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Music : The Royal Scam
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Rating: 
- Essential
To the uninitiated comments about Becker and Fagen’s attention to detail and the demonstration quality of their sound might imply some absence of passion, but their perfectionism is never to the detriment of the soul of the music (at least, up to Aja). The most notable feature of their approach is the way they are able to mould a disparate band of session players into a bona fide band – irrespective of the changes in personnel or the meticulous re-recording involved.
Many see Countdown to Ecstasy or Aja as the Dan’s twin peaks, but I would have to add this as the mid-panel of a triptych of stunning musical masterpieces. Veering more towards West Coast rock, the songs run the gamut of subject matter from LSD merchants, through double-dealing desperadoes, to marital bust-ups and racial tensions, encompassing a range of idioms, but from the opening bars of Kid Charlemagne to the close of the majestic Royal Scam, there is a unity and pulse that binds them all together into one kaleidoscopic vision of America.
As with all Dan’s albums, there is so much going on, lyrically and musically, so many outstanding contributions (even if just a few bars) that these songs stand the kind of repeated listening that few other artist’s material could bear. Well, I’ve been listening to these songs for nearly thirty years and they still sound as fresh as they did in 1977. The guitar parts alone are just as riveting – a masterclass in how to play coruscating breaks without hogging the limelight!
If you only buy three Dan albums, this HAS to be one – but you really NEED all from Can’t Buy a Thrill to Aja.
Rating: - Simply brilliant
This album is nothing short of pure brilliance. The songs, muscianship, melody, production are all faultless.
What a shame their subsequent albums veered off into funk, tuneless jazz and banalaty.After this album it all went down hill into techno jazzfunk rubbish. Even if Aja did get a Grammy.
Pity.
Rating: - In my top 5 of all time.
As with some of the other reviewers of this album, I was first hooked by Haitian Divorce. I bought the vinyl, and began my love affaire with the Dan. I rate this album and Aja as two of the finest by any artist. I must admit that I didn't have much idea about what any of the songs were about, but then again, the best poetry is never particularly accessible (is it). This is probably more rock and guitar oriented than Aja which has more leanings towards jazz. A true joybringer of a record.
Rating: - A "Masterwork" from the 70's...
In the last part of 1976 I heard on the radio a song called "Haitian Divorce", the sound that attracted me to the track was the use of a vocal/guitar effect that "Peter Frampton" had used on his worldwide hit "Show me the Way" from his double live album "Frampton Comes Alive".
In the context of the "Steely Dan" song they used it along with a reggae sounding guitar lick and a drum beat on the "off beat" against the catchy chorus "O-no hesitation, No tears and heart's breakin', No Remorse, O-congratulations, This is your Haitian Divorce".
On the the strength of the single I purchased the album "Royal Scam", to this day I am glad I did this, the album introduced me to a band unique in music, with their fusion of sometimes rock, pop and jazz influences along with their use of sometimes totally surreal lyrics this band have created their own place in music that no else has come close to then or now.
Another chorus in another song that for me really stands out for me is from the cut "Don't take me Alive" the lines are as follows, "I'm a bookkeeper's son, I don't want to shoot no one, Well crossed my old man back in Oregon, Don't take me Alive".
This album for me is the most complete they have relaesed to date,(and that's saying something)every track here is not just a great song but a superb song, with incredible musicians bringing the vision of "Beker and Fagen" to life, a truly great album that finally sounds tremendous on C.D. at long last on this 1999 re-issue...
Rating: - Amazing album that still sounds current.
This is probably the best album recorded by the band. The coupling of Chuck Rainey on Bass and Bernard Purdie on Drums is without doubt the perfect rythmn section. For example, sit back and marvel at the way these two lift the middle section of "Green Earrings".. pure bliss..!. Every song is perfect with a twist around each corner and the whole album is beautifully drawn to a close by the superb title track. An absolute classic that desrves a place in every collection. Enjoy.
