I have been a Steely Dan fan forever but seeing you guys discover them has been a joyous experience. My Rival was a song that never stuck with me but after getting immersed back into their music I fell in love with it. Thanks for reigniting my love for this great band.
I actually got a little misty eyed watching you two wonderful people listening to this song together since it reminded me of an ex-girlfriend I was living with in our first apartment (we were about 20 yrs old) back in the mid eighties. She had given me a cassette tape of Steely Dan - Aja that her older brother had recorded for her and she gave it to me knowing that I was a music connoisseur and she hadn't really had a chance to listen to it. I played it and fell in love with it immediately which shocked me considering I was mostly into heavy metal, and I still listen to them regularly to this day. Their music just never gets old, but 'Aja' is special, and takes me back to those earlier years when it all started and the girl that got away...but I still have the music.
There is no other song that I can think of that blends music with lyrics like this does it’s unbelievable. It’s like the music is telling the story as much as the lyrics are. This is probably my all-time favorite song.
Hey Nick n Lex. This video takes me back to a happy place. I love this song, now, but initially I wasn't a fan. I'm not sure why. I think coming off The Royal Scam, I was not ready for the more relaxed sounds on Aja. That album was out for about a year before I broke down and bought it, and I was glad I did. Hearing the album start to finish got me into it much more than hearing it piecemeal on the radio. It did not take long for this song to become one of my favorites, after I started listening to the entire album. Great video.
1978 i was 12 yrs old pumping gas for a living with my brothers. We always had the radio going i remember this song and so many other great ones at that time.
Honestly, I’d have to say that SD, Chicago, and The Doobies were my top fave groups as a youth. Amazing lyricism here: “…languid and bittersweet…” Always reminds me of a 50s motif of lonely upper class women while their men are at work. Check out the LIVE STORIES by Harry Chapin for I WANNA LEARN A LOVE SONG. You two might wanna make that an album listen.
I have loved Steely Dan since Can't Buy A Thrill dropped. This album is production perfection. My favorite song is "King Of The World" guitar noodling the entire song. Got to see them live on Long Island in the 80s.
Great stuff folks. Gotta say this is my all time fav SD song beautiful music combined with Donald's perfect voice and lyrics that are outstanding, "I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long", I mean come on. Love it oh and the sax. Doesn't get any better...
That "poppin'" guitar at the end is Lee Ritenour. "Deacon Blues", next to "Hey Nineteen" and "Sign in Stranger" are for me the best tracks Steely Dan ever recorded. They're so perfect it hurts.
So happy to see the younger generation enjoying this music..first time for me was 1973 Don Kirshners Rock Concert….when my dad was sleeping would get up and turn on the TV but had to keep it low..!!!
That guitar at the end is played with a phaser. Probably an 8 stage phaser, which has a more pronounced and quacky sound than a classic mxr phase 90. You can also hear that sound on a keyboard track at the very end of "West of Hollywood" or all through "Almost gothic". Both tracks are on "Two against nature".
I grew up on SD. Aja came out when I was an undergrad at Penn State and you couldn’t escape it, it was played everywhere. I got to see the band live in Philly twice, once at the Tower Theater about 3 feet from the stage. I always enjoy your reactions. So glad you found SD too.
Pumping gas one night, a car pulls in with the plate "KTLIED", I asked the driver "Is that a Steely Dan reference?". He said l was only like the 3rd person to ever get that. We both chuckled!
Have you ever given yourself a vinyl party???? take this have it be the background music and the ambience for a small gathering of friends!! you will not be disappointed
Bernard Purdie. This is the first song I learned to drum. Then I had my teacher teach me Misty Mountain Hop. He was not familiar with Bonham's drumming and was impressed. I didn't know at the time that Purdie was one of Bonham's favorite drummers.
This might be their best song. Except for My Old School, or Kid Charlemagne, or Doctor Wu, or Razor Boy, or Boston Rag, or Black Cow, or … never mind. Impossible to pick one.
Yeah, "the bass!" I have to keep listening to songs featuring Walter on bass just to keep in mind just how effin' solid and innovative he is on the instrument. He's the bassist on "Ricki" and quite a few more. One of my favorite performances by Walter is on Fagen's "Snowbound."
