In an earlier post, I talked about my all-time favorite album, Steely Dan - Aja. When it came out, I hadn't started playing the bass guitar yet. It wasn't until January 1978 that I picked up the bass guitar for the first time. As I progressed in my learning of this instrument, I practiced everything from Spyro Gyro to Yes. I had collected a few albums and a lot of cassette tapes. I had a small stereo in my bedroom in the basement of my parents house. I had a small "Marlboro" bass amplifier that was perfect for practicing. I would practice the entire Fleetwood Mac - Rumours album, then the Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic album. The next day, I would practice the entire Frampton Comes Alive! Album and follow it up with Yes - Fragile. I was building my chops, as it were. The bass guitar became my calling card. I wanted to be good enough to play anything with anybody.
One of the albums I played at least two or three times a week was Aja. Chuck Rainey's style became one of the many influences…
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