Steely an

Most rock & roll bands are a tightly wound unit that developed their music through years of playing in garages and clubs around their hometown. Steely Dan never subscribed to that aesthetic. As the vehicle for the songwriting of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, Steely Dan defied all rock & roll conventions…

Throughout the '70s, musical trends would come and go, but Steely Dan always remained true to their own blend of Jazz, Pop and Rock. The songs were clever and melodic, the musicianship was top notch and the production was stellar. The band, led by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, were adored by musicians and non-musicians alike and even the critics eventually warmed up to them. While the band called it a day in 1980 (reuniting a decade and a half later), their fan base continued to grow and their original albums became prized possessions in record collections everywhere. This triple disc collection contains 47 tracks including hits and album tracks released 1972-80. Features 'Do It Again', 'Peg', 'Reelin' in the Years', 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number', 'FM', and many others.

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were remarkable craftsmen from the start, as Steely Dan's debut, Can't Buy a Thrill, illustrates. Each song is tightly constructed, with interlocking chords and gracefully interwoven melodies, buoyed by clever, cryptic lyrics. All of these are hallmarks of Steely Dan's signature sound, but what is most remarkable about the record is the way it differs from their later albums. Of course, one of the most notable differences is the presence of vocalist David Palmer, a professional blue-eyed soul vocalist who oversings the handful of tracks where he takes the lead. Palmer's very presence signals the one major flaw with the album – in an attempt to appeal to a wide audience, Becker and Fagen tempered their wildest impulses with mainstream pop techniques.