“Countdown To Ecstasy” by Steely Dan - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1973 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die

Now down to a quintet with the departure of backing vocalist David Palmer, they line up: Donald Fagen (acoustic and electric pianos, synthesizer, lead and backing vocals), Walter Becker (electric bass, harmonica, backing vocals), Denny Dias (electric guitar, mixing), Jeff Baxter (electric and pedal steel guitars) and Jim Hodder (drums, percussion, backing vocals). A myriad of session singers and musicians provide backing vocals, string bass, slide guitar, vibraphone, marimba and saxophones. The albums two singles - “Show Biz Kids” and “My Old School” - appear back-to-back at the start of side two. Their brand of Jazz-Rock-Pop may be technically excellent, but I'm still waiting for the ecstasy to kick in. Do they do refunds?

The Jukebox Rebel
11–Feb–2016

Tracklist

A1	[05:19] Steely Dan - Bodhisattva (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A2	[03:11] Steely Dan - Razor Boy (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Folk Rock / Americana
A3	[05:40] Steely Dan - The Boston Rag (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Rock
A4	[07:02] Steely Dan - Your Gold Teeth (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Jazz
B1	[05:25] Steely Dan - Show Biz Kids (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Pop
B2	[05:47] Steely Dan - My Old School (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Rock
B3	[03:50] Steely Dan - Pearl Of The Quarter (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Folk Rock / Americana
B4	[05:04] Steely Dan - King Of The World (Walter Becker, Donald Fagen) Pop

ratings by TJR