I can't get enough of watching people succumb to that Steely Dan magic, I wish I could hear all their songs for the first time again.

Timeless music! They were so far ahead of their time that music still hasn't caught up! 46 years ago and it sounds like they could have laid this down yesterday!

The people singing back up on this album include Mike McDonald, Luther Vandross, Shirley Mathews, Vanneta Fields, and Clydie King, Timothy B. Smith. Greatness on parade.

The lyric "die behind the wheel" is not to be taken literally...in fact most of Steely Dan lyrics are symbolic interpretations of overall theme. From my pov, Deacon Blues tells of a man finally following his passion. "Die behind the wheel" is about, at long last, taking control of his life and his music. He's willing to BE his truth and will live and die by his control. He's behind the wheel. Powerful, liberating stuff. Enjoy the Steely Dan journey.

Song can be summed up with the last line " This brother is free. I'll be what I want to be"

People will appreciate this album 100 years from now the same way we appreciate Bach and Beethoven

You can't forget the wonderful backup singers Steely Dan always has. They add so much texture and depth the music.

22 different musician,7 songs,11 million dollars,1977

This sax player is the great Pete Christlieb. (He's also on FM.). Christlieb has played with EVERYONE but is probably best known for playing lead tenor in Doc Severinsen's band on Carson's Tonight Show for decades.

One of the Greatest LPs Ever made. And I'm a Hard Rock fan.☕🌞😎

"I cried when I wrote this song...excuse me if I play too long"

I'm so happy I was a teen that grew up on Steely Dan. I credit them with helping me survive those years.

They had Bernard Purdie, Jeff Porcaro, Kiltner and 5 other drummers....Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs.....every badass musician who is now a household name....

The golden age of music…I mean real music, I am down with rap and hip hop, but a beat and urban angst can only get me so far…I need melody, harmony, orchestration and brilliant solos

When asked about the line, "They call Alabama the Crimson Tide, call me Deacon Blues," Donald Fagen told Rolling Stone magazine: "Walter and I had been working on that song at a house in Malibu. I played him that line, and he said, 'You mean it's like, 'They call these cracker a--holes this grandiose name like the Crimson Tide, and I'm this loser, so they call me this other grandiose name, Deacon Blues?' and I said 'Yeah!' He said, 'Cool, let's finish it.'"

My wife and I just saw Steely Dan (Donald sans Walter of course) back up the Eagles at the Forum in LA. Incredible sound, every song a known masterpiece and the level of musicianship was amazing. The Eagles were pretty good too 🙂

'I want a name when I lose'

This song is basically a description of the life of a Jazz musician.

Deacon Blues….it’s about a musician who made the decision to change his style of music. He’s going to learn the sax to transition into the sound he wants, the “expanding man.” Whatever it takes to bring his sound out there…”drink scotch whiskey, all night long.” Even if it takes “die behind the wheel” Going from club to club, drinking to much, selling his sound as much as it takes. “ Cover ever game in town.”

The song is an hommage to (Black) Jazz and Blues players. I bought this album in 1977 and picked up on that instantly. Knowing how much they loved Jazz, Blues and R&B. Having grown up on all three.

This is my favorite of all Steely Dan songs. Full of emotionally touching "mu major" chords. The pinnacle of their "gentleman loser" theme songs. "I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long."

The reason you "heard" Earth Wind & Flame is because both groups are pop, groove, jazz ensembles that wrote vocal parts like Ellington and Basie big band arrangements. This blending of genres was fully realized in the 70s when record companies were still owned by people that liked records...

I'm 65 year old musician...love you guys ....when I was your age peg was rocking on the radio!!.. Great era...makes my day watching you guys groove to this deep ass music!!!!!

Beautiful song yes. My fav, maybe. I see it as a song about (self) redemption. " I cried when I wrote this song, sue me if I play too long" it doesn't get much better than that.

I think it's a Greatest rock-blues song ever recorded. I love it.

Pete Christlieb on tenor sax. Christlieb also played on Steely Dan's "FM," the them and single from the movie of the same name. It's epic and worth checking out.

Becker and Fagan were such great writers, their songs had true meaning and I'm still listening to them today. BTW I'm 65 and grew up on them.

