A VERY MERRY STEELY DAN CHRISTMAS TO YOU

CAN'T BUY A THRILL (Japanese SHM-CD)

The Dan's first album, and although there's some great stuff in here, it's obvious they were still trying to find their way. The addition of vocalist David Palmer (of "Dirty Work", etc.) proved to be a mistake, even though Donald Fagen has never been particularly comfortable as the front man--especially when touring, a habit which continues today. This one is not my rip.

COUNTDOWN TO ECSTASY (Japanese SHM-CD)

In their second effort, they proved to be much more interesting...especially with songs like "Bodhisattva", "My Old School", "Your Gold Teeth", "Show Biz Kids", and, well, pretty much the entire album. Not one to miss.

PRETZEL LOGIC (Japanese SHM-CD)

I really took notice when this one came out, especially since that was the heyday of the 8-track tape, and you either listened to the whole album, or just sections. I listened to the whole album, and have never forgotten it.

KATY LIED (Japanese SHM-CD)

Absolutely stunning, especially when you consider that when this was going to be released, it was almost junked because a new mixing technology had "ruined" it. Nope. Here it is in all its glory.

THE ROYAL SCAM (Japanese SHM-CD)

Musically, this one seems to have a harder edge than any of the other albums. Still, though, it's one of my favorites.

AJA (Japanese SHM-CD)

For sheer listening pleasure, this album has to take my vote for Steely Dan. Totally brilliant.

GAUCHO (DVD-A)

Not one of my rips, but it sounds immeasurably better than my copies of the Japanese SHM-CD. This includes the 24-96 version, which is why the download is so large...and so worth it.

THE DEFINITIVE STEELY DAN (Japanese SHM-CD)

A fair attempt at a greatest hits album, but hardly "definitive", since they didn't even put in "Here At the Western World", but still worth having. Not one of my rips.

FORWARD INTO THE PAST: Becker & Fagen - The Early Years

A collection of outtakes and demos, some of them quite interesting. Worth the time.

THE NIGHTFLY (MFSL 16-44/24-96 Vinyl Rip)

Obviously not one of mine, but the sound on this one beats every other copy of it I have. On his first solo effort, Fagen sounds more like Steely Dan than he does on his follow-ups. Check out "I.G.Y.", "New Frontier" and the title track, for instance. This also includes some bonus Steely Dan stuff I threw in that don't appear on any of the other albums, such as "Here At the Western World", "Dallas", and "Sail the Waterway".

TRILOGY: 10 EXTRAS (16-44/24-96)

Mostly a collection of live tracks and singles, all provided in 16-44 and 24-96. Not my rip, but a great addition to any collection.

MARIAN McPARTLAND'S PIANO JAZZ with Special Guest STEELY DAN

This 2002 Public Radio broadcast has been available on the internet almost since it was aired, but most of those copies were MP3. Here, we finally have a Japanese pressing of the whole show. Even if you cut out the discussion, there's still a half hour or so of Steely Dan music with more of a jazz feel than usual. Highly recommended.

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