How To Buy... Steely Dan -

How To Buy... Steely Dan

2:10 PM GMT 30/01/2008

DOES LISTENING to Steely Dan make you more intelligent? Debatable. But they certainly make you think you are. The most cerebral, sarkiest jazz, rock and funk duo on the planet, since 1972’s Can’t Buy A Thrill, give or take a few decades off, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have made an artform out of smuggling the intellectual and complicated onto the radio. And, as a band who were able to namecheck Retsina, Tanqueray gin and Kirschwasser brandy in song, they knew that they had to entertain as well.

So which records by this pair of severe quality controllers do you need to own? Gaucho or Countdown To Ecstasy? How does Two Against Nature compare with Can’t Buy A Thrill? Solo LPs are allowed, so what’s the deal there? As ever, the best comments and recommendations will appear in the magazine.

Post your thoughts below. Or, if you’re feeling secretive, mail them here...

Posted by Danny_Eccleston at 2:10 PM GMT 30/01/2008

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Countdown to Ecstasy is essential, to the first phase of the Dan’s career (rock-jazz), just as Aja is essential to the next (jazz-rock). Can’t Buy A Thrill is a great introduction to their potential as writers with range. But it’s CTE that solidifies their sound as a band.

Posted by Clippernolan at 4:59 PM GMT 30/01/2008 Report Abuse

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Countdown To Ecstasy IS their finest hour but The Royal Scam is their great underrated album. Coming off the back of the disappointing Katy Lied it seamlessly joins the slick later stuff with the more muscular early material. Killer tunes to boot.

Posted by Warren at 5:17 PM GMT 30/01/2008 Report Abuse

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Well....I would recommend the Citizen Dan box set.All the CRUCIAL dan one NEEDS!!

Posted by Anonymous at 5:44 PM GMT 30/01/2008 Report Abuse

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Well....I would recommend the Citizen Dan box set.All the CRUCIAL dan one NEEDS!!

Posted by Tremelo at 5:44 PM GMT 30/01/2008 Report Abuse

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RE: Couldn't agree more!!

Posted by Clean Willie at 7:43 PM GMT 30/01/2008 Report Abuse

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Pretzel logic: West coast AOR with a twist. Sublime guitar by the MIA Jeff Skunk Baxter, last sighting of the band rather than the duo plus top quality session musicians.

Aja: A pearl among the punk swine of 1977. Peerless songwriting. Even took me to see Chick Corea just to see Steve Gadd who was in his band at the time.

Posted by AndyH at 11:15 AM GMT 31/01/2008 Report Abuse

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As Steely Dan were ultimately aiming for the perfect rock/jazz/lounge hybrid, their ultimate album has to be Aja. Here they broke out of the limitations of traditional pop song structures to craft mature, elongated 'compositions' featuring the usual impossibly high standard of their musicianship. Their paradigm was always Duke Ellington and this is the album were they came nearest to fulfilling that legacy. The fact that it still yielded pop singles is little short of a miracle and proves how open-minded the times were.

Posted by Mark Blanchard at 12:30 PM GMT 31/01/2008 Report Abuse

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As an American expat, I've been living in Paris for the last 13 years, and when I need to escape from the realities of living with the "French", the Citizen Dan box set is readily at hand next to my kitchen boombox. Preferred tracks : Dirty Work, The Caves Of Altamira...EVERY SINGLE TRACK!
Before the fall when they wrote it on the wall
When there wasn't even any Hollywood
They heard the call
And they wrote it on the wall
For you and me we understood

Posted by Charlie de Paris at 6:32 AM GMT 01/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Can't Buy a Thrill is my favourite - not a weak song on it.
Gaucho is their most underrated album.

Posted by Anonymous at 9:34 AM GMT 01/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Can't Buy a Thrill is my favourite - not a weak song on it.
Gaucho is their most underrated album.

Posted by Stephen at 9:34 AM GMT 01/02/2008 Report Abuse

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"can,t buy a thrill" from start to finish,need i say more !!

Posted by Gazza .K. at 11:39 AM GMT 01/02/2008 Report Abuse

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well ... I would recommend all the fucking steely dan records. But "Aja" is the masterpiece.

Posted by jazzmessenger at 5:44 PM GMT 01/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Don't own AJA? Keep walking...

