A Decade Of Steely Dan [Original recording remastered]

Steely Dan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002P4R
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,698 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The notion of a Steely Dan greatest-hits collection is suspect at best, if only because their biggest public successes ("Reelin' in the Years" from Can't Buy a Thrill, Prezel Logic's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," and Aja's "Peg") are also in many ways their least typical. Indeed, after the craft-conscious Thrill, the duo of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen showed an almost perverse penchant for swimming against the prevailing pop current, despite the protestations of numbskull critics who Didn't Get It in a big way. That said, here's the duo's best-known public works and radio fodder (including all of the above), a sampler that will satisfy the hit-hungry and tempt the less acquainted to sample B&F's more colorful musical adventures. --Jerry McCulley

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Still the best single disc of Steely Dan November 27, 2004

By St. Chris

Format:Audio CD

A truly comprehensive must-have Steely Dan collection would fill two or, more likely, three CDs. It's just impossible to cram all the vital cuts from the Dan's career onto one disc. But this one has the major American hits (excepting Grammy-winner "Cousin Dupree" from their later Two Against Nature album...though I can't really say it was a "hit"; really, the Academy was just guiltily giving the Dan their long long long long long overdue statuettes). It's well-sequenced and it sounds great.

Recommended for the casual Steely Dan fan, or for a friend who's only heard a few tunes in passing. There's enough here to further whet your appetite if you've got one. If you already know you like all these songs, go straight to the Citizen Steely Dan box set.

Collectors take note: There are two versions of the song "F.M." The one on this disc ends with a guitar solo, whereas the version on Steely Dan Gold and Citizen Steely Dan ends with a sax solo. Both are great.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This one's a keeper April 16, 2000

By Ethan Kolenberg

Format:Audio CD

If any of you out there have read my review for the new Steely Dan album, "Two against Nature," I mention this album as my introduction to SD, back when my parents played it during car rides when I was younger. I eventually bought it myself, and then got the "Citizen Steely Dan" box set to complete my collection. After getting the box set, I thought I'd never listen to "Decade" again, but I still play it every now and then, which definitely says something about this collection. There's just something about these undisputed classic songs in the arrangement that they appear on this CD that makes for a great listen. Hearing "Boddisatva," followed by "Hey Nineteen," running into "Do it again"...this order may sound strange, but the album just flows perfectly. And "Bad Sneakers" is a great closing song, which one wouldn't expect because it is the second track on "Katy Lied." Definitely one of the best "hits" collections out there, and fine introduction to Steely Dan. And as an added bonus, you will keep listening to it for a long time!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entices you to buy more March 29, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

This is the first SD cd I've purchased and completely enjoy almost every song. For a casual fan, I think it's a fine compilation -- how could you go wrong with FM, Black Friday, Deacon Blues, Hey Nineteen, Do It Again, Peg, Rikki, Reeling, Kid, and My Old School on the same CD? Steely Dan offers a rare combination of smooth, fun, well-composed, and dynamic music. This album is sure to entice you buy more.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Go for the box set September 22, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

You'll pay a little more than double the price of this CD, but you get a lot more than double the songs. I basically like every album Steely Dan has done, but if you want to get a good collection with one purchase, go for the box set.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Re-Mastered Steely Dan CD-Decade September 2, 2005

By D. George

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

They did such a great job re-mastering this album! The original CD was so flat. This one has so much range that really brings out the instruments and background vocals. You definately want to replace your old CD with this one.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice collection from the pop impressarios January 3, 2000

By namepeace

Format:Audio CD

I am not a dedicated or particularly knowledgeable listener to Steely Dan, although I have both of Donald Fagen's solo LP's. However, growing up I always loved hearing their songs on the radio. This collection has all of the hits I have been looking for, including "Hey Nineteen" and the classic "Peg." I've also found a new favorite: the melancholy "Deacon Blues." Any music fan would do well to buy this set.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Hits? August 20, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Audio CD

This anthology is peculiar. Not exactly greatest hits or even favorites. The sequencing is odd, as well. Too bad the original greatest hits package is unavailable on CD in the United States as that was far superior.

27 of 35 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2* Jazz-Inflected Rock August 6, 2001

By M. Allen Greenbaum HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Steely Dan was a ubiquitous AM/FM presence in the late 70's, and this CD culls some of the best of their output. Leaders Donald Fagan and Walter Becker wrote all the songs on the album (except for their weak version of Ellington's and Miley's "East St. Louis Toodle-oo"), and most of them have worn well with time.

It is almost obligatory to mention the wry, ironic, intelligent, even fey lyrics, especially in the singular delivery of Donald "is there gas in the cah?" Fagan. It's a distinctive voice, one that some will find annoying, but I think it fits the bittersweet tone of the songs. Some of the ballads (e.g., "My Old School," "Bad Sneakers" sound formulaic after so many years, but the best of the ballads ("Deacon Blues." "Hey Nineteen") have superb solos and ensemble work.

It is the musicians who sparkle on the album, and the group uses such talents as Wayne Shorter (sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet and flugelhorn), Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour (guitar), Chucky Rainey (b), and Jim Hodder (d). "Deacon Blues" particularly benefits from an excellent, textured arrangement, and the otherwise bland "Hey 19" has excellent B.B. King blue notes from guitarists Hugh McCracken and Becker.

The group is best on the faster, more rock/blues-oriented numbers. "Bodhisattva" is the pinnacle: a jazz-blues with excellent bass by Becker, superb guitar work by Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter, drummer Hodder keeping a shuffling beat, and an infectious lyric: "Bodhisattva, won't you take me by the hand, Bodhisattva won't you take me by the hand, can you show me...the shine of your Japan, the sparkle of your china, can you show me, Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva." This song alone makes the album worthwhile....

Other highlights include Peg ("I like your pict-uah, I keep it with your lettah; done up in blueprint blue, it sure looks good on you, and when you smile for the camera, I know I love you bettah"), the cruelly bitter "Reeling in the Years (I don't know, maybe best after a break-up?)," and the more hopeful, romantic "Rikki, Don't Lose that Number," featuring an excellent guitar solo by Elliot Randall.

I'm not a huge fan of this group (and haven't bought their very popular recent CD), but this collection shows why they became so popular, particularly in an era when vapid, unidimensional songs dominated the airwaves. Even the somewhat tedious (and aptly named) "Do it Again," is redeemed by Fagan's keyboards and Dias' guitar solo. Read more ›