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Rating:
THE REVIEW
Here it is, the absolute best album by Steely Dan! Sparing you the description of the group already given in "Can't Buy A Thrill," I will only preface by saying that this time the indestructible duo Fagen (vocals and piano) and Becker (bass and guitar) enlisted an incredible number of session musicians (7 between sax and flute, 5 additional guitarists, and so on) to create the most ambitious album of their career.
We put on the cd/vinyl and the wonderful, quirky "Black Cow" opens up, sharing with many other compositions of the duo its sarcastic lyrics. As for the title-track, I don't think I have the right to speak. Who am I to do so in front of such a work? The perfect fusion of the music we've always loved, Jazz, Rock, Pop...
Up on the hill
They think I'm okay
or so they say...
Chinese music always set me free
Angular banjoes
sounds good to me
AJA
When all my time dancin' in through
I run to you
Next come what I consider the two (nice) fillers: "Home at Last" and "I Got The News," which nonetheless add points to the album elevated to a masterpiece after the first three tracks.
Then "Josie," with its funky and lively rhythm, beautifully closes the album.
We are in '77, the sad year of the first punk wave, but this Aja, marvelously anachronistic, became a USA platinum record. And I am sure that the big black cow was also friendly.
A curiosity: in my CD (the 1999 remastered edition) it says "STELLY DAN." Might it be worth a fortune?
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Summary by Bot
This review praises Steely Dan's Aja as their finest album, highlighting the ambitious use of numerous session musicians. It commends standout tracks like 'Black Cow,' 'Aja,' and 'Deacon Blues' for their fusion of jazz, rock, and pop. Despite the rise of punk in 1977, the album achieved platinum status and remains a timeless classic.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Steely Dan
Steely Dan was an American band founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, known for meticulous studio craft, sophisticated songwriting and a jazz-influenced blend of rock and pop.11 Reviews
Other reviews
By alcol2
"Aja is a gift of elegance to posterity, a monumental work for its formal completeness and artistic maturity."
"Peg and Deacon Blues are unparalleled examples of crossover, while Steve Gadd's drum solo on the title track is immortal."
