Nice start, Thomas, on the duo's debut! I loved the album then, and even in retrospect, I can appreciate the AM-ready accessibility the songs have! It's what you'd expect from former ABC Records staff songwriters!
About a year ago, I wrote an exhaustive (and enlightening) article covering what I called the Becker/Fagen Songwriting Origin Story, covering how they got their performing start, some of their little-known earliest music, who "pushed them" into recording their own material (and why), and how on earth Barbra Streisand became one of the first to cover one of their songs in 1971!
A few days late on this post. In terms of Dan songs w/ pretty straightforward lyrics, I’d also propose ‘Pearl Of The Quarter’ and ‘Black Cow’ as possible candidates
Those are all great songs. I appreciate starting with some of their earlier tracks, but if you're talking about an overall top-5, I would argue that "Deacon Blues" should be there. It's one of their iconic songs and has so many good lines.
Edit: I'm an idiot; immediately after posting that I realized that this wasn't the overall top-5, but just the starting 5.
My Steely Dan favorites: Reeling in the Years, Do it Again, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number Peg, Deacon Blues, Dirty Work, Time Out of Mind. Most of these were hits but they are SO GOOD!
Love Steely Dan. My first introduction was in the first season of Nip/Tuck with the song “Peg”. I bought Aja after that and expanded to other albums. Every few years I give them a spin. Might be that time again.
I don't know why but I feel like Steely Dan just does not get enough love. Looking forward to seeing your next 5 picks. They're all good, but Any Major Dude is my pick of these 5.
Any guy who likes Steely Dan as much as I do is allll riiiight...
Nice start, Thomas, on the duo's debut! I loved the album then, and even in retrospect, I can appreciate the AM-ready accessibility the songs have! It's what you'd expect from former ABC Records staff songwriters!
About a year ago, I wrote an exhaustive (and enlightening) article covering what I called the Becker/Fagen Songwriting Origin Story, covering how they got their performing start, some of their little-known earliest music, who "pushed them" into recording their own material (and why), and how on earth Barbra Streisand became one of the first to cover one of their songs in 1971!
Anyway, in case you missed it, it's here: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/audio-archaeology-1971-barbra-streisand
Don't be thrown by the title in the link. I changed the title after publishing!
BTW, I loved Wilco's arrangement of "Any Major Dude"! Thanks again, Thomas.....looking forward to the next!
Midnite Cruiser! oh man, that's one that never gets enough love.
A few days late on this post. In terms of Dan songs w/ pretty straightforward lyrics, I’d also propose ‘Pearl Of The Quarter’ and ‘Black Cow’ as possible candidates
Those are all great songs. I appreciate starting with some of their earlier tracks, but if you're talking about an overall top-5, I would argue that "Deacon Blues" should be there. It's one of their iconic songs and has so many good lines.
Edit: I'm an idiot; immediately after posting that I realized that this wasn't the overall top-5, but just the starting 5.
My Steely Dan favorites: Reeling in the Years, Do it Again, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number Peg, Deacon Blues, Dirty Work, Time Out of Mind. Most of these were hits but they are SO GOOD!
William and Mary won’t do…
Love Steely Dan. My first introduction was in the first season of Nip/Tuck with the song “Peg”. I bought Aja after that and expanded to other albums. Every few years I give them a spin. Might be that time again.
For us, it's Steely Dan at campfires. That AM radio vibe takes us back in time. Kids may roll their eyes [ no Swifties at the campfire :) ].
I don't know why but I feel like Steely Dan just does not get enough love. Looking forward to seeing your next 5 picks. They're all good, but Any Major Dude is my pick of these 5.