View Full Version : OK Steely Dan Fans, have your say
If words like 'Who's that Gaucho amigo, and why is he standing in your spangled leather poncho, with the studs that match your eyes' send you reeling (in the years), this is your forum. Let us know when Becker and Fagen first touched you, what was your first album and is Morph the Cat the result of way too many recreational substances......
mrfantasy
2006-10-05, 17:45
If you get the latest remasters of the old albums, and the last 2 SD albums (and Morph, and in fact all the Becker/Fagan solo albums) they're impeccably recorded and sound great on Slim Devices equipment.
If you get the latest remasters of the old albums, and the last 2 SD albums (and Morph, and in fact all the Becker/Fagan solo albums) they're impeccably recorded and sound great on Slim Devices equipment.
I agree mrfantasy, although do you know what beacme of the Katy Lied recording which Becker and Fagen were unhappy with, supposedly due to faulty noise reduction circuitry on the deck they used for capturing the master? It's rumoured that neither of the duo even listened to the final recording because of their dissatisfaction.....
I guess you and I must be the last of a dwindling group of fans, at least on this forum. Thanks mrfantasy.
If you get the latest remasters of the old albums, and the last 2 SD albums (and Morph, and in fact all the Becker/Fagan solo albums) they're impeccably recorded and sound great on Slim Devices equipment.
which are the latest masters and where could I find them?
Of course they should sound good, SlimDevices playing Steely Dan:
SD playing SD :-)
I guess you and I must be the last of a dwindling group of fans, at least on this forum. Thanks mrfantasy.
Nope, I'm here too and I vote for Hey Nineteen as the best ever recorded kick drum.
Craig
I guess you and I must be the last of a dwindling group of fans, at least on this forum. Thanks mrfantasy.
Not at all, have and still loving:
Aja
Can't Buy a Thrill
Countdown To Ecstasy
Katy Lied
Pretzel Logic
The Royal Scam
Two Against Nature
Kamakiriad
Morph the Cat
The Nightfly
Love The Dan. Probably my favorite band. I saw them twice on two of their recent tours, but was unable to make this year's tour. I'm more partial to the earlier stuff as it is not as totally jazz-oriented as their later material, particularly Fagen's solo efforts (have not heard Morph) and their two "comeback" albums. Really enjoy Alive In America because the sound is a little more rock than jazz, particuarly the drumming. I love the intelligent, sardonic lyrics, the album production and excellent musicianship. I do not care for Becker as a vocalist. I have an "All SD" mix as a playlist. I owned all the earlier albums on vinyl and have a few on CD, but ripped from "Citizen Steely Dan" and retagged according to the individual albums.
Back in 77 I picked up an Irish hitchiker on his way to Paris. As I dropped him off he pressed in my hand a Royal Scam tape (and some first rate home-grown grass in a plastic bag). I no longer indulge in the weed but I still enjoy SD tremendously. Actually, my first Pandora radio was SD-radio ...
Hi all
Steely Dan are my favourite band bar none! First album bought was Aja in 1977 (I was 16), and have bought everything produced by the duo since (plus their earlier recordings). I agree that the remastered tracks sound brilliant on SS, although the other tracks are still excellent.
My only surprise when reading this thread is that there are not more people out there with an SD habit!
mav
I am also a Steely Dan fan; they are in the top 5. I heard them the first time when Ricki don't lose that number was played on the radio (I was in Australia at that time).
My brother, bless him, recommended that I should buy a greatest hits album in 1978. After that I was hooked and had all albums by the time Gaucho was released.
I like the new albums - especially Two against nature.
I guess you and I must be the last of a dwindling group of fans, at least on this forum. Thanks mrfantasy.
No, I'm here ;)
mrfantasy
2006-10-11, 14:42
I only own the first two and the last two Dan albums, but I own all the Donald Fagen solo. I've got to fill out the collection.
Interestingly, the first two contain songs ("Reeling In The Years" and "King of the World") that Joe Jackson has fabulously covered live. When someone told Steely Dan that Joe Jackson was a big fan and asked if they liked him, Walter Becker said he liked him and would like to work with him, but were concerned because they heard Jackson was "freakishly tall".
