The caves are located in the town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Spain. The paintings are believed to be 36,000 years old. "Can it be this sad design Could be the very same A wooly man without a face And a beast without a name" Steely Dan often comments on the "human condition", the dark side of human nature that persists through the centuries. Another masterpiece. You guys are great.

Then comes the next song, and Larry Carlton will begin by tearing your ears off. This is such a Uniquely Perfect Album. Perfect Production Never Gets Old

Indeed Aja is in trouble. Although Aja is considered their "pièce de résistance" (and rightfully so) IMHO The Royal Scam is their finest album. Whereas Aja is very refined and produced exquisitely, the Scam is Steely Dan at their funkiest, grittiest and just outright baddest. Every song is an absolute banger, and with Purdie and Rainey laying down the nastiest grooves on every song, I don't know how you get any better.

I’ve been stuck in a Steely Dan rabbit hole currently for 6 months. Their catalog is so vast and all of it excellent so it’s hard to climb out once you fall in 😂

Who but Steely Dan can write a jazzy, funky, thought provoking song about our predecessors' writings on cave walls? No one.

Can you imagine sitting in a studio watching these cats layin these tracks down.

They have been dubbed, "your favorite musician's favorite musicians".

I'm almost 70 now, so I was fortunate enough to be around when all these Steely Dan albums hit the record stores. I had all of them on vinyl way back then. It makes me smile to see younger folks discovering all the music that got me thru long road trips and what would have been boring times. I have so many suggestions that it's tough to know where to start. So, check out Dire Straits performing Sultans of Swing, Alchemy Live and I promise to add more later. Great reactions.

John Klemmer saxophone solo with his signature "Echoplex" sound !

The song is about a kid exploring a cave.....this is the genius of Fagen and Becker

This album never gets enough credit or play time (JMHO )...They are at their best here ! Peace and Love

When you get to it, you should listen to Donald Fagen's solo album, "The Nightfly." I think it rivals any of the Steely Dan albums in quality and certainly diversity of genre. The man was on fire!

With all the incredible musicianship on their tracks, the understated bass lines often get overlooked

probably my fav steely dan song. so gosh darn good.

Steely Dan is changing your lives..... LOL

I really appreciate your reaction especially regarding Donald Fagan's vocals. He had extreme stage fright early in the formation of the Dan. His vocals are so unique that not many ever comment on his vocals. He has, for lack of a better description, a story tellers voice. He certainly does not have the range of many other vocalists... but he makes up for it in other ways. Of course I'm certain that he and Walter write music that suits his vocal stylings. Everything they do.... they do with a purpose.

Aja is their smooth masterpiece; The Royal Scam is their hard masterpiece. No need to choose - two masterpieces.

one of my favorite Dan songs. Love the instrumental horns at the end to close out the song

I warned you guys that R Scam was going to give you a little grittier funkier feel. My fav album. Did you guys exchange Royal Scam vinyl for Christmas yet? I can see it moving up the charts quickly. Song is about cave art/hieroglyphics found in Europe and commonality with an introvert kid who stumbles upon them. I'm looking forward to your upcoming adventures involving two-timing roller skaters, earring thievery, trips to Haiti and more! So good. Enjoy.

Taking this ride with you two is a blast! I'm an old fucker and these are the songs of my youth, and you've barely gotten started! Keep going because I'm in it for the long haul! lol

It's really great to see how soon you "get" the music of Steely Dan. There is no comparison. That's a bold statement but oh how I've tried to find a band that speaks to me like the SD.

And Royal Scam might be in trouble when you hear, ""Katy Lied, "Pretzel Logic", and" Can't Buy a Thrill", and they all might be in trouble when you hear, "Countdown To Ecstasy".

The enigmatic and great John Klemmer on tenor sax. He had very unique albums in the 70’s. The Royal Scam is much grittier than Aja. “Green Earrings” is coming with that fabulous Purdie cymbal choke in the middle. Can’t wait for the rest of this superb album.

from a MASSIVE s dan fan and love lov lov aja.......THIS is their best album,,,awesome album

This is about the prehistoric drawings in the Spanish cave system. Before the fall when they wrote it on the wall when there wasn't even any Hollywood.

Once again, another true story from History written into poetry and put to really great music by Steely Dan...! This song was about a historic Cave-Drawings found in a cave in Spain. Look up the name Altamira for more info... "Royal Scam" the song is exactly what is shown on the front cover. The song tells about people coming to America from truly beautiful places with Big Dreams, bought into the LIE that is AMERICA...and ending up on the bad end of society.

This is about my favorite song from this album. Don's vocal melody and the Sax take the prize. Cheers! (Thank you cats for reacting to this one!)

