed to have all the different flavors of music growing up.
Please pay attention and recognize the one, common-thread through the Aja album: Chuck Rainey on bass.
Mr. Rainey is a GOD on the bottom. He is all chops-and-restraint all at once. Nobody is better in the studio than Chuck.
Hard to make a better rhythm section than he holds-up.
Steely Dan has no expiration date. The music and lyrics are genius. Layers of perfection.
Deacon Blues! Good Lord!
Pray for greatness as always.
Black Cow has some of my favorite chord changes ever written.
Goosebumps every single time on that Peg guitar solo. And that bass. Probably my favorite Steely Dan song as well.
Love Peg!!! Perfect song for a true audiophile. 🥰 I’ll have to see if you’ve done any Chicago yet. 25or 6 to 4 is great. Also Saturday in the Park.
My favorite Steely Dan album from “Black Cow” to “Josie”.
Yes you must hear the best version I have the Aja remaster from 2008 that’s another level great reaction Michael you are a pro 👍
I've been riding with Aja, the song, the album, since I used to borrow it from my mom'd collection in the late 80s, and only since I have started to watch react videos have I felt like I could relive listening to things again. Steve Gadd, on Aja. That is a piece of magick that takes you to other worlds all on its own. I know it is coming, I prepare for the trip, and I just GOOOOOOOO.
The "Aja" album won a Grammy for Best Engineered and Recording-Non Classical in 1978. You can see why. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were perfectionists in the studio. It took a year for then to complete the album. They hired about 40 of the best session musicians of the time to play on the album.
Was hooked with Countdown to Ecstasy, went back to Can't Buy A Thrill and never looked back. Thank you for your honest reactions! The fact that you are open to all different types of music is so refreshing. I know very little about the different musicians involved, but I know what has been in my heart since 1973.
Loving the revisit of my youth remember this constantly on the radio. Means more now
This type of music was new to me when I first heard it, and I didn't know if I really liked it. But I had to kept listening, had no choice, it was some kind of deep itch in my brain.
This! Those are the words I've been searching for to describe my following this journey!
Your wonderful👏❤
Dude you hit the grand slam of Steeley Dan songs. The first four songs of Aja are as good as the first four songs of any album!
The Great Michael McDonald singing BACKGROUND! AMAZING!
That album was true FIRE, but Peg is my all time favorite Steely Dan song!!! Will lift up the mood to ANY setting. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽🔥
Simply another Iconic band from my youth. How we took for granted that music would always be like this.
Can't go wrong with Steely Dan....Deacon Blues my favorite song...Dam so freaking smooth.
When Ed Green cuts loose on drums in the middle of AJA is pure freedom.
Who is Ed Green?
Steely Dan influenced EVERYBODY.
They are known as your favorite bands, favorite band.
Deacon Blues...that’s my jam, right there❤️🎶🎷🎶✨🎶✨🎶
What yoooo said about Prince’s, “Wanna Be Your Lover” and The Dan’s, “Peg”!!!💯💯💯🤩
My favorite group [album wise] of all time! Best song writers fagen becker of all times!
Absolutely agree that music also speaks and needs time to develop
Love your reactions to Steely Dan. I read recently that Fagen always wanted to create songs like these on Aja, but he waited until Steely Dan was big enough and famous enough to move in the jazz/fusion direction. You also mentioned that musically Aja is on a different scope than their earlier albums. They were a band on Can't Buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ecstasy. But the later albums were created using session musicians, the best money could buy - Larry Carlton, Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, Chuck Rainey, etc.
Deacon Blues has always been one of my favorites. Its so mournful. I heard another reaction team laugh at it and say it was awful. I was shocked
HE GETS IT !
I have seen them twice, once in 93 at the roadhouse in NYC , they were playing with the name New York Knights , I remember a friend and I were trying to figure out something to do , we seen that a band with that name was playing at the Roadhouse, we know that the Roadhouse had famous artists that would play with incognito names , how nice it was . The other time was at a casino in Tahoe , they played with a 10 piece band that was 2004 . Glad you groove to one of my favorites .
Damn good observation about Prince and Peg, 2 thumbs up!, P.S. that's Michael Mcdonald singing back up on PEG.
Brings back memories. They were given a blank check by the record company to hire the best engineers, and session players. They spent a year recording this album. In 1978 the Aja album won a Grammy for best engineered recording. They would change musicians everyday until they got what they wanted.
There is NO OTHER album or collection of music like this. Ever.
Listening to Steely Dan always evokes such happiness and joy for me. They are awesome, and it takes me back to my childhood. I love your reactions and insight and especially your analysis and appreciation for these artists.
"I wonder if any bands have been influenced by Steely Dan..." Reminds of some of my favorite Steely Dan comment memes:
"There are 2 kinds of people in the world: those who love Steely Dan and those who don't love Steely Dan... yet." and
"Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band."
Your right. Lots of artist incorporate sounds that they like from other artists. No harm, no foul. Every successful musician will tell you they have done that. As a musician you need to know where that line is.
'Peg', their big single from the album, was what really got me into them in 1978 when it was released and I was 11 years old. It blew my mind then and it still does. Just an absolutely incredible album.
