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Rating: For this record, it's worth relaxing and listening... This is a band that emerges, like a black-and-white dream, from the 1970s. A band that loved to "endlessly refine" their songs in the studio, chiseling and polishing them like precious gems. It is said that the guitarist Mark Knopfler did a good twenty sessions as a session musician before delivering a satisfactory version for the Dan.
The refined and ever-evolving music of Fagen (vocals and keyboards) and Becker (bass) takes inspiration from jazz, blues, rock, and R&B to create a unique blend of originality and, even more so, enjoyment. Their sound is crystal clear, clean, polished to a shine. We never hear a note out of place, an extra instrument, or excessive singing. Their CDs just need to be placed in the player, and then we just settle into a chair to sip a cool drink under a veranda on a scorching summer afternoon. Or alternatively, huddled in the leather seat of a Mustang along Fifth Avenue in New York, with a blonde by your side, as the cold rain ticks on the windshield. In case it's not yet clear, the music of Steely Dan is of the highest class, it's like a dry sparkling wine where you can count all the bubbles of the perlage as they rise to the surface.
It's not fair to mention one song from this album over another. The quality of the compositions is extremely high and is undoubtedly considered the band's masterpiece. I remember the sinuous and haughty "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" with fusion sounds and an engaging piano riff. Then the funky "Night By Night" with an extraordinary guitar background by Jeff Baxter. And again "East St. Louis Toodle-oo", a sweet reinterpretation of a Duke Ellington classic, old jazz with sepia-toned imagery. The title track "Pretzel Logic", an elegant, refined nocturnal blues. In this track, one feels the immense art of the group.
Their modernity and versatility are still powerful. Even today, listening to them, their compositions do not resemble those old women who beautify themselves to seem more beautiful and young. They are, simply, of ethereal grace.
Great. "You go back - Jack - do it again"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Rikki Don't Lose That Number (04:08)
We hear you're leaving, that's okay
I thought our little wild time had just begun
I guess you kind of scared yourself, you turn and run
But if you have a change of heart
Rikki, don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki, don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home
I have a friend in town, he's heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games, I don't know
And you could have a change of heart
Rikki, don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki, don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home
You tell yourself you're not my kind
But you don't even know your mind
And you could have a change of heart
Rikki, don't lose that number
You don't wanna call nobody else
Send it off in a letter to yourself
Rikki, don't lose that number
It's the only one you own
You might use it if you feel better
When you get home
Rikki, don't lose that number
(Rikki, don't lose that number)
Rikki, don't lose that number
02 Night by Night (03:40)
It's a beggars life, said the Queen of Spain
But don't tell it to a poor man
'Cause he's got to kill for every thrill
The best he can
Everywhere around me
I see jealousy and mayhem
Because no men have all their peace of mind
To carry them
Well I don't really care
If it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in
I'll live night by night
When the joker tried to tell me
I could cut it in this rube town
When he tried to hang that sign on me
I said Take it down
When the dawn patrol got to tell you twice
They're gonna do it with a shotgun
Yes, I'm cashing in this ten-cent life
For another one
Well I ain't got the heart
To lose another fight
So until my ship comes in
I'll live night by night
Well I don't really care
If it's wrong or if it's right
But until my ship comes in
I'll live night by night
03 Any Major Dude Will Tell You (03:08)
I never seen you looking so bad
My funky one
You tell me that your superfine mind
Has come undone
Any major dude with half a heart
Surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart
Falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you
Have you ever seen a squonk's tears?
Well, look at mine
The people on the street
Have all seen better times
Any major dude with half a heart
Surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart
Falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you
I can tell you all I know
The where to go, the what to do
You can try to run
But you can't hide
From what's inside of you
Any major dude with half a heart
Surely will tell you my friend
Any minor world that breaks apart
Falls together again
When the demon is at your door
In the morning it won't be there no more
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you
Any major dude will tell you
04 Barrytown (03:22)
I'm not one to look behind
I know that times must change
But over there in Barrytown
They do things very strange
And though you're not my enemy
I like things like they used to be
And though you'd like some company
I'm standing by myself
Go play with someone else
I can see by what you carry
That you come from Barrytown
Don't believe I'm taken in
By stories I have heard
I just read the Daily News
And swear by every word
And don't think that I'm out of line
For speaking out for what is mine
I'd like to see you do just fine
But look at what you wear
And the way you cut your hair
I can see by what you carry
That you come from Barrytown
In the beginning we recall
That the word was hurled
Barrytown people got to be
From another world
Leave me or I'll be just like
The others you will meet
They won't act as kindly
If they see you on the street
And don't you scream or make a shout
There's nothing you can do about
It was there where you came out
It's a special lack of grace
I can see it in your face
I can see by what you carry
That you come from Barrytown
07 Through With Buzz (01:34)
He takes all my money
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes I'm through with Buzz,
All right, oh yeah, uh huh
He's not very funny
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes I'm through with Buzz,
All right, oh yeah, uh huh
I remember when he stole my girl
Drug her all around the world
You know I'm cool, yes I feel alright
'Cept when I'm in my room and it's late at night
Maybe he's a fairy
You know I'm through with Buzz
Yes I'm through with Buzz
All right, oh yeah, uh huh, all right
08 Pretzel Logic (04:32)
I would love to tour the Southland
In a travelling minstrel show
Yes I'd love to tour the Southland
In a traveling minstrel show
Yes I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
I stepped up on the platform
The man gave me the news
He said, You must be joking son
Where did you get those shoes?
Where did you get those shoes?
Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
These things are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
09 With a Gun (02:18)
I could be wrong but I have seen your face before
You were the man that I saw running from his door
You owed him money but you gave him something more
With a gun
With a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain?
You were the founders of the clinic on the hill
Until he caught you with your fingers in the till
He slapped your hand so you settled up your bill
With a gun
With a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain?
When you're born to play the fool
And you've seen all the western movies
Woe to the one who does you wrong
You hide in the bushes
Murder the man
With Luger in hand
I understood that you will soon be leavin' town
Don't try to call me when they finally run you down
Just give fair warning any time you come around
With a gun
With a gun
You will be what you are just the same
Did you pay the other man with the piece in your hand
And leave him lying in the rain?
10 Charlie Freak (02:45)
Charlie Freak had but one thing to call his own
Three weight ounce pure golden ring no precious stone
Five nights without a bite
No place to lay his head
And if nobody takes him in
He'll soon be dead
On the street he spied my face I heard him hail
In our plot of frozen space he told his tale
Poor man, he showed his hand
So righteous was his need
And me so wise I bought his prize
For chicken feed
Newfound cash soon begs to smash a state of mind
Close inspection fast revealed his favorite kind
Poor kid, he overdid
Embraced the spreading haze
And while he sighed his body died
In fifteen ways
When I heard I grabbed a cab to where he lay
'Round his arm the plastic tag read D.O.A.
Yes Jack, I gave it back
The ring I could not own
Now come my friend I'll take your hand
And lead you home
11 Monkey in Your Soul (02:33)
I got one and you want four
It's so hard to help you
I can't keep up with you no more
And you treat me like it's a sin
But you can't lock me in
You want me here with you right to the end
No thank you my friend
I fear the monkey in your soul
Won't you turn that bebop down
I can't hear my heart beat
Where's that fatback chord I found?
Honey don't you think it was wrong
To interrupt my song?
I'll pack my things and run so far from here
Goodbye dear
I fear the monkey in your soul
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