Aja Poll

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I did a due diligence search for this and as far as I can tell we haven't done this one before, surprisingly. I'm seeing the Dan next weekend in NYC and I've been listening to this obsessively. It's a really hard choice but I'm going with Deacon Blues.

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Deacon Blues 22
Peg 16
Black Cow 6
Aja 5
Home At Last 4
Josie2
I Got the News 0


ablaeser, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:38 (seventeen years ago)

Josie

usic, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:40 (seventeen years ago)

wheres option "it was alex in nyc"

and what, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:40 (seventeen years ago)

black cow... but they're all great. didn't think so at the time. luckily i've learnt that lesson.

nonightsweats, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:43 (seventeen years ago)

x-post: What?

ablaeser, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:45 (seventeen years ago)

really tough.
everything is great except from Peg, which is also great but played out (though it won the best Dan song in the ilm poll, and will probably win now)
i'll go with my current favourite - Home At Last

Zeno, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:48 (seventeen years ago)

"Deacon Blues" but I'll change my mind tomorrow.

Noodle Vague, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:50 (seventeen years ago)

Peg 12
Deacon Blues 6
Black Cow 2
Josie 1
Aja 1
I Got The News 0
Home At Last 0

You knew it was inevitable...The Steely Dan Song Poll

Zeno, Sunday, 15 June 2008 21:53 (seventeen years ago)

The title track all the way for me.

Geir Hongro, Monday, 16 June 2008 12:11 (seventeen years ago)

Deacon Blues for sure

baaderonixx, Monday, 16 June 2008 12:29 (seventeen years ago)

"Deacon Blues" no doubt, but I love "Home At Last" and "Black Cow" and "Peg" and "I Got The News" too. I tend to rep for Countdown or Royal Scam as my favorite Dan album since they're a little underrated compared to this one, but Aja really is unfuckwithable.

some dude, Monday, 16 June 2008 12:47 (seventeen years ago)

^ Agree with that post in it's entirety, except to substitute Josie for Peg.

Frogman Henry, Monday, 16 June 2008 13:29 (seventeen years ago)

"I tend to rep for Countdown or Royal Scam as my favorite Dan album since they're a little underrated compared to this one"

depends who you ask.Countdown To Ecstasy is the favourite Dan record for many fans, including myself.
Steely Dan themselvs don't like the record so much, and they said somewhere that the people who think Ecstasy is the best Dan record are crazy.

Zeno, Monday, 16 June 2008 14:22 (seventeen years ago)

Black Cow this week. But what the hell is it about? A drink?

Ned Trifle II, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:26 (seventeen years ago)

And if so, what is the recipe?

Ned Trifle II, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:29 (seventeen years ago)

Ahh, the internet. When I tried to look this up a few years ago I found nothing. Now I am overwhelmed with info. So root beer and ice cream and chocolate source? In a bar?

Ned Trifle II, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:32 (seventeen years ago)

John Justen and Fluffy Bear Will Drink Your Big Black Cow and Get Out Of Here

some dude, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:33 (seventeen years ago)

Four recipes here, incl. a Green Cow. One of these surely will screen out the sorrow, but where are you tomorrow?

scampering alpaca, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:35 (seventeen years ago)

in the corner of my eye, i saw you in
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1267/769783020_c6606269c7.jpg?v=0
you were very high.

Zeno, Monday, 16 June 2008 17:40 (seventeen years ago)

Is it too late to change the title of this thread to "Take your big black POLL and get out of here"?

ablaeser, Friday, 20 June 2008 01:13 (seventeen years ago)

LEARN TO WERK THE SAXUHPHONE

Curt1s Stephens, Friday, 20 June 2008 02:03 (seventeen years ago)

this may be the first time i've ever agreed with geir. the last half is sex.

strgn, Friday, 20 June 2008 02:14 (seventeen years ago)

of 'aja'

strgn, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:44 (seventeen years ago)

the song

strgn, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:44 (seventeen years ago)

I'm at the point of disliking this album, but I vote "Deacon Blues." Other than "Peg," the rest is stuff they perfected on Gaucho

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:48 (seventeen years ago)

We need a Gaucho poll. Geir, start one!

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 03:58 (seventeen years ago)

This is my least favorite Steely Dan album, but it's still not bad. "Peg" and "Deacon Blues" are my favorite tracks.

o. nate, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:15 (seventeen years ago)

(I guess Alfred and I see eye to eye on this one.)

o. nate, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:15 (seventeen years ago)

I'm at the point of disliking this album, but I vote "Deacon Blues." Other than "Peg," the rest is stuff they perfected on Gaucho

-- Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Thursday, June 19, 2008 11:48 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Link

I don't hear much of anything on Gaucho that resembles "Black Cow" or "Home At Last" or "Aja," especially not anything better.

some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:21 (seventeen years ago)

I think they took off a bit too much of the disco from Royal Scam to Aja, but they brought some of it back on Gaucho.

o. nate, Friday, 20 June 2008 17:25 (seventeen years ago)

It's been said many times on the Gaucho thread, but I'll repeat: they wrote masterfully about ennui, dessication, and despair on Gaucho. I'm not sure what "Black Cow" and "Home At Last" are about beyond their instrumental virtuosity. I mean, they're pretty, I don't skip the tracks, but so what?

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:14 (seventeen years ago)

Good, I will listen to this today. I have to vote for "Peg," but it's sad that I can't also vote for "Deacon Blues." (Nothing like a Steely Dan poll to bring everyone out of the woodwork.)

