# Steely Dan Returns! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 27, 1999, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374 "1999-12-27T01:54:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/1 "1999-12-27T01:54:00Z")
Oh my gosh, you have NO idea how icsited (spelling intentional) I am!!! As I was tooling around town today, I heard a song on the radio that sounded incredibly Steely Dan-ish (SD is my all-time, no-holds-barred, FAVORITE band, and I pretty much know everything they’ve done - own the vinyl, own the tapes, got the music books, etc.). Even though I’d reached my destination, I sat in the car and waited till the song was over and the dj made some sort of announcement as to who it was. Well, I was right, it WAS Steely Dan, and (according to KFOG’s afternoon man), there’s a new SD album due out in February. First new Dan album in 19 years! I’m SOOOOOO jazzed!!! Just as a matter of information that no one’s probably interested in, years ago on one of my few visits overseas, I found an “accoustic” Steely Dan album in a used record store in Dusseldorf (_Stone Mountain_ - European release only), and have considered it one of my greatest musical treasures, ever since. The Dan’s back! Can I get a “Halleluja!” from the chorus? * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![ConMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6f9a4e/32.png) [@ConMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConMan)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/2 "1999-12-27T02:03:00Z")
Hallelujah! * * * “Quoth the Raven, ‘Nevermore.’” E A Poe ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/3 "1999-12-27T02:09:00Z")
[quote] _Stone Mountain_ - European release only) My bad (and I’m going to correct it before someone else reams me a new one): it’s called _Sun Mountain_, and my favorite tune on the album is _Stone Piano_. And oh yeah, Conman, thanks for not making an issue of my spelling error! Guess I’m a bit _too_ icsited! Whooo-HOOOO!!! (counting the days till February!) * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![Catrandom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@Catrandom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catrandom)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/4 "1999-12-27T03:17:00Z")
Hallelujah too! If the new single sounds good, I’m very pleased. I used to love them dearly, misanthropic worldview and all. Catrandom ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/5 "1999-12-27T03:26:00Z")
> [@](#): > > If the new single sounds good, I’m very pleased. I used to love them > dearly, misanthropic worldview and all. Oh, it’s GREAT! Terrific lyrics (moderately misanthropic tho they may be) and wonderful guitar bits. I’m just beside myself! So who’s got a connection so I can get this release BEFORE February? I’ll pay, dammit! * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/6 "1999-12-27T03:58:00Z")
“The Cuervo Gold, the fine Columbian, make tonight a wonderful thing.” Those cats just sound _smooth._ Looking forward to hearing more from them. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/7 "1999-12-27T05:58:00Z")
I saw the reunited Steel Dan live at both appearances in Phoenix. They are every bit as good live as on the classic records. I have just about everything on vinyl but still got the Citizen Steely Dan box set on CD. I look forward to any new music. * * * They don’t call me the colonel because I’m some dumbass army guy. ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/8 "1999-12-27T08:22:00Z")
Woo-hoo! Can’t wait! The new album is called _Two Against Nature_ and is due out 2/29/00. Check this out: [http://steelydan.com/](http://steelydan.com/) Excuse me while I look for tour dates… * * * Mr. K’s Link of the Month: [The Enchanted World of Rankin-Bass](http://www.rankinbass.com/) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/9 "1999-12-27T16:30:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Woo-hoo! Can’t wait! The new album is called Two Against Nature and is due out 2/29/00. With pre-ordering beginning January 1, 2000! :::mumbling::: _There damned sure better NOT be any Y2K glitches!_ :::/mumbling::: Thanks for the link, Patman! * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![Dirty\_Devil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Dirty\_Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Devil)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 1999, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/10 "1999-12-27T20:00:00Z")
“Won’t you take me along when you slide on down” Saw them twice a few years ago. I thought they sounded exactly like the albums, which in this case was a good thing. They were always a very studio-intensive group and never performed live very well (or very often). It’ll be neat to hear some new stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Freeze\_Frame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Freeze\_Frame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freeze_Frame)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/11 "1999-12-29T05:40:00Z")
I never never bit the Steely Dan hook. Please give me the name of an album I should start off with. ---
**Author:** ![Catrandom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@Catrandom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catrandom)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/12 "1999-12-29T06:40:00Z")
Aja is probably the best SD album to start with. It has some songs you’ve probably heard (“Peg” and “Josie” are both radio staples), the amazing “Home at Last” and my all-time favorite SD song, “Deacon Blues.” It’s from '77 or '78, when they were in their prime. It’s music for grownups, and it’s great. Catrandom ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/13 "1999-12-29T07:49:00Z")