One thing no one talks about much is SD's use of tempo. I think their absolute mastery of it is one reason their work seems ageless. There are many ways to screw up a well crafted, melodically memorable progression with the wrong tempo. Their choice of bpm often seem unhurried and laid back. This is not a mistake by them. It's calculated for the breathing of the song - at the molecular level. It's a component of "pocket." Nothing ever sounds forced or laggy. They do tempo so well- the need to dissect and discuss it never comes up.
The saxophonist is someone B&F saw on the Johnny Carson Late Show orchestra and invited in. He was later bemused to hear himself playing “in every airport restroom in America." (Can someone find that exact quote?)
Pete has a good laugh. I met him a few years ago, he was playing at a neighborhood Jazz walk near Seattle. I heard Deacon Blues in his playing. Nice guy, he was well aware of his contribution to SD lore. I saw him play with the Tonight Show band at a few tapings, perk of growing up in LA. th-cam.com/video/3LKMkCLSO7s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zVtU9VegSmaRLZYt
Les 2 autres guitares une acoustique jouée par dean parks et le meilleur pour la fin l'autre guitare électrique est jouée tout simplement par l'extra terrestre le génie absolu le plus grand musicien avec pat metheny du 20 ème siècle le MARTIEN L'HOMME VENU D'UN AUTRE MONDE l'immense Larry Carlton !!!!!! C'est d'ailleurs lui qui a signé les arrangements de cet extraordinaire et historique morceaux !!!!!!! Voilà quand vous ne savez pas vous demandez !!!!!!! Amicalement de France Guy
Brilliant nick n lex steely Dan fantastic band i love this song and I love steely Dan reeling in the years haiatian divorce go back jack ricky don't loose that number all classic songs sorry I haven't said much of late but I have been very ill
Have you reacted to "A Man I'll Never Be" by Boston yet? Same level of incredible flowing musicianship and the same style of self-depricating lyrics. I think you two would really enjoy it. 🙂
You are absolutely correct Nick. Deacon Blues does sound Metropolitan New York/Chicago oriented!!! Smooth and classy and timeless. So glad we won you over to Steely Dan!!! lol.
Deberían reaccionar a Babasónicos th-cam.com/video/_W9pxEuEVns/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gCP4TOAIMmvd7YW1 y Catupecu Machu th-cam.com/play/RDmWrLaTUeu5w.html&playnext=1&si=mTfdh7Y645UvjT30 Dos grandes bandas argentinas
A Steely Dan day is a good day. Thanks, N&L.
David Crosby said this song saved his life. He told the guys when he met them. Must have blown them away. This one's in my top 3 ❤
I have been a Steely Dan fan forever but seeing you guys discover them has been a joyous experience. My Rival was a song that never stuck with me but after getting immersed back into their music I fell in love with it. Thanks for reigniting my love for this great band.
I actually got a little misty eyed watching you two wonderful people listening to this song together since it reminded me of an ex-girlfriend I was living with in our first apartment (we were about 20 yrs old) back in the mid eighties. She had given me a cassette tape of Steely Dan - Aja that her older brother had recorded for her and she gave it to me knowing that I was a music connoisseur and she hadn't really had a chance to listen to it. I played it and fell in love with it immediately which shocked me considering I was mostly into heavy metal, and I still listen to them regularly to this day. Their music just never gets old, but 'Aja' is special, and takes me back to those earlier years when it all started and the girl that got away...but I still have the music.
Deacon Blues is one of those songs that keep on growing on you.
There is no other song that I can think of that blends music with lyrics like this does it’s unbelievable. It’s like the music is telling the story as much as the lyrics are. This is probably my all-time favorite song.
Hey Nick n Lex. This video takes me back to a happy place. I love this song, now, but initially I wasn't a fan. I'm not sure why. I think coming off The Royal Scam, I was not ready for the more relaxed sounds on Aja. That album was out for about a year before I broke down and bought it, and I was glad I did. Hearing the album start to finish got me into it much more than hearing it piecemeal on the radio. It did not take long for this song to become one of my favorites, after I started listening to the entire album. Great video.