Posted by David Feijoo at 11:43 AM GMT 02/02/2008 Report Abuse

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The first three (CBAT, CTE and Pretzel Logic) with "Skunk" Baxter on board are the next step West Coast 70's Rock needed. He was a Jack Nicholson kind of guitar player, but the combination with two jazz hipsters, created a unique alchemic sound, offering ROCK wrote in jazz language.
The key for the "masterpiece" tag is Are you embarrasing listening to now? Steely Dan music sounds even today surprising and fresh.
AJA is a masterpiece, with punk in the horizon they gave their must.
"Everything Must Go" for these cheesy moments.

Where are the SD followers in today's rock?

Posted by Kid 72 at 12:04 PM GMT 02/02/2008 Report Abuse

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"The Royal Scam" is by far the best Steely Dan lp. "Green Earrings" is the best track, but this record is brilliant beginning to end.

Posted by Skittlebrau at 3:50 PM GMT 02/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Headed to a desert island and have to pack light? Aja is your choice if you want to take along a representative Steely Dan record. Aja marks the band at the height of its considerable powers, both lyrically and musically. Every song swings, each in its own way.

Posted by Chris Dortch at 4:35 PM GMT 02/02/2008 Report Abuse

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RE: AndyH

i agree Pretzel Logic is the pivotal Dan album Countdown is good but lacks the sparkle and wit of Pretzel.The pathos and sarcasm are honed to the hilt , with a rock beat fires on all cylinders....its a winner

Posted by Diamond Legs Dave at 8:54 PM GMT 02/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Dan had so many great albums...Can't Buy A Thrill and Aja are essential Steely Dan, but my personal fave is Pretzel Logic.
PL's short, deceptively simple songs encapsulate all that the group's fearless blend of American musical genres was capable of; peerless musicianship, with unashamedly commercial aspirations.

Posted by Angelo Tsiboyannis at 2:18 AM GMT 03/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Aja - ties together all their influences so perfectly the result sounds much more unique and lighter than just a mere sum of its parts - plus the opening chordal progression of "Deacon Blues" adds their most ellingtonesque moment ever :-) Gaucho is their most underrated album - the sheer sound brillance of "Babylon Sisters" is just amazing...

Posted by David Berdych at 8:38 PM GMT 03/02/2008 Report Abuse

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RE: Tremelo
I agree - you can't go past Citizen Dan for the full overview of "Dan world." But my personal favourites would have to be CTE (who can go past Show Biz Kids and trying to put it out as a single [LOL]) and Aja - the title track for chrome seamless perfection of drums and a guitar solo that still send me when I hear it.

Posted by BlindBoy at 6:13 AM GMT 04/02/2008 Report Abuse

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1) Katy Lied
The pinnacle of modern music - "Doctor Wu" is IMHO probably the best finest track ever recorded, followed closely by "Bad Sneakers". OK so they nearly scrapped the album due the DBX noise reduction going pear shaped but what songs and arrangements... From Michael Omartian's immaculate Bosendorfer through Phil Woods' one take solo and Denny Dias's guitar solo on Your Gold Teeth II ("Holy Fuck" as Donald exclaims on the bootleg,...) to the first airing of the wonderous "Mike" McDonald ("Going insane...") there is one album I keep returning to over and over again. Katy lies, you can see it in her eyes....

2) Countdown to Ecstasy
Is there anything more joyous than My Old School?? California tumbles into the sea, that'll be the day I go back to Annendale..

3) Aja
Sue me if I play too long

4) The Royal Scam
Turn up the Eagles, the neighbours are listening...

5) Pretzel Logic
You must be joking son, where did you get those shoes??...

Posted by Doobs at 9:17 PM GMT 04/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Gaucho is one of the best records ever made, so it's also the best Steely Dan-record. Look at the cover, listen to the music - the production, the arrangements, the musicians (just take a look at the drummers: Purdie, Gadd, Porcara, Marotta - who else do you want?)and of course the songs - babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, Gaucho, Time out of mind, third world man... Contrary to many peoples opinion, this is a warm, sensual and funny record, definitely not the cold perfectionist show a lot have mentioned in the past.

