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Probably (and I say this with some regret because the fact is, all SD is great) the greatest Steely Dan album. I love this CD. Fagen and Becker have collaborated to create some of the most beautiful jazz/blues music ever played. Yeah, that's right, I said jazz/blues. This album is more jazz and blues than the typical rock/jazz fusion from like their earlier albums. For example, Aja, the title track; 8 minutes of pure jazz jammin', no rock, no extra noise, just good jazz, cool guitar, great keys, perfect percussion and Donald, crooning the blues. It just don't get any better than this. As for the rest of the genius on the album: Black Cow is, again, more jazz/blues but very funky this song was released to limited airplay, but for some reason didn't get picked up like some of the other SD fare, waxing poetic about a woman that keeps running away, Fagen sounds like a lost puppy, blues dripping from the speakers; Deacon Blues, one of the most recognizable SD songs, even by those who aren't die-hards, this song is pure blues with a slight edge on the percussion; Peg, another recognizable tune, with its funky bass line, jazz guitar and keys and solid drums; Home at Last, which is just downright great piano jazz and horn ablarin'; I Got the News, funky on first listen is actually very bluesy on the keys, if slightly upbeat, the song is quite ambiguous; and last but not least another popular tune, Josie, which is pure jazz guitar chords ,if only played a little off tempo from typical jazz. The album was pure genius and, in my ever so humble opinion, the highlight of a career that really didn't have any down time, just a really great high time. I LOVE THIS ALBUM.Read full review
Arguably, THE album to cement Donald Fagan's credentials as lyricist-story teller, musician, and professional would become a referencing chronicle of my own life and development over the same span of years. The "long nightmare", for both the nation and a generation, known as Viet Nam was over...so was the draft. Good fortune for some, better fortune for the rest of us was the hammering debut single, "Reeling in the Years", from the debut album, "Can't Buy A Thrill" that found me relishing the last evaporating days and weeks as a student. The next four years would blur for me in terms of learning and growing, good decisions and not so good as a young junior Sergeant in the new "All-Volunteer" Army. For the likes of Steely Dan, Donald Fagan, and Walter Becker, the steady progression of successful albums being produced at their hand only continued. With names like "Pretzel Logic", "Countdown to Ecstacy", "Katy Lied", and "The Royal Scam", Steely Dan's albums cranked out as predictably and flawless as the sun's rising and falling. Then came AJA, the first birthday of my first son; during my first tour of duty in the (then) Federal Republic of (West) Germany. The Soviet Union's armored muscle constantly reminded us of how serious and real their Threat was. Yet, with freedom of artistic exspression and lifestyle, to produce the high-caliber quality of incredibly powerful prose set to music, then as now, Donald Fagan spoke for many of us when we wanted names for our losing. When we were so far from our respective hometowns, we looked forward collectively, to the time when our tours would be over, and collectively, however our re-assignment orders scattered us to new posts in the 'States, we'd all sing our anthem: "Home At Last". What with buying my first "adult" stereo system, of course I had "AJA" in vinyl. Now, I have it in CDRead full review
This CD is a clone of the Steve Hoffman mastered CD, which of course is the best mastering of Aja available. The CD, although used, was in great condition with no scratches. The liner notes, etc. were in reasonably good condition considering the age.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
One of the best albums of its time. The soulful voice and music,the saxophone. The way this album was written,it was definitely a message that emanates,through the years.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I am getting the best CD pressings of each Steely Dan cd,If you read the Hoffman forums there is a list of each album with the best CD pressings for each.The early ones are best since they used the Analog audio.This sounds great.I love this album to death....so that helps.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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