- EssentialTo the uninitiated comments about Becker and Fagen’s attention to detail and the demonstration quality of their sound might imply some absence of passion, but their perfectionism is never to the detriment of the soul of the music (at least, up to Aja). The most notable feature of their approach is the way they are able to mould a disparate band of session players into a bona fide band – irrespective of the changes in personnel or the meticulous re-recording involved.
Many see Countdown to Ecstasy or Aja as the Dan’s twin peaks, but I would have to add this as the mid-panel of a triptych of stunning musical masterpieces. Veering more towards West Coast rock, the songs run the gamut of subject matter from LSD merchants, through double-dealing desperadoes, to marital bust-ups and racial tensions, encompassing a range of idioms, but from the opening bars of Kid Charlemagne to the close of the majestic Royal Scam, there is a unity and pulse that binds them all together into one kaleidoscopic vision of America.
As with all Dan’s albums, there is so much going on, lyrically and musically, so many outstanding contributions (even if just a few bars) that these songs stand the kind of repeated listening that few other artist’s material could bear. Well, I’ve been listening to these songs for nearly thirty years and they still sound as fresh as they did in 1977. The guitar parts alone are just as riveting – a masterclass in how to play coruscating breaks without hogging the limelight!
If you only buy three Dan albums, this HAS to be one – but you really NEED all from Can’t Buy a Thrill to Aja.
Rating:
- Simply brilliantThis album is nothing short of pure brilliance. The songs, muscianship, melody, production are all faultless.
What a shame their subsequent albums veered off into funk, tuneless jazz and banalaty.After this album it all went down hill into techno jazzfunk rubbish. Even if Aja did get a Grammy.
Pity.
Rating:
- In my top 5 of all time.As with some of the other reviewers of this album, I was first hooked by Haitian Divorce. I bought the vinyl, and began my love affaire with the Dan. I rate this album and Aja as two of the finest by any artist. I must admit that I didn't have much idea about what any of the songs were about, but then again, the best poetry is never particularly accessible (is it). This is probably more rock and guitar oriented than Aja which has more leanings towards jazz. A true joybringer of a record.
Rating:
- A "Masterwork" from the 70's...In the last part of 1976 I heard on the radio a song called "Haitian Divorce", the sound that attracted me to the track was the use of a vocal/guitar effect that "Peter Frampton" had used on his worldwide hit "Show me the Way" from his double live album "Frampton Comes Alive".
In the context of the "Steely Dan" song they used it along with a reggae sounding guitar lick and a drum beat on the "off beat" against the catchy chorus "O-no hesitation, No tears and heart's breakin', No Remorse, O-congratulations, This is your Haitian Divorce".
On the the strength of the single I purchased the album "Royal Scam", to this day I am glad I did this, the album introduced me to a band unique in music, with their fusion of sometimes rock, pop and jazz influences along with their use of sometimes totally surreal lyrics this band have created their own place in music that no else has come close to then or now.
Another chorus in another song that for me really stands out for me is from the cut "Don't take me Alive" the lines are as follows, "I'm a bookkeeper's son, I don't want to shoot no one, Well crossed my old man back in Oregon, Don't take me Alive".
This album for me is the most complete they have relaesed to date,(and that's saying something)every track here is not just a great song but a superb song, with incredible musicians bringing the vision of "Beker and Fagen" to life, a truly great album that finally sounds tremendous on C.D. at long last on this 1999 re-issue...
Rating:
- Amazing album that still sounds current.This is probably the best album recorded by the band. The coupling of Chuck Rainey on Bass and Bernard Purdie on Drums is without doubt the perfect rythmn section. For example, sit back and marvel at the way these two lift the middle section of "Green Earrings".. pure bliss..!. Every song is perfect with a twist around each corner and the whole album is beautifully drawn to a close by the superb title track. An absolute classic that desrves a place in every collection. Enjoy.