Nobody listens to Peg for the first time and doesn’t recognize how great it is. It’s just universally agreed upon.

My dad passed away and did not leave me any material nor money as inheritance but he gave me music that was so rich with soul which is hard to come by nowadays. We never had a good relationship but one thing is for sure.... I used sneak his old tapes just to play Steely Dan's music which is also one of the greatest influences in my own music. Aside from the melody & beats they're also lyrical geniuses! No debate!

I think the bass player on Peg was absolutely crushing it. Nothing ridiculous just those little things.I think it was Chuck Raney. A Cleveland guy.

Prince was indeed influenced by STeely Dan, there is an account of an early performance by a band that included morris day and they did some Dan covers, he was also inspired by Deacon Blues: "I cried when I wrote this song so sue me if I play too long" -- "I was dreamin when I wrote this so sue me if it goes too fast" (1999)

AJA IS NEXT LEVEL.

I think in fifty years just as many people will be hearing this for the first time and they'll know then what all of us already knew 100 years before them. Millions of music recordings will certainly fade into oblivion but Steely Dan has created something that will be around for as long as humans have ears.

The saxophonist on Aja is Wayne Shorter, a legendary jazz musician who played with Miles, Herbie, Blakey, and so many more. Great video!

I believe that’s Wayne Shorter on sax on “ Aja”And Steve Gadd is on the most game changing drum solo in rock music.

One does not listen to Steely Dan, One feels Steely Dan in your soul 🙂

The keyboard solo on "Black Cow" by Victor Feldman is just stellar. One of my favorites in SD's canon. Also for me the Wayne Shorter solo in "Aja" has so much depth and understanding of how to organize a solo. It's just mesmerizing. My favorite horn solo in all of SD's tunes.

Forget KZfaq, I'm sure some of us remember what it's like to hear this album for the first time on vinyl. Nice it still can blow younger generations away.

The chord progressions can make you emotional. "My favorite is the one I'm hearing" lol

I have followed Steely Dan since 1972, immediately a huge fan. I saw my first Steely Dan concert in Sacramento in 1972. Since that time I've seen them perform live in concert at least 10 more times, including 2 especially memorable shows, one at Shoreline Amphitheater in Menlo Park in 1989 where I had vackstage passes and got to hang with Fagen and Becker after the show. Don was quiet, nervous, and reserved. Walter was so socially engaging and interesting. The other memorable show was in 2004 in San Francisco at the Masonic Auditorium where they played the complete Aja album for the first set followed by the complete Royal Scam album. In the middle of the second set some joker yelled out "Free Bird!!". Fagen stopped the whole show to berate this person high in the balcony for not only interesting the flow of the concert just to yell out an inappropriate comment as if it were funny. The crowd absolutely ROARED with approval. One common denominator for every single one of their live performances was the care and attention to the sound system and the mix. You could have sworn that it was the studio recordings, the sound was so perfect. Another thing about their concerts, upwards of 3/4 of the audience were all making the same head movement in time with the music... a kind of nodding similar to nodding "yes" That move is now known as Dan Bobbing ( like bobbing for apples)

Now you hitting one of best albums of all time !!! Not bad for a couple funky white boys

Listening to the self titled track always makes me tear up as it was my late father's favorite song. He passed in July due to colon cancer. Such a brillant song loved by a brillant man

The guys really allow this song to breath. After the crazy, hectic sax solo with the energetic drum fills, they give it the full four measures before resuming the lyrics. I can feel the song resting and getting it's wind back. The Dan were on a different level musically.

"They did something different every album." Yes, the sign of a true artist.

Drama nice bringing up that Prince song...I agree. Not just him but a lot of hip hop artists sampled their music

Watching you listening to this Album, reminds me of when I heard it for the first time on Vinyl record, 1977, Harmon Kardon amp, gigantic JVC speakers in a attic apartment, a bit of the herb.

Do you hear Michael McDonald singing background on Peg? He was with them before the Doobies.

The audio fidelity of this recording is unmatched, even today. It has been THE album used for testing the fidelity of audio reproduction equipment ever since it was released in 1977.

Had this on vinyl (record eventually cracked), cassette tape (wore it out) and still have it on CD as well as digital. I will never be without this music while I'm alive.

Deacon Blues! Good Lord!

Quality sound, + Steely Dan’s Aja = Early Christmas present! Thanks Michael and I appreciate your appreciation for the Dan!

Thanks as always for your wonderful reactions. The harmonies on Peg are performed by Michael McDonald of early Steely Dan fame and later Doobie Brothers fame. He created a 5-part harmony with tiny gaps in the notes. He said that Becker and Fagen tortured him to exhaustion and near-insanity until he got it exactly, precisely perfect. In addition to the sheer musical enjoyment, you really get to appreciate the uncompromising dedication to craft.

Aja and Gaucho are my two favorite LPs.

Yes, Wayne Shorter on tenor. It is mind blowing to hear him tell the story that “he just happened to be in the studio that day”. Absolutely gorgeous.