1978 i was 12 yrs old pumping gas for a living with my brothers. We always had the radio going i remember this song and so many other great ones at that time.
Good for you, man. Earning honest cash at a young age and hearing great music to boot!
every time I re-listen to Steely Dan I hear something new. it's good to do a Replay
Honestly, I’d have to say that SD, Chicago, and The Doobies were my top fave groups as a youth.
Amazing lyricism here:
“…languid and bittersweet…”
Always reminds me of a 50s motif of lonely upper class women while their men are at work.
Check out the LIVE STORIES by Harry Chapin for
I WANNA LEARN A LOVE SONG.
You two might wanna make that an album listen.
I have loved Steely Dan since Can't Buy A Thrill dropped. This album is production perfection. My favorite song is "King Of The World" guitar noodling the entire song. Got to see them live on Long Island in the 80s.
Great stuff folks. Gotta say this is my all time fav SD song beautiful music combined with Donald's perfect voice and lyrics that are outstanding, "I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long", I mean come on. Love it oh and the sax. Doesn't get any better...
That "poppin'" guitar at the end is Lee Ritenour. "Deacon Blues", next to "Hey Nineteen" and "Sign in Stranger" are for me the best tracks Steely Dan ever recorded. They're so perfect it hurts.
Stay tuned to this channel! A nice surprise coming your way soon.
The end of Hey Nineteen is especially awesome.
50 years and I never noticed that popping before.
Always love some steely Dan guys... Velvety smooth music. Nice video as usual you guys captured the essence of the song
Btw I'm from Alabama so cool to hear those lyrics
So happy to see the younger generation enjoying this music..first time for me was 1973 Don Kirshners Rock Concert….when my dad was sleeping would get up and turn on the TV but had to keep it low..!!!
That guitar at the end is played with a phaser. Probably an 8 stage phaser, which has a more pronounced and quacky sound than a classic mxr phase 90. You can also hear that sound on a keyboard track at the very end of "West of Hollywood" or all through "Almost gothic". Both tracks are on "Two against nature".
I grew up on SD. Aja came out when I was an undergrad at Penn State and you couldn’t escape it, it was played everywhere. I got to see the band live in Philly twice, once at the Tower Theater about 3 feet from the stage.
I always enjoy your reactions. So glad you found SD too.
Pumping gas one night, a car pulls in with the plate "KTLIED", I asked the driver "Is that a Steely Dan reference?". He said l was only like the 3rd person to ever get that. We both chuckled!
Love stories like this!
I thought you were going to say it was Fagan and he offered you a gagger line. And just like Katy he’d say you lied.
As good as it gets. ❤️❤️
Have you ever given yourself a vinyl party???? take this have it be the background music and the ambience for a small gathering of friends!! you will not be disappointed
'...this brother is free...I'll be what I want to be'....the best line in the whole song.
My favorite song. Thank you! ❤
The full Patreon reaction was great!! Don't forget, all the albums. Eventually...
I never get too caught up in the "favorite song" thing but for Steely Dan...this might be it.
Steely Dan was incredible, and the bands were top notch.
The sax solo is by the great Pete Christlieb who as it happens was a guest on my show.
Drumming - you done hired the hitmaker!
Bernard Purdie. This is the first song I learned to drum. Then I had my teacher teach me Misty Mountain Hop. He was not familiar with Bonham's drumming and was impressed. I didn't know at the time that Purdie was one of Bonham's favorite drummers.
loved it since 1977-Stephen Caruso
I saw a Steely cover band and they were amazing. The sax player was mind blowing.
I saw a SD cover band too. They were called Major Dudes. Their Bodhisattva was fantastic!
I recommend Steely Dead if they ever come down your way.
a complex song by steely dan probably my favorite song top 2 for sure !
The 1970s were a golden cornucopia of musical goodness
Another great album by the Dan, brings back so many memories.
This might be their best song. Except for My Old School, or Kid Charlemagne, or Doctor Wu, or Razor Boy, or Boston Rag, or Black Cow, or … never mind. Impossible to pick one.
