"Steely Dan isn't a group;

it's a concept." - CREEM

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Several years ago, someone asked me if I liked Steely Dan. My response was, "Yeah, he's great." I learned quickly that Steely Dan wasn't a guy, it was a band. A few years and many hours of intense listening later, I learned something else, Steely Dan was more than just a band, it was a concept.

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In 1972, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (two weird dudes) formed Steely Dan. Fagen and Becker bestowed upon music fans a unique, uncontaminated sound. A sound that mixed rock with jazz; saxophones with electric guitars; perplexing lyrics with symphonic perfection. Steely Dan was a musical miracle.

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Steely Dan's musical brilliance was apparent from the beginning. Their first three albums Can't Buy A Thrill (1972), Countdown to Ecstasy (1973), and Pretzel Logic (1974) were unparalleled. Each album transcended upon its predecessor as their sound began to ripen. Steely Dan's zeal for excellence, however, did not come without a price.

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They say that to be a successful rock band, you have to tour (unless of course you're the Beatles). Nonetheless, touring was Steely Dan's shortcoming. Their sophisticated musical style didn't agree with the harshness of the road, and after a disastrous attempt, Steely Dan abandoned touring altogether. They more wisely focused all of their energies to the studio.

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DONALD FAGEN

"They're bound to either take off completely or become cult heroes. The latter seems more likely." - Downbeat

WALTER BECKER

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The so-called "Steely Dan Band" became the "Steely Dan Studio Concept" in 1975. Katy Lied (1975) and The Royal Scam (1976) were recorded with a variety of session players. Again, each album evolving upon its former. One question remained, how long could "The Dan" keep it up?

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The unfolding of Steely Dan was beginning to reach its crest with the 1977 masterpiece, Aja. According to author, Bill Williams, Aja became a top five album within three weeks of its release, and stayed on the charts for 58 weeks. It received the 1977 Grammy award for the Best Engineered recording (non-classical), and had achieved sales of three million by the end of 1978.

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Trying to exceed Aja was the sword that slayed the dragon. The much-anticipated Gaucho (1980) was Steely Dan's final treasure.

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Today. . .

After 19 years since their last tour, Fagen and Becker returned to the road with their "Citizen Steely Dan Band," and recorded a spectacular live album titled Alive in America. On February 29, 2000, SD released 2 Against Nature, their first studio album in 20 years.

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Steely Dan is my favorite band.