Well, I know Aja is hailed as the all time greatest by many, but if you go on the pure rhythmic colour of Babylon Sister, and Hey Nineteen's synth rhythms, along with Gaucho and Glamor Profession for their situational lyrical style, have to make this my favourite listen from thse guys...Does anyone have any feedback on 11 Tracks of whack - the Becker solo album? I don't have a copy currenlty and it's an expensive import from the US....
I only own the first two and the last two Dan albums, but I own all the Donald Fagen solo. I've got to fill out the collection.
Interestingly, the first two contain songs ("Reeling In The Years" and "King of the World") that Joe Jackson has fabulously covered live. When someone told Steely Dan that Joe Jackson was a big fan and asked if they liked him, Walter Becker said he liked him and would like to work with him, but were concerned because they heard Jackson was "freakishly tall".
I'm a big Joe Jackson fan but I've nerver heard him do those, are they available anywhere?
Craig
Well, I know Aja is hailed as the all time greatest by many, but if you go on the pure rhythmic colour of Babylon Sister, and Hey Nineteen's synth rhythms, along with Gaucho and Galmor Profession for their situational lyrical style, have to make this my favourite listen from thse guys...
Some of the earlier stuff is also great, like Haitian Divorce, Reeling in the years and Dirty Work.
Does anyone have any feedback on 11 Tracks of whack - the Becker solo album? I don't have a copy currenlty and it's an expensive import from the US....
I have had it for many years, and I haven't listened much to it! It needs more listening time before I can give a verdict...
Tom
Some of the earlier stuff is also great, like Haitian Divorce, Reeling in the years and Dirty Work.
I have had it for many years, and I haven't listened much to it! It needs more listening time before I can give a verdict...
Tom
Looking forward to the verdict Tom. I agree about the early work. Kings especially, a favourite track, along with Change of the Guard. Sigh, good days gone by.
I'm a big Joe Jackson fan but I've nerver heard him do those, are they available anywhere?
Craig
I'm also a Joe Jackson fan. I'd be interested in those recordings as well.
Thanks in advance.
Dirty Work and a couple of other songs from Can't Buy A Thrill were sung by David Palmer. I think they are the only Dan songs (other than a few recent ones where they give Becker a shot at lead vocals) that were not sung by Fagen. Dirty Work is one of my favorites. At one concert I attended, the band performed a dynamite version of this song with the backup singers handling the vocals. I wish they had included that on Alive in America. Although they are heavily jazz-influenced, these guys can rock. Give a listen to Don't Take Me Alive for a prime example.
Pale Blue Ego
2006-10-17, 17:32
I like most of their stuff. Aja is great, Katy Lied is great, and I like about half the songs on the other albums. I have the first 2 Fagan solo albums, but I really don't like the post-Gaucho stuff. It sounds very slick but IMO forgettable.
Looking forward to the verdict Tom. I agree about the early work.
While I am still getting into this album; you can read about it at allmusic.com: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:difqxqehld6e
It is also interesting to note that Walter Becker has also worked as a producer. I have an album from Rosie Vela and one from Fra Lippo Lippi.
Kings especially, a favourite track, along with Change of the Guard. Sigh, good days gone by.
Those were the days...
I like most of their stuff. Aja is great, Katy Lied is great, and I like about half the songs on the other albums. I have the first 2 Fagan solo albums, but I really don't like the post-Gaucho stuff. It sounds very slick but IMO forgettable.
Sad to say I agree. In a musician's world it's inspiration which drives the juices of melody and lyrics. Musically it was greener fields for these two back in the 70s and early 80s, but more importantly for this duo, IMHO, the musical atmosphere was perfect for their combination of light jazz, lyrical pop, stylish rock, and everything in between. These days we'd probably call their style fusion, but I don't want to trivialise what those guys deliver in the pretentious mis-use of a one-word classification of art.