I think this was underrated. Not as commercial but always a underrated favorite. Just brings all the smiles 😊💖

My favorite album The Royal Scam is a great one. I'm excited to see you react to every song. I love this song here, much like the rest of this album. Nice reaction fellas, let's keep it going! Let's ride! Oh, and this album was from 76, Aja was from 77.

Great song, superb album. I love it. However Gaucho, their last of the amazing 1972-80 is a very special album as well. I know you'll get to it one day. I saw your list of SD albums and Gaucho wasn't on it. Never forget it. For now enjoy this wonderful record. The song title track is as unique as the song Aja. Great stuff guys...

The sax solo is pure ecstacy.

'The Royal Scam' is probably their most groove oriented album, some great Jazz-Funk fusion. Lyrics are a fictionalized version of the story of the teenager who by accident discovered a cave in the mountains near the village of Altamira in Northern Spain. This cave is one place where the middle stone age hunter gatherer people lived during the last Ice Age, some 20,000 year ago. The Caves of Altamira are famous because they have all these great paintings of ancient animals that the cave men did on the walls. The lyrics talk about that.

Great show. This particular song just doesn't let up.

This song is absolutely amazing. The element of the horns background, it must be John klemmer playing and it sounds like he just improvised! Loved your reaction.

Had to watch this one twice. One of my favorite Steely Dan tunes. My man on the right was boppin so hard, his head was a blur lol. Wait until you hear Don’t Take Me Alive, Green Earrings, and The Fez.

Absolutely one of my favorite albums. Mr Carlton shines on this album. I’ll be honest steely Dan never did a bad album. Neither does Donald Fagen

The fade out is amazing

Brings a smile to my face when I see guys like you who've just found SD and now start down the rabbit hole. Enjoy the journey guys, you're in for a treat..

This song is about cave paintings in Spain.

It’s one of my fav songs by SD. As mentioned before it’s their take on the prehistoric cave drawings found in Spain. But Fagen questions did prehistoric man have inspiration, were they moved to give a artistic message. We’re they artistically inspired. “ … now I step into the sun..” “ … they heard the call and they wrote in the wall.. for you and me.. we understood” . Amazing topic and Amazing writing. BRILLIANT. Yes you have entered The Steely Dan Rabbitt Hole. Enjoy

There is a lot of Greatness in Steely Dan's music. This is artistry!

Steely Dan's jazzy tendencies and use of jazz session men in the studio helped accelerate the crossover appeal of jazz artists hitting the mainstream in the 70s. For example, the sax solo on this song was by John Klemmer, whose own jazz/crossover album, Barefoot Ballet, came out the same year. Both LPs spent a lot of time on my turntable. Same with Larry Carlton, whose work I knew from the Crusaders, as well as his killer solos on the Royal Scam. Why limit yourself to one genre when you do both so well?

You guys are DJ’s. You can’t stop the movement.

Yes, Royal Scam preceded Aja. From ‘72 through ‘77 there was a Steely Dan album every year: in order, Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, and Aja, and then we waited three years for Gaucho in 1980. If I were forced at gunpoint to choose only one, I would probably have to choose Countdown to Ecstasy…but I might just say, oh hell, go ahead and shoot me if I’d have to live without even one of the other six. You are in for a hell of a ride, and I can’t tell you how much I am vicariously enjoying the joy of your discovery.

Again this tune brings back amazing memories all I can say is Steely Dan always brings magic, moods, and moments,,,,,

This was the first song I ever heard by them (from their greatest hits album "Steely Dan Gold" ) and down I went that rabbit hole, never to come out again!

I'm 65. Had the great pleasure of seeing them in concert. Im glad i lived during the best era of music

I knew this one was gonna be good.

Those horns that crescendo in the beginning is such a baller sound

This was, I believe, the song I heard early on that got me hooked on the Dan. Every song is an adventure, an experience. Royal Scam is an oft-overlooked album, but it is a masterpiece. So glad to see you guys enjoying SD as much as I do. Your reactions are wonderful, I would like to see even more commentary from you - just a minute or two more to expand on your thoughts if you can. Keep up the great work!

Caught up in the groove, thanks to Mr. Purdie. This was before Aja, and you two really are picking up on what many of us Dan fans love, that great mix of jazz, funk and rock. Haha, Aja is in trouble!

Love your reactions: You two are studio heads, who know/appreciate excellence. You could do with a better camera (sure you already know that). I'm 50 years invested in Steely Dan and it's nice to have my own exquisite tastes reinforced by musos like you two fellows coming in cold and being wowed from the off.. Keep on; The Royal Scam is definitely up there scrapping for the 'Best' album. It's generally my own fave,

The horns on this track are awesome

You jus catchin up to that GREATNESS....of the 70's.....sooooooo after the fact Jack!

Just plain great music.

They never miss........... amazing.