The don't "Aja" is one of the top musical masterpieces of the 20th century! Everyone on this one shines! Me, being a drummer, always worshipped Steve Gadd for the work he put in on this track! Absolutely amazing! A game changer for sure! The whole album is a banger!💯

About the guitar solo on "Peg:" About 7-8 guitarists had given it a shot, none of which were to the satisfaction of Fagen and Becker. Then Jay Graydon came in, and did the solo you hear in one take.

My favorite Steely Dan album from “Black Cow” to “Josie”.

I saw them live a few years ago (RIP Walter Becker) and they played Aja front to back to start the concert. I actually had tears of joy listening and watching this epic album unfold before me. Sublime.

Deacon Blues is my anthem.

Please pay attention and recognize the one, common-thread through the Aja album: Chuck Rainey on bass. Mr. Rainey is a GOD on the bottom. He is all chops-and-restraint all at once. Nobody is better in the studio than Chuck. Hard to make a better rhythm section than he holds-up.

When I first heard the record my favorites were Peg and Josie. Now I can’t stop listening to the title track, it’s truly sensational

Pray for greatness as always.

The GOAT Band of all time? Quite possibly...

„Sometimes you have to listen for what the music is telling you“. This is so true!

Love Peg!!! Perfect song for a true audiophile. 🥰 I’ll have to see if you’ve done any Chicago yet. 25or 6 to 4 is great. Also Saturday in the Park.

I cant imagine anyone with an ear for sophisticated yet catchy music not loving this the very first time like I did.

A local radio station used to play "album sides" one night per week at midnight. Your approach to playing an album reminds me a great deal of those times. In fact, it's the way I was first exposed to Steely Dan. Aja was simply the very best, the most perfectly arranged, and without a doubt the best musicians in the business for the time. SO GLAD you enjoyed it as much as I/we did when we were kids... Love the channel ..

Yes you must hear the best version I have the Aja remaster from 2008 that’s another level great reaction Michael you are a pro 👍

Absolutely agree that music also speaks and needs time to develop

It's so nice to have a different generation appreciate music from my era. You have great taste. I feel so blessed to have all the different flavors of music growing up.

HE GETS IT !

Your wonderful👏❤

Loving the revisit of my youth remember this constantly on the radio. Means more now

Steely Dan has no expiration date. The music and lyrics are genius. Layers of perfection.

This type of music was new to me when I first heard it, and I didn't know if I really liked it. But I had to kept listening, had no choice, it was some kind of deep itch in my brain.

That album was true FIRE, but Peg is my all time favorite Steely Dan song!!! Will lift up the mood to ANY setting. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏽🔥

Deacon Blues...that’s my jam, right there❤️🎶🎷🎶✨🎶✨🎶 What yoooo said about Prince’s, “Wanna Be Your Lover” and The Dan’s, “Peg”!!!💯💯💯🤩

Dude you hit the grand slam of Steeley Dan songs. The first four songs of Aja are as good as the first four songs of any album!

The "Aja" album won a Grammy for Best Engineered and Recording-Non Classical in 1978. You can see why. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were perfectionists in the studio. It took a year for then to complete the album. They hired about 40 of the best session musicians of the time to play on the album.

Black Cow has some of my favorite chord changes ever written.

Love your reactions to Steely Dan. I read recently that Fagen always wanted to create songs like these on Aja, but he waited until Steely Dan was big enough and famous enough to move in the jazz/fusion direction. You also mentioned that musically Aja is on a different scope than their earlier albums. They were a band on Can't Buy a Thrill and Countdown to Ecstasy. But the later albums were created using session musicians, the best money could buy - Larry Carlton, Bernard Purdie, Steve Gadd, Chuck Rainey, etc.

Goosebumps every single time on that Peg guitar solo. And that bass. Probably my favorite Steely Dan song as well.

Brings back memories. They were given a blank check by the record company to hire the best engineers, and session players. They spent a year recording this album. In 1978 the Aja album won a Grammy for best engineered recording. They would change musicians everyday until they got what they wanted.

I've been riding with Aja, the song, the album, since I used to borrow it from my mom'd collection in the late 80s, and only since I have started to watch react videos have I felt like I could relive listening to things again. Steve Gadd, on Aja. That is a piece of magick that takes you to other worlds all on its own. I know it is coming, I prepare for the trip, and I just GOOOOOOOO.

Damn good observation about Prince and Peg, 2 thumbs up!, P.S. that's Michael Mcdonald singing back up on PEG.

Can't go wrong with Steely Dan....Deacon Blues my favorite song...Dam so freaking smooth.

Was hooked with Countdown to Ecstasy, went back to Can't Buy A Thrill and never looked back. Thank you for your honest reactions! The fact that you are open to all different types of music is so refreshing. I know very little about the different musicians involved, but I know what has been in my heart since 1973.

Deacon Blues has always been one of my favorites. Its so mournful. I heard another reaction team laugh at it and say it was awful. I was shocked

"I wonder if any bands have been influenced by Steely Dan..." Reminds of some of my favorite Steely Dan comment memes: "There are 2 kinds of people in the world: those who love Steely Dan and those who don't love Steely Dan... yet." and "Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band."

