FEATURE:
This Is Your Big Debut…
Why the 2027 Fiftieth Anniversary of Steely Dan’s Aja Once More Is Sparking Ambitions in Me
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A few classic albums…
PHOTO CREDIT: Anna Pou/Pexels
turns fifty next year. Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours among them. One of my favourite albums ever is Steely Dan’s Aja. That was released on 23rd September, 1977. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker would record one more album together, 1980’s Aja, before there was a hiatus or time away. They then recorded two albums in the 2000s and toured. Becker died in 2017. On 3rd September next year we mark ten years since we lost Walter Becker. Gaucho was mostly made with Donald Fagen in charge, as Becker had some personal issues. A roster of professional musicians came through the sessions. It was a marathon recording and the perfectionism of Donald Fagen was on full display. Though Aja was not exactly stress-free, you feel it was a more harmonious experience. Becker and Fagen together for most of it. Gaucho is a wonderful album. It turns forty-six on 21st November. It is worth listening to the album if you have not done so in a while. I have been thinking about Aja. There was a 2023 reissue. I wonder if there are unheard takes, demos and extras that could go onto a fiftieth anniversary reissue. Donald Fagen has not released a solo album since 2012’s Sunken Condos. I hope that he does record more material. Steely Dan have a big fanbase, though I am not sure how many younger music fans know them. Played on radio stations that have a slightly older demographic, unless their music is used in film or there are new albums, a lot of legacy artists do not get that attention from younger generations. What would be cool ahead of the fiftieth anniversary of Aja if there were some new videos commissioned.
The Beach Boys had a few of their hits accompanied by new videos a whole back. I Get Around and Surfin’ U.S.A. among them. The Beatles have had that too. When they have had albums reissues and deluxe editions, there have been videos made. I’m Only Sleeping one of the songs where we get a cool video. Steely Dan didn’t film music videos, so it is long overdue that we would get some visualisations. There are three Aja songs I feel could have very different and amazing videos. Josie, Deacon Blues and Peg. Maybe Josie as a live action with an actress playing the eponymous character. Deacon Blues could have an animated video. I think Peg had possibilities with live action. There are other songs that could benefit from a video, such as Aja and Black Cow, though I feel the holy trinity of Peg, Josie, and Deacon Blues would be amazing to see. I have written before how, since Steely Dan’s reign, there has not been a group like them. More and more, I look around music and see this gap. I have pitched an album idea before. Called American Grammar, it would have tracks called American Grammar, Can’t Buy a Thrill, Long Shot, Negative Space, I’ll Get to New York City One Day Soon, Katy’s Switch, Hipsterlooza, and Eastside. Big topics being tackled alongside themes of romantic struggle and growing older. A fantastic and striking album cover. Similar to Steely Dan and Aja, recording with a host of incredible musicians across a few studios. I know it would be an expensive process, but I do genuinely feel that there is this gulf. How you hope that someone would emerge, post-Steely Dan. Even though I would not be playing on an album, it would be great to be part of a debut album. Writing lyrics and art direction. Different singers tackling the songs. Musicians playing in a couple of U.S. studios. I can’t think of any album quite like Aja. Even if it does not tackle topics that you’d address today – L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ rights, political corruption in the U.S., gender inequality and women facing sexual abuse -, the rich and layered musicianship mixed with lyrics that are intelligent and compelling. Not ordinary songs that pass you by.
Thinking ahead to an important fiftieth anniversary, Aja will be introduced to new listeners. Though I kind of think it would be beneficial having music videos made. Beyond that, its legacy remains with Steely Dan. You can feel some artists since who inhabit some aspects of them and the album, though nothing particularly major or enduring. Others might disagree. Steely Dan are one of these acts that were so amazing and released these genius albums, though there is little in the way of contemporaries. Not that an Aja fiftieth anniversary celebration would change that too much. It does re-instil a desire to mix the brilliance of Steely Dan’s musicianship and wit and combine that with tackling modern themes. Keeping the essence of Steely Dan there. Maybe you can’t improve on the originals. Listening to albums like Aja and Gaucho. To do something similar but weaker. Not to suggest someone copy it and do something exactly like it. Just take that blueprint and foundation and building something that is not a replica. It does make me a bit sad that there is little direct influence of Steely Dan running through modern music. Perhaps on the fringes or some lesser-known artists. In addition to thinking about my own album based around Steely Dan’s sound and legacy, I also think too about commemorative/anniversary videos for Aja songs. Feeling Josie come to life with a popular actress as the song unfolds. Although the albums and music of Steely Dan will remain forever and always be heard, you wonder about passing the torch and who takes over. Splicing Steely Dan’s 1970s and 1980s brilliance and bringing it…
INTO the modern day.