There is a lot of Greatness in Steely Dan's music. This is artistry!

They have been dubbed, "your favorite musician's favorite musicians".

The caves are located in the town of Santillana del Mar in Cantabria, Spain. The paintings are believed to be 36,000 years old. "Can it be this sad design Could be the very same A wooly man without a face And a beast without a name" Steely Dan often comments on the "human condition", the dark side of human nature that persists through the centuries. Another masterpiece. You guys are great.

@jml-rj5re

Жыл бұрын

This is a spoof of modern art and Hollywood. SD is saying that when modern art tries to go "primitive" and "innovate," they are saying... PLEASE, humans have been laying down art for tens of thousands of years and it communicates loudly, better, and with more purity than today's art.

@gasaholic47

Жыл бұрын

@@jml-rj5re Yeah, no. It’s from the point of view of the 8 year old daughter of the archeologist, who actually found the cave , and led her father to it. You’re reading too much into it.

@geetee3201

4 ай бұрын

@@gasaholic47 From what I've heard it was about Fagan's childhood, and how he was fairly reclusive, finding more enjoyment in nature than in people

Then comes the next song, and Larry Carlton will begin by tearing your ears off. This is such a Uniquely Perfect Album. Perfect Production Never Gets Old

@josephoneil3093

Жыл бұрын

LC for the win…….every time 💪

Indeed Aja is in trouble. Although Aja is considered their "pièce de résistance" (and rightfully so) IMHO The Royal Scam is their finest album. Whereas Aja is very refined and produced exquisitely, the Scam is Steely Dan at their funkiest, grittiest and just outright baddest. Every song is an absolute banger, and with Purdie and Rainey laying down the nastiest grooves on every song, I don't know how you get any better.

@debbieverret4033

Жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more, I wore this album smooth out and still listen to it today.

@rameshnybergauthor

Жыл бұрын

In my mind, Royal Scam is the best studio album by anyone, anywhere

@lazydada1062

3 ай бұрын

Totally!

@parshakamarsh

2 ай бұрын

My thoughts exactly

Who but Steely Dan can write a jazzy, funky, thought provoking song about our predecessors' writings on cave walls? No one.

The song is about a kid exploring a cave.....this is the genius of Fagen and Becker

Can you imagine sitting in a studio watching these cats layin these tracks down.

@jillhumbert

5 ай бұрын

I wish!!!!

I'm almost 70 now, so I was fortunate enough to be around when all these Steely Dan albums hit the record stores. I had all of them on vinyl way back then. It makes me smile to see younger folks discovering all the music that got me thru long road trips and what would have been boring times. I have so many suggestions that it's tough to know where to start. So, check out Dire Straits performing Sultans of Swing, Alchemy Live and I promise to add more later. Great reactions.

I’ve been stuck in a Steely Dan rabbit hole currently for 6 months. Their catalog is so vast and all of it excellent so it’s hard to climb out once you fall in 😂

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

😂 we are stuck in there with you. Tons of great music to go through. Thanks for watching!!

@biskygiver

Жыл бұрын

@@AirplayBeats I've been in said hole since the early 70s AND IT NEVER GETS OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steely Dan is changing your lives..... LOL

probably my fav steely dan song. so gosh darn good.

These Steely reaction are gold KZread type shit

It's about how lone artists, prehistoric and modern, have sought out caves to isolate themselves and express their unique perspective by painting images on the walls. Neolithic artists have communicated to us about what mattered most to them spanning a great chasm of time.

Just plain great music.

With all the incredible musicianship on their tracks, the understated bass lines often get overlooked

@jahdonkey

Жыл бұрын

not by me. :-)

You guys are DJ’s. You can’t stop the movement.

This is about the prehistoric drawings in the Spanish cave system. Before the fall when they wrote it on the wall when there wasn't even any Hollywood.

one of my favorite Dan songs. Love the instrumental horns at the end to close out the song

@jillhumbert

5 ай бұрын

Ditto!!!

Fagen’s voice has that New York attitude.