I have seen them twice, once in 93 at the roadhouse in NYC , they were playing with the name New York Knights , I remember a friend and I were trying to figure out something to do , we seen that a band with that name was playing at the Roadhouse, we know that the Roadhouse had famous artists that would play with incognito names , how nice it was . The other time was at a casino in Tahoe , they played with a 10 piece band that was 2004 . Glad you groove to one of my favorites .

The Great Michael McDonald singing BACKGROUND! AMAZING!

I used to hate Steely Dan as a kid it wasn't until I was in my 40's did I really start to really appreciate them and now they're one of my top 5 artists 😊

Takes me back to the days of laying out in Hermosa Beach slathered in Coppertone, blasting this as a freshly bought cassette tape. Desert island disc choice number 1 these days.

They influenced everyone haha

This was the album where I absolutely fell in love with Steely Dan. I know that everyone says this about the specific album but some thing about Aja Every single time doesn’t even seem like music

Listening to Steely Dan always evokes such happiness and joy for me. They are awesome, and it takes me back to my childhood. I love your reactions and insight and especially your analysis and appreciation for these artists.

Listening to SD requires you to close your eyes to savor the full experience!!! It also goes well with a little drink and a little smoke!

Simply another Iconic band from my youth. How we took for granted that music would always be like this.

I needed this after a long workday. I really like all their music, but Peg is my favorite! ❤ good pick!

Glad you're back on the Dan. Don't know what you have going behind the scenes but know that we have much love for ya 👊❤

So I can tell you where I was when I first heard this album and it changed my life. Yeah...

Your right. Lots of artist incorporate sounds that they like from other artists. No harm, no foul. Every successful musician will tell you they have done that. As a musician you need to know where that line is.

Steely Dan influenced EVERYBODY. They are known as your favorite bands, favorite band.

Josie is the jam!

Donald and Walter, two absolute geniuses. Backing band not bad too. Only joking, all very brilliant musicians. Thank you America 🇺🇸, love from England 🇬🇧

When Ed Green cuts loose on drums in the middle of AJA is pure freedom.

My favorite group [album wise] of all time! Best song writers fagen becker of all times!

Just great to see these wonderful reactions, SD just magic sounds, geniuses 😊😄🎶👍

Perhaps my all-time favorite Album!

This is the best 'reaction' channel out there my friend. You have a very honest, from the heart and head reaction. Your knowledge of sound, musical phrase and harmonic tone is second to none. Thanks for these fantastic videos... I am really enjoying them. I would love to recommend some of my own Favourites... someday!

There is NO OTHER album or collection of music like this. Ever.

This album is just so great that it's actually making me cry. Long, long history with this album, from when it came out in 1978 and I was 11 years old. It was actually released in September of 1977, but by the time most people heard it it was the following year. So much to say about it - I'm overwhelmed.

'Peg', their big single from the album, was what really got me into them in 1978 when it was released and I was 11 years old. It blew my mind then and it still does. Just an absolutely incredible album.

I approve of the stank face because I myself have to scrunch up my nose every time that saxophone starts wailing also

Jay Graydon on guitar on 'Peg', Rick Marotta on drums, Michael McDonald on backing vocals - the whole song is incredible, and what got me into this album in the first place. It was the big single on the album. There's a VH-1 special on the making of the album with interviews with everyone on the album. It's a who's who of some of the greatest session musicians of all time, and Becker and Fagen play back various tracks from the multitrack recordings and analyze and make fun of both the outtakes *and* the material that appeared on the final recording. It's fascinating and hilarious and sardonic and even a little mean at times. Fascinating and essential viewing, and listening, of course. The musicians demonstrate what they did on the record - just watch it. You'll be glad you did. It has been here on KZfaq at various times, most of the time, and is probably available now.

When this was released, I played this album constantly. Couldn't get enough. I got a shihzu girl puppy 7 yrs ago and named her Aja. Love her as much as I love this album.💜

Probably my favorite album of all time.

You are so right the music tells the story if one allows the beauty of it to come through. This is my favorite track on this album for that very reason, especially Mr. Gadd’s solo explosion on it!❤️☮️✌🏻🎼

Prepare to have your mind blown repeatedly... especially if you're in good headphones.

Aja and Gaucho are two albums that to me are different from anything else I hav heard.

Popped back in to double dip on the Aja album reactions. Sweet bliss.

Whoo-hoo!!!! Thank You Mr. DramaSdye!!!

You're on it lover!

The highest fidelity possible is the way to hear this album (or any music really for that matter) Actually this album was once considered a great test recording for audiophile stereo systems.

The Gallap of the Drums an Simbles is what sets Peg for me

Never gets old!😊😊😊😊😊

One of my favorite albums by Steely Dan.👍🏻❤️☮️ Though I had heard them on the radio for years this was the first Steely Dan album that I purchased. I have listened and enjoyed so much more of Walter and Donald’s music since then in 1978