Prog Fans and Steely Dan
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7521
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Topic: Prog Fans and Steely Dan
Posted By: beterdedthnred4
Subject: Prog Fans and Steely Dan
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 00:34
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My CD collection is probably 90% prog music, but one of my favorite groups of all time are the jazz-pop masters Steely Dan. They are perhaps the only group since the Beatles to so effortlessly buck convention from within convention.They were able to allow virtuosity and creativity in their songs which were consistently successful singles and top 10 albums. Plus, their lyrics are great. "When black friday comes, I'm gonna find myself a hole, and lay down in it till I satisfy my soul" What do you guys think of Becker and Fagen's work? |
Replies:
Posted By: Soulman
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 00:50
 I have found a kindred spirit!I think I must've posted a topic like this months ago, it's was like nobody on this forum knew about Steely Dan. I was quite addicted to them when I first got into their work. I've always been attracted to the exotic soulful elements that jazz has. Steely Dan was able to supply that plus some very strong rock melodies, it was almost poppy but it had a level of sophistication. At first, I found myself focussing mostly on their music because I was developing my musical ability and Steely Dan's music seemed so appealing and unique from most music that I've heard. Even most jazz-rock and fusion don't really seem like Steely Dan. It's very difficult to find a band very similar to them. I enjoyed the level of perfection and sophistication that was shown in their music. Stories about how they would take hundreds and hundreds of takes in order to get the right sound. The music was very textured yet elegant like an expensive vase (not sure if that's a good analogy  ).Slowly I began to notice Fagen's Dylan-esque lyrics that were equal parts story-telling and reflections on our humanity. They were as eclectic as the music itself. Steely Dan could not be considered as a prog rock band, but definetly a very very progressive band. Steely Dan's world that was painted by their music and lyrics seems almost animated that could make one pass off this band as romanticized nonesense, but if you look a little deeper, it's hard to miss out how deep Steely Dan is. Truly rock music greats!  |
Posted By: barbs
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 02:23
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They produced some excellent sophisticated jazz-rock with a soul of its own. The west coast sound they created was unique. I can't say that I have really been into everything they produced but at their best they were really good. ------------- Eternity |
Posted By: Poxx
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 04:27
| Steely Dan are great - 'Katy Lied' is good, but 'Gaucho' is my favourite, especially for Glamour Profession. That's some of the most complex jazz pop/rock you will ever find. |
Posted By: AfanSpur
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 05:19
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Yep Steely Dan great band! in the Uk there was also an underated pop band called XTC whose last offering apple Venus was terrific ------------- There stands Olias to outward to build a ship Holding within all we hope to retain The frame will be so built to challenge the universe Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain |
Posted By: PROGMAN
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 05:21
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I like Steely Dan ------------- CYMRU AM BYTH 
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Posted By: firth_of_Fifth
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 06:06
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Yeah, but what about Steeleye Span?