I have the first 2 Fagan solo albums, but I really don't like the post-Gaucho stuff. It sounds very slick but IMO forgettable.
I like Two against Nature a lot. Many great tunes (Gaslighting Abbie and Cousin Dupree; just to mention two).
Not so sure about Everything must go, nothing is sticking yet...
I like Two against Nature a lot. Many great tunes (Gaslighting Abbie and Cousin Dupree; just to mention two).
Not so sure about Everything must go, nothing is sticking yet...
Something sticks - for me 'The Last Mall' is just a quirk away from Gaucho, but with a very different theme. 'Everything Must Go' is very reminiscent of Aja's 'Home at Last', finalising some stuff ... IMHO.
I like Two against Nature a lot. Many great tunes (Gaslighting Abbie and Cousin Dupree; just to mention two).
Not so sure about Everything must go, nothing is sticking yet...
Interesting. Although neither album, to me, ranks with their earlier work, Everything Must Go has more tunes that "stick" with me than Two Against Nature. In addition to the title track and The Last Mall, I especialy like Blues Beach, while The Things I Miss The Most might be my favorite cut.
No awards for guessing which Steely Dan album I listened to this afternoon.
There are actually some good bits on" Everything must go" too.
No awards for guessing which Steely Dan album I listened to this afternoon.
There are actually some good bits on" Everything must go" too.
No pressure felt here, but I had better go back to Two Against Nature and check it out again - it seemed to lack coherency when I first listened to it - maybe because it was their first combined work for - a while - although they both contributed to each other's solo efforts over the years.....not sure.
Hello,
i'm a great Steely Dan fan, the first record i bought was "countdown..." and i followed them since. I've got all the albums and some videos. I like them all, but i prefer the 3 first ones. On "Gaucho" and "Aja" the playing and the songs are good, but too perfect, it's not a group anymore, all studio players. I particularly love the playing of the first guitarists: Dennis Dias and Jeff Baxter. When Baxter left the Dan, he joined the Doobie Brothers and i got the chance of seeing them together in Bayonne (France). Stanley Clarke also featured did not show and the Doobies made a very long set and nobody missed Clarke. More than half the audience were jazz-rock fans and were there mainly for S Clarke bur the show was a success, and Baxter extraordinary.
In France Steely Dan has a big following, even if the lyrics are way above our head.
I was wondering how many Steely Dan fans also like Little Feat (Lowell George era) ? For me Little Feat is kind of a funky Steely Dan. They have in common: perfect playing, perfect mix of different styles, personal way of building excellent songs,...
best regards to all
Jean
I was wondering how many Steely Dan fans also like Little Feat (Lowell George era) ? For me Little Feat is kind of a funky Steely Dan. They have in common: perfect playing, perfect mix of different styles, personal way of building excellent songs,...
best regards to all
Jean
I like the old Little Feat stuff too, as well as Doobie Brothers. Favourite albums are Waiting for Columbus (LF) and Taking it to the streets (DB).
I like the old Little Feat stuff too, as well as Doobie Brothers. Favourite albums are Waiting for Columbus (LF) and Taking it to the streets (DB).
Love the Doobies, and Michael McDonald solo stuff as well, although MM can get a little like a love sick puppy with some of his lyrics sometimes. The Little Feat 'Dixie Chicken' was a fun track, although the rest was a little to 'Dixie' for me...
Looking forward to the verdict Tom.
During the last week, I have been listened to this record a lot more than I have done before in total!
It is actually a nice album; I needed some time to adjust to Walter's voice. It has a lot of elements typical of Steely Dan - like quirky lyrics. As there is no keyboard, the guitar bits gets more attention.
The only thing I don't like is sound quality on a few of the tracks. It sound very much like a typical late 80's digital recording (a bit hard) and there is as synth drum there that I could do without (especially on girlfriend).
The currently sticking tracks for me are Junkie Girl, Cringemaker and This Moody Bastard.
Give it a try!
Give it a try!
OK, thanks for the evaluation. I'll give it a go.