Posted by Søren Eigaard at 12:59 PM GMT 05/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Lots of love for Aja and Countdown to Ecstacy. As it should be.
But there are only nine Dan studio albums, so what's number ten? Well that has to be Donald Fagan's "The Nightfly". It's like the SD sound projected into the future from back in 1955. Or something. It's an absolute must for all Steely Dan lovers; swinging, soulful and cynical, looking at the past through jazz-tinted glasses.
Anyways, here's my rankings:
1- Aja
2- Can't Buy A Thrill (the only album where SD was a real band)
3- Countdown To Ecstacy
4- The Nightfly (Donald Fagan)
5- Pretzel Logic
6- Gaucho (this album needs more love)
7- The Royal Scam
8- Two Against nature
9- Katy Lied
10- Everything Must Go

Posted by Conor at 6:48 AM GMT 07/02/2008 Report Abuse

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I've got all of their studio albums bar the latest (Everything Must Go) but the one that introduced me to slick groove and seedy tales of The Dan was "The Royal Scam". Now, i knew Haitian Divorce - me brother had the single. But it was many years later that i borrowed a copy of the album.
Well, yes, you could say it paved the way for the magum opus that was "Aja" but with songs that sing of drug dealers gone to seed, hostage situations and inter-marital confrontation (with "the Fez" to dance to in the intermission) it's 10 tracks of pure unadultarated Dan.

The sleeve design, is shit however.

Posted by Chunkyboy G at 11:10 PM GMT 08/02/2008 Report Abuse

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I feel i need to add that i totally forgot about Donalds' "The Nightfly"! What was i thinking?

But no, i'm sticking with "The Royal Scam", great though Nightfly was.

Now my brother reckons his "Kamakiriad" poo-poos all over it

Posted by Chunkyboy G at 11:23 PM GMT 08/02/2008 Report Abuse

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My favourite would be "Can't buy a thrill",even though it has some vocals by David Palmer and not Fagen. It's exciting to hear a new band with such incredible eclectic variety of songs. From the pop of "Dirty work", or the latin groove of "only a fool would say that" to the incredible solos of "reelin' in the years", this album has it all. The would match it with their next albums, but never ever surpassed it.One of the best debuts of all time,period.

Posted by gautxos at 8:56 PM GMT 11/02/2008 Report Abuse

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My list

1. Can´t buy a thrill - Just listen to the solo on "Change of the guard"
2. Pretzel logic
3. Countdown to ecstacy
4. Royal scam
5. Two against nature - They could still do it after twenty years

Posted by Thomas Nirbrant at 12:18 PM GMT 19/02/2008 Report Abuse

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Pretzel Logic.....then Countdown......then......ARRGHHH I cant make my mind up !!!!

Posted by Hegel at 7:51 PM GMT 21/02/2008 Report Abuse

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The beautiful thing about The Dan is, with the possible exception of 'Alive in America', there is no wrong choice. Every studio album pays off BIG TIME.

I love the 'Citizen Steely Dan' suggestion, but it has one major flaw: It doesn't include 'Two Against Nature' and 'Everything Must Go', which are "full-strength" Steely Dan albums, despite the conventional wisdom that suggests otherwise.

And, as has been mentioned, Fagen's 'The Nightfly' is a sensational album...but, so is his 2006 release 'Morph the Cat'.

Posted by Anonymous at 4:13 AM GMT 27/02/2008 Report Abuse

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There is no wrong answer!

Can't Buy A Thrill - classic "early" Dan
Royal Scam - one of the great Guitar records; sex, drugs and rock & roll;
Aja - breathtakingly gorgeous, like nuthin' else, breaks the mold;
Two Against Nature - Wild, Wacky & Fun! it's got grooves in 6/8 and horn arrangements that Miles would kill for;
Morph the Cat - Fagen's post-Apocalyptic Masterpiece

but that's just me.

Posted by YourGoldKeith at 3:55 PM GMT 19/03/2008 Report Abuse

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Get 'em all

Posted by mark gardner at 9:07 AM GMT 23/07/2008 Report Abuse

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Obviously, but them all. If you get bored with the one you are listening to, listen to another. This way, you don't have to listen to anything else.
But, seriously, in today's climate, is there any more appropriate than Everything must Go?
It was sweet up at the top
'Til that ill wind started blowing
Now it's cozy down below
'Cause we're goin' out of business
Everything must go

Posted by elsmallo at 1:06 PM GMT 20/12/2008 Report Abuse

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Obviously, but them all. If you get bored with the one you are listening to, listen to another. This way, you don't have to listen to anything else.
But, seriously, in today's climate, is there any more appropriate record than Everything must Go?
It was sweet up at the top
'Til that ill wind started blowing
Now it's cozy down below
'Cause we're goin' out of business
Everything must go

Posted by elsmallo at 1:06 PM GMT 20/12/2008 Report Abuse

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Obviously, get them all. This way, you don't have to listen to anything but Steely Dan.
But, seriously, in today's climate, is there any more appropriate record than Everything must Go?