------------- http://www.myspace.com/chrisblackwell" rel="nofollow - http://www.myspace.com/chrisblackwell |
Posted By: AfanSpur
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 06:22
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hey Progman Ble Rwyt i'n Byw? ------------- There stands Olias to outward to build a ship Holding within all we hope to retain The frame will be so built to challenge the universe Clasped with the skins of the fish of the plain |
Posted By: Syzygy
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 07:37
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There's plenty for prog fans to enjoy in Steely Dan - superb musicianship, unusual chords and time signatures and of course a very strong jazz influence. I prefer the earlier albums, but everything up to Gaucho is worth checking out. ------------- 'Like so many of you I've got my doubts about how much to contribute to the already rich among us...' Robert Wyatt, Gloria Gloom |
Posted By: Trotsky
Date Posted: June 14 2005 at 09:08
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Got all the Steely Dan albums, well from Can't Buy A Thrill onwards
anyway (I heard Becker/Fagen did a soundtrack that was later released
under Steely Dan's name by some unscupulous label) ... also have
Fagen's Nightfly and Kamakiriad albums ... I was once such a big fan
that I got the "Gold" compilation just for the two previously
unreleased Fagen songs tagged on the end ... Like Syzygy, I prefer the
earlier albums (in fact, in a way, I think they'd said it all on Can't
Buy A Thrill and Countdown On Ecstasy) ... but I must admit a strange thing has happened ... I haven't listened to (or felt like listening to) my Steely Dan albums in more than a couple of years now ... I'm sure it's just a phase ... ------------- "Death to Utopia! Death to faith! Death to love! Death to hope?" thunders the 20th century. "Surrender, you pathetic dreamer.” "No" replies the unhumbled optimist "You are only the present." |
Posted By: aegis
Date Posted: July 20 2005 at 13:59
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I'm another huge Steely Dan and prog fan. The musicianship, song structures, jazz influences all do it for me. All of Dan's stuff, especially Aja (so clean and perfect). If you are in the UK, there is a tribute band call Nearly Dan http://www.nearlydan.btinternet.co.uk/ - http://www.nearlydan.btinternet.co.uk/ though this link is a bit dicky. For their limited dates try http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/1887/Nearly_Dan.html - http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/1887/Nearly_Dan.html They are worth checking out. I am not affiliated to them in any way, but saw them in Bristol earlier this year and they were well worth it.
------------- Listening to: Gentle Giant - Power and the Glory |
Posted By: Dragon Phoenix
Date Posted: July 20 2005 at 15:28
| Like them. Do it again is one of my favourite songs. |
Posted By: kingofbizzare
Date Posted: July 21 2005 at 00:31
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All I've heard is my dad's copy of Aja. I'm not a huge fan of it, but
my friend tells me their earlier stuff is a lot better. Maybe I should
give it a listen again.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/kingofbizzare/?chartstyle=asimpleblue5"> 
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Posted By: Trotsky
Date Posted: July 21 2005 at 00:57
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For what its worth Aja is definitely my least favourite ... too polished and jazz-lite for me ... I would definitely advise hearing Can't Buy A Thrill or Countdown To Ecstasy before making a judgement ... ------------- "Death to Utopia! Death to faith! Death to love! Death to hope?" thunders the 20th century. "Surrender, you pathetic dreamer.” "No" replies the unhumbled optimist "You are only the present." |
kingofbizzare wrote:Posted By: Retroventuremod
Date Posted: July 22 2005 at 01:49
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I have "Decade of Steely Dan" Gave it a few listens, some really catchy songs like "old school" and some others cant remember them. But for the overall album I wasn't to impressed ------------- I asked Bobby Dylan I asked the Beatles I asked Timothy Leary But he couldn't help me either They call me the seeker THE WHO! |
Posted By: Zac M
Date Posted: July 22 2005 at 04:12
| they are a great mainstream jazz pop/rock group. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are definitely two outstaning musicians. Oh, I have Decade also and really enjoy it. |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: July 22 2005 at 14:57
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Love Steely Dan,one of my favorite non prog bands.When I hear their early stuff(first 5 albums)to this day it reminds me of summer days in the late 70's,hangin out with my buds and swimming in the river and getting seriously zoned on good bud.Sigh.....boy,those were the days. Anyway,Fagen and Becker are brilliant,love their work.Fav album is a tie between Can't buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ecstacy. -------------  |
Posted By: marktheshark
Date Posted: July 22 2005 at 19:15
There are very few artists that can produce danceable and listenable music and yet be inventive and complex at the same time. The Beatles were the undisputed masters of this. Steely came pretty damn close. Don't get me wrong, Steely will never be in the same league as far as influence as the Beatles. But this kind of artistry doesn't really come along to often. Anyway, I think Aja was probably one the best albums of the 70s. An absolute masterpiece! 
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Posted By: Arsillus
Date Posted: July 23 2005 at 10:13
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Steely Dan is one of my favourite bands!! I love Steely Dan. Aja is one of the best albums ever.
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