What do the go-hard Steely Dan fans have to say about Fagen's latest. Personally, I've struggled with the Dan-clasitic-Fagen-morph on to the Morph the Cat album. Who in the 'States, preferably in New York, can comment on this? Cheers
What do the go-hard Steely Dan fans have to say about Fagen's latest. Personally, I've struggled with the Dan-clasitic-Fagen-morph on to the Morph the Cat album. Who in the 'States, preferably in New York, can comment on this? Cheers
I haven't been giving it the playtime I should - being too busy absorbing the stuff we have been discussing here.
I am thinking about giving Kamakiriad a few whirls first.
What do the go-hard Steely Dan fans have to say about Fagen's latest. Personally, I've struggled with the Dan-clasitic-Fagen-morph on to the Morph the Cat album. Who in the 'States, preferably in New York, can comment on this? Cheers
Re-reading your question, I am not sure if even understand what you are asking about! "Dan-clasitic-Fagen-morph" ? So forget my other post...
I troed to google though, and found this: "http://newyorkmetro.com/arts/popmusic/profiles/16453/
Tom
Re-reading your question, I am not sure if even understand what you are asking about! "Dan-clasitic-Fagen-morph" ? So forget my other post...
I troed to google though, and found this: "http://newyorkmetro.com/arts/popmusic/profiles/16453/
Tom
Sorry Tom, that phrase was a construct of my own. Dan-clastic means in the style of Steely Dan. Adding 'Fagen-Morph' then means taking that style and adding Fagen's own personal style to the SD classic style, which with him being the major style influence in the duo, I believe he does intrinsically in any case but then smooths it out even more for his own personal delivery of music. Mind you, 'The Nightfly' and 'Kamakiriad' had a very 'pop' style I thought, which is maybe the way Fagen would go if not for Becker's influence. Anywy, I digress, and I hope that cleared things up a bit.
Sorry Tom, that phrase was a construct of my own. Dan-clastic means in the style of Steely Dan. Adding 'Fagen-Morph' then means taking that style and adding Fagen's own personal style to the SD classic style, which with him being the major style influence in the duo, I believe he does intrinsically in any case but then smooths it out even more for his own personal delivery of music. Mind you, 'The Nightfly' and 'Kamakiriad' had a very 'pop' style I thought, which is maybe the way Fagen would go if not for Becker's influence. Anywy, I digress, and I hope that cleared things up a bit.
Thanks, it cleared up things a lot.
I haven't really listened to Kamakiriad, even though I have had it as long as 11 tracks of whack. It is next on the list, though.
Having listened to both Morph the Cat and Everything Must Go lately, I like morph better - it isn't as slick. It is smooth though. Go figure!
Thanks, it cleared up things a lot.
I haven't really listened to Kamakiriad, even though I have had it as long as 11 tracks of whack. It is next on the list, though.
Having listened to both Morph the Cat and Everything Must Go lately, I like morph better - it isn't as slick. It is smooth though. Go figure!
I've ordered Beckers 11 - If you were from Autralia you would think that sounded like a cricket team :-), so I'm looking forward to the listen.
You'll like Kamakiriad, I promise
I've ordered Beckers 11 - If you were from Autralia you would think that sounded like a cricket team :-)
Actually, I stayed in Australia for two years (from 74 to 76), but my cricket knowledge has rusted away :(
It is actually then I heard "Ricky, don't loose that number" for the first time!
, so I'm looking forward to the listen.
Hope you aren't disappointed.
You'll like Kamakiriad, I promise
I have listened to it a few times now, and it sounds promising. I don't know where I had my head when I bought it and "11"...
JSonnabend
2006-11-08, 15:14
Well, I know Aja is hailed as the all time greatest by many
But they'd be wrong. That honor goes, hands down, to London Calling.
As for Steely Dan, there's not disputing the greatness-osity of the band. Some of the best songwriting ever. My personal pick would probably be The Royal Scam, mainly due to Kid Charlemagne, although the guitar/piano bit in Bodhisattva always brings a smile. Then there's Charlie Freak and Black Cow (having tippled a few at the famous "Rudy's" myself).
