Aja

Product Details

Artist : Steely Dan
Format : Original recording remastered
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 5011781174526
Label : Universal , Island
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2000-04-24
Running Time : 40minutes

ASIN : B0000259F9

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Black Cow
2. Aja
3. Deacon Blues
4. Peg
5. Home At Last
6. I Got The News
7. Josie - Steely Dan

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

History gives Steely Dan's Walter Becker and Donald Fagen the last, hearty laugh on this, the crown jewel in their remarkable canon of 1970s Mensa-pop. Sneaking onto the charts a half-decade earlier with sinuous, jazz-inflected "rock", the dysfunctional duo's acerbic, anti-heroic visions had been critically lauded for their band identity and killer guitar riffs, then promptly challenged when the two songwriters retired from the road, dissolved any formal band lineup, and used the studio as laboratory. Aja carried the added indignity of its increased focus on sophisticated jazz models and musicianship, which carried the Dan's ambitions even further in terms of suave harmonies, intricate song structures, and brilliant playing. Time has proven them wiser than their rock crit detractors: These seven songs abound in knotty plots, sneaky imagery, and drop-dead brilliant performances from a blue chip studio repertory studded with first-call jazz players epitomised by Wayne Shorter's towering solo on the title song. From the hard-boiled jazz romance of "Deacon Blues" to the twisted Homeric vamp of "Home at Last", the veiled but ominous swing of "Peg" to the sci-fi eroticism of "Josie", Aja is a modern pop classic and the coolest fusion record no one ever thought to lump in that category. --Sam Sutherland

Description

This represents the pinnacle of Steely Dan's gradual transition from rock band to their own brand of jazz-influenced white soul. Guitars were replaced by keyboards, and saxophonesbecame more common. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were only interested in spending time in the recording studios, while the fans pined and waited. The result set new standards inrecorded excellence, and is regularly used as a hi-fi shop demonstration. The ambitious title track was deemed too difficult for radio play and only the two overtly accessible tracks `Josie' and `Peg', gave them valuable exposure.

Customer Reviews

Least favourite! (2008-03-05)

From a band that only seem to release great albums, 'Aja' is well down the list of Steely Dan's best. What I like about their earlier releases is their blend of styles. 'Aja' is dominated by jazz and funk influences, neither of which are my favoured genres, but the music rewards repeated listening and is beautifully constructed. The title track is, for me, the highlight, its innocuous opening soon drifting into subtle, shifting shades of tonal colour and twinkling keyboards, culminating in a striking closing passage. 'Josie' is the obvious hit item, with a great guitar intro and a solid groove. 'Peg' is the other more overtly commercial item, the remaining tracks being more like the title track in approach.' Not the most instant album, and, as usual, lyrically challenging, but great anyway.

Give this to visiting aliens (2007-11-14)

This is probably the best album ever recorded. Songs, players, arrangements, groove, harmony - I can't think of another album that ticks every box in such abundance. This album should be part of the school curriculum.

Didn't even like Jazz when I first bought this.... (2007-03-06)

....or at least, I didn't realise that I did. Nearly 30 years after first buying this musical work of art rarely a week goes buy when it doesn't get a spin.This album isn't just good, it's special. No one, from the pop, rock or jazz styles has made anything approaching what Steely Dan achieved on Aja.Try it, you probably won't regret it.

Magnificent (2006-04-21)

When I first had this on LP in the early 80's I wasn't that keen. However as I've got older, and perhaps understand music better, it has overtaken all other Steely Dan albums to become my favourite.This has that perfect mix of catchy songs and high-class musicianship. Its worth catching the Classic Albums program on Aja, which gives great insight into the making of the album.The list of musicians is amazing, Steve Gadd, Bernard Purdie, Jim Keltner to name but three, and they are all drummers! Becker and Fagen tend to use musicians with Jazz backgrounds so Wayne Shorter plays Tenor Sax on the title track, Larry Carlton contributes Guitar to a number of tracks. However don't let this put you off, like all Steely Dan albums this is a Jazz influenced album, not a Jazz album. Becker and Fagen are just using a different palette! Peg is a wonderfully melodic song (with very difficult backing vocals according to Michael McDonald). Josie is or was a covers band standard. The title track has everything, and perhaps sums up the album best.There are no weak tracks on this album, and any Steely Dan fan should have this in their collection.

elsewhere (2005-12-02)

Beleive me if you want the best of S/D then look elsewhere , such as Cant buy a thrill or even better Royal scam. Much better throughout, this is just mediocre background fodder. Not at all like its cracked up to be by the beatnik know alls reckon it is.You have been warned as they say.

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