_Rockist__Scientist_, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:17 (seventeen years ago)

Sorry, didn't realize you evaluate songs as if they're text and not music.

some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:22 (seventeen years ago)

black cow seems like it's about a splintering relationship or friendship, i haven't figured it yet.

omar little, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:25 (seventeen years ago)

Sorry, didn't realize you evaluate songs as if they're text and not music.

I didn't realize you wouldn't read my post correctly.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:27 (seventeen years ago)

I think he read it perfectly fine...? I mean, why do the songs have to be "about" anything unless you're someone who privileges lyrics?

jaymc, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:32 (seventeen years ago)

Songs can't say what they mean through music? My post said nothing about lyrics.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:32 (seventeen years ago)

So the chord changes and solos on Aja don't communicate ennui, dessication, and despair as well as they do on Gaucho. Gotcha.

some dude, Friday, 20 June 2008 18:35 (seventeen years ago)

1977 was an off year for the mu major chord.

David R., Friday, 20 June 2008 19:09 (seventeen years ago)

they wrote masterfully about ennui, dessication, and despair on Gaucho. I'm not sure what "Black Cow" and "Home At Last" are about beyond their instrumental virtuosity. I mean, they're pretty, I don't skip the tracks, but so what?

How about buying a collection of good poems instead then?

Geir Hongro, Friday, 20 June 2008 21:16 (seventeen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

ILX System, Friday, 20 June 2008 23:01 (seventeen years ago)

I like Geir when he's saucy.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Saturday, 21 June 2008 00:46 (seventeen years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

ILX System, Saturday, 21 June 2008 23:01 (seventeen years ago)

drink scotch whiskey all night long

PappaWheelie V, Sunday, 22 June 2008 03:29 (seventeen years ago)

So when's the "Pretzel Logic" one? (my favourite by them besides "Aja")

Geir Hongro, Sunday, 22 June 2008 18:36 (seventeen years ago)

I'm pleasantly shocked by the landslide for Deacon Blues. Well done, ILM.

ablaeser, Monday, 23 June 2008 02:11 (seventeen years ago)

Also, Steely Dan totally rocked the Beacon yesterday, great show.

ablaeser, Monday, 23 June 2008 02:12 (seventeen years ago)

Surprised that "I Got the News" and "Josie" did so poorly. Those would be my 3rd and 4th picks.

o. nate, Monday, 23 June 2008 17:05 (seventeen years ago)

Hey- I was at that Beacon show too. Good show - would have liked to hear a few more pre-Royal Scam tunes, but good stuff.

o. nate, Monday, 23 June 2008 17:06 (seventeen years ago)

I saw the tuesday night show at the beacon... I wish becker didn't sing on gaucho or do that narrative bit on hey nineteen. both were a little embarrassing. maybe fagen felt he had to throw him a bone since they played one of his solo tracks?

anyway, great show otherwise! and they played more gaucho material than aja, if memory serves. so the dan like gaucho better too!

original bgm, Monday, 23 June 2008 18:43 (seventeen years ago)

Beacon Duels

PappaWheelie V, Monday, 23 June 2008 18:45 (seventeen years ago)

According to my faulty memory this is what they played off each album on Saturday:

Can't Buy: nada
Countdown: Showbiz Kids
Pretzel: Parker's Band
Katy Lied: nada
Royal Scam: Kid Charlemagne, Don't Take Me Alive, The Fez (instrumental bit only), Green Earrings, Royal Scam
Aja: Peg, I Got the News, Josie
Gaucho: Babylon Sisters, Hey Nineteen, Glamour Profession, Gaucho

And they also played "New Frontier" off of Fagen's Nightfly and "Two Against Nature".

o. nate, Monday, 23 June 2008 19:04 (seventeen years ago)

how was "Glamor Profession"?

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Monday, 23 June 2008 19:05 (seventeen years ago)

Sounded great. The band was in fine form.

o. nate, Monday, 23 June 2008 19:11 (seventeen years ago)

Oh, I forgot they played one non-album track: "FM".

o. nate, Monday, 23 June 2008 19:14 (seventeen years ago)

three weeks pass...

"home at last" way underrated

deej, Monday, 14 July 2008 18:09 (seventeen years ago)

I'm somewhat surprised at the lack of love "I Got the News" got. Personally I'd take it over "Aja" or "Home at Last."

ablaeser, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 00:04 (seventeen years ago)

LOVE "Home At Last"

some dude, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 00:11 (seventeen years ago)

I was just singing along to Deacon Blues on my way back from the supermarket. It would be my ideal karaoke song if it didn't have such a long sax solo.

I think I missed voting on this poll, probably would have chosen the title track for that sweet Steve Gadd beat during the fade-out.

Moodles, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 01:02 (seventeen years ago)

Alfred if we ever have a few hours to kill together I will explain to you why this is a better album than Gaucho and you will agree by the time I get done.

J0hn D., Tuesday, 15 July 2008 01:15 (seventeen years ago)

Deal. As long as we meet in a bar much like the one where The Gaucho hangs out.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn, Tuesday, 15 July 2008 01:19 (seventeen years ago)

four months pass...

Anyone besides me old enough to remember this commercial?