I really appreciate your reaction especially regarding Donald Fagan's vocals. He had extreme stage fright early in the formation of the Dan. His vocals are so unique that not many ever comment on his vocals. He has, for lack of a better description, a story tellers voice. He certainly does not have the range of many other vocalists... but he makes up for it in other ways. Of course I'm certain that he and Walter write music that suits his vocal stylings. Everything they do.... they do with a purpose.

Aja is their smooth masterpiece; The Royal Scam is their hard masterpiece. No need to choose - two masterpieces.

This album never gets enough credit or play time (JMHO )...They are at their best here ! Peace and Love

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

So far I’m liking it more than Aja

@Newfie-zc7ug

Жыл бұрын

@@AirplayBeats ...careful that may be sacrelgious in some circles ...LOL :)

I knew this one was gonna be good.

I think this was underrated. Not as commercial but always a underrated favorite. Just brings all the smiles 😊💖

It's really great to see how soon you "get" the music of Steely Dan. There is no comparison. That's a bold statement but oh how I've tried to find a band that speaks to me like the SD.

And Royal Scam might be in trouble when you hear, ""Katy Lied, "Pretzel Logic", and" Can't Buy a Thrill", and they all might be in trouble when you hear, "Countdown To Ecstasy".

The enigmatic and great John Klemmer on tenor sax. He had very unique albums in the 70’s. The Royal Scam is much grittier than Aja. “Green Earrings” is coming with that fabulous Purdie cymbal choke in the middle. Can’t wait for the rest of this superb album.

Taking this ride with you two is a blast! I'm an old fucker and these are the songs of my youth, and you've barely gotten started! Keep going because I'm in it for the long haul! lol

The horns on this track are awesome

The fade out is amazing

John Klemmer saxophone solo with his signature "Echoplex" sound !

@theivory1

19 күн бұрын

I hear it. I never noticed.

Those horns that crescendo in the beginning is such a baller sound

When you get to it, you should listen to Donald Fagen's solo album, "The Nightfly." I think it rivals any of the Steely Dan albums in quality and certainly diversity of genre. The man was on fire!

@masapell

Жыл бұрын

Then there is Donald Fagen “Kamakiriad” in which the entire album has a great groove and futuristic vibe!

@hklinker

Жыл бұрын

And then there is DF’s Sunken Condos, which I’m nominating as Best Album Ever Released by a Guy Over 60.

@theivory1

19 күн бұрын

All his solo albums are good. The Nightfly is probably the best.

You jus catchin up to that GREATNESS....of the 70's.....sooooooo after the fact Jack!

Great show. This particular song just doesn't let up.

from a MASSIVE s dan fan and love lov lov aja.......THIS is their best album,,,awesome album

This song is about cave paintings in Spain.

The sax solo is pure ecstacy.

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

It sure is

Again this tune brings back amazing memories all I can say is Steely Dan always brings magic, moods, and moments,,,,,

Top 5 Steely

'The Royal Scam' is probably their most groove oriented album, some great Jazz-Funk fusion. Lyrics are a fictionalized version of the story of the teenager who by accident discovered a cave in the mountains near the village of Altamira in Northern Spain. This cave is one place where the middle stone age hunter gatherer people lived during the last Ice Age, some 20,000 year ago. The Caves of Altamira are famous because they have all these great paintings of ancient animals that the cave men did on the walls. The lyrics talk about that.

I warned you guys that R Scam was going to give you a little grittier funkier feel. My fav album. Did you guys exchange Royal Scam vinyl for Christmas yet? I can see it moving up the charts quickly. Song is about cave art/hieroglyphics found in Europe and commonality with an introvert kid who stumbles upon them. I'm looking forward to your upcoming adventures involving two-timing roller skaters, earring thievery, trips to Haiti and more! So good. Enjoy.

This is about my favorite song from this album. Don's vocal melody and the Sax take the prize. Cheers! (Thank you cats for reacting to this one!)

@NoCanDu

8 ай бұрын

Agreed. Everyone always says “Don’t Take Me Alive!” Me: “Caves. Always “Caves.”

Had to watch this one twice. One of my favorite Steely Dan tunes. My man on the right was boppin so hard, his head was a blur lol. Wait until you hear Don’t Take Me Alive, Green Earrings, and The Fez.

Brings a smile to my face when I see guys like you who've just found SD and now start down the rabbit hole. Enjoy the journey guys, you're in for a treat..

