Steely Dan-Aja

This 1977 release (their sixth) is their best selling and most critically acclaimed record. It’s a used one I bought in the 90’s for $2 at a record collectors expo held at the Valley Forge Convention Center. The cover is in decent shape the record sounds good. Steely Dan always had some Jazz elements in their music but they go all in on this record especially on the three tracks on side one. All three feature saxophone work by Wayne Shorter and Tom Scott. “Aja” also has a bit of an Eastern influence in it. I really like the fade out on that one. I like the four songs on side two even better. Shorter, more Rock and Pop, than side one. “Peg” which has Michael McDonald’s wonderful voice as backup singer, and “Josie” were both released as singles and made the Top 40. “Home At Last” and “I Got The News” are also very good with Donald Fagen playing synthesizer. Hard to pick a favorite of the four I’ve listened to so far, they are all amazing records.

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