Myonga Vön Bontee, Friday, 12 December 2008 08:56 (seventeen years ago)

no but I am going to sample "welcome to the land... of Steely Dan" and edit it into the beginning of every single song of theirs

With a little bit of gold and a Peja (bernard snowy), Friday, 12 December 2008 13:28 (seventeen years ago)

splendid find.

get that pion down you son (Frogman Henry), Friday, 12 December 2008 13:49 (seventeen years ago)

I looked for it a few months ago but didn't find it until last night. I know that by the time of Gaucho ABC Records no longer even existed. But those were the boom years, and I can recall several high-profile LPs getting television advertising.

(First time I'd heard of Steely Dan, incidentally, altho I was familiar with "Do It Again" and "Reelin'" and "Rikki".)

Myonga Vön Bontee, Friday, 12 December 2008 19:51 (seventeen years ago)

I just realized what that announcer's voice sounds exactly like: Asian Correspondent Tricia Takanawa from Family Guy!

Myonga Vön Bontee, Monday, 15 December 2008 05:11 (seventeen years ago)

three months pass...

lol I am an ILMer now in every sense of the word XD

goodbye pork pie scarf (The Reverend), Monday, 23 March 2009 07:55 (seventeen years ago)

lol

20 HOOS poppin steens on kawasakis (BIG HOOS aka the steendriver), Monday, 23 March 2009 08:02 (seventeen years ago)

ten months pass...

ok whoa I think I get "Home At Last" now, and I don't mean the Odyssey references. Have you ever had a funeral for yourself while you're still alive? You thought that you were allowing yourself to be bound just to avoid a passing danger on your way home, but now that the danger is past, you recognize you'd rather be bound: you recognize that this is now your home. You aren't who you were when you set out; in a way you've been ruined. Drugs aren't the only thing that work this way.

Euler, Thursday, 4 February 2010 14:28 (sixteen years ago)

Life works that way.

_Rudipherous_, Thursday, 4 February 2010 14:33 (sixteen years ago)

the 33 1/3 on this album is amazing so far

some dude, Thursday, 4 February 2010 15:08 (sixteen years ago)

OMG WANT.

Although what I want even more is an entire book about each album written by SD themselves along the lines of their reissue liner notes.

Tim F, Thursday, 4 February 2010 15:49 (sixteen years ago)

yeah ideally. the author of this book got to interview Fagen, though, so there's plenty of his voice in there too.

some dude, Friday, 5 February 2010 02:09 (sixteen years ago)

I've read mixed reviews -- too "muso" (lots of discussion of diminished chords, etc)

Inculcate a spirit of serfdom in children (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 February 2010 02:13 (sixteen years ago)

it was way too dry for me but i know very little about music theory so ymmv.

jabba hands, Friday, 5 February 2010 02:57 (sixteen years ago)

weird, I think it's very engaging and well written and that the theory stuff, which pretty much all goes over my head, is doled out pretty sparingly.

some dude, Friday, 5 February 2010 03:06 (sixteen years ago)

Although what I want even more is an entire book about each album written by SD themselves along the lines of their reissue liner notes.

― Tim F, Thursday, February 4, 2010 10:49 AM (Yesterday)

i only have the "can't buy a thrill" reissue but the shit they wrote there was awesome

rasta batman gigolo (k3vin k.), Friday, 5 February 2010 05:15 (sixteen years ago)

i just flicked through the Aja book again and it wasn't quite as technical as i'd remembered, although the line-by-line lyrical analysis and the part where he lists how many bars there are in each section of each song are brutal.

would love to read a book by either of the guys themselves. it's amazing how little has been published about the band really. the Aja book and the Reelin' In The Years biog (which is also very dry) and that's pretty much it i think?

jabba hands, Friday, 5 February 2010 05:26 (sixteen years ago)

two months pass...

poor show for Josie.

piscesx, Monday, 5 April 2010 04:28 (sixteen years ago)

Woulda voted "Black Cow."

queen frostine (Eric H.), Monday, 5 April 2010 04:43 (sixteen years ago)

me too probably. so bummed i didn't have the $$ to see at least one of the shows last year.

hobbes, Monday, 5 April 2010 05:27 (sixteen years ago)

i'm bummed that that '77 tv ad is no more

Half lies and gorilla dust (Myonga Vön Bontee), Monday, 5 April 2010 05:33 (sixteen years ago)

DRINK YOUR BIG BLACK COW AND GET OUTTA HERE

gucci mane leflaur leflah eshkoshka (The Reverend), Saturday, 17 April 2010 05:05 (sixteen years ago)

BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCHES!

gucci mane leflaur leflah eshkoshka (The Reverend), Saturday, 17 April 2010 05:05 (sixteen years ago)

wheres option "it was alex in nyc"

― and what, Sunday, June 15, 2008 5:40 PM (1 year ago)

mr. que surprise (k3vin k.), Saturday, 17 April 2010 05:06 (sixteen years ago)

SO OUTRAGEOUS

gucci mane leflaur leflah eshkoshka (The Reverend), Saturday, 17 April 2010 05:08 (sixteen years ago)

wow, without even reading the recent revive posts, and scanning the results of this, wz about to come here and post that "Josie" got absolutely robbed. piscesx OTM

Stormy Davis, Saturday, 17 April 2010 05:20 (sixteen years ago)

poor show for Josie.

― piscesx, Monday, April 5, 2010 5:28 AM (2 weeks ago) Bookmark

X-101, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 08:30 (sixteen years ago)

yep. voted deacon blues but josie comes in a close second in my mind.

original bgm, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 14:14 (sixteen years ago)

"Josie" is the only SD hit that I kind of roll my eyes at and go yeah yeah whatever, I don't need to hear this again

Spiney G. Porcupinegarden (some dude), Tuesday, 20 April 2010 14:17 (sixteen years ago)

daaaamn.