Once again, another true story from History written into poetry and put to really great music by Steely Dan...! This song was about a historic Cave-Drawings found in a cave in Spain. Look up the name Altamira for more info... "Royal Scam" the song is exactly what is shown on the front cover. The song tells about people coming to America from truly beautiful places with Big Dreams, bought into the LIE that is AMERICA...and ending up on the bad end of society.

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for breaking down the meaning for us. I love how they write these songs.

I'm 65. Had the great pleasure of seeing them in concert. Im glad i lived during the best era of music

The marching band geek and jazz geek in me are geeking huge as this track is just amazing.

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

I was in marching band and jazz band as well. 😂😂😂 probably why I love it like you do.

Great song, superb album. I love it. However Gaucho, their last of the amazing 1972-80 is a very special album as well. I know you'll get to it one day. I saw your list of SD albums and Gaucho wasn't on it. Never forget it. For now enjoy this wonderful record. The song title track is as unique as the song Aja. Great stuff guys...

When there wasn't even any Hollywood yo. Dig it.

Let’s just call it what it is…it slaps.

This was the first song I ever heard by them (from their greatest hits album "Steely Dan Gold" ) and down I went that rabbit hole, never to come out again!

My fav album, one of most fav tunes, as a piano player! 🤘🤘🤘

This was, I believe, the song I heard early on that got me hooked on the Dan. Every song is an adventure, an experience. Royal Scam is an oft-overlooked album, but it is a masterpiece. So glad to see you guys enjoying SD as much as I do. Your reactions are wonderful, I would like to see even more commentary from you - just a minute or two more to expand on your thoughts if you can. Keep up the great work!

This isn’t my favorite song of theirs lyrically, but the music is so great, it more than makes up for it! The rhythm section, the horn section, and that sax solo are all absolutely brilliant!

So ahead of their time!

They never miss........... amazing.

Yes, Royal Scam preceded Aja. From ‘72 through ‘77 there was a Steely Dan album every year: in order, Can’t Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, and Aja, and then we waited three years for Gaucho in 1980. If I were forced at gunpoint to choose only one, I would probably have to choose Countdown to Ecstasy…but I might just say, oh hell, go ahead and shoot me if I’d have to live without even one of the other six. You are in for a hell of a ride, and I can’t tell you how much I am vicariously enjoying the joy of your discovery.

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!!

It's About Man's CallTo Be Creative And Expressive.

You guys said it, they just don't miss.

Cave paintings to "any man left on the Rio Grand is the king of the world"

Caught up in the groove, thanks to Mr. Purdie. This was before Aja, and you two really are picking up on what many of us Dan fans love, that great mix of jazz, funk and rock. Haha, Aja is in trouble!

Absolutely one of my favorite albums. Mr Carlton shines on this album. I’ll be honest steely Dan never did a bad album. Neither does Donald Fagen

Caves of Altamira == those caves in Spain where prehistoric man "wrote it on the wall...for you and me to be understood..."

Yeah, this song has a great groove. I hate to tell you, but it gets better with Green Earrings. IMHO, the best blend of rock and jazz influences in a song, EVER. Thank you for Caves!

My favorite album The Royal Scam is a great one. I'm excited to see you react to every song. I love this song here, much like the rest of this album. Nice reaction fellas, let's keep it going! Let's ride! Oh, and this album was from 76, Aja was from 77.

@AirplayBeats

Жыл бұрын

So far I’m liking The Royal Scam better but as soon as I throw Peg on, I say Aja is better. 😂

@russelbarnes7235

Жыл бұрын

@@AirplayBeats that's just how it is, huh? Lol. You still have Don't Take Me Alive, Green Earrings, Haitian Divorce, The Fez, Sign In Stranger to react to, not to mention the title track. Plus, this album is overall much more exciting. I predict that Green Earrings and Haitian Divorce will both blow you away! It's gonna be a nice adventure!

My head nods at half the tempo as you guys. Phrasing...

I love that you guys love this song!

EACH ALBUM WILL BECOME YOUR FAVORITE.....THERE WERE SEVERAL ALBUMS OUT THERE BEFORE 'AJA' AND THE 'ROYAL SCAM'. MAN ARE YOU BROTHERS IN FOR A RIDE.