Finally, as for Gaucho -- some of the best lyrics ever, but I wonder, "Is that a real poncho?...I mean is that a Mexican poncho or is that a Sears poncho? Hmmm...no foolin’..." (But that's another discussion altogether).
- Jeff
But they'd be wrong. That honor goes, hands down, to London Calling. - Jeff
Whoa Jeff, I wasn't saying Aja was an all time great across all artists, merely Steely Dan, and I agree with you 'cause I think they'd be wrong as well, although there's not so much in the argument that a beer or 2 at Rudy's wouldn't start a passionate discussion. But Gaucho is my personal favourite, and as for the poncho, well, you'd have to ask the boys themselves. Royal Scam is awesome....I agree
JSonnabend
2006-11-09, 07:21
Whoa Jeff, I wasn't saying Aja was an all time great across all artists, merely Steely Dan, and I agree with you 'cause I think they'd be wrong as well, although there's not so much in the argument that a beer or 2 at Rudy's wouldn't start a passionate discussion. But Gaucho is my personal favourite, and as for the poncho, well, you'd have to ask the boys themselves. Royal Scam is awesome....I agree
Yeah, I know you weren't espousing any particular position on that. It was the end of the work day and I was feeling a bit silly.
As for the Mexican poncho inquiry, I suppose I can't hear the word "poncho" without thinking "Zappa" (now talk about great albums...)
- Jeff
But they'd be wrong. That honor goes, hands down, to London Calling.
Sorry Jeff, I cannot agree. There is few things better than Steely Dan and The Clash "ain't it" ;)
For me; the all time greatest is Pink Floyd's "Meddle". Or Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours". Or the Steely Dan album I am listening to now ;) It difficult to say.
JSonnabend
2006-11-10, 07:55
Sorry Jeff, I cannot agree. There is few things better than Steely Dan and The Clash "ain't it" ;)
For me; the all time greatest is Pink Floyd's "Meddle". Or Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours". Or the Steely Dan album I am listening to now ;) It difficult to say.
I agree with you that Rumours is a great album. Every time I went through a tough breakup, that would go on the turntable. It's no wonder once you learn the band's story from the time of the recording.
As for Pink Floyd, I'm a big fan of the later stuff (say, Dark Side through The Wall), and I just recently rediscovered Animals, of all things.
- Jeff
I've had Royal scam, Aja and Gaucho for many years and just unwrapped Katy Lied and Countdown to ecstasy and am ripping them right now. Never heard them, can't wait.
Edited: oh, and Pretzel Logic too
Wow. You're in for a great weekend. Cancel all of your plans.
I agree with you that Rumours is a great album. Every time I went through a tough breakup, that would go on the turntable. It's no wonder once you learn the band's story from the time of the recording.
Yes, I know. I have the Rumours DVD from the Classic Album series. And it tells the story - it's a wonder they were able to make a record at all!
As for Pink Floyd, I'm a big fan of the later stuff (say, Dark Side through The Wall), and I just recently rediscovered Animals, of all things.
- Jeff
I like Animals a lot too, I think it is an underrated album. The reason I like Meddle so much, is that it is the first album that got to me (ie. I woke up).
Wow. You're in for a great weekend. Cancel all of your plans.
Well, didn't have to. It's raining, had to cancel my usual saturday morning biking. And I still have a lot of ripping to do.
Edited : I have been tagging and renaming all afternoon, and just reached "Steely Dan". And I'm stuck.
What would you say the Genre is ?
Well, didn't have to. It's raining, had to cancel my usual saturday morning biking. And I still have a lot of ripping to do.
Edited : I have been tagging and renaming all afternoon, and just reached "Steely Dan". And I'm stuck.
What would you say the Genre is ?
I don't think they fit into any specific genre - I would say that pop is definitely in their style, along with rock and jazz, to a lesser degree. I would go with pop-rock, jazz fusion or art-pop and leave everyone guessing. Whatever you choose, one word will never suffice....
