Reggae music, Donald Fagen is a musical genius! There were so many talented and charismatic musicians in the 20th century, with original vocals and their own flair!
Dean Parks played that amazing guitar solo, and dig this: Walter Becker added the talk box effect AFTER THE FACT. Dean supposedly preferred the original sound, but it's hard to find fault with the final product, it sounds amazing! This entire Royal Scam LP is a gem, I put it right up there with Aja. My favorite cut from Scam is The Caves Of Altamira, hope you get to react to it Harri. Thanks Craig for this outstanding request from this legendary band. 👍
Learning here that the talk box was added after makes sense. It's the most musically perfect example of the talk box that I've heard, which is to be expected from Steely Dan.
From " The Royal Scam" their 5th album from 1976, this is another perfect tune. About a young girl travelling to Haiti in the early 70's for a quick divorce but has an affair while there and gets pregnant. The talk box guitar by Dean Parks, gives a fabulous Frampton effect to the instruments, processed by Walter Becker. The vocals are so recognizable as Steely Dan and deliver the lyrics perfectly. Just a great listen. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
When I was a kid, my brother got me into Steely Dan. I love all the songs but I think this one may be my favourite of all time but then again the next one I hear, I say the same thing that’s what Steely Dan does.
"Babs and Clean Willie were in love they said, so in love, the preacher's face turned red." Nothing beats Becker and Fagen lyrics. Larry Carlton owned that album.
It's nice to see you appreciate another great Steely Dan tune! This came out when I was 16, and have been listening to it regularly since, This album is fire, like most SD. Thanks for what you do Harri, much love! ✌️❤️
I'm the same age. Fun fact: Steely Dan's *most* successful UK single. The 'extraordinary men of the groove' can do it all; rock, soul, jazz, funk, reggae - they're genius level.
I've never seen a band change their style so quickly as Steely Dan did. Their first album was straight pop. After that they went off into several different directions. I'm glad they continued to be successful but those long jazz pieces they did later in their career just sounded so sterile to me.
great selection... so fun to see you hear thee gems for the first time ! Steely Dan has a super funky song called Green Earrings that seems to get forgotten
Not a vocoder or wah pedal-it was Walter Becker using a talkbox in post-production reprocessing of Dean Park's clean solo with his own mouth. Best. Mike.
'The band was hot so they danced the famous meringuo Now we dolly back Now we fade to black'. It's a late 50s film noir set in the south sea islands perhaps with some international intrigue and some of that spicy tropicale music. I haven't got it all worked out yet.
It's the same device you see Peter Frampton playing in his song "Do You Feel Like I Do. He has that small Hose in his mouth and in conjunction with the notes he plays on the guitar, he gets that sound. Sometimes when using the "Talk Box," you don't have to say any words like Frampton, you can just make sounds with your mouth, like humming, groaning, or whatever, and you get different sounds with it. And yes Harri, you can even add the Wah-wah pedal to it, as it sounds like they did in this song. Thanks, Harri.
I just like the Lounge lizard feel. Mr. Driver, take me where the music play or having a drink, it just sounds like a track to go hit the night to. They are so unique.
Great review, Harri. One of my top 10 SD tracks. Everything fits perfectly. One of best parts of this song is the faint, tropical horns in the outro. Maybe a synth in the mix. Genius.
Yeah, Steely Dan is all about the fine details that give all their songs a sense of completeness and intelligence. While I find this tune to be hilarious in many ways, I also sense a dark, sinister undercurrent, from the impulsive characters (no doubt Babs will act out again in the not too distant future) to the sardonic sneer in Donald Fagen's voice and Dean Parks' guitar. The whole package is perfection.@@lisawilliams8180
So good. The next track on the album is the title track, Royal Scam. It is the crowning achievement and high-water mark on this album. A dark, brooding blazer about immigrants getting the worst America has to offer. You should spin it for the orchestration and atmosphere alone. Happy listening.
Montego Bay,Pina colada,a fat one ready to spark up,sitting against a palm tree,this album playing. Perfection in total comfort and ease. Desert island disc? Steely Dan entire catalogue box set please. Something goooood for every day.
Craig! You read my mind! This month I really wanted to request a Steely Dan song and I couldn’t decide between this song and “Black Friday”. As you know I went with BF but I totally love this song. Thanks Craig and Harri 🌺✌️
You say you're expecting big band next? Try "east St Louis toodle oo". Truthfully not a Steely Dan song I listen to much, but it's a cover of a Duke Ellington big band song
They were so good because they hated touring and only cared about studio music. One twenty second stretch of music would take them dozens of takes until they were satisfied.
And now for something completely different from Steely Dan, "Fire In The Hole". Harri, please listen to "Aladdin Sane" by David Bowie. You will not believe your ears!
