Steely Dan has a habit of blowing rhe socks off of those new to their catalog of highly imaginative music. Tons more songs for you two to enjoy.

Every one of Steely Dan's songs is a masterpiece. The musicianship, the expert mixing of sounds, the creativity, and the jazz/funk are all unmatched.

One interpretation I've heard of this song is that it refers to immigrants arriving from Puerto Rico in NY. They expected to find a place where streets were paved in gold and everyone enjoyed a wonder life. Instead they were tricked into a life of low paying jobs and ghetto housing.

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Yep, we were told that meaning 👍

@ricktiberio

9 күн бұрын

Not tricked, delusional.

@bradsense7431

9 күн бұрын

My wife’s Puerto Rican parents came to NY in early 1950s. They were dirt poor and had nothing in PR. Unskilled and low education her father was nonetheless driven to make something for his family worked several low paying jobs lots of hours. Did not live in the best of areas and their church family was a community that helped each other. Later moved to Chicago and over time managed to buy several properties for rental income. After his death in late 1990s their house(which they owned) sold for over $750,000. He left his widow very comfortable. Was it a scam? Could be but for me it always comes down to what you make of the opportunities presented.

@JoeCruz-hs2yt

9 күн бұрын

​@@MerchantOfAlbasteely dan is a unique band very dark lyrics along with their musicianship !

Steely Dan are an amazing pair of composers and musicians (mostly) of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker and the very best session musicians. The effort they put into every track is incredible! This album is their best IMO. You will get so much joy!

Fantastic Album, Kid Charlemagne, Caves of Altamira, Don't Take Me Alive, Haitian Divorce 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I love your reactions … more Steely Dan please!

With this group, the two main members are geniuses lyrically and musically. They THINK of every note, word, pause, and instrument. They are a very detailed duo.

As Steely newbies, you have a wealth of good listening ahead of you. 9 albums. 80 songs. Their lyrics rise to the level of literature. Stories from the underside of life. Tales of gentlemen losers. The best jazz and rock session musicians.

"The little breaks in the vocals so the listener can hear what was said". And "The lyrics take your breath away and the music brings it back". I've been listening to this song/album since 1976 and I couldn't have said it any better. Or as good! Well done! What a haunting song! But so true for so many.

That muted trumpet is simply marvelous.

A true masterpiece, lyrically and instrumental.The streets are not paved in gold and to the contrary they will eat you alive.I love both of your introspection and acknowledgement of the story and talent of this tremendous band

This is such a great, especially in the chorus when the backing singers come in. Such a dark and exotic song. Fagen is a genius.

This song is in my opinion... A Timeless Masterpiece... Period. My family are immigrants to this country but we never had to deal with what this song is presenting. The lyrics in this song ring as true today as it did back in 1976 when this was released. Steely Dan was certainly doing some of their best work in this time frame. The album "Aja" came out after this one in 1977. The lineup of musicians on this album is astonishing. Great reaction. Take care....

The sophistication , both lyrically and musically, that Steely introduced to the ears of Rock n' Rollers heightened our modes of experience as no other band before or since. It's literature without reading .

See the glory of Steely Dan. Great reaction.

I love that MUTED TRUMPET.

Steely Dan is obviousky great when you really get into the details. I recommend "home at last" off of thier Aja album. Might be my favorite Dan track ever. Its always changes.

A must-listen from these guys is "Aja". From one of the best recorded and engineered albums ever. Just a great-sounding recording and an album of great songs.

Home at last, Deacon Blues, Caves of Altamira, Pretzel Logic, Charlie Freak, Peg, Aja, Glamour Profession…are a great start to the deep SD rabbit hole

If you play something by Steely Dan, you can't go wrong - everything by them is just fucking good ! Thanks for sharing and best wishes @all from hamburg (germany)

A perfect response to a great song - the entire album is just as good.

