Prog Fans and Steely Dan

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!

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.

I like Steely Dan

hey Progman Ble Rwyt i'n Byw?

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 ...

Like them. Do it again is one of my favourite songs.

kingofbizzare wrote: 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.

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 ...

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.

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!