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Katy Lied by: Steely Dan

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Average rating -

Rating: - Buy it! Buy it! Buy it!

Somewhat oddly, if the rest of these reviews are anything to go by, this was the first Dan album I ever heard or bought. Although I can take or leave a couple of the tracks - I've never really got into either "Daddy Don't Live...." or "Everyone's Gone...." - the album is worth buying for three reasons:

1) The soaring Denny Dias guitar solo on "Your Golf Teeth II" - which is the closest thing to aural paradise ever recorded
2) Michael Omartian's piano triads right at the end of "Throw Back the Little Ones"; and
3) The all-round excellence of "Doctor Wu"

So don't be put off by the cover - just buy the damn album and enjoy it!

(By the way, I'm not sure that the Amazon reviewer is right to praise Donald Fagen for the piano fills. I think that Michael Ormartian played piano throughout, and that Fagen hardly touched the Bosendorfer that they had bought specially for the album sessions.)

Rating: - A missed classic

Having owned most of the Steely Dan catalogue for some years this album was a hole that I had never felt the need to fill, maybe its the odd cover thats off putting. This however ranks at the very top of the Steely Dan tree, the lyrics are just as clever as one expects but there is an easy accessability that can be missing when Becker and Fagen get too clever for their own good. From the wildly prophetic Black Friday through the catchy Bad Sneakers, the gorgeous but silly Doctor Wu, and one of my personal all time favourites in Any World. I have only one minor minor quibble, not being a fan of Michael Macdonald I find his backing vocals intrusive given his distinctive voice. If you only ever get two Steely Dan CDs make it this and Cant Buy a Thrill.

Rating: - A missed classic

Despite owning most of the Steely Dan catalogue for many years now this was one that I had never purchased, whether it was the odd cover that put me off I dont know but what I was missing was astonishing. This album marries Becker and Fagens lyrical intelligence with some great tunes, and they dont box themselves into a corner through being too clever, a fault they can at times indulge in.Not a bad tack on here but some stand outs in Any World (a gorgeous track), Black Friday (amazing that this was written in the 70s as it describes the 80s to a T) and Doctor Wu( silly title madly infectious) If you only buy two Steely Dan albums make it this and Cant Buy a Thrill

Rating: - The often overlooked gem in the Dan collection

This album was strangely overlooked on first issue in the 70s, and had a look-and-feel of being a bit thrown together. Turns out the sleeve design (and notes) were supposed to mimic 50s jazz albums of Walt and Don's acquaintance, a fact that passed most of us by at the time. Whatever, the songs, shorter and slighter than a lot of the Dan catalogue nevertheless contain all their hallmark quality. "Bad Sneakers" contains their most sardonic guitar solo bar none, "Daddy Don't Live" has a nastily-infectious hook and "Doctor Wu" contains one of their most beautiful melodies. Snappy and clever lyrics are in place as usual (no 'Moons and Junes' for these guys), and the whole thing reeks of class. I've lived with it for 20 years but it still sounds fresh, and it makes great listening in the car. Turn the volume up, open the windows and give the neighbours a treat.

Review Pages: 1 2 3