A high school friend made me listen to 'Can't Buy a Thrill' in 1972 and I was hooked. All of their albums are beautifully produced featuring impeccable studio musicians, and Fagen and Becker were amazing composers and crafty lyricists. The 'Royal Scam' album is loaded with great tracks. One of my favorite things is to listen to 'Green Earrings' repeatedly and, each time, focus on a different individual instrument or voice. The recording is so pristine that each is fully discernable. Yeah, a little nerdy, but that's me. Thanks for another great reaction!

Steely Dan is highest music standard - you will experience that. The royal scam is the statue of liberty, if I remember right. The LP-cover fits perfectly to the theme.

outstanding musicianship.... all upper class 🎸🎹🔥🔥

The Liner notes to this CD shows about 20 different musicians used on this album, some of the best in rock and jazz.. Add them onto the great arrangement/playing by bandleaders Becker/ Fagan , No wonder the LP is so bad-azz. Steely Dan were so good they broke up in '79, came back in 2000 and bagged another Grammy for "Two against Nature" I got 3 of their CD's and never get tired of hearing them.

Steely Dan will give you guy's years of enjoyment, not a bad album or song.

I'm sooo happy your listening to a great STEELY DAN'S song All of them are great

One of my top faves by them. I love the whole album. They are perfection

"Home at Last" next.... there's sooo many great Steely Dan songs.... great reaction guys thanks!

If y’all like this their absolute masterpiece is the album”AJA” possibly the best studio album ever made, certainly my favorite 👊

One of the BEST bands ever !

I so enjoyed the reaction. I don't know how many times I've heard this song -- many times, but I never considered the point of the structure of the song to give time for the meaning of each line to sink in. Also, you'll find many, many Steely Dan songs where you get ear candy and great lyrics. There are so many great songs to look forward to in The Dan's catalog!

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Thank you for enjoying our video. Much love from both of us 💚

One of my favorite bands. Great reaction!

Wonderful reaction to a wonderful creation.

Uh-oh, you two. You've discovered the brilliance of the 'Dan. This is the tip of the iceberg. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (RIP), the creators. They were notorius for their recording sessions, how they would bring numerous musicians in to play the parts. They'd be paid for the sessions, but never knew if their work made it to final cut. Crazy. Fagen (keyboards, lyrics) and Becker (guitars) rarely toured. They preferred recording to live performances. Fagen still creates music, plays when he feels the urge. SO many ways to go with the 'Dan. I'd suggest the Aja album (Black Cow, Peg), one of my personal top-5 albums of all time. Be well. /M.

Steely Dan, bands favorite BAND😎🎵

Your reactions always touch my heart!!!! Thank you for sharing your LOVE of music with us.💌

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Our pleasure!! Glad you liked it ☺️

Musical perfection = Steely Dan My 17 year old friend Kyle (RIP) turned me on to the Album Aja when I was 14! I've been in love with this band ever since and I still have the original album. Steely Dan never disappoints and always amazes ❤

Very appropriate song for Independence Day. The whole song and album are amazing but my favorite part here is adding the muted trumpet to the song's ambience

Literally not a bad song on their first six albums, and every song on those first six albums is pretty much flawless...as the old saying goes, "Steely Dan is your favorite band's favorite band"... 😁 If you want to check out those first six albums, I would start with "Aja," then listen to the rest of the "Royal Scam," then listen to the first album, then "Katy Lied," then "Countdown to Ecstasy," and then "Pretzel Logic." If you just want some outstanding individual songs to listen to, I would check out (in album order) "Dirty Work," "Kings," "Reelin' in the Years" (I'm pretty sure you already listened to "Do It Again"), "Razor Boy," "Your Gold Teeth," "King of the World," "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," "Pretzel Logic," "Dr. Wu," "Your Gold Teeth II," "Kid Charlemagne," "The Caves of Altamira," "Don't Take Me Alive," "Green Earrings," "Haitian Divorce," "Black Cow," "Aja," "Deacon Blues," "Peg" and "Josie." You will be astounded...have fun! 😁

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Thank you for the info. Have a great day 😊

Finally came up my street... Great band listen to... Deacon blue 💙... You'll enjoy it

Such a fantastic album!

