How Steely Dan Created ‘Deacon Blues

Wall Street Journal ^ | Sept. 10, 2015 | MARC MYERS

[dontreadthis]

As midlife-crisis songs go, Steely Dan’s “Deacon Blues” ranks among the most melodic and existential. Recorded for the album “Aja” in 1977, the song details the bored existence of a ground-down suburbanite and his romantic fantasy of life as a jazz saxophonist.

Written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1976, “Deacon Blues” was released in 1977 on Steely Dan’s album “Aja,” which in the fall reached No. 3 on Billboard’s album chart, where it remained for seven consecutive weeks. The song also was a hit single in early 1978. With Steely Dan appearing in New York at the Beacon Theatre from Oct. 6-17, Mr. Fagen, Mr. Becker, guitarist Larry Carlton and saxophonists Tom Scott and Pete Christlieb recalled the writing, arranging and recording of the cult classic. Edited from interviews:

[Durus]

The live version on Citizen Steely Dan 2 is one of the best live performances I’ve heard. Regardless of them taking a technically difficult song and absolutely crushing it live, what band these days would have the self-deprecating nature to include the more than two minute train wreck of an drunken announcer not knowing the name of the band?

[dennisw]

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