These Steely reaction are gold KZfaq type shit

My fav album, one of most fav tunes, as a piano player! 🤘🤘🤘

You guys said it, they just don't miss.

This isn’t my favorite song of theirs lyrically, but the music is so great, it more than makes up for it! The rhythm section, the horn section, and that sax solo are all absolutely brilliant!

The marching band geek and jazz geek in me are geeking huge as this track is just amazing.

So ahead of their time!

When there wasn't even any Hollywood yo. Dig it.

You guys ROCK! Lovin’ your reactions❤

Envious you're experiencing this gem of an album for the first time. And you still have Gaucho waiting for you & the Dan's sneakiest masterpiece, Glamor Profession. Enjoy your journey guys. Big love from the UK

I love that you guys love this song!

Yeah, this song has a great groove. I hate to tell you, but it gets better with Green Earrings. IMHO, the best blend of rock and jazz influences in a song, EVER. Thank you for Caves!

this song is ridiculously fire 🔥 😔 cmon man..

Love this song. One of my all time Steely Dan favorites

Top 5 Steely

Hello my friends. I still have this album on vinyl. When I bought it back in the day, I listened to it all the way through, and I was stunned. A great album and some great discoveries to made listening to this. Keep on enjoying this great music!. Peace.

Great that you guys reacted to this. It's a deep cut that people often miss but the sound and the lyrics are both top-notch - great groove. & yes, Royal Scam was the album before Aja.

favorite DAn SONG

Sirs.. I’m enjoying your journey..Can you please comment on your dad listening to Steely Dan in the garage..

Steely Dan--- all Timeless music, so good it almost brings a tear to your eye!!

EACH ALBUM WILL BECOME YOUR FAVORITE.....THERE WERE SEVERAL ALBUMS OUT THERE BEFORE 'AJA' AND THE 'ROYAL SCAM'. MAN ARE YOU BROTHERS IN FOR A RIDE.

My head nods at half the tempo as you guys. Phrasing...

Cave paintings to "any man left on the Rio Grand is the king of the world"

I always loved the Royal Scam better than Aja, both are incredible but the best way to describe it is that The Scam is a more exciting album.

This groove will get inside your musical soul and not let go. 🎧🥁🎸🎷🎺 Still sounds great after all these years! Definitely enjoy watching your reactions to great music! You guys totally get it! 🎼🎹🎺🎷🎸

It's About Man's CallTo Be Creative And Expressive.

I have a T-shirt with the Royal scam album cover on the front. Yeah, it’s my favorite album of them all.

Yes, the Rabbit Hole is deep... some never escape.

🥰 Every Oct Steely Dan did Residency Shows at the Beacon in NYC when they played entire Albums. Last shows I saw were after Walter Becker passed & right before the Pandemic closed down the city. I would get a 3 Day package 😁 cause that was the only way to get a Greatest Hits Night ticket which always sold out first. My 3 nights were AJA, Royal Scam & Greatest Hits with any other nights being a bonus! Tickets we're expensive but 🤩 soooooo worth it! 🤔 Also why I never had $ for Halloween! 🤣 Thank goodness I knew folks otherwise I'd be stuck at home every Halloween cause I saw SD perform 3 or 4 shows a week the entire month of Oct and always attended the final day which was Oct 28, 29 or 30th. They never played on Halloween! 😒 Best believe I was "that broke bitch" every Halloween. 😂🐰

At 71 I have had the great privilege of living my life alongside the continuing evolution of Walter Becker and Donald Feagin In many ways, they have been the soundtrack of my life. It is gratifying that others younger find them also fascinating. Keep on.

Let’s just call it what it is…it slaps.

I highly recommend everything must go a steely Dan from 2003. Every song is the best steely Dan song you ever heard.. lol

Nice to see you guys enjoyed their Aja album and now you're getting into The Royal Scam album but l can't wait until you listen to their Gaucho album, it's one of my favorites, especially the first track on side one ( Babylon sister) can't wait 👍

I think you got it brother; Steely Dan just get you in that mood… the classiest rocking roll band …just pure class!🤘🏼😎

Caves of Altamira == those caves in Spain where prehistoric man "wrote it on the wall...for you and me to be understood..."

Right on, listening to complete albums lets you hear them as we did back in the day and I know you won't miss my favorites.

this album...I would play it many nights & fall asleep to it on the last track..it's in my DNA. ❤

One of my favs from the omnipotent Steely Dan.👊💯💙

I've really loved seeing your reaction and love for Steely Dan. Glad you love the band, I do too.

This js a deep cut fan favorite

Asia had everything good rhythm and blues Beautiful lyrics

Steely Dan always elevates my mood...

Those syncopated brass interludes are amazing!

Keep going guys....it gets better! Lotta great stuff on this LP........

DOPE!