I love the riff that kicks it off. for about 10 seconds, shit sounds pretty freakin evil.

original bgm, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 14:49 (sixteen years ago)

also when fagen says, "so good"

original bgm, Tuesday, 20 April 2010 14:49 (sixteen years ago)

"Black Cow" is Steely Dan condensed

Wishes he picked a cooler name. Fat. (will), Tuesday, 20 April 2010 15:43 (sixteen years ago)

one year passes...

it has taken many years, but i think i am ready to understand steely dan.

i purchased this album today, and it is good.

call all destroyer, Saturday, 21 May 2011 23:01 (fifteen years ago)

"josie" was robbed

reggie (qualmsley), Saturday, 21 May 2011 23:32 (fifteen years ago)

shit just got real.

next please search out The Royal Scam or Katy Lied

reallysmoothmusic (Jamie_ATP), Saturday, 21 May 2011 23:56 (fifteen years ago)

three months pass...

Yay, found the commercial again!

http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/index.php?c=2901#videoclip-1675

Race Against Rockism (Myonga Vön Bontee), Tuesday, 6 September 2011 04:35 (fourteen years ago)

i remember that

buzza, Tuesday, 6 September 2011 04:40 (fourteen years ago)

seven months pass...

there's an hour-long Aja documentary on netflix streaming now. It's making me v v happy.

aluminum rivets must not be proud of their plastic bosses (Jon Lewis), Saturday, 21 April 2012 23:02 (fourteen years ago)

OMG the bit where they play back the rejected 'Peg' guitar solos in isolation-- so cold, so hilar

aluminum rivets must not be proud of their plastic bosses (Jon Lewis), Saturday, 21 April 2012 23:07 (fourteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

yeahhhh, just watched this! recommended, though i feel like it could be an hour longer. i'd dig just an uncut "commentary" cut of fagen and becker going through the album. bernard purdie scenes are super classic, where he's playing the ridiculous beat for home at last as though it's the easiest thing in the world.

there are a ton of these classic album things on netflix streaming now. my wife is already rolling her eyes at me as i describe such fascinating tidbits as herbie flower's double tracked bass on "walk on the wild side."

tylerw, Sunday, 6 May 2012 20:49 (fourteen years ago)

Yeah! Purdie was such a highlight.

I'm gonna watch almost all these shits, probably. So far just Aja and Paranoid. Probably 2112 next.

Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Monday, 7 May 2012 14:01 (fourteen years ago)

The 2112/Moving Pictures one is really good. I recommend renting the actual DVD as it has some really good deleted scenes too.

Moodles, Monday, 7 May 2012 14:10 (fourteen years ago)

I watched the Rio one last night.

Exile in lolville (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 7 May 2012 14:17 (fourteen years ago)

Oh man I have to see that! My wife might even agree to that one.

Hierophantiasis (Jon Lewis), Monday, 7 May 2012 14:25 (fourteen years ago)

cool, yeah i'll watch all of these.
the lou reed transformer one wasn't particularly amazing, but some good bits. nice that reed really goes out of his way to credit mick ronson with a lot of the album's sound (as opposed to just bowie bowie bowie). ronson's comments on lou are pretty funny.

tylerw, Monday, 7 May 2012 14:34 (fourteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

god this album is great, i was sitting here enjoying the hell out of "I Got The News" for a few minutes when it suddenly occurred to me that oh this is the consensus 'worst' song on the album and it's awesome.

some dude, Friday, 25 May 2012 18:03 (fourteen years ago)

haha yeah, it's pretty astonishing

that is a weird thing to bring up over lean cuisine (DJP), Friday, 25 May 2012 18:06 (fourteen years ago)

there isn't a day that's gone by recently that i don't get this stuck in my head

In the corner
Of my eye
I saw you in Rudy's
You were very high
(You were high)

omar little, Friday, 25 May 2012 19:49 (fourteen years ago)

I get that, followed by West side, baby/West side, baby

that is a weird thing to bring up over lean cuisine (DJP), Friday, 25 May 2012 19:53 (fourteen years ago)

i got the news is so great bc of the michael mcdonald bit.

of family bonds and individual triumph. Narrated by Tim Allen, (zachlyon), Friday, 25 May 2012 19:54 (fourteen years ago)

the original Katy Lied version of "I Got The News" is pretty good too but i really don't know which i prefer

some dude, Friday, 25 May 2012 19:56 (fourteen years ago)

can never hear the 'you were high' verse without picturing Don doing his lyrical walk-thru on the classic album show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nv7Qicg2Og

also classic yeah the Purdie bits. "you done did it, you hired the hitmaker" etc

piscesx, Friday, 25 May 2012 20:18 (fourteen years ago)

christ now i'm watching the whole damn show again.

piscesx, Friday, 25 May 2012 20:38 (fourteen years ago)

so funny this thread got bumped as i just listened to this album today in my car.

their best but now wondering if i might actually like Gaucho more these days. that doesn't take away anything from this album however.

Bee OK, Saturday, 26 May 2012 03:48 (fourteen years ago)

DRINK THCOTCH WHITHKEY
ALL NIGHT LONG

this guy's a gangsta? his real name's mittens. (Hurting 2), Saturday, 26 May 2012 04:41 (fourteen years ago)

nine months pass...

this album is los angeles for me.

