So we've done Whitney and The Eagles... Steely Dan?

[Mannyinnewyork]

Love them. Great playing, arrangements, melodies and lyrics.

 

[ELG60]

The only problem I have with Steely Dan is when people refer to them as "The Dan".

I was going to post this. It's a perfect representation of the genius which was Steely Dan. Thanks for doing so.

 

[kjones]

"Although Steely Dan's music was rooted in jazz and blues, the band's name came from a literary source--Edgar Burroughs' novel "Naked Lunch," which made mention of a "steely dan," a steam-powered adult penile toy. This playful reference fit perfectly within the framework of Steely Dan's angular arrangements and Fagen's often bitingly cynical and sarcastic lyrics."

Read more:The Origin of the Name Steely Dan

Really enjoy Steely Dan’s music, particularly the early stuff.

As to the name, I’m pretty sure it’s from William Burroughs’ story, not Edgar Burroughs.

Rather unlikely that the author of Tarzan and John Carter, Warlord of Mars was writing about a marital aid.

 

[interp]

Great music. Aja is a masterpiece.

 

[ELG60]

Larry Carlton's guitar work in Kid Charlemagne is beyond compare, imo. In fact, the whole album, The Royal Scam, is a seamless work of perfection to which I would fall asleep night after night at University all those decades ago. Just my personal opinion, of course.

There were 3 albums back in the 70's which seemed to me to be perfectly produced, arranged, and organized...The Royal Scam, Dark Side Of The Moon, and Boston's eponymous first album.

 

[Wfrance3]

Steely Dan encouraged me early on to think beyond the 1,4,5 box. Cool and innovative.

 

[jamro217]

There is just so much there to appreciate: great arrangements, fiery guitar solos, clever musical phrases that help tell the stories (like the descending line in Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More right after the line "I've got to see a joker and I'll be right back."), lyrics that have multiple interpretations (along with some that are completely baffling) and the best studio musicians money can buy. Not to mention Skunk Baxter and Michael McDonald.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Where is the "meh" option ?

far from pretentious music or too many key changes .... never listened to Dream Theater or other prog band ?

 

[jamro217]

Where is the "meh" option ?

far from pretentious music or too many key changes .... never listened to Dream Theater or other prog band ?

The OP may think Steely Dan is as polarizing as Rickenbackers. No need for a "meh" there , either.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

The OP may think Steely Dan is as polarizing as Rickenbackers. No need for a "meh" there , either.

the poll options don't fit in my book ...
"The hippest and coolest"
"Ok but too many key changes"
"Pretentious college stuff"

I don't agree with any of this.

Hippest and coolest maybe to some, not me
Ok but too many key changes again maybe to some, I find it vanilla
Pretentious college stuff, I was a music college student and there is way more extrem stuff than this,

 

[desertrider71]

It seems over-the-top to follow a Whitney Houston and Eagles poll with 2 of the most brilliant musicians of the last 50 years.
They were waaaay before my time, but when I discovered them, I was stunned.
RIP Walter Becker.

 

[jeff62]

I think you’re biased. No option here to report that I think they suck. Or carrrots.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

On the Eagles thread I talked about finding their perfectionism alienating. With Steely Dan, alienation is the whole point. Their lyrics invent a world of hustlers, frauds, and losers. And the music...I guess the world divides into those who heard the quote from "Song For My Father" at the opening of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and those who didn't. But then again, I'm perverse. My favorite cut from "Pretzel Logic" was this:

 

[Mr.Ace]

Most excellent band!

 

[Gizmot]

I've seen a who's who of bands over a lot of years and Steely Dan and the session players they hire are hands-down the best. During their shows, every note is perfection.

 

[Joe Clark]

I absolutely love Chuck Rainey's work with them. One band I work with does Peg and Josie, and playing his lines are a highlight of the gig for sure.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Ehh...I always thought they went way out of their way to make things “clever” just for the sake of doing so. I don’t not listen to them, but nothing close to their whole catalogue. So I guess I find them a bit on the pretentious side despite them using Chuck Rainey.

 

[jamro217]

On the Eagles thread I talked about finding their perfectionism alienating. With Steely Dan, alienation is the whole point. Their lyrics invent a world of hustlers, frauds, and losers. And the music...I guess the world divides into those who heard the quote from "Song For My Father" at the opening of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and those who didn't. But then again, I'm perverse. My favorite cut from "Pretzel Logic" was this:

Who else would think of pedal steel and talkbox guitar on an Ellington cover? Brilliant. One of my favorites is Doctor Wu. The sax is fantastic. Phil Woods.

 

[Alkali Ike]

On the Eagles thread I talked about finding their perfectionism alienating. With Steely Dan, alienation is the whole point. Their lyrics invent a world of hustlers, frauds, and losers. And the music...I guess the world divides into those who heard the quote from "Song For My Father" at the opening of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and those who didn't. But then again, I'm perverse. My favorite cut from "Pretzel Logic" was this:

I believe that’s the first SD track where Walter Becker played lead guitar.

 

[twelvetrombones]

Aja is near perfect. The other albums not quite, but very good regardless.