A friend chose this song to be played at his funeral. Not a dry eye in the church. Still makes me think of him.

You guys are gonna fall over backwards right out of your chairs when you listen to "FM", "Home At Last", "Haitian Divorce", and "Jack Of Speed".

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (Steely Dan), used a core group of musicians on the Aja LP, but mixed a few for the various tracks. They knew what they wanted from each musician for different songs and actually auditioned specific musicians for their music. In some cases it was the musician playing something that caught their ear. Production and musicianship always top notch. Stay on Steely! Love your takes and energy...

The Dan were consistently amazing. Far beyond most recording artists, before and since, they managed to meld rock, jazz, and pop, along with some weird kind of inexplicable, individual, flavor, that has managed to stand out regardless of the current accepted style.

“This brother is free, I’ll be what I want to be.” Probably one of the best lyrical lines ever. Definitely my favorite. This album is perfection. Check out the song FM next.

Nothing but exquisite musicianship with Steely Dan. Every album is so solid. Picking one as your favorite is no easy task. For me, Royal Scam is it. Great guitar work is featured on every Steely Dan song, but Royal Scam has guitar work in spades.

Steely Dan creeps up and amazes you. Phenomenal band

One of my greatest regrets, not seeing them WHOLE when they had their residency Las Vegas. It must be strange to see Steely Dan now with the half of the legends gone.

Masters of their craft, good enough ain't an option, perfection is the standard.

It doesn't matter which path you're following - if you're into jazz and trying to learn... you *will* eventually find yourself deep into Steely Dan.

Being from Alabama and a big Crimson Tide fan, this song was huge back in the day. I think I was 17 when Aja dropped.

One of the most bitter sweet songs in the modern canon

I've been on my Steely journey forty years now. Incredible vocals and instrumental arrangement, off the charts. I've heard the transformation of many Heart and Soul Groups. Steely Dan is Tops

I heard Steely Dan twice in concert before Walter Becker passed away. I was amazed by the band's level of musicianship and the fresh takes they could give these intricate songs live.

Steely Dan actually consists of only two guys,Walter Becker (NY) and Donald Fagen (NJ) who met in college. Fagen does most of the lead singing on the album. For this particular album the two men hired 40+ leading session musicians to play on different songs on the album, that's why you hear different instruments being introduced throughout the album. The Aja album won a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Recording-Non Classical in 1978. It also received a nomination for Album Of the Year, but lost. The name Steely Dan was named after a strap-on, the guys had a sense of humor.

You had me at Steely Dan ❤🔥😎

Steely Dan was my favorite band when I was a teen in the 80s. My friends thought I was a weirdo because Steely Dan was out of style, aside from a few hit songs played on "classic rock" stations. But with time, people have come around to appreciating Steely Dan's greatness musically and lyrically.

You guys are the best reactors on KZfaq I have been watching many for years! You feel the music like it’s supposed to be felt! Much respect!❤

If there could be anything close to being a favourite Steely song this would be it. 'I cried when I wrote this song'. You could cry at the beauty of it. On to Peg and Josie and Home at Last..

The Aja album has always been on my Desert Island list . Always. Sheer perfection

AJA is a masterpiece of sound , imagery and feelings ... you hear the pain , the regret and the don't give a fuck attitude ... they will win on their schedule and party while doing it BIG TIME !!

Every track has different musicians. All are the best session players in the world.

Sax player (Pete Christlieb) also played on Quincy Jones’ Q’s Jook Joint. If you know, you know. 💜💜💜

Best weekend morning groove, ever....

Love me some Steely Dan from the time I was a teenager in the 70's! 🔥🔥🔥

Steely Dan were perfectionist. These albums were recorded and mixed to perfection. For a musician to be selected for a Steely Dan album was a huge compliment. They always had the best horn players and percussionist in the business.

Great reaction. One of my favs You got “Josie” coming up. Looking forward to it.

The sax at the end they got from Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. Just for that certain sound. He came over and knocked it out in 30 min.

You take me back to 1977 in my room with my headphones on and hearing this for the first time. Great band!!!!

