Posted on 08/06/2023 6:02:01 PM PDT by Beowulf9
Aja by Steely Dan is one of my favourite albums ever. Sure, it might not generally be considered the greatest of all time - but it is perfect in a way that no other album is.
Steely Dan made records like no other band. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker would write the songs, and then to record them they'd bring in some of the world's greatest session players. Couple this with beautiful arrangements and outstanding recordings and the result is an album that allows us to hear incredible musicianship.
The perfection on this album is intentional. It's not a gift or a coincidence that this record sounds so good. It's because of thousands of hours of hard work.
David Hartley
My favorite SD song is “King of The World” that closes Countdown To Ecstasy.
Another of my favorites is “Here At The Western World”, which never made it onto an album, I think it was recorded for The Royal Scam.
...I think the people down the hall know you are.
Back in the day I was in a cover band that played a lot of Steely Dan, especially tracks from The Royal Scam. You sing “Kid Charlemagne” five night a week for a year, you tend to remember it.
Meh. Lite jazz isn’t my cup of tea.
Those test tubes and the scale...
I think the people down the hall know who you are...
But
Local boys will spend a quarter
Just to shine the silver bowl
Living hard will take its toll
Illegal fun
Under the sun, boys
“Bodacious cowboys Such as your friend Will never be welcome here High in the Custerdome”
…. just nearly perfect: obscure yet pointed.
There’s not an ounce of fat on that entire album. Not one note, not one lyric that didn’t HAVE to be there.
The only criticism I could possibly have is that it clocked in at just under 40 minutes. But if there was any other song, no mater how great it could be, Bodhisattva, Black Friday, or Chain Lightning, it wouldn’t have fit and unbalanced the entire album.
Not that familiar with Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors (not really in my wheelhouse), but, in my opinion, as close as you’ll come to the perfect album.
Ive still got my Mobile Fidelity pressing of Aja.
Sorry, it’s Countdown to Ecstasy.
Never did get into that “Steely Dan” thing.
Great albums, all. Sounds like you enjoy the earlier, looser sound, which I too enjoy.
Great stuff, legendary band. BTW- saw Donald Fagen about a year ago, just an incredible show, not to be missed!
I didn't think it would be an appreciated comment on this thread, but The Nightfly may be my favorite album of all time. The way Fagen captured that era (which I wasn't even alive for), was amazing.
I love Gaucho. Listened to it all the time for months with many Pina Coladas that summer.
I used to pick up my cat, Beowulf, and dance with him to Third world man...because ‘We’ll see behind those bright eyes
By and by When the sidewalks are safe
For the little guys’
for me he was the little guy, with the bright eyes.
Fascinating - the drums on ‘Aja’ underlying Shorter’s solo (and ending the song) have always been one of the highlights of the album. I know they also had Jim Keltner playing drums on other songs on Aja. Steely Dan by that time in their studio career was probably going through every great session musician in America.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.