Reggae music, Donald Fagen is a musical genius! There were so many talented and charismatic musicians in the 20th century, with original vocals and their own flair!
I think Walt was the bigger reggae fan of the pair.
Dean Parks played that amazing guitar solo, and dig this: Walter Becker added the talk box effect AFTER THE FACT. Dean supposedly preferred the original sound, but it's hard to find fault with the final product, it sounds amazing! This entire Royal Scam LP is a gem, I put it right up there with Aja. My favorite cut from Scam is The Caves Of Altamira, hope you get to react to it Harri. Thanks Craig for this outstanding request from this legendary band. 👍
You’re welcome!
Learning here that the talk box was added after makes sense. It's the most musically perfect example of the talk box that I've heard, which is to be expected from Steely Dan.
Why do you like Caves i dont like it much
From " The Royal Scam" their 5th album from 1976, this is another perfect tune. About a young girl travelling to Haiti in the early 70's for a quick divorce but has an affair while there and gets pregnant.
The talk box guitar by Dean Parks, gives a fabulous Frampton effect to the instruments, processed by Walter Becker. The vocals are so recognizable as Steely Dan and deliver the lyrics perfectly. Just a great listen. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Craig. 👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
You’re welcome!
She doesn't go there for a divorce, she just needs to get away from the relationship for a break. The divorce comes later, after the marriage.
This is off "The Royal Scam" album.....in my opinion, their best album.
The guitar effect was a voice box or a wah-wah peddle, or both. Becker and Fagen were mad scientists in the studio. ☮🤎🎶
When I was a kid, my brother got me into Steely Dan. I love all the songs but I think this one may be my favourite of all time but then again the next one I hear, I say the same thing that’s what Steely Dan does.
"Babs and Clean Willie were in love they said, so in love, the preacher's face turned red." Nothing beats Becker and Fagen lyrics. Larry Carlton owned that album.
Dean Parks played the guitar solos with Walter Becker running it through the talk-box in post-production. Great pick. Thanks Craig and Harri.
You’re welcome!
Wondered how they did that for years, mystery solved!
This song is so good, great musicianship as usual
Steely dan does it all
It's nice to see you appreciate another great Steely Dan tune! This came out when I was 16, and have been listening to it regularly since, This album is fire, like most SD. Thanks for what you do Harri, much love! ✌️❤️
I'm the same age. Fun fact: Steely Dan's *most* successful UK single. The 'extraordinary men of the groove' can do it all; rock, soul, jazz, funk, reggae - they're genius level.
Indispensable. My no.1 band from album one. The Royal Scam played during the sweltering London summer of '76.
Great song great band😊
Great band ,great song .The 70's really was the decade of fabulous music ❤
Royal Scam is probably the top of the Dan list for sardonic humor. This song still cracks me up.
Craziest band name ever! One of the best bands. Does anybody not like Steely Dan? Rock on.
Steely Dan is a dildo, named from William Burroughs's Naked Lunch.
My wife and two of four kids don’t like them. The other two kids and I have that special musical bond.
They got their name from a William Burrough's novel. Let's just say it's a device that women use.
I've never seen a band change their style so quickly as Steely Dan did. Their first album was straight pop. After that they went off into several different directions. I'm glad they continued to be successful but those long jazz pieces they did later in their career just sounded so sterile to me.
They are talented enough to do all kinds of music
great selection... so fun to see you hear thee gems for the first time ! Steely Dan has a super funky song called Green Earrings that seems to get forgotten
Not a vocoder or wah pedal-it was Walter Becker using a talkbox in post-production reprocessing of Dean Park's clean solo with his own mouth. Best. Mike.
Voice Box, also use by Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton around this same time.
That wah-wah guitar is so beautiful.
So many outstanding, different songs on this album.
And don't forget Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie's drumming here. And I'm pretty sure it's Chuck Rainey on bass.
Steely Dan are the groove Masters
You nailed the description of these guys.........and they are INCREDIBLE!
they could end a song.... any way they wanted 🎷🔥😉🙏
This song works with the help of Bernard perdie laying down a killer groove on the drums
I absolutely love this track, its not one of their more popular ones, thanks for discovering it!
Always one of mine!
'The band was hot so
they danced the famous meringuo
Now we dolly back
Now we fade to black'.
It's a late 50s film noir set in the south sea islands perhaps with some international intrigue and some of that spicy tropicale music. I haven't got it all worked out yet.
Guitar sounds like Peter Frampton, who used a voice box, but in actuality the sound was altered after the recording by one Walter Becker.
How catchy is this song
Silky funky cool. Fresh as the first time I heard it.
