Tuesday Tribute: Steely Dan

Formed in 1967 by lead members Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, Steely Dan would become one of the most successful bands of the 1970's and continue on to make music throughout subsequent decades as well. Fagen and Becker met at Bard college in New York where they both played in various bands together (one of which featured Chevy Chase on drums). By 1972, Steely Dan's full lineup was formed and their first hit album Can't Buy a Thrill was released. "Do It Again," "Reelin' In The Years," and "Dirty Work" were just three of the singles that gained popularity for Steely Dan off of the album. The mid-seventies saw Steely Dan putting the utmost importance on studio work and song-craft. Albums such as Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, and Aja all produced hits, yet the band stayed off the road for the most part, despite amazing musicians such as Skunk Baxter and Michael McDonald joining the group. After the success of 1978's Gaucho, Steely Dan was forced to call it quits after several law suits, personal issues, and band member departures. In their years off, Steely Dan members were able to clean up and keep writing, while Steely Dan fans both new and old were able to marinate on the groups successful 70's catalog, making the band only more popular. By the mid-nineties, Fagen and Becker decided to reform. While the band had been apart for over a decade, they were by no means a nostalgia act. In 2000, Steely Dan's album Two Against Nature controversially won four Grammy's including Album of the Year over Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP. Also, Steely Dan has gained popularity as a live band in recent years, touring just about every year and proving their infused live jazz styles to people across the country. Steely Dan was undoubtedly one of the most successful and prolific bands of the 1970's, but once again, never seem to get mentioned among the heavy-hitters of the mid-to-late sixties. They were very different from your typical rock n' roll; some consider them a breath of fresh air, others consider them cheesy yacht-rock. Regardless, Steely Dan possess unbelievable songwriting talent and will be honored this week with a few videos for your enjoyment.

First up is a roaring version of "Reelin' In The Years" from Midnight Special in 1973. I love how they didn't slow the pace one bit, and how Bill Cosby is the one who introduces them.



"Black Cow" was one of Steely Dan's biggest hits off of Aja. Here is them doing a live version of it in 2003, not too long after Tatyana Ali ripped it off for her one and only hit "Daydreaming."



Check out this version on "Kid Charlemagne" from a Vh1 special. The bass player absolutely tears it up on this one, and the drummer ain't too shabby either. Donald Fagen almost makes the keytar look cool on this one, almost.



Lastly, perhaps my favorite Steely Dan song, is one of their slower ones, "Dirty Work." Although Fagen doesn't sing it, its got a great horn part and a great hook.