I don't think they fit into any specific genre - I would say that pop is definitely in their style, along with rock and jazz, to a lesser degree. I would go with pop-rock, jazz fusion or art-pop and leave everyone guessing. Whatever you choose, one word will never suffice....
Tag them as "Best music ever" ;)
My albums are tagged "rock" (from freedb), but I think peejay's suggestions make more sense.
I've got 'em as "rock," but that's a very broad term in my collection. I'm not real specific when it comes to genres.
Yeah, a few artists just do not fit in a single box. I feel the same with Bowie or Jethro Tull. I put SD in my Rock collection, but sometimes you want the tags to be more specific. My son who's a musicologist and a great SD fan gave me the same answer as you guys. So Rock it will be (dubbed "Best Music Ever") :) Thank you
Yeah, a few artists just do not fit in a single box. I feel the same with Bowie or Jethro Tull. I put SD in my Rock collection, but sometimes you want the tags to be more specific. My son who's a musicologist and a great SD fan gave me the same answer as you guys. So Rock it will be (dubbed "Best Music Ever") :) Thank you
What do musicologists do? Is that a well paid career? I'm in the IT industry and hate it, so I'm looking for a way out. Tell me more, please.
Jethro Tull, I'd pick as Folk/Rock. Bowie is definitely a difficult one - maybe pop-rock, but The Man Who Sold The World, and others, suggests a timeless contemporary style which resists classification.
I have a rule that the post must contain something relating to the topic, which I failed to adhere to in the last post. So, a prize (Slim Devices Community kudos) to the first post on this forum who can enlighten us as to the significance of the novel 'The Naked Lunch' and its relevance to Steely Dan
I could answer that, but there's several hours to go to the 9pm watershed (at least here in the UK)...
I have a rule that the post must contain something relating to the topic, which I failed to adhere to in the last post. So, a prize (Slim Devices Community kudos) to the first post on this forum who can enlighten us as to the significance of the novel 'The Naked Lunch' and its relevance to Steely Dan
Steely Dan is the name of a dildo in that book. Some say it was steam driven - I don't know; haven't read the book.
No, I haven't read that book either. The boys were clearly lacking imagination that day...Has anyone seen these guys live? Apparently they perform with Michael McDonald in the U.S. occasionally....96 was the last tour I saw, when they played Wembley Arena in the U.K.
Thanks Tom, that was a brilliant recommendation. I didn't quite know what to expect from the song writing of Walter Becker, but what you get, I believe, is a very sophisticated (not trying to be snobbish here) style. Lyrics which are rich in descriptive energy and emotive drive, punchy and classically 'Dan' muscial style (search the threads for how we struggled to classify their music), and guitar riffs which you just don't hear anymore (IMHO).
This isn't just an old 'Dan fan blowing smoke, try this album....
No, I haven't read that book either. The boys were clearly lacking imagination that day...Has anyone seen these guys live? Apparently they perform with Michael McDonald in the U.S. occasionally....96 was the last tour I saw, when they played Wembley Arena in the U.K.
I saw them live here in Norway a few years ago (2001 or 2002) when they played at Spektrum, Oslo. It's a venue with lousy acoustics - but it still sounded wonderful.
Thanks Tom, that was a brilliant recommendation. I didn't quite know what to expect from the song writing of Walter Becker, but what you get, I believe, is a very sophisticated (not trying to be snobbish here) style. Lyrics which are rich in descriptive energy and emotive drive, punchy and classically 'Dan' muscial style (search the threads for how we struggled to classify their music), and guitar riffs which you just don't hear anymore (IMHO).
This isn't just an old 'Dan fan blowing smoke, try this album....
Glad you liked it.
Thanks to you ,I am now playing Donald Fagen's Kamarikiad a lot. And, yes I like it. I is a mystery why I haven't listened to it before.
Glad you liked it.
Thanks to you ,I am now playing Donald Fagen's Kamarikiad a lot. And, yes I like it. I is a mystery why I haven't listened to it before.
Excellent Tom, my favourite on that album is Snowbound, for it's bass riffs and laid back lyrical approach to a situation. 'Let's sleep in today' is a favourite solution of mine to many of life's problems.......
