Steely Dan's "Dirty Work"

[astorian]

Any Steely Dan fanatics out there who can tell me the lead singer on the “Dirty Work” track? (It sure doesn’t sound like Donald Fagen.)

[Gatsby]

David Palmer.

[Nurlman]

The band begins rehearsing after work in a cramped, abandoned office in the ABC building and begins recording with Roger (The Immortal) Nichols, a former nuclear engineer, as their recording engineer, a relationship that continues to this day. Since Fagen was uncomfortable as the lead singer, they also decided to sign up vocalist David Palmer as the front man. Since Palmer’s vocal style didn’t convey the attitude that Becker and Fagen wanted for most of the songs, and the also needed to finish the album, Donald reluctantly sang lead vocals on all but three songs on their debut album, which they named “Can’t Buy A Thrill.” An interesting portent of things to come, however, is the credited use of outside studio musicians such as Elliot Randall and Jerome Richardson on several solos.

The album is released in October 1972 without much fanfare, but surprises everyone by spawning a runaway hit “Do It Again” which reaches #6 on the charts. ABC pressures the band to do a quick tour and Becker and Fagen reluctantly acquiesce. A second hit “Reelin’ In The Years” emerges and reaches #11 on the charts. “Can’t Buy A Thrill” becomes a gold record and peaks at #17 on the charts. As the band begins to record their next album, Fagen takes over on all lead vocals and David Palmer leaves the group.

From the Steely Dan FAQ