When preparing my BYOBOs, I start with the list of songs first (the fun part) and then I write this cursory introductory part. I usually think that I should add a bit of history or a biography of the artist or something to make things more interesting. Ultimately though, I figure that if people are familiar enough with the band to be interested in the list, they don’t need my background factoids – and there is so much information available elsewhere that I feel I’m just reinventing the wheel.
But this week I was determined to write something interesting so I went to the official Steely Dan website to do some fact gathering. Lo and behold, it’s chock full of history, a timeline, lyrics, and even an open letter to Luke Wilson. I also snagged the very cool photo from there since I couldn’t find anything on wikimedia.
I then decided that it’s actually way more informative than anything I could write here, and it’s straight from the source. So go there, read it, laugh a lot, and then come back here for the list.
Oh yeah – the list. Once again inspired by Nat at Mini-Obs, the idea is the same as always:
Pick one of your favorite bands / artists and list 10-15 songs by that band / artist to compile your own best of compilation.
So here goes – The Best of Steely Dan as compiled by me:
- Aja – Aja
- Any Major Dude Will Tell You – Pretzel Logic
- Any World (That I’m Welcome To) – Katy Lied
- Bad Sneakers – Katy Lied
- Bodhisattva – Countdown To Ecstasy
- The Caves of Altimara – The Royal Scam
- Deacon Blues – Aja
- Haitian Divorce – The Royal Scam
- Home At Last – Aja
- My Old School – Countdown To Ecstasy
- Pretzel Logic – Pretzel Logic
- The Royal Scam – The Royal Scam
- Sign In Stranger – The Royal Scam
- Time Out Of Mind – Gaucho
I really love Steely Dan so this was one of the more enjoyable lists to compile. Great songs, and the musicianship is always top notch – especially the tasty guitar work of Larry Carlton.
You may notice I am one song short of the 15 allowed and that is because I couldn’t choose among the 10 or so possibles I had left over – stuff like Black Cow, Dirty Work, FM, Barrytown, Green Earrings, Kid Charlemagne – any of which are certainly worthy. Ultimately, I figured I would just leave the open slot to represent the rest of the great songs that didn’t quite make the cut.
Enjoy!
SB
Dirty Work for sure! My Old School might be my fave, not sure. I never liked Ricki all that much or Hey 19, but I must admit that I love Do It Again.
Today I’m revisiting an old friend…my Favorite Words series. The inspiration to write about today’s word came from my Sweetie, Scott’s recent post titled, Build Your Own Best Of – Steely Dan. His post is part of his series where he compiles a list of
I’m not a Rikki fan, either, but the rest are CLASSIC! I should drag out my Dan box and have at it this weekend while I’m recovering!
Dan makes me feel happy all over.
My hubby makes fun of ANy Major Dude, but that is just one of my favorites, so he can keep his opinion!
So we all seem to be in agreement about Rikki – not a bad song just not in the same league as the others.
You nailed it with the happy Nat – I had a blast listening to the tunes for this one. Can’t really put it into words but I know exactly what you mean.
SB
I’d find it hard to listen to any of these songs out of context. Couldn’t listen to My Old School without wanting to hear Show Biz Kids, Or Dirty Work without Fire in the Hole. And what about the re-union works, Last Mall, Two Against Nature. So many come-backs fail because the artist tries to recapture the success of the past, yet Becker and Fagen just jumped straight back in there with great songs in a freash mould that stand up to any of their earlier successes. Cousin Dupree is a great song, as is Slang of Ages (the only one with Becker on lead vocal and it’s brilliant). Best of’s should be a great introduction for a newcomer to an artist, and your list works well on that score. But me, It’s all best and I want to hear them all.
You bring up an excellent point about the songs in context. While none of their albums are concept albums really, they are all typically very cohesive works that stand alone very well.
You also caught me with the latest works (again…) – I just don’t have them so wasn’t able to honestly include anything. I’ll get to them eventually though..
SB
Do I get credit because I actually recognize “Steely Dan” even though I don’t recognize the names of any of those songs? No. Okay. I will say that the RTR’s English teacher has given him an assignment to research a genre of music (ROCK) and choose four bands from that genre, from different eras, write a paper, feature art (could be album art…)that depicts the genre, and a song that says it all. Of course, he’s motivated, and on the guitar front, he’s coming along. The lessons are going well, he downloads sheet music from the web, watches videos and practices. What a concept, huh? Thanks again, Scott! So when he’s famous, I’ll say it all started when…
You bet Kelly – and I’m guessing you would know at least a few of these if you heard them playing.
What a great assignment from an English teacher – do you know which bands he is writing about?
Great news about the guitar. Yesterday, I went with my nephew to pick out a guitar for him – it was great fun and he seemed really happy with his selection. I’ll have more details in a post soon – hopefully today.
SB
Okay, don’t hate me for going all commercial radio on you, but. Reeling in the Years just for that top-down, drive down the highway at eighty guitar ride. Yes, we’ve heard it a katrillion times, but katrillion and one and I’m not punching the button. Unless they turn it into a juice commercial. Another personal fave, Turn That Heartbeat Over Again. Oh and definitely Fire In The Hole.
Great choices Elle. For some reason I tend to diminish the quality of that first album and I really should get past that. It’s all good.
SB
Those could be the two ugliest men in music. Success and age hasn’t helped.