One of my favorite SD songs! That’s saying a lot!
my brother and I used to play this cover. He could play some guitar! Miss jammin with him too❤️🎶
Great Album 👍. Forgot some of the Memories ⌛🌄✌️
It's the same device you see Peter Frampton playing in his song "Do You Feel Like I Do. He has that small Hose in his mouth and in conjunction with the notes he plays on the guitar, he gets that sound. Sometimes when using the "Talk Box," you don't have to say any words like Frampton, you can just make sounds with your mouth, like humming, groaning, or whatever, and you get different sounds with it. And yes Harri, you can even add the Wah-wah pedal to it, as it sounds like they did in this song.
Thanks, Harri.
And as a last thought, the drumming is really tight!
Love The Dan!
yes, you got it. voice box. added by Walter Becker after guitar part was originally recorded
You should listen to night by night by steely Dan it really mess with you check out that
The Royal Scam is a awesome song!! I love SD!! They are sooo good!!
Excellent, excellent tune...and so underappreciated
Craig, what an excellent choice to submit. Harri, your review was equally excellent.👏👏
I saw them do this entire album live. I have seen them in concert almost every year for over 20 years. They are amazing
My Favorite Band !
Everyone's Gone To The Movies- Island heaven!
I just like the Lounge lizard feel. Mr. Driver, take me where the music play or having a drink, it just sounds like a track to go hit the night to. They are so unique.
Hadn’t heard this in years…I’d forgotten how good it is.
For a few years in the mid-70s, voice box effects were the rage. The Dan was so versatile. And everything sounded amazing!
They are so good because they hire the best musicians .
Great review, Harri. One of my top 10 SD tracks. Everything fits perfectly. One of best parts of this song is the faint, tropical horns in the outro. Maybe a synth in the mix. Genius.
Never heard that before you mentioned it!
Yeah, Steely Dan is all about the fine details that give all their songs a sense of completeness and intelligence. While I find this tune to be hilarious in many ways, I also sense a dark, sinister undercurrent, from the impulsive characters (no doubt Babs will act out again in the not too distant future) to the sardonic sneer in Donald Fagen's voice and Dean Parks' guitar. The whole package is perfection.@@lisawilliams8180
Always liked this song - the cadence is magic
Fantastic song.
Now ya talking, my favourite SD song i still have my vinyl single
That is the best use of a talk box I have ever heard.
You are correct. It's what Peter Frampton does, add a wah- whah pedal.
So good. The next track on the album is the title track, Royal Scam. It is the crowning achievement and high-water mark on this album. A dark, brooding blazer about immigrants getting the worst America has to offer. You should spin it for the orchestration and atmosphere alone. Happy listening.
here here top analysis 👍😊
Big Band sound you want? Check out "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" - the Dan did a cover of Duke Ellington!
Montego Bay,Pina colada,a fat one ready to spark up,sitting against a palm tree,this album playing.
Perfection in total comfort and ease.
Desert island disc?
Steely Dan entire catalogue box set please.
Something goooood for every day.
This may not be exactly the big band sound you were looking for but check out Steely Dan East St . Louis Toodle OO
You were right. It's a voice box. The Royals Scam was a great album to put on and veg.
Craig! You read my mind! This month I really wanted to request a Steely Dan song and I couldn’t decide between this song and “Black Friday”. As you know I went with BF but I totally love this song. Thanks Craig and Harri 🌺✌️
Great song and great reaction, Harri
They should have let Feldman solo on the vibes.
I like this band very much! 😁😁
Precision Band ♡
The solos was not a guitar it's vocals with an effect, a tube that you sing through and adjust the effect..
Steely Dan, imagination overload!
Fagen was a perfectionist he would do re-records sometimes 60 or 70 times to get it right
I can tell immediately who the drummer is....Bernard Purdie..who else!! 😊
Jeff Beck. 1st voice bag. BBA tour.
Do Doctor Wu!!!!
You say you're expecting big band next? Try "east St Louis toodle oo". Truthfully not a Steely Dan song I listen to much, but it's a cover of a Duke Ellington big band song
Yes, very Frampton!
😍😍😍
yes a voice box ala frampton
“Papa say refers to Papa Doc Duvallier the then dictator of Haiti.
Not BIG BAND but close Check out My Old School by SDan!
They were so good because they hated touring and only cared about studio music. One twenty second stretch of music would take them dozens of takes until they were satisfied.
And now for something completely different from Steely Dan, "Fire In The Hole".
Harri, please listen to "Aladdin Sane" by David Bowie. You will not believe your ears!
This was before Peter Frampton... Just saying... I had this item when i was 12, 1973ish.
That part sounded kinda talk box to me.
At rhe time you could go to Haiti take your future wife divorce your present wife and get married to the new one same trip
The story is so politically incorrect and that may explain it.