Sep 1, 2021Liked by Mitch Blum, CJ Kaplan, Ken Warshaw
Aja is incredible - went over my head at 12 or 13, really hit me in the chin in college. But I’d agree with Mitch that it isn’t my favorite Steely Dan album, even though it’s objectively their best album. Katy Lied and Royal Scam are both juggernauts that surpass Aja for me in the “which Dan album am i putting on today?” pecking ordering
I think Aja is their best and most complete album, but “Kid Charlemagne” is my favorite SD song. Larry Carlton elevated himself to the pantheon with that solo
The first time I listened to Miles Davis and heard "So What" and "All Blues" I was wondering why he was playing Larry Carlton! I loved "Last Nite" and all of his early solo albums!.
Of course, we were all huge Larry fans as kids because of the Hill Street Blues theme song, we just didn't know it!
Aja is the kind of thing that should've been etched onto the Golden Record.
If you asked me to sum up my musical taste in one sentence, it might be something like, "Knows the lyrics to 'Black Cow,' enough to sing along in the car, but also reflexively thinks "UPTOWN BABY!" when he hears it.
I have never been in more disagreement with all three of you. Do I need to become the St. Peter of Exile on Newbury Street? It's a jazz band disguising as a rocker for crying out loud - I thought Newbury Street was for a rock and a roll? (Get it - Foghat) There is no doubt about their supreme musical craftsmanship, but with the exception of "Do It Again" (a classic, but on a different album) their music is boring in the way that jazz is boring. Never cared for this album in 1979, and thinking my tastes may have changed over the past 42 years, listened to it all afternoon while doing some other writing. I think I was right all the way back in 1979 - not rock music and certainly not worthy of the hallowed cobblestones on Newbury. Take it back out, please. In honor of Dusty Hill or Charlie Watts, don't you think someone should have brought out their bands or even Charlie's solo projects?
Alan, this has never just been about rock music. Mitch did a fantastic pitch a few weeks back about a country album, and way back in January we discussed Miles Davis’ masterpiece Kind of Blue.
I have other interests too, just not jazz, country, or rap. Love the blues and classical piano. Ever listen to Richard Clayderman piano? Heck, I'm listening to the Bee Gees right now. Their early material was fantastic.
Aja is incredible - went over my head at 12 or 13, really hit me in the chin in college. But I’d agree with Mitch that it isn’t my favorite Steely Dan album, even though it’s objectively their best album. Katy Lied and Royal Scam are both juggernauts that surpass Aja for me in the “which Dan album am i putting on today?” pecking ordering
I think Aja is their best and most complete album, but “Kid Charlemagne” is my favorite SD song. Larry Carlton elevated himself to the pantheon with that solo
Agreed. Both solos in that song belong in some hall of fame or the library of Congress or something. Mr 335 is otherworldly
The first time I listened to Miles Davis and heard "So What" and "All Blues" I was wondering why he was playing Larry Carlton! I loved "Last Nite" and all of his early solo albums!.
Of course, we were all huge Larry fans as kids because of the Hill Street Blues theme song, we just didn't know it!
Aja is the kind of thing that should've been etched onto the Golden Record.
If you asked me to sum up my musical taste in one sentence, it might be something like, "Knows the lyrics to 'Black Cow,' enough to sing along in the car, but also reflexively thinks "UPTOWN BABY!" when he hears it.
I have never been in more disagreement with all three of you. Do I need to become the St. Peter of Exile on Newbury Street? It's a jazz band disguising as a rocker for crying out loud - I thought Newbury Street was for a rock and a roll? (Get it - Foghat) There is no doubt about their supreme musical craftsmanship, but with the exception of "Do It Again" (a classic, but on a different album) their music is boring in the way that jazz is boring. Never cared for this album in 1979, and thinking my tastes may have changed over the past 42 years, listened to it all afternoon while doing some other writing. I think I was right all the way back in 1979 - not rock music and certainly not worthy of the hallowed cobblestones on Newbury. Take it back out, please. In honor of Dusty Hill or Charlie Watts, don't you think someone should have brought out their bands or even Charlie's solo projects?
Alan, this has never just been about rock music. Mitch did a fantastic pitch a few weeks back about a country album, and way back in January we discussed Miles Davis’ masterpiece Kind of Blue.
Thanks again for contributing.
My bad. I thought it was RR, and I'm an old RR'er.
We all have pretty broad musical tastes. My default is folk-rock, but I love jazz, blues, classical, etc as well. Newbury St welcomes all genres.
I have other interests too, just not jazz, country, or rap. Love the blues and classical piano. Ever listen to Richard Clayderman piano? Heck, I'm listening to the Bee Gees right now. Their early material was fantastic.