Steely Dan - Aja (1977)

Classic Album Review (1)

“Aja" was released on September 23, 1977. I was 14 years old that year. I had only been playing the guitar for about a year. At that age, comprehending the insane levels of musicianship on this album, was way beyond my musical scope. Aja is arguably the most incredible album Steely Dan ever recorded. It has a track listing of seven songs: Black Cow, Aja (title track), Deacon Blues, Peg, Home at last, I got the news and Josie. Deacon Blues, Peg and Josie all made it to the radio. That was where I heard it first. The title track "Aja" is littered with amazing music played by some of the top studio musicians of the day. With Steve Gadd on drums, Chuck Rainey on bass, Joe Sample on keys, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone and Larry Carlton and Denny Dias on guitars, this song is an epic story line of talented songwriting and performance. Over the past 45 years, millions of drummers have expressed curious, in depth opinions on the impossible drumming techniques of Steve Gadd on this song.

Th…