Customer Reviews

Steely Dan Complete

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well, I *am* a piano player and Steely Dan fan who bought this to see what the heck they are doing on some of these songs. If you're an intermediate piano player who is looking for melodies and a reasonably decent sketch of how the song goes, this is the book for you. If you're an advanced player, or a jazz fan, or want to know *exactly* what kind of chord voicings are being used, you might be disappointed on some songs. (Not all songs; some transcriptions are better than others.) The guitar chord listings are the most accurate -- if you follow those rather than the staff, and are familiar with jazz voicings, you can pretty much figure it out. I knew that going in, and I've still found the book worthwhile because figuring out all the A7+(b9) chords by ear gets old quick.

So I got the Steely Dan songbook from MCA, but a lot of the chords seem to be "rounded off", and some of the songs are in the wrong key! Maybe my Mobile Fidelity CD copy of Aja runs a bit slow, but I transcribed "Aja" (the song) in B, and this book has it in C. Ditto with "Peg", Db instead of C. Bummer. Also, this book shows the first chord of "Aja" in the right hand as E-G-B with C in the bass. I figured out the first chord as F#-A#-C#-D# with B in the bass. After that, it's not even close. There are a bunch of things like that. The intro of "Sign in Stranger" doesn't resolve up like the book says, it stays on the C and there is a trill they missed. I was hoping this book would be a step above the average piano book, like the transcriptions in Keyboard or Guitar Player, but it's not. Oh well, at least it's fun to jam to the changes. -jl

I bought this book because I love Steely Dan's music and wanted to learn their songs. These are keyboard arrangements, for intermediate to advance piano. It has guitar chords, too, but not as correct as "The best of Steely Dan, guitar tab", which you need if you want to learn the guitar solos and nuances. I also noticed that some of the piano chord voicings don't quite sound like the record. and some of the songs aren't written in the same key as the record. But overall, a great book to get you on your way.

This is a reasonable transcription of Steely Dan's music through Gaucho. Most of the lyrics are included with the written music so a vocalist can merely look at the music to follow along with the music. A few songs could have been transcripted better. Its ridiculous that there are no guitar chords listed for Charlie Freak. What did Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter do on this song off the recorded version. Much of the music is left off of Bodhisattva. There is no introduction translated although the progression really is about the same. The instrumental break in Do It Again is also missing and that is less obvious. However, the basis for the Aja instrumentals is present.

Anybody with any musical talent can tell that Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were two talented and complex song-writers. Gee, just look at the introduction in Deacon Blues. Thirteen chord changes?! Anyway, this is worthwhile for most musicians who play Steely Dan as the much of their music can not be easily transcribed by most musicians. Do It Again, Rikki Don't Lose That Number, Bodhisattva, and a few others may be exceptions.

If you want to learn the incredible musical style of Fagen and Becker, you simply can't pass this book up. This book and "Reelin' In The Years" are the two must-haves for any real SD fan. thanks to this book, I am now composing SD type material.

I'd probably return this book if I could. After watching Donald Fagen's video of how he developed the chords for the song "Peg", I really wanted to see them written down. You won't find it in this book. The transcription of that song is sort of the "Sing Along With Mitch" version, it's in the wrong key completely, and all of the mu major chords are replaced with straight major chords. If you want to perform the elevator version, maybe this is a start... but even elevator versions of Steely Dan songs at least get the chords right. Looking at the other reviews, apparently some of the songs aren't as bad. I wish I knew why anyone would consider transposing a song from native C into Db? Oh well, take a look at the sheet music for "Music Box Dancer". Every version I've ever seen is in C, but the actual recording by Frank Mills is in Db. I guess Fagen's chords will remain a mystery even more. Disappointed in this book, but perhaps I can get some use out of the other songs. Phhttt!!! Note to author: What's is up with the stupid key changes? Somebody had to WORK to bump it up a half tone....

This book has all of Steely Dan's greatest albums, so it is complete. However, in trying to play along with the Aja album I noticed that the key written in the book differs from the recording by a half-step. For example, if the song is recorded in the key of C, the music in the book is written in D flat, as is the case with Josie. This is why I gave the book only 3 stars.

As a drummer first and foremost and keyboard player 2nd, this book has improved my piano skills tremendously!. In my opinion, some of the greatest compositions ever written are right here for you. If you're not a virtuoso (Chick Corea, Keath Jarret, Oscar Peterson,) and you want to learn some great voiceing and changes, this is the book for you! (note) Not to take anything away from Mr. Fagen or Mr Becker, who rule, but take note of Keith Jarret's name as co-writter on "Gaucho". It definitely explains some of the killer Jazz voiceing. That's the beauty of Steely Dan. The use of incredible musicians to augment the already genious writting. Well,enjoy. P.S. I also agree with an earlier review stateing alittle disapointment on the absence of two of my all time favorite tunes. FM" and "Western World" but hey, you cant have everything. By the way, Who is the" Gaucho Amigo" anyway?

If you are not only an addicted fan of Steely Dan, but also a musician who feels some influence from this "most intelligent music of the 70's/80's", then this book delivers some transparency to the band's compositions. Each single song from their OFFICIAL albums, starting "Can't Buy A Thrill" up to "Gaucho", finds a place in this book. Yet, special releases, such as "Western World" or "FM", that one would find even on meanwhile's complete (?) CD-compilation "Citizen...", are missing, same as early recordings such as "Sun Mountain" etc. With notes for piano, vocal and guitar, you get some fairly good transcriptions, not allways entirely accurate, but great for studies of Steely Dan's use of harmony. Best of all, if you were ever missing some lyrics - now here you got'em all. As this appears to be the only "complete" collection of Steely Dan's sheet music so far, the fact that some transcript! ions lack certain accuracy doesn't really feel too bad, as you get a good approach to all the songs. Taking this as a start for going from here you will find it easy getting the finish from listening to the original recordings. The book is well worth it's money, not only for fans, also for lovers of great compositions, so feel encouraged enaugh to get it!

If you are not only an addicted fan of Steely Dan, but also a musician who feels some influence from this "most intelligent music of the 70's/80's", then this book delivers some transparency to the band's compositions. Each single song from their OFFICIAL albums, starting "Can't Buy A Thrill" up to "Goucho", finds a place in this book. Yet, special releases, such as "Western World" or "FM", that one would find even on meanwhile's complete (?) CD-compilation "Citizen...", are missing, same as early recordings such as "Sun Mountain" etc. With notes for piano, vocal and guitar, you get some fairly good transcriptions, not allways entirely accurate, but great for studies of Steely Dan's use of harmony. Best of all, if you were ever missing some lyrics - now here you got'em all. As this appears to be the only "complete" collection of Steely Dan's sheet music so far, the fact that some transcript! ions lack certain accuracy doesn't really feel too bad, as you get a good approach to all the songs. Taking this as a start for going from here you will find it easy getting the finish from listening to the original recordings. The book is well worth it's money, not only for fans, also for lovers of great compositions, so feel encouraged enaugh to get it!