Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:06
Size: 101.0 MB
Styles: Jazz-rock, Album rock
Year: 1987/2013
Art: Front
[3:03] 1. Brain Tap Shuffle
[4:04] 2. Come Back Baby
[3:16] 3. Android Warehouse
[2:37] 4. Charlie Freak
[3:07] 5. The Old Regime
[6:05] 6. Brooklyn
[3:59] 7. I Can't Function
[3:35] 8. Mock Turtle Song
[3:58] 9. Yellow Peril
[3:02] 10. Let George Do It
[2:20] 11. Stone Piano
[2:05] 12. You Where I Go
[2:50] 13. Sun Mountain
Collecting ten studio tracks that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker recorded between 1968 and 1971 (prior to their 1972 debut album), OLD REGIME provides a fascinating look at the duo as they work on perfecting the sound that would make them one of the most critically respected rock acts of the seventies. Though the sound quality of these recordings is not quite as pristine as that of Steely Dan's celebrated albums, OLD REGIME makes for some wonderful listening.
All of the ingredients that would comprise the "Steely Dan sound"--the inventive arrangements, quirky lyrics, classy songs, tasteful musicianship (including the guitar work of Denny Dias) and the soulful voice of Donald Fagen--are already in place on these recordings. Featuring only one track ("Brooklyn") that would appear on an official Steely Dan album, songs like "Brain Tap Shuffle," "Yellow Peril" and "I Can't Function" are welcome additions to the Steely Dan catalog and they are superb examples of how Becker and Fagen were able to blend their pop, jazz and R&B influences into an exciting, unique style that has never been replicated.
All of the ingredients that would comprise the "Steely Dan sound"--the inventive arrangements, quirky lyrics, classy songs, tasteful musicianship (including the guitar work of Denny Dias) and the soulful voice of Donald Fagen--are already in place on these recordings. Featuring only one track ("Brooklyn") that would appear on an official Steely Dan album, songs like "Brain Tap Shuffle," "Yellow Peril" and "I Can't Function" are welcome additions to the Steely Dan catalog and they are superb examples of how Becker and Fagen were able to blend their pop, jazz and R&B influences into an exciting, unique style that has never been replicated.
The Old Regime
Album: Katy Lied
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:59
Size: 80.1 MB
Styles: Album rock, Jazz-rock
Year: 1975/2011
Art: Front
[3:38] 1. Black Friday
[3:17] 2. Bad Sneakers
[3:02] 3. Rose Darling
[3:12] 4. Daddy Don't Live In That New York City No More
[3:53] 5. Doctor Wu
[3:42] 6. Everyone's Gone To The Movies
[4:10] 7. Your Gold Teeth Ii
[2:58] 8. Chain Lightning
[3:52] 9. Any World (That I'm Welcome To)
[3:12] 10. Throw Back The Little Ones
Building from the jazz fusion foundation of Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan created an alluringly sophisticated album of jazzy pop with Katy Lied. With this record, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen began relying solely on studio musicians, which is evident from the immaculate sound of the album. Usually, such a studied recording method would drain the life out of each song, but that's not the case with Katy Lied, which actually benefits from the duo's perfectionist tendencies. Each song is given a glossy sheen, one that accentuates not only the stronger pop hooks, but also the precise technical skill of the professional musicians drafted to play the solos. Essentially, Katy Lied is a smoother version of Pretzel Logic, featuring the same cross-section of jazz-pop and blues-rock. The lack of innovations doesn't hurt the record, since the songs are uniformly brilliant. Less overtly cynical than previous Dan albums, the album still has its share of lyrical stingers, but what's really notable are the melodies, from the seductive jazzy soul of "Doctor Wu" and the lazy blues of "Chain Lightning" to the terse "Black Friday" and mock calypso of "Everyone's Gone to the Movies." It's another excellent record in one of the most distinguished rock & roll catalogs of the '70s. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Katy Lied
Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteLabitta.
About Old Regime : A curiosity. This is the roots of Steely Dan, but sometimes with songs that don't look like future Dan. The cover art is beautiful.
ReplyDelete