Steely an

Formed in 1972 by core-members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, Steely Dan s run of classic albums between 72 and 1980 formed the backbone for one of the finest catalogues in American musical history. And while the pair released two further studio records together in the early part of the 21st Century, it will forever be their first seven LPs that are remembered as Steely Dan s works of genius. Thus it would delight fans of the group when, in 2009, it was announced that the mighty Dan were to bring their Rent Party Tour to venues in Europe and America, alternating between standard one-date concerts at large venues and multi-night theater shows that featured performances of The Royal Scam, Aja, or Gaucho in their entirety on certain nights.

Gaucho — Steely Dan's Grammy-winning seventh studio album now on UHQR!
Definitive reissue Ultra High Quality Record, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl! 45 RPM LP release limited to 20,000 numbered copies Mastered by Bernie Grundman from an analog tape copy originally EQ'd by Bob Ludwig Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using 200-gram Clarity Vinyl® Purest possible pressing and most visually stunning presentation and packaging! Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing

Gaucho — Steely Dan's Grammy-winning seventh studio album now on UHQR!
Definitive reissue Ultra High Quality Record, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl! 45 RPM LP release limited to 20,000 numbered copies Mastered by Bernie Grundman from an analog tape copy originally EQ'd by Bob Ludwig Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using 200-gram Clarity Vinyl® Purest possible pressing and most visually stunning presentation and packaging! Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing

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.

Steely Dan are amongst that privileged elite of musicians which include The Beatles and Brian Wilson, who gave up touring at a certain point in their career to become the masters of studio perfection and release albums so good that they defined an era. In the case of Walter Becker and Donald Fagan the obsessive search for the "right cut" would see them use 42 musicians on the 1980s album "Gaucho" with its title track drum backdrop assembled from 46 different takes.

Steely Dan with Special Guest Larry Carlton. Not mentioned on release but this is taken from the FM broadcast live from the Chicago Theater, Chicago, ILL Sept 3rd 2009. 2-7 is 'Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart' wrongly listed as 'Live Wire'.

Pretzel Logic is the third studio album by American rock band Steely Dan, released on February 20, 1974, by ABC Records. It was written by principal band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles with producer Gary Katz. It was the final album to feature the full quintet lineup of Becker, Fagen, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (who left to join The Doobie Brothers) and also featured significant contributions from many prominent Los Angeles-based studio musicians and the last to be made and released while Steely Dan was still an active touring band. The album was a commercial and critical success. Its hit single "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" helped restore Steely Dan's radio presence after the disappointing performance of their 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy. Pretzel Logic was reissued on CD in 1987 and remastered in 1999 to retrospective critical acclaim.

Pretzel Logic is the third studio album by American rock band Steely Dan, released on February 20, 1974, by ABC Records. It was written by principal band members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and recorded at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles with producer Gary Katz. It was the final album to feature the full quintet lineup of Becker, Fagen, Denny Dias, Jim Hodder, and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (who left to join The Doobie Brothers) and also featured significant contributions from many prominent Los Angeles-based studio musicians and the last to be made and released while Steely Dan was still an active touring band. The album was a commercial and critical success. Its hit single "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" helped restore Steely Dan's radio presence after the disappointing performance of their 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy. Pretzel Logic was reissued on CD in 1987 and remastered in 1999 to retrospective critical acclaim.