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Actually, in a way, we are talking about two different animal Dan's. It is all and none and more and what difference does it make. Not many bands can twist song forms like DNA to make a new--and perfect- beast, and that is why there is Steely Dan, the Beatles, Hendrix, Coltrane, Miles Davis, and then all the rest.So why bother to figure it out. It is what Steely Dan were best at up to Aja. I came to talk about Royal Scam's music. Aja is a masterpiece of jazz and of pop framed as progressive rock.
But, if your so inclined, we can sit and try. When everything is so good, how do you pick a favorate. Well, for a guy like me, with Jazz and Progessive leanings, the blue ribbon would go to Aja. Oh yeah.
It's the music, stupid. It is really either pop disguised as jazz or vice versa, except that you learn hearing Royal Scam, like all the dou's albums, that they understand what the best writters, players, and listenters do--the labals don't matter. It is a funky, jazz, framed in small songs, but there is nothing small about what is inside the packages. With a case of dynamite, we can hold out here all nightListening.
It feels like home, but is laced with danger and risk. Royal Scam is the best of the pre-Aja work. Listen to the decending chords of "Caves Of Altamira," the popisqe break on "Sign In Stranger." This could have been from an Olivia Newton John or Carly Simon song of the 70s, but in its latin funk context, it is miles, miles way, safe and snug on FM and progressive ground.I'll go you one better: Listen to "Don't Take Me Alive." It is a blues, but with pop gloss, hard, but familier. But I'll tell you, the more I hear Royal Scam, the more fierce the competiton.
Well. Steely makes pop a loaded term. Royal Scam is about the songs, containted pop pieces. Of course, pop with these guys is like saying the Beatles were kind of big, or Muddy Waters made some blues 78s.
Probably the best album ever made by Steely Dan.These guys were perfectionists, there is not a sour note on the cd.The Royal Scam
I enjoyed this cd very much.Steely Dan demonstrates their jazzy chops, and the musicians are very tight.I recommend this cd who appreciates what real musicianship sounds like.
If for no other reason buy it for Larry Carlton's too good to be true guitar work. This album is over 30 years old but remains one of the greatest jazz-rock albums ever made.
All the tunes are perfect creations melding rock guitars jazzy keys and horns with phat R&B and funk grooves. the drums and bass are really fat but clean and clear and the vocals are a thing of beauty,perfectly sung and blended and expertly recorded and mixed. I have to say that this album is fast becoming my favorite.
I actually like this album better then Aja. If your new to Steely Dan this wouldnt be a bad place to start cause the whole album jams with intensity. Also the remastered version sounds awesome.
I recently bought The Royal Scam along with two other dan favs Katy Lied and Pretzel Logic. I would say that Becker & Fagen where feeling the influence of funk and disco into their rock sounding stuff, check out "The Fez" my favorite tune and probably the funkiest groove on the album. I can listen from start to finish.
I own all of Steely Dan's quote classic albums and in my opinion The Royal Scam has it all. By this time the bands sound had definitely changed from the early 70's sound of Can't Buy a Trill & Countdown.
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