It was sweet up at the top
'Til that ill wind started blowing
Now it's cozy down below
'Cause we're goin' out of business
Everything must go

Posted by elsmallo at 1:09 PM GMT 20/12/2008 Report Abuse

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Countdown To Ecstasy is the best one, but you can have the first 7 albums, sixty five songs, on Citizen Steely Dan for only £7.99 at iTunes.
It must be the bargain of the century!

Posted by Ron Moir at 1:47 PM GMT 24/01/2009 Report Abuse

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RE: Doobs
It seems 'Katy Lied' is generally low down on most people's lists as a 'must-have' Steely Dan album. This seems a shame, as it has some sublime moments, especially Walter Becker's guitar playing. Also, the track Your Gold Teeth 2, with Jeff Procaro's drumming and Denny Dias's solo (one in my top 5 best guitar solos list) is incredible. And to think that they came very close to scrapping the album altogether at one point, due to the DBX noise-reduction problems. Every Steely Dan fan should listen again to re-evaluate.

Posted by Basher at 6:26 PM GMT 15/02/2009 Report Abuse

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First thing first, all of Steely Dan's albums are excellent in their own right. Although some are perhaps a little more excellent than others. Gaucho is unquestionably their most underappreciated and works as a brilliant and contrasting sister album to Aja, which for me, is their most overpraised. But both of those works are almost too sterile, too clean, somewhat flawed from their overly meticulous and calculated production values.

The Royal Scam is probably my favorite and is tied with Katy Lied as a contender for their ultimate masterpiece. The former is shunned for its overt cynicism (even by their standards) and is hastily and unfairly dismissed for being more densely produced than anything they recorded before or after. The Royal Scam is the band's most rich and layered recording, paying itself in dividends after multiple listens. It's a showcase for some of the most dynamic and tight musicianship you'll ever hear on record. The playing is sensational and the arrangements are are complex without ever sounding cluttered or complicated. With the right stereo equipment you'll hear how beautifully these layers unfurl as you can hear the separation of each instrument buried in the mix. The tracks themselves are spontaneous and eclectic ranging from horn-stabbed funk ("The Caves of Altamira," "The Royal Scam"), synth-based grooves ("The Fez," "Green Earrings,") languid reggae ("Haitian Divorce") and heartland rock ("Everything You Did"). The Royal Scam is one of the finest albums I've had the pleasure of listening to and its enduring freshness will continue for generations to come. Katy Lied, The Royal Scam's immediate predecessor, is similarly masterful. It's a more low-key affair but is the more elegant and sophisticated of the two. "Your Gold Teeth II" has a dramatic piano-laced introduction and settles into a relaxing and lovely comedown. It's the perfect sequel to the first installment of the song as featured on Countdown to Ecstasy. "Doctor Wu" has a fussy saxophone solo and Fagen gives one of his most intense and emotion-filled vocal performances. Katy Lied is also superbly melodic. Nearly every song has an irresistible hook that buries itself deeply in your conscience upon first impact ("Everyone's Gone to the Movies," "Any World (That I'm Welcomed To)". The Royal Scam is inexplicably overlooked while Katy Lied had the difficult task of following Pretzel Logic, one of Steely Dan's more popular and revered efforts. But both represent the artistic culmination of Steely Dan's timeless music and should be picked up immediately for your enjoyment.

Michael, 22

www.myspace.com/hotterthanjuly

Posted by Michael at 6:29 AM GMT 22/02/2009 Report Abuse

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Ugh, I wish I could edit my post because I see a couple of typos that are killing me slowly lol. :(

Posted by Michael at 6:44 AM GMT 22/02/2009 Report Abuse

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There’s so much to appreciate in all their albums. Steely Dan’s first three (CBAT, CTE, PL) are perhaps more accessible, but I think the music Walter Becker and Donald Fagen produced on ‘Katy Lied’, ‘The Royal Scam’ and ‘Aja’ is as close to perfection as rock has come. ‘Gaucho’ too has its moments.

Of the post-70s output, Donald Fagen’s ‘Kamakiriad’ and the last Dan album ‘Everything Must Go’ are the pick of the bunch, in my view, and stand comparison with their illustrious predecessors.

10 all-time favourite tracks: Dirty Work, Razor Boy, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Dr. Wu, Your Gold Teeth II, Green Earrings, The Royal Scam, Black Cow, Aja, Third World Man.

Posted by Alan at 11:00 AM GMT 07/03/2009 Report Abuse

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Very nice site!

Posted by Pharm47 at 7:41 PM GMT 14/03/2009 Report Abuse

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Very nice site!

Posted by Pharm1 at 9:17 PM GMT 29/03/2009 Report Abuse

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