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It's the music, stupid. With a case of dynamite, we can hold out here all nightListening. Listen to the decending chords of "Caves Of Altamira," the popisqe break on "Sign In Stranger." This could have been from an Olivia Newton John or Carly Simon song of the 70s, but in its latin funk context, it is miles, miles way, safe and snug on FM and progressive ground.I'll go you one better: Listen to "Don't Take Me Alive." It is a blues, but with pop gloss, hard, but familier. Not many bands can twist song forms like DNA to make a new--and perfect- beast, and that is why there is Steely Dan, the Beatles, Hendrix, Coltrane, Miles Davis, and then all the rest.So why bother to figure it out.
Actually, in a way, we are talking about two different animal Dan's. Well, for a guy like me, with Jazz and Progessive leanings, the blue ribbon would go to Aja. Royal Scam is the best of the pre-Aja work. Oh yeah. It is really either pop disguised as jazz or vice versa, except that you learn hearing Royal Scam, like all the dou's albums, that they understand what the best writters, players, and listenters do--the labals don't matter. It feels like home, but is laced with danger and risk. I came to talk about Royal Scam's music.
Royal Scam is about the songs, containted pop pieces. It is all and none and more and what difference does it make. Of course, pop with these guys is like saying the Beatles were kind of big, or Muddy Waters made some blues 78s. But I'll tell you, the more I hear Royal Scam, the more fierce the competiton.
Aja is a masterpiece of jazz and of pop framed as progressive rock. Steely makes pop a loaded term. Well. But, if your so inclined, we can sit and try.
When everything is so good, how do you pick a favorate. It is what Steely Dan were best at up to Aja. It is a funky, jazz, framed in small songs, but there is nothing small about what is inside the packages.
Probably the best album ever made by Steely Dan.These guys were perfectionists, there is not a sour note on the cd.The Royal Scam
I enjoyed this cd very much.Steely Dan demonstrates their jazzy chops, and the musicians are very tight.I recommend this cd who appreciates what real musicianship sounds like.
This album is over 30 years old but remains one of the greatest jazz-rock albums ever made. If for no other reason buy it for Larry Carlton's too good to be true guitar work.
I can listen from start to finish. I actually like this album better then Aja. By this time the bands sound had definitely changed from the early 70's sound of Can't Buy a Trill & Countdown. the drums and bass are really fat but clean and clear and the vocals are a thing of beauty,perfectly sung and blended and expertly recorded and mixed. I have to say that this album is fast becoming my favorite.
If your new to Steely Dan this wouldnt be a bad place to start cause the whole album jams with intensity. I would say that Becker & Fagen where feeling the influence of funk and disco into their rock sounding stuff, check out "The Fez" my favorite tune and probably the funkiest groove on the album. I own all of Steely Dan's quote classic albums and in my opinion The Royal Scam has it all. I recently bought The Royal Scam along with two other dan favs Katy Lied and Pretzel Logic. All the tunes are perfect creations melding rock guitars jazzy keys and horns with phat R&B and funk grooves.
Also the remastered version sounds awesome.
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