Royal Scam

Steely Dan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B000002PD8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (115 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,884 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Kid Charlemagne

2. The Caves of Altamira

3. Don't Take Me Alive

4. Sign in Stranger

5. The Fez

6. Green Earrings

7. Haitian Divorce

8. Everything You Did

9. The Royal Scam

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Outlaw drug designers, neolithic painters, homicidal maniacs, false prophets, libidinous divorcées: a glance at the characters confirms it's another tour through the modern wasteland conceived and vividly realized by Steely Dan. By 1975, the group was distilled to songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, abetted by producer Gary Katz and engineer Roger Nichols who focused solely on studio recordings with a shifting repertory of the best musicians they could find. The Royal Scam, their fifth album, reels smartly from the Owsley-like antihero of "Kid Charlemagne" to the cornered psychopath of "Don't Take Me Alive," dissects the American nightmare from the immigrant's marginalized perspective on the title song, and captures the most leering guitar solo in history on "Haitian Divorce." As always, the chaos is harnessed in seductive melodies, shimmering harmonies, and indelible vocals from Fagen, decorated with stellar work from the A-team players. --Sam Sutherland

Product Description

Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) paper sleeve pressing. Universal. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive, May 16, 2005

By 

Rollie Anderson (Forney, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Royal Scam (Audio CD)

From the first note I could tell the remastering done on this classic album was top-notch. The incredible drums are so crisp and clear that it sounds like you are standing in the booth with them. This is the one that sort of flew under the radar because it lacked that "monster" hit song that was so important to the record promotion guys but it is one of their best ever. The songs are quirky, as usual, but the guitar, keyboard and horn performances are awe-inspiring. I've had this album since it came out on vinyl but listening to this new, upgraded version makes it seem like a whole new collection of songs. Wow.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great album sounds that now sounds MUCH better than ever!, December 20, 1999

By 

Jeff Hubbard (SLC, UTAH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Royal Scam (Audio CD)

Odds are that you know this music, and nothing I can say would influence your purchase of it. But, I'll say this - the new remaster is ABSOLUTELY worth the money, especially since the record company did the right thing and didn't jack the price for the remaster. I can't believe how much clarity the new remaster gives the instruments, particularly on Bernard Purdie's drums and the keyboard sounds throughout. If you enjoy this album, you really need this new edition, even if you, like me, hate re-buying music you already own.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steely Dan for Guitar Lovers, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Royal Scam (Audio CD)

Die hard rock fans who cringe at the sound of horn sections and piano solos often dismiss Steely Dan with comments such as, "but they're JAZZ," as though uttering a dirty word. I think The Royal Scam would be a good place to begin for those who may be willing to give Fagen and Becker another chance. Try the following: program Kid Charlemagne, Don't Take Me Alive, The Fez, and Green Earrings on your CD player, put on your headphones, pump up the volume, and by the end of the last track you'll be in air guitar heaven! Then start playing the entire CD from beginning to end several times in a row (it is designed as a concept album), listen to the lyrics carefully (it can be like poetry, obscure but worth the effort of interpretation), and I'll bet (like so many of my at-first resistant friends), you'll become a convert, ready to try more of their recordings (perhaps Countdown to Ecstacy would be a good next choice). Steely Dan's music is NOT jazz (although they have fused its elements into their sound seamlessly), but like the best jazz (not the "smooth" psuedo-fusion variety), it may at first seem too complex or disjointed to an ear accustomed to and expecting the easy pleasures of formulaic top 40 hits. But once the Dan's music has insinuated itself deep into your system (mind, heart, and soul), the intoxicating pleasures that it ultimately does give up will never grow tired, dated or stale. Steely Dan is timeless. Trust me!