I'm a huge Larry Carlton fan, hence my name! Incredible solo on Kid Charlemagne, completely improvised, guys a genius! Any more Carlton fans here?
I'm a huge Larry Carlton fan, hence my name! Incredible solo on Kid Charlemagne, completely improvised, guys a genius! Any more Carlton fans here?
Indeed, Royal Scam is known as their best 'guitar album' due to Larry's work.
Hi all
Steely Dan are my favourite band bar none! First album bought was Aja in 1977 (I was 16), and have bought everything produced by the duo since (plus their earlier recordings). I agree that the remastered tracks sound brilliant on SS, although the other tracks are still excellent.
My only surprise when reading this thread is that there are not more people out there with an SD habit!
mav
A surprise to me as well.
TiredLegs
2007-01-02, 12:47
Count me in as a Dan Fan since the '70's, when I listened to "My Old School" at my old school. Saw the band live on the 2003 tour. Own the Citizen Steely Dan box set, "Two Against Nature", and all of Fagen's solo stuff. "Two Against Nature" and "Morph The Cat" are among my regular audiophile test discs. Their sound quality is incredible.
Count me in as a Dan Fan since the '70's, when I listened to "My Old School" at my old school. Saw the band live on the 2003 tour. Own the Citizen Steely Dan box set, "Two Against Nature", and all of Fagen's solo stuff. "Two Against Nature" and "Morph The Cat" are among my regular audiophile test discs. Their sound quality is incredible.
Yep, a couple of people have commented about Two Against Nature performing as an a-phile reference disc. I'll have to have a closer lsiten. Gaucho is my all time fave album from these guys, although it's a close race between that and Aja.....
MrSinatra
2007-01-08, 16:45
If you get the latest remasters of the old albums, and the last 2 SD albums (and Morph, and in fact all the Becker/Fagan solo albums) they're impeccably recorded and sound great on Slim Devices equipment.
i have the box set, which is all their stuff on 4 cds.
are you saying this is now surpassed?
it sounds really good to me. frankly, i am getting tired of remasters of remasters. at some point, they must be changing the sound, not just clarifying it.
also, ozzy put out all his stuff on sweet remasters in 95. for some reason, in 02 they remastered a lot of it again.
it came out later that in some cases, these 02 remasters had new overdubs so they could cut guys out of the royalty cheques. slimy.
Here's an interesting article, a bit dated, but then, all the really interesting stuff is, about the imperfections in 'Katy Lied' which I heard about through another source which lacked any detail other than 'Walter and Donald don't listen to this album, at all....'.
This explains a bit more.
http://www.granatino.com/sdresource/5audio.htm
PJ
Here's an interesting article, a bit dated, but then, all the really interesting stuff is, about the imperfections in 'Katy Lied' which I heard about through another source which lacked any detail other than 'Walter and Donald don't listen to this album, at all....'.
This explains a bit more.
http://www.granatino.com/sdresource/5audio.htm
PJ
Reading the article, I found the term "an audiophile cassette" - that is to me an oxymoron ;) Even the best cassette player I have listened to didn't equal a decent LP player. Of course, this paragraph belongs over at the audiophile department...
More to the point, I can agree that I don't think of 'Katy Lied' as an audiophile record, but there are some real good tracks on it: Black Friday, Rose Darling, and one of my favorites: Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More
Tom
To my ears, the original LP pressing I have of Katy Lied sounds great to me. I can't detect any obvious problems with the master tape. Maybe this is a "hot" stamper made before they started messing up with the dBX compander.
