Steely Dan is an American jazz rock band based around musicians and songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, both of whom have also released solo work. Their music is characterized by complex jazz-influenced structures and harmonies, literate but sometimes obscure or ambiguous lyrics filled with dark sarcasm, and their musicianship and studio perfectionism. Their ability to tastefully utilize the best of sessions players has been a major hallmark as well, and special credit should be given to producer Gary Katz. The group's history is divided into three stages. In its first stage, the group was a relatively conventional rock band that toured and recorded from 1972 to 1974. In its second stage (1975 - 1980) the group became a purely studio-based act with adroit session musicians who were able to express the duo's exacting vision, and whose releases reflected a growing obsession with slick production values. Studio gloss aside, Fagen and Becker continue with their obtuse and bohemian lyrical themes that mostly deal with the underbelly of society. The third stage was a rebirth of sorts when the band returned from a 20 year hiatus, capped off with the Grammy-winning Two Against Nature, which was released in 2000. That was since followed up by Everything Must Go in 2003. Random facts: Steely Dan is known for using the mu major chord, often simply known to rock musicians as the "Steely Dan chord." Also, the guitar solo for Reelin' In The Years is purportedly one of Jimmy Page's (Led Zeppelin) favorites of all time. Steely Dan takes their name from a steam-powered strap-on dildo mentioned in William Burroughs' magnum
1 | The Royal Scam | The Royal Scam |
2 | Everyone's Gone to the Movies | Katy Lied |
3 | East St. Louis Toodle-Oo | Pretzel Logic |
4 | Rose Darling | Katy Lied |
5 | The Boston Rag | Steely Dan: Live In Los Angeles |
6 | Band Introductions | Memphis Blues Again |
7 | Band Introductions | Live At Starplex Amphitheater |
8 | Babylon Sisters | A Decade Of Steely Dan |
9 | Kid Charlemagne | Live At Starplex Amphitheater |
10 | Time Out Of Mind | Steely Dan: Live In Toronto |
11 | Rikki Don't Lose That Number | Steely Dan: Live In Los Angeles |
12 | Black Friday | Live At Starplex Amphitheater |
13 | My Old School | Steely Dan: Live In Toronto |
14 | Jazz Intro/Dizzy's Bidness | Steely Dan: Live In Toronto |
15 | Hey 19 | Decade Of Steely Dan |
16 | Two Against Nature | Two Against Nature |
17 | Green Earrings | Live At Starplex Amphitheater |
18 | King Of The World | Live At Rainbow Theatre |
19 | Dirty Work | Can't Buy a Thrill |
20 | Third World Man | Live At Starplex Amphitheater |