More from The Dan😎 just great great music ..... Donald and Walter(RIP😢) were the best ❤
Yeah, "the bass!" I have to keep listening to songs featuring Walter on bass just to keep in mind just how effin' solid and innovative he is on the instrument. He's the bassist on "Ricki" and quite a few more. One of my favorite performances by Walter is on Fagen's "Snowbound."
One thing no one talks about much is SD's use of tempo. I think their absolute mastery of it is one reason their work seems ageless. There are many ways to screw up a well crafted, melodically memorable progression with the wrong tempo. Their choice of bpm often seem unhurried and laid back. This is not a mistake by them. It's calculated for the breathing of the song - at the molecular level. It's a component of "pocket." Nothing ever sounds forced or laggy. They do tempo so well- the need to dissect and discuss it never comes up.
much love,,,love me some Dan as well as the awesome hosts...Kent
The saxophonist is someone B&F saw on the Johnny Carson Late Show orchestra and invited in. He was later bemused to hear himself playing “in every airport restroom in America."
(Can someone find that exact quote?)
PETE CHRISTLIEB...🎷
Pete has a good laugh. I met him a few years ago, he was playing at a neighborhood Jazz walk near Seattle. I heard Deacon Blues in his playing. Nice guy, he was well aware of his contribution to SD lore. I saw him play with the Tonight Show band at a few tapings, perk of growing up in LA.
th-cam.com/video/3LKMkCLSO7s/w-d-xo.htmlsi=zVtU9VegSmaRLZYt
Three guitars and one is Lee Ritenour! I never knew that! (or I forgot!)
Les 2 autres guitares une acoustique jouée par dean parks et le meilleur pour la fin l'autre guitare électrique est jouée tout simplement par l'extra terrestre le génie absolu le plus grand musicien avec pat metheny du 20 ème siècle le MARTIEN L'HOMME VENU D'UN AUTRE MONDE l'immense Larry Carlton !!!!!! C'est d'ailleurs lui qui a signé les arrangements de cet extraordinaire et historique morceaux !!!!!!! Voilà quand vous ne savez pas vous demandez !!!!!!! Amicalement de France Guy
This song is the reason I bought the album way back when…
Reaccionamos a ciro y los persas ANTES Y DESPUES EN VIVO ESTADIO FERRO 2014 y te regalo mi suegra 👍🇦🇷🇦🇷🇦🇷💪
Brilliant nick n lex steely Dan fantastic band i love this song and I love steely Dan reeling in the years haiatian divorce go back jack ricky don't loose that number all classic songs sorry I haven't said much of late but I have been very ill
Have you reacted to "A Man I'll Never Be" by Boston yet? Same level of incredible flowing musicianship and the same style of self-depricating lyrics. I think you two would really enjoy it. 🙂
Re-listens are fun.
Time for you folks to listen to Weather Report. Shorter, Zawinul & Pastorius.
Deacon Blues- my second or third favorite. Top is Dr Wu. Deacon and Kid Charlemagne keep switching places.😏
I just got a collection of crime stories based on SD songs. Title: Die Behind the Wheel.
Actually v back in the 70s and 80s, People will bring in the cassette, albums, or CDs to test me stereos.
BERNARD''PRETTY'' PURDIE on drums...
And that beautiful alternating accent on the hi-hat.
"Downer surrealism" - Frank Zappa
This song sounds like Henri Mancini a big influence for the Don
Still haven’t listened to the last two albums, or at the very least have not indicated that the Dan club has those reactions…
You are absolutely correct Nick. Deacon Blues does sound Metropolitan New York/Chicago oriented!!! Smooth and classy and timeless. So glad we won you over to Steely Dan!!! lol.
Deberían reaccionar a Babasónicos th-cam.com/video/_W9pxEuEVns/w-d-xo.htmlsi=gCP4TOAIMmvd7YW1
y Catupecu Machu th-cam.com/play/RDmWrLaTUeu5w.html&playnext=1&si=mTfdh7Y645UvjT30
Dos grandes bandas argentinas
Steely Dan is great. Please tho, get back to Dream Theater. Said you would do Scenes album
Canción perfecta