Steely Dan's sixth release. Most of the listeners of Steely Dan music may tell you that Aja is their favorite CD. I happen to be one of them. This album is the witnessing of Steely Dan coming into their own, as far as sound, tone and mood. Their song writing seemed to turn a different corner and don a new dimension, while leaving some old ones by the way side.
As proof, I submit the fact that Steely had the pompous audacity to release this album with just seven songs. Who do they think they are, Pink Floyd? Not at all, Floyd's drug-laced instrumental imagery was the reason of such long songs; it was an idea to help you glide on whatever the listener was tripping on at the moment. Steely Dan's one long song on this album is Aja, and the purpose was to groove on these incredible jazz instrumental breaks.

This album was released on September 23, 1977 and was their most successful album to date at that time. In just three weeks or release, the album shot to number three on the pop album charts. In spite of the songs of the Bee Gees flooding the airwaves at the time, rock music was very big. This era we had bands like Fleetwood Mac, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Queen, Led Zeppelin, McCartney, Rolling Stones, The Who, Meatloaf, Heart and others selling multi-platinum albums, which back then was rare. Steely Dan seemed to be the opposite of all popular music and created a unique vision.

Steely Dan's Aja peaked at #3 on the Pop Album Charts and stayed in the charts for over a year. In all likely hood, the success of this album may have been the reason that Steely was asked to write and perform the title track to the movie FM the following year.

Black Cow is the perfect opener for this album as it sets the mood of what to expect from the remaining songs. A groovin' bass, keyboards and guitar accents over a slow jazz beat. The background vocals by Clydie King, Venetta Fileds, Sherlie Matthews & Rebecca Louis are more prominent than on earlier albums, and it adds a different aspect to Steely's sound that was never there. Oddly for Steely, these lyrics seem to try and talk a person out of using drugs.
♫"On the counter
By your keys
Was a book of numbers
And your remedies
One of these
Surely will screen out the sorrow
But where are you tomorrow"♫
Aja is the greatest song on this and any other Steely record made so far. Steve Gadd's drumming is superb and gives the song such an authentic jazz jam rhythm that swings in unison with the amazing Chuck Rainey's bass playing. This is the longest track on the album easily at nearly eight minutes in length and never does it get boring.
Deacon Blues was written for radio play. It got it to, reaching a modest #19 on the pop charts. It possesses all of the cliché smooth jazz qualities, the smooth sax, the soft electric piano, and the contemporary melodies. But because this is Steely, it’s cool.
♫"They got a name for the winners in the world,
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues".♫
Peg is the biggest single off of the album, climbing to a height of #11 on the pop singles charts. It possesses a dance/jazz beat and such catchy melody. Michael McDonald, who has already gone and joined The Doobie Brothers full time, can be heard very prominently in the background vocals. The lyrics are very fun as well.
♫"I like your picture
I keep it with your letter
Done up in blueprint blue
It sure looks good on you"♫
There is no week track on this CD, yet the weakest of the bunch in my opinion is Home At Last. I write this only because the album Aja is such a different direction for Steely Dan and Home At Last sounds like earlier Steely Dan. It's a great track with some really nice lead guitar work by Walter Becker.
I Got The News is a funk/jazz track with a grooving bass by Chuck Findlay. This track is overlooked by fans and classic rock radio. It's probably the least known track on the CD.
Josie was the last single from the album and reached #26 on the pop singles chart. This was my favorite song off of this CD for a long time. I believe this is a lot of fan's favorites, Steely has performed this song live since their comeback and have not dropped it from the setlist once, probably because it is such a favorite among fans. I prefer this album version that the too laid back version they perform live. This studio version possesses an urgency, while the live version is in no rush, like a Sunday driver.

If you happen to be curious about Steely Dan, I suggest you start here. This is Steely at their best and they're sure to hook you and reel you in to buy more of their CDs. Looking back on Classic Rock history, Steely seem to play a smaller role than more undeserving bands, but they are still an important link in the chain.


Tracks:
1. Black Cow
2. Aja
3. Deacon Blues
4. Peg
5. Home at Last
6. I Got the News
7. Josie



Musicians:

Walter Becker: guitar, bass
Donald Fagan: lead and backing vocals, synthesizer, and police whistle
Larry Carlton: guitar
Pete Christlieb: tenor sax
Gary Coleman: percussion
Denny Dias: guitar
Victor Feldman: electric piano, piano, percussion, vibes
Venetta Fields: backing vocals
Chuck Findlay: brass
Steve Gadd: drums
Jay Graydon: guitar
Ed Greene: drums
Paul Griffin: electric piano, backing vocals
Don Grolnick: clavinet
Jim Horn: Saxes, flutes
Jim Humphrey: drums
Slyde Hyde: brass
Plas Johnson: Saxes, flutes
Jackie Kelso: Saxes, flutes
Jim Keltner: drums, percussion
Steve Khan: guitar
Clydie King: backing vocals
Rebecca Louis: backing vocals
Rick Marotta: drums
Shirlie Matthews: backing vocals
Lou McCreary: brass
Michael McDonald: backing vocals
Michael Omartian: piano
Dean Parks: guitar
Bill Perkins: Saxes, flutes
Bernard Purdie: drums
Chuck Rainey: bass
Lee Ritenour: guitar
Joe Sample: clavinet, electric piano
Tim Schmit: backing vocals
Tom Scott: tenor sax, lyricon, and horn arrangements
Wayne Shorter: tenor sax


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Listening