'aja' is the most evocative track because i imagine a cross of the hollywood hills with ojai or something for the chorus and the sex finale. the last minute or so is legit transcendent.

'deacon blues' is viscerally embarrassing because i did a weird-lonely-guy karaoke of it at la cita (and 'life during wartime' by talking heads the same night).

i've still never had a black cow.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:16 (thirteen years ago)

josie is maaaaybe my favorite track

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:20 (thirteen years ago)

(this might have something to do with c0ry skl4r.)

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:21 (thirteen years ago)

ok, specifically, i remember chaki posting something about that track and then i recognized.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:23 (thirteen years ago)

Ojai is a pretty strange and isolated place. I don't know what you mean about Aja. But this album is amazing and I'm glad you sang deacon blues. Deacon blues is the only thing that makes me feel better about the NCAA football championship game

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:24 (thirteen years ago)

I guess I mean that ojai is strange in a boring way

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:25 (thirteen years ago)

But c'mon. Peg?

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:28 (thirteen years ago)

I played "I'm not the same without you" on the jukebox at the James Joyce today. The reception was lukewarm.

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:30 (thirteen years ago)

i meant 'ojai' in the sense of an apart-y silverlake-y place: "up on the hill / people never stare / they just don't care" and "here at the dude ranch / above the sea." i've never been to ojai and it's obviously not like this.

where is the James Joyce?

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:38 (thirteen years ago)

I see it now. It is in Santa Barbara.

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:46 (thirteen years ago)

deacon blues is a fucking masterpiece isn't it?

all of this is prompted by checking out most of the steely dan catalog from the city library and putting it on my computer. because yeah i'm pretty poor.

'i learn to work the sax o phone"

xp yeah!

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:47 (thirteen years ago)

although when they wrote the song i wonder where it actually was? some hill east of downtown? the hollywood hills? what hill

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:48 (thirteen years ago)

Dude ranch above the sea can work for ojai. But I feel faaaaaaaar away from the sea there. Deacon Blues is amazing. I learned to play the acoustic guitar chords as an act of devotion, but they are barley audible.

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:50 (thirteen years ago)

Dude ranch above the sea could work for Santa Barbara, actually.

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:51 (thirteen years ago)

I think you need to get north of west ho to be in dude ranch territory

that Django got me Nuages (Sufjan Grafton), Sunday, 3 March 2013 08:52 (thirteen years ago)

i'm co-locating it with zuma just on feel.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 09:40 (thirteen years ago)

ANYONE here ever have a Black Cow? even Don n Walt seemed unsure of the actual recipe but it seems its root beer and milk? sounds revolting tbf.

piscesx, Sunday, 3 March 2013 10:28 (thirteen years ago)

otm

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 10:32 (thirteen years ago)

not sure if it's as bad as this rum and water i'm swallowing atm.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 10:33 (thirteen years ago)

What?

Mark G, Sunday, 3 March 2013 10:56 (thirteen years ago)

that's the question i always ask after i read everything you post on here to bee really real.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 11:00 (thirteen years ago)

but everyone else seems able to read egyptian english or w/e so i never complain.

Gunoka Cuntles (Matt P), Sunday, 3 March 2013 11:02 (thirteen years ago)

I've never listened to the Dan before but this is great! I get what the fuss is about now.

Ismael Klata, Sunday, 3 March 2013 14:11 (thirteen years ago)

A Black Cow, a.k.a. a Root Beer Float, is usually root beer and vanilla ice cream, though there are regional variations.

Hideous Lump, Monday, 4 March 2013 03:34 (thirteen years ago)

drink your big black cow and get out of here

the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 4 March 2013 03:34 (thirteen years ago)

Black Cow can refer to either:
A cow that is black.
A Root Beer Float.
An alcoholic drink (sometimes referred to as a Black Cow #2) featuring Kahlúa, half-and-half, and Coca-Cola.
A 1977 song by Steely Dan on the Aja album, referring to the alcoholic drink.
A candy, a Sugar Daddy bar covered in chocolate.

fit and working again, Monday, 4 March 2013 03:39 (thirteen years ago)

(c) is more likely

the little prince of inane false binary hype (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 4 March 2013 03:39 (thirteen years ago)

Aja and a lot of steely dans work has a topanga canyon feel, even thought doesn't precisely reflect the music of that area I guess. I feel like the royal scam is the pt of frisson where the 60s dream burns away and melts into late 70s sleaze and Aja and gaucho is the takeover by the survivors who have cashed in but remain fucked up and hanging on to the more base elements of their youth minus the empty idealism. Or at least that's how those albums sometimes sound. Whatever the case they sound like nothing but LA. I feel like I prepared myself pretty well for this city by listening to steely Dan and ice cube, though admittedly the times had changed somewhat since those albums.

christmas candy bar (al leong), Monday, 4 March 2013 03:46 (thirteen years ago)

one year passes...

I would be tempted to go for I Got The News...not solely because I am contrary but also because it's brilliant.