They say "This is your favorite bands favorite band"

Can't pull myself away from your channel. So many great songs you guys have reviewed. I thank God for patience. Without it, one can't hear music such as this. One of you said that you hear every aspect of this song. That's patience. Maturity. Like a movie that doesn't have a lot of action, but every line spoken means something. Every LOOK means something. And every movement. You are engrossed in the movie because it is telling a story -- not because guns and bombs are going off. Nor because a lot of T & A are flashing across the screen. No. The story has it's hooks in you, and you have to continue watching. A la Steely Dan, and other great bands -- because you are patient, the story the music is telling you isn't fast or slow -- it is simply marvelous. It is good. You hear what the music is telling you. And you want more. Aja has a few songs that are lengthy and mellow, yet masterful and full of groove, funk and all-around hypnotic melody . Peg and Josie got this youngster skipping around as a teen, acting like he could dance. I couldn't be still when listening to these 2 pulse raisers , so dancer or not, I was all over my bedroom floor, movin' to the groovin' . No doubt Steely Dan is right up there with The Beatles and other classic rock icons. By classic rock, I mean all of the music that came out around the 70's -- from the late 60's to the early 80's. Of course great music is in every generation. Come on, man -- Big Band music; B. B. King and all of the Blues Brothers from way back [ not Belushi or Aykroyd ]; Traditional Country; the Crooners Crosby and Torme; Disco; the Hair Bands; Grunge ... you all know where I am coming from. But the 70's had something special, man. This is undeniable. And Steely Dan is a major cog in the Musical Wheel of the 70's.

The tenor sax solo was by Pete Christleib who was the lead tenor player on the Tonight Show band for years. Truly a memorable solo that’s stood the test of time

got this cassette in 78, drove my MG drop down late night side one, turned around side 2 many a lonely ride , saved my life, thanks for reacting , welcome to the SD rabbit hole

Awesome reaction guys. Steely Dan is music perfection - Deacon Blues is a great example of how everything just comes together.

I had this 8 track in my senior year. Went to Florida on my senior trip with friends and sang this one all the way from Louisiana to Ft. Walton Beach!! Loved Steely Dan!❤❤❤❤

Love them! I’m an old lady and remember when they (Steely Dan)1st came out. I think the 1st album of theirs I bought was Pretzel Logic. My fav’s of their music are: FM, My Old School, Time Out Of Mind. Great 70’s Band that has stood the test of time!❤️❤️❤️

I remember this from years ago ,down at the river sandbar with friends ,stoned , with a few drinks great car sound ---- didn't realise at the time , but that was heaven

These songs make me cry. too many memories...growing up with the ZEP and the DAN. timeless music. Love you guys.. your both cool dudes!

The Scottish band, Deacon Blue were so impressed and blown away by this song, they used it as their name. Homage and respect. Nuff said.

This song is about a guy who's probably middle aged and in an unsatisfying job, who wants to live the wild life for a change. To do all the fun things he's never done. An amazing, hard hitting song! Fantastic reaction! Thanks!

Yes! Don't Take Me Alive! If I could only listen to just ONE artist's/band's music for the rest of my life, it would be Steely Dan. And I was raised in the '60-'70's, I am a LOVER of ALL genres, so that's saying a lot.

Steely Dan, Chicago, and Earth Wind and Fire all go hand in hand with for classics back in the day. Y'all should check out the live concert video of EWF and Chicago together on stage. Awesome performance ❣️

My youngest brother's favorite song. He didn't die behind the wheel like even he thought he would...instead it was on a helicopter ride to a bigger hospital after the ER punctured his alcoholic liver and couldn't stop the bleeding. He always said "call me deacon blues"!

This is a song about aging and the freedom you gain when you quit the race. You finally say screw it, learn the saxophone and play just what you choose; when you sense you have finally reached cruising altitude, there is no higher to be had and you can see the inevitability of the coming descent. The Crimson tide is looking ahead to so many more wins, Deacon Blues is getting comfortable with the coming losses;)

Many nights partying and playing pool listening to steele Dan. Great times and great music

Every time I listen to SD I get put in a good vibe and get lost in it. You guys are my favorite SD reactors, so much insight and deep observations but still groove to it.