This was the album where I absolutely fell in love with Steely Dan. I know that everyone says this about the specific album but some thing about Aja Every single time doesn’t even seem like music
Donald and Walter, two absolute geniuses. Backing band not bad too. Only joking, all very brilliant musicians. Thank you America 🇺🇸, love from England 🇬🇧
Probably my favorite album of all time.
This is the best 'reaction' channel out there my friend. You have a very honest, from the heart and head reaction. Your knowledge of sound, musical phrase and harmonic tone is second to none. Thanks for these fantastic videos... I am really enjoying them. I would love to recommend some of my own Favourites... someday!
I used to hate Steely Dan as a kid it wasn't until I was in my 40's did I really start to really appreciate them and now they're one of my top 5 artists 😊
Ah, yes - clarity....the thing that is missing from compressed music. That is why why when I really want to LISTEN, I dig into my 1000 or so vinyls, drop one on my turntable and sit back to wonder why it seems there is no longer talent like this. The youth of today are not only missing out on the best music ever, even when they discover it, they are unaware of how it should sound either. Keep digging - there's gold to be found. Love your reactions/critiques.
Thank you William
Takes me back to the days of laying out in Hermosa Beach slathered in Coppertone, blasting this as a freshly bought cassette tape. Desert island disc choice number 1 these days.
Prepare to have your mind blown repeatedly... especially if you're in good headphones.
Just great to see these wonderful reactions, SD just magic sounds, geniuses 😊😄🎶👍
Perhaps my all-time favorite Album!
Listening to SD requires you to close your eyes to savor the full experience!!! It also goes well with a little drink and a little smoke!
Steve Gadd on drums was a very busy man! I Love it
Glad you're back on the Dan. Don't know what you have going behind the scenes but know that we have much love for ya 👊❤
I approve of the stank face because I myself have to scrunch up my nose every time that saxophone starts wailing also
Jay Graydon on guitar on 'Peg', Rick Marotta on drums, Michael McDonald on backing vocals - the whole song is incredible, and what got me into this album in the first place. It was the big single on the album. There's a VH-1 special on the making of the album with interviews with everyone on the album. It's a who's who of some of the greatest session musicians of all time, and Becker and Fagen play back various tracks from the multitrack recordings and analyze and make fun of both the outtakes *and* the material that appeared on the final recording. It's fascinating and hilarious and sardonic and even a little mean at times. Fascinating and essential viewing, and listening, of course. The musicians demonstrate what they did on the record - just watch it. You'll be glad you did. It has been here on UA-cam at various times, most of the time, and is probably available now.
Jay Graydon is only the solo, the rhythm is Steve Khan
@@maximilianodelrio it's the solo I'm talking about - because that's the standout.
I needed this after a long workday. I really like all their music, but Peg is my favorite! ❤ good pick!
This album is just so great that it's actually making me cry. Long, long history with this album, from when it came out in 1978 and I was 11 years old. It was actually released in September of 1977, but by the time most people heard it it was the following year. So much to say about it - I'm overwhelmed.
So I can tell you where I was when I first heard this album and it changed my life. Yeah...
Walter Becker on guitar is genius!
Larry carlton on black cow !
They influenced everyone haha
When this was released, I played this album constantly. Couldn't get enough. I got a shihzu girl puppy 7 yrs ago and named her Aja. Love her as much as I love this album.💜
Josie is the jam!
The Gallap of the Drums an Simbles is what sets Peg for me
Rick marotta on drums!
You are so right the music tells the story if one allows the beauty of it to come through. This is my favorite track on this album for that very reason, especially Mr. Gadd’s solo explosion on it!❤️☮️✌🏻🎼
Love this album. Listen to it all the time.
The highest fidelity possible is the way to hear this album (or any music really for that matter) Actually this album was once considered a great test recording for audiophile stereo systems.
Still is
I still use it when I demo garage/marketplace speaker buys...it’ll always be a classic!
Also on "I Got The News"
I've used "Aja" and "Black Friday" every time I've bought speakers.
By far - one of the recording industry’s finest vinyl analog recordings for all time - never mind 1977!
Popped back in to double dip on the Aja album reactions. Sweet bliss.
The drum rhythm by Rick Marotta in 'Peg' is a swing shuffle. Non musicians often call this a cadence, which is the wrong word. It's a rhythm. When non musicians say 'cadence' to mean a rhythm what they're actually referring to is a rhythmic cadence, which is a very specific reference to a drum rhythm used in marching band music, and the cadence part of the term is extremely misleading because a rhythmic cadence is a rhythmic pattern played by a drum or drums, but a cadence is literally the end of a piece of traditional western tonal music as indicated by usually either of two chord progressions of two chords indicating the end of the piece of music: the plagal cadence, which is the the IV chord resolving to the I chord (the ending "Amen" in a hymn), or the perfect cadence, which is the V chord followed by the I chord (almost every single cadence heard - the ending of Mary Had a Little Lamb technically is a perfect cadence in terms of harmony). This is all really simple stuff, even though it sounds much more involved than it actually is. Anyone who has listened to popular music from the past 150 years at least has heard these chord progressions thousands of times. You'd definitely know it if you heard it.