Steely Dan - "Aja" The Making Of:

[JazzWithoutANet]

I had this album on cassette on a drive from St. Louis to Omaha, Nebraska. One of the best drives of my life.

[CxHxRxIxSxTxIxAxN]

Every time I wake up, I just feel so honored to be named after such a beautiful song. . . I used to hate my name because people would (and still often do) pronounce it incorrectly. It wasn't until recently that after watching this very same video clip that I came to appreciate my name and the fabulous song that it was inspired by. This song will always be a source of strength for me ^_^

[star2773]

They DID have drummers come in but were not happy with the results. Steve Gadd came in and according to him "there was dead silence and I thought I blew it completely. They had me play it again but ended up with my first take." Steve Gadd nailed it on the first try and that's what you hear on the record.

[randyleclair]

RE: Steve Gadd - there was an interview in the now-defunct Musician Magazine (published by Billboard) that states Jeff Porcaro came in one night, listened to it once, and then nailed it, because Gadd couldn't. Have to go dig up that issue now...

[shelleybobelly1]

love all the background on the background...to moles

[grooveinvader]

dude. STEVE GADD!!

[santyrush]

one of the best albums in history of music....

[ErieProductions440]

Cuz no one can play this but steve gadd. i am as close to playing it to the record as i can get.

[FrankenPengie]

The Aja album made it into the Library of Congress Archives 4-6-2011. Some of the best musicians to come together in the twentieth century made a tremendous mark on the world of music.

The past is full of greats as is the future. Lets hope history doesn't follow it's own footsteps and remember the crap that is popularity.

[basehead617]

this clip isn't the whole Aja segment..

[mcheffey1976]

Fagen & Becker exude epic creativity....Jazz Fusion never looked so good! Their work is unprecedented in the most stellar proportions of sound!

[ceriah311]

@ 3:53 Fagens facial expression shows it all. You can tell he doesnt have much affection for Shorter based on him being an Ass wipe towards the guys. ( but it made for a hell of a record ) - Fagens side monologue. lol

[SaxyDan54]

@ceriah311

I disagree with your interpretation. Just after that Fagen is talking about Shorter afraid of mingling too much of his Miles Davis style...and Fagen assuredly hasa no problem with THAT! And how is Shorter an Ass wipe towards the guys?

Even Becker says that Shorter's fears were within reason, given the history of 'the guys' and studio musicians. Many of the studio guys' work would never appear in an album, so that might make someone think twice about sticking their neck out!

[ceriah311]

@SaxyDan54 Youv'e definitely got a point there....maybe I spoke soley based on body expressions rather than the actual factuals. In my opinion, based on the footage provided..Shorter showed little interest in conversing with the guys, and rather head forward on just recording and leaving. As far as the guys having a problem with it, why would they ? They personally requested him! Maybe ''ass wipe'' was a little too harsh. Party pooper maybe ? lol Just my feelings .

[SaxyDan54]

@ceriah311

LOL @ 'party pooper'. OR maybe even 'uber professional'? A little too tight and business-like for our Boys?

Ah well, in the end, it was sweet, soulful perfection on everyone's part...and I know we can agree on THAT!

Peace and have a good one!

[bradominus1]

Chill out dude, everybody who knows music knows who Steve Godd is. Also, did you see the video of him playing the Aja fills? And maybe he wasn't available for this program...

[realsweetone]

For the Steely Dan addict, this is music of my life...thank you so much for posting. xxoo Sweeite

[ArgoLupus]

Hello, Steve Gadd is the only artist who you think is snubbed? What about Wayne Shorter, of the Miles Davis second quintet and Weather Report? This song was my answer to my jazz snob friends who called the Dan "lounge music for stoners."

[duppykitoon]

@ArgoLupus They give props to Wayne Shorter at 3:42.

[kenrubes]

Denny Dias was such a genius....he should have made the cover of Guitar Player Magazine at least once.

[ehcmier]

This clip just scratches the surface, so I can't see why it's assumed it's complete and that anyone was snubbed with so much not included to begin with. It's just a taste, while a half-hour of discussion on this piece would begin to do it justice.

[rolftw2205]

Fantastic video of "the double helix" Fagen and Becker, why do we what the hell problems with Gadd, he is a star too, so what? Splendid are the comments of the punk singer Ian Dury

[rolftw2205]

Fantastic video of "the double helix" Fagen and Becker, what the hell problems

with Gadd, he is a star too, so what? Splendid are the comments of the punk singer Ian Dury

[pettyws]

@salamonetalton Haha probably both, man. And their moms, too.

[salamonetalton]

why wasnt gadd mentioned? was he screwing walter or donald's girlfriend at the time?

[rowdymax1]

Miles Davis was known to be a less than enthusiastic live performer, like showing up hours late for a gig then playing with his back turned to the audience, stuff like that.

[wiltner]

@rowdymax1 Miles Davis turned his back to a white audience not black! In the era he came from it was understandable.

[CxHxRxIxSxTxIxAxN]

I'm named after the Aja song/album. It's nice to listen to an interview about the origin of the name and the song. . .I feel kinda connected to it ^_^ (Cheesy I know lol) It also makes me glad that my parents named me 'Aja' instead of 'Peg' LOL X-P

[MrDrumsdrumsdrums]

incredible...not a word about Steve Gadd!!!!