Love your reactions: You two are studio heads, who know/appreciate excellence. You could do with a better camera (sure you already know that). I'm 50 years invested in Steely Dan and it's nice to have my own exquisite tastes reinforced by musos like you two fellows coming in cold and being wowed from the off.. Keep on; The Royal Scam is definitely up there scrapping for the 'Best' album. It's generally my own fave,

Yes, the Rabbit Hole is deep... some never escape.

I have a T-shirt with the Royal scam album cover on the front. Yeah, it’s my favorite album of them all.

Steely Dan's jazzy tendencies and use of jazz session men in the studio helped accelerate the crossover appeal of jazz artists hitting the mainstream in the 70s. For example, the sax solo on this song was by John Klemmer, whose own jazz/crossover album, Barefoot Ballet, came out the same year. Both LPs spent a lot of time on my turntable. Same with Larry Carlton, whose work I knew from the Crusaders, as well as his killer solos on the Royal Scam. Why limit yourself to one genre when you do both so well?

You guys ROCK! Lovin’ your reactions❤

Sirs.. I’m enjoying your journey..Can you please comment on your dad listening to Steely Dan in the garage..

favorite DAn SONG

DOPE!

Envious you're experiencing this gem of an album for the first time. And you still have Gaucho waiting for you & the Dan's sneakiest masterpiece, Glamor Profession. Enjoy your journey guys. Big love from the UK

Asia had everything good rhythm and blues Beautiful lyrics

These grooves are serious

Love this song. One of my all time Steely Dan favorites

🥰 Every Oct Steely Dan did Residency Shows at the Beacon in NYC when they played entire Albums. Last shows I saw were after Walter Becker passed & right before the Pandemic closed down the city. I would get a 3 Day package 😁 cause that was the only way to get a Greatest Hits Night ticket which always sold out first. My 3 nights were AJA, Royal Scam & Greatest Hits with any other nights being a bonus! Tickets we're expensive but 🤩 soooooo worth it! 🤔 Also why I never had $ for Halloween! 🤣 Thank goodness I knew folks otherwise I'd be stuck at home every Halloween cause I saw SD perform 3 or 4 shows a week the entire month of Oct and always attended the final day which was Oct 28, 29 or 30th. They never played on Halloween! 😒 Best believe I was "that broke bitch" every Halloween. 😂🐰

At 71 I have had the great privilege of living my life alongside the continuing evolution of Walter Becker and Donald Feagin In many ways, they have been the soundtrack of my life. It is gratifying that others younger find them also fascinating. Keep on.

I highly recommend everything must go a steely Dan from 2003. Every song is the best steely Dan song you ever heard.. lol

Steely Dan--- all Timeless music, so good it almost brings a tear to your eye!!

Hello my friends. I still have this album on vinyl. When I bought it back in the day, I listened to it all the way through, and I was stunned. A great album and some great discoveries to made listening to this. Keep on enjoying this great music!. Peace.

This js a deep cut fan favorite

Great that you guys reacted to this. It's a deep cut that people often miss but the sound and the lyrics are both top-notch - great groove. & yes, Royal Scam was the album before Aja.

this album...I would play it many nights & fall asleep to it on the last track..it's in my DNA. ❤

This groove will get inside your musical soul and not let go. 🎧🥁🎸🎷🎺 Still sounds great after all these years! Definitely enjoy watching your reactions to great music! You guys totally get it! 🎼🎹🎺🎷🎸

I think you got it brother; Steely Dan just get you in that mood… the classiest rocking roll band …just pure class!🤘🏼😎

It’s elegant

One of my favs from the omnipotent Steely Dan.👊💯💙

Steely Dan always elevates my mood...

Those syncopated brass interludes are amazing!

Nice to see you guys enjoyed their Aja album and now you're getting into The Royal Scam album but l can't wait until you listen to their Gaucho album, it's one of my favorites, especially the first track on side one ( Babylon sister) can't wait 👍

Every track now just confirms the wonder of this album - bought during the sweltering '76 London summer.

Bernard Purdie 3:45 the back beat

You guys are one of the very few reaction channels out there that actually give some valuable feedback on the music. 🤘