Steely dan

You must get the royal scam!

For US based fans, they are completing a tour this summer which has been superb. Some of the dates have had Larry Carlton sitting in on lead guitar, so I wouldn't be too surprised if they release some form of live album from this tour. The show I saw in New York didn't include Larry, but was really quite amazing when you recall that nobody ever expected to see them play live whatsoever.

As for the records, if you like one of them you will most likely like them all. For me, I prefer Pretzel Logic to the later records, but all of the 70's classics have merit. The later day SD records are very good, but I don't find the tunes as strong. One neat bonus, and probably unexpected to most, is how good Walter Becker is a guitarist, since he played bass on most the 70's LP's. I do also really like his solo records, particularly Circus Money, which is a keeper.

In our store, where he has heard Naim a number of times, he has always praised it's musicality.

Good listening,

Bruce

We got them passing through London three weeks ago. Elliot Randall (who lives here) came up and the band played Reelin in the years (album version) with him on lead - probably for the first and last time.

So the UK fans did ok as well.

Tell us more about Beckers appreciation of naim!!

I really do like coundown to ecstasy - almost gospel in places - very nice indeed.

I have studied a bit with the great Chuck Rainey who played with Dan on many albums. He can tell some great stories on them!
Aja is an all-time top 10 album for me.
David

quote:

Originally posted by bdnyc:

For US based fans, they are completing a tour this summer which has been superb.

Just heard them tonight ... the entire Gaucho album and then a mess of faves. Phenomenal band; two of the best writers ever. Just incredible.

All best.
Fred

quote:

Originally posted by Fisbey:
I have Katy Lied which I like a lot - any other recommendations?

Thanks

ALL OF THEM !!! Also the recordings are fantastic too. Listen to Black Cow off Aja. Ouch !

Like Culpano suggests, it's very easy to shortlist the Essential Dan: start at the beginning and end at the end, taking in everything in between...

Quite a few bands never released a duff album, the Dan never even made a single duff track IMHO.

Pete.

Thanks to the pointers to Circus Money on here: picked it up recently and it's really good. I liked 11 Tracks of Whack, but I think CM is more consistent.

Can't get Dark Horse Dub out of me head lately... (what exactly does it mean by "bonus track"?)

Pete.

Not sure if Dark Horse dub was on the US CD so I guess that makes it a bonus!

Paging Audrey is a corker.

You'll never get folk agreeing on one SD record...everybody's got their personal pick.

For me it even changes from month to month. If pressed, I might go for Gaucho.

Everything Must Go has grown on me though.

quote:

Hey, the first seven albums--

Can't Buy a Thrill
Countdown to Ecstasy
Pretzel Logic
Katy Lied
The Royal Scam
Aja
Gaucho

And you can get that lot in one relatively inexpensive neat box-set. 'Citizen Steely Dan 1972 - 1980'.

Unusually for a box-set, it chronologically tracks those seven albums in the correct order, with a few extra tracks.




Enjoy.

John.