Aja is my first foray into Steely Dan.

http://devonrecordclub.com/2014/06/17/steely-dan-aja-round-68-toms-selection/

What should I get next?

yugi ex, Tuesday, 17 June 2014 11:08 (eleven years ago)

GAUCHO

Naamloze vennootschap (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 17 June 2014 11:09 (eleven years ago)

nah they're all good

Naamloze vennootschap (Noodle Vague), Tuesday, 17 June 2014 11:09 (eleven years ago)

Gaucho

shameless pureyors of slop-on-plate (Jon Lewis), Tuesday, 17 June 2014 16:15 (eleven years ago)

Gaucho, Aja, Royal Scam

i also enjoy in line skateing (spazzmatazz), Tuesday, 17 June 2014 16:23 (eleven years ago)

three years pass...

Steve Gadd on the outro to the title track surely must rank as one of my favourite drumming moments ever - both the playing itself and how the drums sound. Exquisite.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:12 (eight years ago)

otm

Moodles, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:15 (eight years ago)

that moment when he finds a totally new cymbal groove and it only lasts like 20 seconds...

rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:32 (eight years ago)

Yeah, especially that bit! Superb playing.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:35 (eight years ago)

title track

flappy bird, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:44 (eight years ago)

maybe because it's the most earnest & sentimental song they ever recorded, & it's a tour de force for all the players involved. that final drum solo at the end is always so so thrilling

flappy bird, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 18:45 (eight years ago)

Wayne Shorter's solo is nothing to sneeze at either. I love that one ascending part where it feels like he's reaching for the cosmos.

Moodles, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 19:05 (eight years ago)

I've been on a bit of a Steely Dan kick the last couple of days, and Aja has been hitting the spot like never before. The first four albums are all long been huge favourites of mine, but I think I'd rank Aja ahead of The Royal Scam now. I still don't really rate Gaucho, even though it's very well produced and engineered (as you'd expect) - I've a little warmed to 'Babylon Sisters' (even though I find it a lesser version of 'Home at Last'), 'Hey Nineteen', the title track and 'Third World Man', but find the rest of the tracks lacking.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 19:45 (eight years ago)

Pretzel Logic is the only stepchild in the SD discography for me

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 20:23 (eight years ago)

Really? Why d'you say that? Because it's their most concise/poppiest record?

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 20:28 (eight years ago)

Wayne Shorter's solo is nothing to sneeze at either. I love that one ascending part where it feels like he's reaching for the cosmos.

― Moodles, Tuesday, September 12, 2017 3:05 PM (one hour ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

yeah it's just astonishing

flappy bird, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 20:29 (eight years ago)

xpost

I would have to go look at the tracklist but it's the only one that has real lulls for me. Obv it has some immortal stuff on it.

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 20:31 (eight years ago)

'Any Major Dude...' is one of my all-time favourite Steely Dan tracks.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:12 (eight years ago)

Oh definitely. Maybe top 5 for me.

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:14 (eight years ago)

i don't think there's a dud on Gaucho, the ones you didn't mention (Glamour Profession, My Rival, Time Out Of Mind) are all pretty close to the equal of the four you like!)

btw re: the title track, never knew about the Keith Jarrett lawsuit (I'm sure it's been covered here), but damn I guess he had a good case...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QNK4Pc8W2A

nomar, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:22 (eight years ago)

Yeah, I don't really like either 'My Rival' and 'Time Out Of Mind' ... 'Glamour Profession' sounds great for its first minute but then I find myself tuning out... it's probably the weariest sounding "disco" tune I've ever heard, but weary sounding disco was probably what they were going for.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:27 (eight years ago)

yeah it definitely was, I can see how you could see that song as conceptually or intellectually interesting but not enjoyable musically. it's probably my favorite SD song, but only if i can have the demo where Fagen sings the chorus & it sounds like a C90 bounce.

flappy bird, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:30 (eight years ago)

That's prrrrobably my favorite SD lyric

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:31 (eight years ago)

Glamour Profession is the essence of Gaucho for me and one of the greatest things they ever did

Master of Treacle, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:32 (eight years ago)

I like the way Fagen sings "Barbados" as "Barbadeuce" ...

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:54 (eight years ago)

I totally agree with the above re: Glamour Profession. Perfect portrait of a specific type of hanger-on cretin that you'll no doubt meet in the drug world & in LA. I love the second verse so much, the last line is amazing in the context of the song: "I drove the Chrysler / watched from the darkness while they danced."

flappy bird, Tuesday, 12 September 2017 22:56 (eight years ago)

I still have a dream of making a cool house track out of Glamour Profession samples, but I haven't been able to make it work so far

Moodles, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 00:13 (eight years ago)

brut and charisma poured from the shadow where he stood

ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 00:24 (eight years ago)

Jack with his radar
Stalking the dread moray eel

nomar, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 00:27 (eight years ago)

Scam has one foot in LA / "elsewhere" but the album art is so overt with the Chrysler building reference that to me it's an NY album

calstars, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 00:34 (eight years ago)

They hated that cover, though, and it was originally created for an unreleased Van Morrison album.

DPRK Nowitzki (lpz), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 16:29 (eight years ago)

I don't mind it, but it's still one of my least favourite Steely Dan sleeves... Can't Buy a Thrill is probably their worst.

The sleeve to Katy Lied is my favourite.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Wednesday, 13 September 2017 16:53 (eight years ago)

even so, it captures the atmosphere of the record perfectly... all i see is steam & grit & smog & slime... definitely a new york record

flappy bird, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 16:54 (eight years ago)

this is neat, haven't heard it in a while, don't remember the audio quality being this good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7EkDDzpPrk

flappy bird, Wednesday, 13 September 2017 22:29 (eight years ago)

wow...very nice! sounds like Gadd on drums?
and that staccato part ~~~~~~~
whole thing almost like a sister to aja.

calstars, Thursday, 14 September 2017 00:35 (eight years ago)

mp3
https://ufile.io/lt3n4

calstars, Thursday, 14 September 2017 00:37 (eight years ago)

Am I the only fan of this band that doesn't care for Deacon Blues at all?

Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 14 September 2017 03:33 (eight years ago)

nope, same here.

new noise, Thursday, 14 September 2017 03:36 (eight years ago)

come on the lyrics alone make it classic

ToddBonzalez (BradNelson), Thursday, 14 September 2017 03:41 (eight years ago)

Love it, but I actually don't care that much for Josie.

the last famous person you were surprised to discover was actually (man alive), Thursday, 14 September 2017 03:43 (eight years ago)

Yeah, I love the lyrics to 'Deacon Blues' ... the first two lines are such a fuckin' funny way to open a song.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Thursday, 14 September 2017 05:53 (eight years ago)

I used to think that I Got The News was the only dud here, but I've learned to love the herky-jerk rhythm and Victor Feldman's piano

rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Thursday, 14 September 2017 14:35 (eight years ago)

yup the piano makes that track

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Thursday, 14 September 2017 14:50 (eight years ago)

'I Got The News' rules.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Thursday, 14 September 2017 15:23 (eight years ago)

aw man, when Michael McDonald comes in on that one, so good

flappy bird, Thursday, 14 September 2017 15:34 (eight years ago)

Glamour Profession, My Rival and Time Out Of Mind are my favorite Gaucho songs. „Show me my rival, I'll match him whim for whim now“ is the quintessential Steely Dan battlecry

gospodin simmel, Thursday, 14 September 2017 15:45 (eight years ago)

Yeah those three are heart of gaucho for me as well

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Thursday, 14 September 2017 17:26 (eight years ago)

weird, i would rate the other four tracks ahead of those

rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Thursday, 14 September 2017 17:55 (eight years ago)

I don't dislike any of the songs on Gaucho, but side 1 is perfect.

flappy bird, Thursday, 14 September 2017 18:03 (eight years ago)

I mean, same goes for Aja though

flappy bird, Thursday, 14 September 2017 18:03 (eight years ago)

I used to think that I Got The News was the only dud here, but I've learned to love the herky-jerk rhythm and Victor Feldman's piano

An amazing drummer friend in college used to tool on the drums to this. They were not performed by one of the Porcaro/Gadd/Purdie masters but Ed Greene (Ed Greene (2) according to Discogs) but more importantly, he thought the fact that the guy did the same fill or two throughout more or less the whole song was kind of weak.

I'm not particularly bothered by it today but I do think I see his point. The part is not in the same league as songs on the rest of the album.

Also worth noting that I believe Roger Nichols didn't have the same involvement in the engineering of this record as compared to the others, which helps explain Aja didn't *sound* quite as lush as the records before and after it (tho it is certainly every bit as smooth if not more so).

Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 15 September 2017 15:27 (eight years ago)

Side one of Aja takes a great steaming shit all over side one of Gaucho.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Friday, 15 September 2017 18:59 (eight years ago)

Counterpoint: no it doesn't

this iphone speaks many languages (DJP), Friday, 15 September 2017 19:10 (eight years ago)

the real answer might be that whatever Steely Dan album out of the first 7 is your favorite, you're right (mine changes all the time.)

nomar, Friday, 15 September 2017 19:17 (eight years ago)

I agree with nomar.

Gavin, Leeds, Friday, 15 September 2017 19:23 (eight years ago)

xp to naive teen idol

that's really interesting. i wasn't talking about the drum performance in particular (which I agree is not the best) but the rhythm of the song in general as defined by the bassline. keeps the whole thing off-balance and makes the lyrics seem even weirder than they already are

rock and roll tucci coo (voodoo chili), Friday, 15 September 2017 21:16 (eight years ago)

man "Stand by the Seawall" is niiiice

she carries a torch. two torches, actually (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Friday, 15 September 2017 21:53 (eight years ago)

Glamour Profession, My Rival and Time Out Of Mind are my favorite Gaucho songs. „Show me my rival, I'll match him whim for whim now“ is the quintessential Steely Dan battlecry

― gospodin simmel, Thursday, September 14, 2017 11:45 AM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Yeah those three are heart of gaucho for me as well

― harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Thursday, September 14, 2017

dude "Third World Man"

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 15 September 2017 22:18 (eight years ago)

Gaucho the song is the defining moment of their career for me. The perfect climax right near the very end of their first run.

the last famous person you were surprised to discover was actually (man alive), Saturday, 16 September 2017 00:54 (eight years ago)

Yes

calstars, Saturday, 16 September 2017 02:59 (eight years ago)

Let me be clear, I consider gaucho a perfect album and I love every song on it, but those three songs I love especially madly

harbinger of failure (Jon not Jon), Saturday, 16 September 2017 03:39 (eight years ago)

Whenever I put Gaucho on, which admittedly isn't often and mostly when it crops up in conversation, it's very rare that I make it to the end of side one, finding myself wanting to turn it off about a couple of minutes into 'Glamour Profession' ' if I do make it to side two, then I find myself wanting to switch it off after the title track. It's a shame that 'Third World Man' is buried at the end.

Mark Knopfler is on Gaucho, but I find Brothers in Arms a more engaging record.

more Allegro-like (Turrican), Saturday, 16 September 2017 07:52 (eight years ago)

Not enough FPs in the world...