> [@](#): > > It’s music for grownups, and it’s great. I agree with Catrandom - it’s definitely an acquired appreciation (although I’d say most of their mainstream stuff is enjoyed by just about everybody). You probably already know _Peg, Hey Nineteen!, Rikki, Don’t Lose That Number_ and maybe _Kid Charlemagne_ and _Caves of Alta Mira_ (among others). _Aja_ is probably the best one to start with. I really enjoy the quirky nature of some of their tunes, and my personal favorites (I doubt they would appeal to someone just checking out their repertoire) are: _My Rival_ (Gaucho), _Stone Piano_ and _Ida Lee_ (Sun Mountain). I’ll add that Don Fagen’s last two solo albums - _The Nightfly_ and _Kamakiriad_ - are _exceptional_, start to finish. (_The Nightfly_ has some terrific big band influence - if you like that sound at all, start here…) * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/14 "1999-12-29T16:48:00Z")
You say “last two solo albums” as if there were no decade long gap between them and there are more 😉 _The Nightfly_ was the first CD I ever owned and remains one of my favories. I’ve also got Walter Becker’s solo album but it’s a vastly different flavor. For real obscurity I have the soundtrack that they did for a indie film in the seventies. I don’t think there is any wrong SD album to start with but I agree that _Aja_ is an excellent choice. Give the Debut album _Can’t Buy a Thrill_ a try too. They actually had a semi-fixed band lineup for the first few albums with Donald, Walter, Denny Diaz, Jim Hodder and Jeff Baxter. Listen to the Skunk on _Brooklyn Owes the Charmer_ and _Pearl of the Quarter_ then you’ll realize pedal steel guitar is not just for country and western. There is hardly a song I don’t like but maybe _Show Biz Kids_. Whe the hell is the chorus in that song? A friend and I thought they were singing “momo hot swages, hot swages…” * * * They don’t call me the colonel because I’m some dumb ass army guy. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/15 "1999-12-29T17:31:00Z")
> [@](#): > > There is hardly a song I don’t like but maybe Show Biz Kids. Whe the hell is the chorus in that song? A friend and I thought they were singing “momo hot swages, hot swages…” Oh MAN, that’s a TERRIFIC tune! (Yeah, I pretty much feel that way about _every_ SD song.) I’ts like the only time you ever heard the word “fuck” on the radio way back when - my friends and I kinda rated radio stations with that: if they didn’t bleep it, they were cool. Plus, it’s pretty cool that Fagen and Becker kinda poke fun at themselves in that tune. Ok, going strictly by memory: _Chorus_: While the poor people sleepin’ with the shade on the light, While the poor people sleepin’ all the stars come out at night. After closing time at the Guernsey Fair, I detect the El Supremo From the room at the top of the stairs. Well I’ve been around the world, And I’ve been in the Washington Zoo. And in you know, in my travels as the facts unravel I’ve found this to be true: You know you go to … Las Wages, Las Wages, you go to Las Wages They got the house on the corner, With the rug inside. They got the booze and needles, All that money can buy. They got the shape of their bodies. They got the Steely Dan T-shirts. And for the coupé de grace… They’re outrageous! Honey, let me tell you [Chorus] Show business kids makin’ movies of themselves You know they don’t give a fuck about anybody else You know you go to … Las Wages, Las Wages, go to Las Wages (maybe they ARE saying Las Vegas, but it never quite sounds like that to me.) * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![Freeze\_Frame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Freeze\_Frame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freeze_Frame)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 1999, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/16 "1999-12-29T20:03:00Z")
Ok then. Aja it is. Thank you all. ---
**Author:** ![Catrandom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7bcc69/32.png) [@Catrandom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catrandom)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/17 "1999-12-30T05:56:00Z")
I _adore_ “Show Biz Kids” – goes to show … something, I guess. I live in L.A., which may have something to do with it. But I have no idea what the backup singers are saying either. “Lost Wages”? Catrandom ---
**Author:** ![MrKnowItAll](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrknowitall/32/87_2.png) [@MrKnowItAll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrKnowItAll)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/18 "1999-12-30T06:15:00Z")
I have a copy of _Steely Dan / Greatest Hits 1972-1978_. It’s a great collection. Do It Again Reeling In the Years My Old School Bodhisattva Show Biz Kids East St. Louis Toodle-oo Rikki Don’t Lose That Number Pretzel Logic Any Major Dude Here at the Western World Black Friday Bad Sneakers Doctor Wu Haitian Divorce Kid Charlemagne The Fez Peg Josie Great listening. You can get it at [Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000007PBU/qid=946533524/sr=1-30/002-0206751-3581049). * * * Mr. K’s Link of the Month: [The Enchanted World of Rankin-Bass](http://www.rankinbass.com/) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 1999, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/19 "1999-12-30T07:09:00Z")
> [@](#): > > _Bodhisattva_ --Mr. KnowItAll Is this a cool tune, or what?! And no, “ain’t never gonna do it without the fez on.” I’m kinda surprised that _Green Earrings_ isn’t on there… * * * **StoryTyler** “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” [I Spy Ty.](http://sites.netscape.net/storytyler/homepage) ---
**Author:** ![elelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@elelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elelle)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 1999, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/steely-dan-returns/12374/20 "1999-12-31T05:40:00Z")
OOOPS! William Burroughs fan, here! :::slinks silently from the room, apple intact:::