[aaronamccoy]

reasonable fear..lol i would be scared shitless but that solo wayne hits is on point

[rowdymax1]

3 things i take from this video:

1.) Ian "BLOCKHEAD" Dury!!!! "Hit me with your rhythm stick...hit me!!!" Wow..he'd be the last person i'd think of to be associated with jazz much less The Dan of Steel.

2.)Denny Diaz knows his music.

3.)Miles Davis was a prick.

[myleftnutts]

@rowdymax1 What made Miles Davis a prick???.

[andymcguitar]

@rowdymax1 miles davis was a prick?explain?

[piliage]

@andymcguitar Yea, Miles Davis wasn't the nicest guy. Neither was Picasso. Steve Jobs is a jackass too. Doesn't take one inch away from their work however.

[burlpen89]

How can you talk AJA without Gadd,?????????????Why not make a video of Rush and not talk about Peart,Or Zepplin and not talk about Bonham.It's like talking about the Bible and forgetting to mention God.Whoever put this together should be shot..........................­........!

[vinnycriss]

I love Steely Dan, I have all the albums, bootleg or not, have seen as many shows as possible. but I gotta say. I watched this DVD in it's entirety, and these two guys have got to be the two biggest, most pretentious pricks in the music business.

[tisgoner]

@vinnycriss Maybe to make all that good music (which we can enjoy but can only dream about making up) you just have to be that way. Mother Teresa was a warm and wonderful woman but noone raves about some of the tunes she wrote

[Svettjodd]

What is Shorter trying to say here? What was "corny" in his neigbourhood? Perhaps someone could explain? I understand that he's kind of ironic, but that's it, pretty much.

I love his tasteful and talented playing and composing, but his personality seems a little peculiar to me.

[davenit]

@Svettjodd He's saying just come in, play the part and split. Don't sit around and talk about the wife, family and kids. Old school jazz philosophy. Keep quiet and let your instrument do the talking. That's the way I take it.

[piliage]

@Svettjodd Don't forget who lives in his neighborhood. Jaco, Joe Zawinul, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, John McLaughlin, Chick Corea, and many others who Wayne Shorter worked and recorded with basically invented what Steely Dan was doing in the studio. Not to take anything away from Aja, it is a fantastic album. But I think Wayne Shorter has earned his right to be a bit nonchalant about a solo recorded during one specific studio session in the 70s.

[jonsilence]

Drum talk: Yes, Steve Gadd is the star of the song, but it wasn't planned that way. The original idea-and if you know drums and the drummer you'll immediately realize the beauty of this- was to have TONY WILLIAMS solo over of the ostinato! For some reason he wasn't available so Gadd was the runner-up.

[michaelhintongtr]

Google 'Chuck Rainey", click on 'bass manual', click on Steely Dan Stories. Great stories about their methods in the studio. Check out Chuck's discography too - it's beyond incredible how many things he played on that we all love.

[GaryNull]

Ian at 3:18  .. Blockheads!

[KootchDaddy99]

Yea, Walter. I'm sure Wayne Shorter was afraid of not being able to play appropriately on your track.

Listening to Wayne's comments, he seems to think otherwise. And no offense, but from a legacy point of view, I'm thinking the session was more memorable for you than it would be for him.

Love your work, but can't forgive the omission of Gadd. Completely as perplexing as if there were no mention of Wayne. which, we're all glad there was.

Great music like yours needs these great players!

[floydazoid]

Awesome.

[Zippythewonderworm]

please....Shorter's solo is nothing but magnificent. A true living legend

[ricorine]

I have to reiterate lolosixfoe; WTF ? Aja is a great song, but Steve Gadd made it unforgetable. It is absolutely unforgivable that he not even be mentioned in a "Making of...." video. To whomever made this vid: You are a LameAss!

[MrGaffer49]

steely dan had never used steve gadd before. he came into the studio sight read the music and then they did two perfect takes. the first take is part 1 of the song, then the bridge and take 2 was part 2 of aja. Gadd then left and went on to the next studio.

[lordkoos]

These guys are funny -- Aja ("asia") is about heroin. Check out the lyrics in that light...

[bigtoine45]

I love hearing old jazz guys talk. they drop so much wisdom and if you aren't listening you might miss it.

[SterlingRe]

There may be tracks where he's played more interesting or difficult beats. As a fan of 30 years I have never heard Gadd play a solo that displayed more speed and power than on Aja. That includes the solo in the middle, and that amazing ending to the song. The triplets are obscene. It is studio, but I don't think that lessens it.

[cathoderoy]

@SterlingRe I asked him how many takes it took to pull it off, because I heard it was only three, but he said they did more like 8 takes, but probably used the third one.