Moodles, Saturday, 16 September 2017 11:43 (eight years ago)

one year passes...

https://youtu.be/Ghp88V3Qm8w

Jay Graydon breaks down his solo on Peg

calstars, Sunday, 16 June 2019 06:32 (six years ago)

two weeks pass...

nice clip, thanks for sharing. love watching virtuoso guitar dudes talk with a guitar in their hands, it's like half words half licks.

flappy bird, Wednesday, 3 July 2019 18:44 (six years ago)

The solo is great but holy shit when he toys around playing the rhythm around 5m55s is a fucking revelation... how he makes those stacked gospel chords sounds so effortless in standard barre chording... shows you how amazingly talented he is.

Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 3 July 2019 18:55 (six years ago)

I'm also amazed that he can remember his exact setup including the levels on his amp, it was only 40 years ago

Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Wednesday, 3 July 2019 19:14 (six years ago)

https://youtu.be/DP_2r9zbaIY

^ Newly uploaded clip of Donald playing the Peg chords !

I’ve been going pretty Peg crazy lately

calstars, Wednesday, 3 July 2019 19:16 (six years ago)

"newly uploaded" my ass, lol

Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Wednesday, 3 July 2019 21:22 (six years ago)

three years pass...

Me drinking scotch whiskey all night long: Haha fuck yeah!!! Yes!!

Me dying behind the wheel: Well this fucking sucks. What the fuck.

— boss (@bosscrood) July 17, 2022

an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 20 July 2022 00:38 (three years ago)

one year passes...

Anyone heard the 45 rpm version?

calstars, Wednesday, 20 March 2024 17:37 (two years ago)

You’ve always been able to play it at 45 if you wanted. They have played us for absolute fools.

Chewshabadoo, Friday, 22 March 2024 15:27 (two years ago)

The Michael McDonald backing vocals on “I Got the News” are the best and worst thing on the album.

immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Friday, 22 March 2024 15:32 (two years ago)

not really backing vocals, are they? he only turns up during the bridge and sings lead on a couple of lines

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Friday, 22 March 2024 15:39 (two years ago)

I've never really warmed up to I Got the News

Muad'Doob (Moodles), Friday, 22 March 2024 15:42 (two years ago)

On the doc it’s the only song not discussed at gets played during the end credits lol

calstars, Friday, 22 March 2024 16:40 (two years ago)

I’ll admit the first 30 seconds are underwhelming but when McD comes in all is forgiven

calstars, Friday, 22 March 2024 16:40 (two years ago)

victor feldman does his thing on that song

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Friday, 22 March 2024 16:43 (two years ago)

What’s “Spanish kissing”anyway

calstars, Friday, 22 March 2024 16:48 (two years ago)

Not sure but it glistens.

Yuck.

Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 22 March 2024 19:31 (two years ago)

It's the "Green Earrings" of this record, just a chance to give the musicians an opportunity to show off.

Halfway there but for you, Friday, 22 March 2024 19:33 (two years ago)

Green Earrings is much better

Muad'Doob (Moodles), Friday, 22 March 2024 19:35 (two years ago)

broadway duchess you monsters

brimstead, Friday, 22 March 2024 20:10 (two years ago)

why they always gotta give McD the weirdest lines to sing in his weird voice

calstars, Friday, 22 March 2024 20:23 (two years ago)

This is the Dan album I never feel like listening to but it's still fine

Morris O’Shea Salazar (Noodle Vague), Friday, 22 March 2024 20:25 (two years ago)

brimstead otm what is this madness. I Got the News is incredible

J Edgar Noothgrush (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Friday, 22 March 2024 21:04 (two years ago)

BLAAAAAAAAAAH - tss-pa-tss-oom-pa-tss-oom-papa - BLAAH BLAAH - tss-pa-tss-oom-pa-tss-oom-pa papatapa

longtime caller, first time listener (man alive), Friday, 22 March 2024 21:48 (two years ago)

Steve Gadd karaoke

calstars, Friday, 22 March 2024 22:18 (two years ago)

*ed greene karaoke.

fun fact, each track on aja has a different drummer

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Sunday, 24 March 2024 14:20 (two years ago)

Doesn't Purdie play on both "Deacon Blues" and "Home at Last"?

Wreckless Erik Satie (SlimAndSlam), Sunday, 24 March 2024 23:42 (two years ago)

you’re right, six drummers for seven songs

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Monday, 25 March 2024 02:36 (two years ago)

not really backing vocals, are they? he only turns up during the bridge and sings lead on a couple of lines

The Michael McDonald backing vocals on “I Got the News” are the best and worst thing on the album.

immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Monday, 25 March 2024 14:47 (two years ago)

ha i did listen to the song a couple times to see if i could catch any stray mcdonald harmonies during the verses

the defenestration of prog (voodoo chili), Monday, 25 March 2024 14:53 (two years ago)

one year passes...

you'll never hear the lyricon solo the same way again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK8uFVc0AkU

imperial frfr (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 25 March 2025 04:37 (one year ago)

can't stop watching this

corrs unplugged, Thursday, 27 March 2025 21:51 (one year ago)

They really employed every last session musician they could find for this album.

Muad'Doob (Moodles), Thursday, 27 March 2025 23:01 (one year ago)

lmao

call all destroyer, Friday, 28 March 2025 01:34 (one year ago)


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