I dig that you're exploring the entire album and I hope you continue with more of their albums, this is the kind of music that sticks with you for life. As a new, small reaction channel, you're lucky, and getting spoiled with great music right out of the gate as the 70's were the golden age of music. Here's one I'd like to introduce you gentlemen to, as a matter of fact, I'm going to go listen to it again. ZZ Top - Cheap Sunglasses. (1979)

My favorite Steely Dan album !!!! 😘😘😘 Different musicians on the songs !!!

Hey guys Just subscribed to your channel and I am really enjoying your reactions. Steely Dan records are dripping with quality. That is evident in their writing as well as their choice of musicians. The arrangements, production and the way it is recorded are all at the highest level. I'm 72 now and a life-long musician myself so I know of whence I speak. If you ever want to have a conversation with an old-school musician please let me know. Keep on reacting to all this great music, you won't be disappointed.

Love your reactions to Steely Dan, fellas! I'm 57 and my older sister put me on to SD when I was a kid. Keep up the great work!

This album reminds me of my childhood. My dad would play his Steely Dan records LOUD in the house.

Steely Dan’s AJA, was the first album that I ever bought. I played it so much, I wore it out. Watching you gentlemen listen to the album & reacting to it, is like hearing it for the first time myself.

I've been listening to this since it first came out. Never gets tired or dated. Superb music.

Y’all are spot on! Steely Dan is musical perfection. Jazz/rock/funk fusion. Becker and Fagan truly were “perfectionists”. I’ve been a fan since the early 70’s, love them.

I saw Steely Dan in Mt. Pleasant MI in 1975(?). Best concert I ever saw. They did three encores and later showed up at the local 24/7 pancake joint on Monument Blvd. I was so pissed I missed them.

Earth, Wind and Fire, no greater compliment ❤

Steely Dan was famous for switching musicians, according to the Album they were producing at the time. Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of The Doobie Brothers was on a couple of their albums, and then they'd invite guys like Michael McDonald to play keyboards and sing. These guys were great. The two constants were the founders of the Band, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. So much Funk.

Classic album every song

On "Deacon Bluse" Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour - guitar, Dean Parks - acoustic guitar, Pete Christlieb - tenor saxophone and Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - drums were added to the lineup. It was very common for Steely Dan to use different studio musicians on different tracks on the same album.

This song always makes my hair stand up. One of my alltime favorite songs.

I’m a metal head and this song is perfection. The production is incredible and the lyrics are impeccable. It’s perfect.

Home at Last, I Got the News, Josie are the remaining 3 songs on Aja. All classics. that's right, every song on the album is a classic.

I remember reading that they used different musicians from one track to the next. They were very specific about what sound they were looking for in each track and tailored the band to each set. Geniuses pure and simple. I grew up listening to these guys, but my mature self appreciates them so much more today.

As others have said, Pete Christlieb on tenor saxophone there. Pete was a longtime player in the Tonight Show band on Johnny Carson.

so beautiful, so precise and totally full of space. Fantastic song from one of the greatest albums of all time...thank you for your reaction guys.

When you're finished with the Dan you should do EW&F. It's no coincidence that both those amazing groups were at their creative & commercial peak at the same time. A great period for so many types of music.

Hi guys I just subscribed today I live Steely Dan,the Dobbie Brothers, Michael McDonald plus so much more from the 60’s,70’s,80’s I’m 73 and still playing all this great music. I was very fortunate growing up during all this fantastic music.

Ya'll need to do Babylon Sisters.

LOVE the Earth, Wind and Fire vibe I get it you right, well, that's the way of the world....

My darlings, this is fusion. Mostly jazz/rock. Masterclass stuff! Great reaction but these guys were pretty nerdy... Not druggies. Don't know why everyone goes there. This is AJA!

Back in the 70s new stereos were tested with Steely Dan albums. Great production value for the times.

4:37 -actually each track on the record has a specific roster of players, there might be a few that play on more than one track, but usually they would select specific players for specific parts on specific songs. I know the drummer here is Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie, who also plays on the track 'Home At Last', from the same record.

All good on Aja. It's great to see you guys feel the depth and the impossible-to- categorize originality of SD. You will probably lose your minds in the last tracks of Aja. I am looking forward to your take on their Royal Scam album, which came just before Aja. I love the Beatles too, but there's a shake up on the horizon of your tomorrows. Enjoy the ride.