Musical Genius (conveniently packaged)
Donald Fagen & Walter Becker (aka Steely Dan) are musical and lyrical geniuses. They have a rare, abundant talent and the fact that they teamed is an example of a rare moment in history that can be looked on in retrospect and produce only a great thank you to fate, God, Allah, whomever was responsible.
These guys laid the groundwork for a new sound of music that can only be described as jazz/blues/rock/r&b fusion; it's easier to just call the style Steely Dan. Genius, pure genius; a mix of jazz-infused bass lines and percussion, jazz, rock and blues guitar and piano, and vocals that span the gamut of musical stylings but always supported by solid R&B background vocals. That's just the music.
Lyrically, these guys are equally talented. With a sarcastic wit, laced with word play, metaphors, and straight-forward jabs, they probe society's many issues with the grace of a toddler learning to walk. They just don't care and you can tell. If they want to say it, they're going to say it. End of story. Thanks for listening.
Here we are 35 years later, after the band has "split" (which they really never did because Fagen and Becker continued working with each other on "solo" projects), reformed to record 2 new albums that are equally genius yet matured, and the guys are receiving grammy's and are in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Citizen Steely Dan includes every song from the 7 albums released between 1972 & 1980 plus some B-sides, a previously unreleased demo, 1 additional release from a soundtrack and 1 from the greatest hits compilation. Much like Spinal Tap's perfectly descriptive movie title, THIS IS STEELY DAN; all that they have to offer. The box set includes a book with album liner notes, obscure pictures and off-the-wall letters to anyone that deserved their sarcasm (which is basically anyone in the establishment), and critics reviews of their albums (some that weren't even very polite, but these guys enjoy laughing at themselves as much as they do at others).
Needless to say, I'm a huge fan. But I would venture to say that anyone who likes Steely Dan's radio fare ("Do It Again", "Reelin' In The Years", "My Old School", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Black Cow", Aja", "Peg", "Deacon Blues", "Josie", "FM", "Hey Nineteen") would do themself a huge favor by buying this box set and truly experiencing Steely Dan.
The deep cuts, the stuff that was too long for radio play or too controversial or too "experimental", or too this or that, that is where you find the true Steely Dan and once you find the true Steely Dan, you may be disappointed by most music in comparison.
These guys prove that music requires more than the ability to tune a guitar and play a few chords (perhaps even pull off a solo) with some cheesy lyrics about the girl next-door, or the fact that your parents didn't love you, or the state of the world from a generic point of view. Fagen and Becker show how music can tell a story and when they use words, listen close, because you'll hear some significant stuff in the midst of all that music.
These guys were way ahead of their time. Music has gotten louder and lyrics racier, but when you put Steely Dan in the context of the 70's, you can see that Fagen and Becker were living in the future; still are really, and who knows when the rest of us will catch up.
Do yourself a favor; if you're reading this, it's because you are considering buying this box set. JUST DO IT. You won't regret it.Read full review