Perhaps the later pressings and CDs of Katy Lied are not audiophile quality but the original intention was to make very high quality recording. You can deduct this from the liner notes, paraphrasing the famous Atlantic Tom Dowd records of the early 60s:
"This is a high fidelity recording. Steely Dan uses a specially constructed 24-channel tape recorder, a "State-of-the-Art" 36-input computerized mixdown console, and some very expensive German microphones. Individual microphone equalization is frowned upon. The sound created by musicians and singers is reproduced as faithfully as possible, and special care is taken to preserve the band-width and transient response of each performance. Transfer from master tapes to master lacquers is done on a Neumann VMS 70 computerized lathe equipped with a variable pitch, variable depth helium cooled cutting head. The computerized logic circuits of the VMS 70 widen and narrow the grooves on the disc in accordance with its own bizarre electronic mentation for reasons known only to its designers; this accounts for the lovely light and dark patterns that can be seen on the surface of the pressing. Vinylite compound is used. For best results observe the R.I.A.A. curve."
I wonder how Fagen and Becker feel about the remastered boxed set of songs from Katy Lied. Dr. Wu is one of my favorite SD tracks, and that album contains some of their best and most disturbing (Everyone's Gone To The Movies, Rose Darling) lyrics. I had the vinyl version as well and never noticed anything wrong with it, although production certainly wasn't up to the standards of later works like Aja and Gaucho. I just figured the technology caught up with their vision on those later albums.
I agree, Katy Lied is fantastic. Their best lyrics, no doubt.
"Doctor Wu" is a big favorite of mine, as well as "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)".
Musically, it's no slouch either. Phil Woods sax on the aformentioned "Doctor Wu" and the huge Bosendorfer sound on "Your Gold Teeth II" are simply sublime.
I just booked today for the Liverpool gig, anyone else going?
Craig
Can't make Liverpool, but I'm keeping a close eye on the US tour schedule for a nearby stop. I saw 'em on their last two full tours (not last year's mini-tour), and it's a great show.
Fantastic! They're playing not only at the Sydney Entertainment Centre but also at the Bombadgin Wine Estate in the Hunter Valley, 2.5 hours North of Sydney, so I'll be seeing them twice. Tickets not on sale yet, but I'll be there. Others in OZ and New Zealand, check out the tour dates and locations on www.steelydan.com.
swhite58
2007-04-18, 20:20
Has anyone seen the documentary about Aja in the "Classic Albums" series? They also covered "Dark side of the Moon" and Machine Head"
Has anyone seen the documentary about Aja in the "Classic Albums" series? They also covered "Dark side of the Moon" and Machine Head"
Can you provide some more details?
Can you provide some more details?
It's a series that called "Classic Albums" that tells the inside stories of how the album was made. Each track is discussed by the studio people and artists. It's a great series and I have a few.
The series have also been shown on TV in some countries.
And yes, the Aja DVD is worth getting.
Thanks. I'll look for it.
Well the Liverpool gig was a couple of days ago and was excellant. The band seemed to consist of musicians from a different planet talent wise, in particular the guitarist who just made it all seem so incredibly easy.
Anyone else see them?
Craig
My son saw them last night in Paris. He too was impressed with the guitarist and Baker's simple pleasure to be there and play music, but was disappointed with the general sound quality. He says he could not tell the bass guitar from the bass drum (considering that superb sound and production was their trademark on disc). Being an unconditional fan I suspect he was kinda indulgent with Donald Fagen's vocal performance ...
I thought the sound was excellent apart from the bass being indestinct. I guess it's easy to make a big bass sound but then you'd never hear all the intricasies of the rest of the band, I think it was a good compromise. Too often you hear a thumping bass and everything else is drowned out.
Craig
mrfantasy
2008-02-17, 20:13
I'm a big Joe Jackson fan but I've nerver heard him do those, are they available anywhere?
Craig
"King Of The World" is on "Live: Summer In The City." "Reelin' In The Years" is not on any official recordings but Joe Jackson covered it in 2000 on the "Night and Day II" tour.
Also, he covered "Rose Darling" on tour in 2006, "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" in 2000 as well, and Walter Becker's "Junkie Girl" in 1999.
Just scored two tickets to Steely Dan in Durham, NC, June 9. I haven't seen the band in a few years, and both previous concerts were outdoor arenas. This show is in a new performing arts center that seats about 2,500. These tickets are on Row B, four seats from dead center. Had to pay up on Ebay, but since I don't go to many concerts these days, it averages out. Can't wait!
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