Their sound also moved farther away from rockĪs more jazz and a softer, slower jazz-funk groove dominated.
By the 4 thĪlbum, Katy Lied (1975), Steely Dan was no longer an actual band, but wereįagen and Becker and whatever session musicians they used for each song. Session musicians to meet their demanding expectations. Over all aspects of the recording process, and brought in guest artists and Not satisfied with the sound of their early albums, began exerting more control By the third album, Pretzel Logic (1974), Fagen and Becker, who were Their 2 nd album,Ĭountdown to Ecstasy (1973) was darker, more eclectic, less-pop-oriented, butĪllowed the band to stretch out, explore, and develop their style to a greaterĭegree. The band and their unique sound to the world. Sound than subsequent albums with more jazz influences, but served to introduce That first album featured a more pop-rock (1972), was a major success, scoring multiple hit singles, and establishing theīand as major players in top 40 rock. (pre-album) single, ‘Dallas’ tanked, their first album, Can’t Buy a Thrill Lead vocalist (and Fagen wasn’t that comfortable as a vocalist either), soĭavid Palmer was added to share vocalist duties. Their record contract (ABC Dunhill), the label wasn’t satisfied with Fagen as Started out as an actual rock band) consisted of guitarists Jeff ‘Skunk’ BaxterĪnd Denny Dias, and drummer Jim Hodder joining Fagen and Becker. Although Steely Dan was first formed in 1971, Fagen and Becker hadīeen working together as songwriters and performers in various bands sinceġ967, when they met at Bard College.
Primarily of the songwriting-performing duo of Donald Fagen (vocals, keyboards)Īnd Walter Becker (bass, guitar) usually backed by various session and studio Impeccable production, arrangements, and musicianship.
The years into more finely crafted pop-tinged jazz-funk grooves featuring Off with quirky, oddball jazz-tinged pop-rock songs that developed slowly over Unique jazz-funk-soul-pop-rock style and sound as well as their usuallyĬryptic, biting, ironic lyrics and tales of losers, creeps, and miscreants. Up this time is another of my favorite artists, Steely Dan, with their totally It’s about time for another of my artist album rankings, and