Next to Pretzel Logic my favorite Steely Dan album! Thanks for covering! Do miss seeing your Beagle in the background:)

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

💚🐶

Great stuff folks. Steely Dan is one of the greatest bands of the 1970's into the 80's. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker are legends, especially Donald( singer/keyboards). They're amazing. Rabbit hole alert lol. Keep digging..

Love it ❤

The lady is switched on. 👍

I love Steely Dan, another great band.

The music paints a picture. Peace and love to you. And all you love. And all who love you.

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Many thanks. Much love from Romania 💚

Really enjoyed wife/hub reaction to this masterpiece. Beg you to do more. Both of you got invested immediately. Think this one gave them the confidence to invested so much $money$ into Aja. The whole LP is fantastic and the point where they really hit their stride.

"Different breed" you say? An accurate assessment. Royal Scam is an album full of songs that other bands would kill to have just 1 song of the caliber of what you just heard. RS is also their most adventurous and unfiltered album. Their following albums, while exceptional, are more polished and behaved. AND as a bonus, Donald Fagen (1/2 of Steely Dan) released 3 of his own albums - Nightfly, Kamakiriad, Morph the Cat. They're at the same level and sound like they have the same genetic upline because Donald's influence permeates all. Stay with this album - try Green Earrings, Kid Charlemagne, or Haitian Divorce. Happy lintening.

Deep Dive Required (DDR)... No turning back once the SD Vibe is understood .

One of their songs that doesn’t receive much air play is Haitian Divorce!

@79BlackRose

10 күн бұрын

It was a single.

You two kids are going to find some Steely Dan songs that you’ll love for the rest of your lives! Happy “rabbit hole” exploring! Peace, from the beautiful mountains of BC, Canada! 🇨🇦

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Thank you. Much love from Romania 💚

You guys do the best reactions. Steely Dan is a wonderful rabbit hole to go down.

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Many thanks 👍

Hé guys, I enjoyed your Nightwish reactions so much, but I was a Steely Dan fan from the early 1970s (now guess my age 😂). I still listen to SD, and I saw them live three times. Although the music is very different from NW, it has two things in common. 1) the lyrics are never easy to understand 2) the music is intelligent and complex, but still very pleasing to the ears! Now I love both SD and NW, isn’t that a strange combination?

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

No, not at all! Both are exceptional bands 😊 Best wishes and have a great day 💚

Played this Album continuously for about a month first time around. Don't think you will find anything from this Great Great Band 🎶🎵🍯🤌🙏💪🐝🍀

I'm glad you're doing some of Steely Dan's music. If you think of the meaning of "royal" in the way of meaning "grand" "huge" or "big", I think that's what the English syntax is getting at.

CCR “ fortunate Son” 👍

Andrei and Veronika you should for sure enjoy the whole album called The Royal Scam (Steely Dan: Donald Fagen and Walter Becker RIP)

@MerchantOfAlba

10 күн бұрын

Thank you. It's Dominika not Veronika. It must've been my accent 😁 Love and Peace from Romania 💚

Happy Independence Day, royal scam is so American !!!

I missed your first one. Steely Dan…..deep Rabbit hole.

There is no such thing as a bad Steely Dan song. Give Don’t Take Me Alive a try you’ll love it

SD put their money into the studio and the best musicians there were

They had 30 people in studio, who orchestrated??

More steely dan

Great formula from which they, unfortunately, never veered.

This is about TARTARIA

Kid charlemagne, dr wu, razor boy, gold teeth 2 please.

It’s Scam, not scum..…😊

everything you did', from the same album... a naughty song about hypocracy...and yes, if something sounds to good to be true, it probably is;)

best musicians ?

This is absolutely a great song. But it shouldn't make the top 10 list for first listeners of Steely Dan. There are so many other masterpieces that should be listened to first. They don't get a real sense of the genius of Steely Dan with this song, IMO.

Puerto Rico has been an American territory since 1890. So Puerto Ricans are American. They are not immigrants.