Steely Dan

[Adam B]

I was reading a preview of a club night where a bunch of DJs most of whom I have a lot of time for - they were due to play their top 5 favourite songs.

and 3 or 4 mentioned Steely Dan with glowing references.

Well I have never knowingly heard their music so I feel inspired to give it a go.

Any fans here - how would you describe it and what albums should I start with / are regarded as the must-haves?

[J.R.B.]

Brilliant band. Start with Can't buy a thrill. Amongst the best debut albums ever.

[hman]

Massive fan an there was a good threadon here some time ago AJA is my album of choice

I think the correct description of their music is insouciant cool


Check out the artists they record with - all are legends.

steely dans music is amazingly well engineered written recorded produced etc -for me perfection.

Edited by hman on Friday 10th October 00:44

[bennyboysvuk]

Whilst growing up, my dad played a lot of Steely Dan, though I wasn't aware at the time. It's all great stuff.

I'd recommend getting The Very Best Of Steely Dan to cover many periods.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Very-Best-Steely-Dan/d...

I love the skill in the songs and the solo in Bodhisattva is wonderful.

[counterofbeans]

My favourite band. Best album for me is Pretzel Logic

[PRTVR]

counterofbeans said:

My favourite band. Best album for me is Pretzel Logic

It's a close run call but I have to go with Pretzel Logic also.

[Halmyre]

First full album I bought was 'Countdown To Ecstasy', which I though was great. I recently bought 'Pretzel Logic' which, after I'd heard so much good things about it, doesn't seem nearly as interesting by comparison.

[Adam B]

J.R.B. said:

Brilliant band. Start with Can't buy a thrill. Amongst the best debut albums ever.

always nice when you can explore chronologically, with some bands you need the most accessible album first

[GetCarter]

One of the finest bands of all time.

Mate of mine is head of Jazz at a Uni. Uses Donald Fagen tracks to baffle degree students.

Check out the CD by Fagen - 'The Nightfly'

[PRTVR]

Halmyre said:

First full album I bought was 'Countdown To Ecstasy', which I though was great. I recently bought 'Pretzel Logic' which, after I'd heard so much good things about it, doesn't seem nearly as interesting by comparison.

It would be a sad old place if we all liked the same thing, that's why it is difficult to recommended songs/tracks/albums, maybe "the best of" suggestion may be the way for the op to go.

[Honk]

"Best of" initially then...Katy Lied or Aja or...or...

[6th Gear]

GetCarter said:

One of the finest bands of all time.

Mate of mine is head of Jazz at a Uni. Uses Donald Fagen tracks to baffle degree students.

Check out the CD by Fagen - 'The Nightfly'

Great call. The Nightfly is Brilliant.

For SD albums, check out Aja.

[Adam B]

Thanks all, will start at best of, seems to be a few so I will go for the "the very best of" with the paintballed car cover art

Edited by Adam B on Saturday 11th October 20:29

[6th Gear]

Good man. Let us know how you get along.

[anonymous-user]

Once you've heard the studio albums make sure you get a copy of this....



..worth it alone for the gorgeous downtempo version of Reelin' in the Years.

[macp]

swiveleyedgit said:

Once you've heard the studio albums make sure you get a copy of this....



..worth it alone for the gorgeous downtempo version of Reelin' in the Years.

Agreed superb album I play it to death especially the drum solo in Josie.I have never been able to see them live but have been to see Nearly Dan a tribute band who make a damn good go of covering their songs.

[Voldemort]

Gaucho.

[anonymous-user]

macp said:

Agreed superb album I play it to death especially the drum solo in Josie.I have never been able to see them live but have been to see Nearly Dan a tribute band who make a damn good go of covering their songs.

I was due to see them last weekend but the guy who does all the lead vocals had lost his voice, rescheduled for next January now.......

[macp]

swiveleyedgit said:

macp said:

Agreed superb album I play it to death especially the drum solo in Josie.I have never been able to see them live but have been to see Nearly Dan a tribute band who make a damn good go of covering their songs.

I was due to see them last weekend but the guy who does all the lead vocals had lost his voice, rescheduled for next January now.......

Thats Steve Hayes superb guitarist and vocalist.Nice guy too I bought him a pint at the bar once and it came out that the wife and I were struggling to get a taxi home he very willingly offered us a lift.

[gpo746]

AJA

First heard of tem via the FM soundtrack. Turns out there are some differing versions of the FM song which was why when I sold off my LP collection the FM soundtrack attracted a lot of interest.

Citizen Steely Dan is a good (very good IMHO) compilation and a good intro.