[SterlingRe]

@cathoderoy Thanks for letting me know. I realize the luxury of retakes can make studio stuff receive a lower degree of difficulty factor. I say so what, because then every single studio performance is questionable. Steve is known for great technique and a unique style that's all his own. The solo work in Aja is so different for me. It's as if they said there's going to be 2 breaks in the song, and we want you to play out of your mind during both. One of my all time favorite performances

[tisgoner]

Hey all you Steve Gadd fans I agree, his drumming is special on this track but he has been even better elsewhere not least that fantastic performance on Paul Simon's Fifty Ways To Leave Your Lover. In a class all his own!

[edmayle]

i have to say, that post "the h bomb" gadd improved massively, the gadd gang stuff is really where i feel he's showed what he does the best

x

[ediblesounds]

You said that so perfectly 58trainwreck. They are truly one of the best! And I am so glad to have discovered their music. It has changed my life and gives me musical inspiration. I can't imagine what the music world would be like if they did not exist. There is so much "soul less" music out today that I seek refuge in there unique and haunting sound.

[58trainwreck]

One of the All-Time GREATEST pieces of work in music history by two of the BEST musicians of All-Time.

[NickDuvet]

I've just watched it again and at 3:40, Fagen says "..and we also brought in Wayne Shorter...." It is possible that just before that, they had been talking about Steve Gadd. I just can't believe they would not have commented at all on the drum track.

[rmac1042]

@NickDuvet The Dan used multiple takes in deciding which drum style they liked. My friend, Jim Keltner, told me he believes he did a take on "Peg", but they didn't use it. The charts (Josie was 6 pages long! amazing to have a written out part for drums on a rock session)) had only numbers for the ID of the tunes, so Jim wasn't sure what other tunes he submitted takes for. Anyway, one of the hits was one he was on--"Josie". Not bad for one tune on this epic recording!

[NickDuvet]

Yes, Keltner really nailed that one. They obviously felt Rick Marotta produced the goods on Peg, and of course it's hard to imagine anyone else coming close to what Steve Gadd did on Aja. The other drums tracks are probably still there, to judge from the way they were able to bring up the various other guitarists who tried the solo on Peg.

[glennjitsu]

- Sorry bud, it's just you, he doesn't look like House, lol.

- Peg was Rick Marotta, and it's not a shuffle.

- Resent Gadd for a world-class, stellar drum performance that made every drummer on the planet buy their record?? I doubt it. BnF said they chose musicians for this album that would shine on their tracks. If anything they must feel profound PRIDE!

But I must say, for BnF to talk about this track and not mention SG is very odd. How can this be? It must exist somewhere...

[BenniCrookston]

Is it just me or does Fagen look like House in this?

[MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

He definitely looks like a cynical dude that will make you feel real stupid and not even look like he's getting up tight! lol

[matt4270]

This is one of those VH1 specials (classic albums?). Alot of the musicians were interviewed for this. Maybe Steve Gadd as well?

[Laight4work]

i think they must have resented all the attention Gadd got for this. they must have gotten tired of hearing "hey .. great album . . that solo by Gadd is magnificent . . how come you didn't put more Steve Gadd solos on the record? ". etc

[Putaspellonyou]

if you see the whole vid, gadd is on there more than once, and is given a lot of time discussing the shuffle he used on "peg."

[NickDuvet]

that's not Gadd, it's Rick Marotta

[Putaspellonyou]

my bad, about misrecognizing gadd...very sad

[funkenstein83]

they probably didnt resent it that much, cause they have the publishing rights...gadd just got paid for the session.

[Laight4work]

it's a total snub of Gadd . . it's like standing in the louvre . . . next to the mona lisa . . and saying . . yeah, this frame is one of our best. it really shines nicely, and fits perfectly around the picture in the middle. // in addition to the fact, that it is a great story . . . how they tried every drummer in town, and gadd came in and nailed it in one take.

[kwakky]

best part of this video: seeing denny play his solo at 2:31

[GaryNull]

Fucking Ian at 3:03

miss the old geezer

[pittyone]

theres one look i may have and die...

[Steeleydankid]

Drummers are the only musicians in the band who are at once loved and hated..sad

[jamlabor]

regarding gadd and this video... The whole point of the video is to hear the musicians' take on what happened so they wouldn't mention drums if gadd wasn't there. it would be boring. He probably just couldn't make the interiview...that guy lives out of a suitcase.

[quehacesche80]

Gadd is God...........

[aliensporebomb]

Good to see Denny Dias still playing (Valley Arts Custom Pro in his hands?) and looking healthy. But yeah, my guess is they didn't really have the time to discuss every facet of the song and it would have been nice to give Steve a mention although Wayne's solo really gave the song a special resonance.

[NickDuvet]

There can only be a couple of reasons why Steve Gadd is (criminally) overlooked here. One, the makers of the series failed to appreciate the significance of Gadd's contribution, and didn't ask B&F about it. Or, and this has never been suggested, B&F didn't like the fact that Gadd's contribution overshadowed Shorter's.

[fredblassie123]

Let's not get silly here...both Shorter and Gadd are excellent...I'm sure Steve Gadd got paid for his effort.

[NickDuvet]

So how to explain the fact that Gadd's drum track, which is one of the all-time greats, doesn't rate a mention. BTW, no one's demeaning Wayne, but it's a fact that, rightly or wrongly, his solo doesn't get as much praise as Gadd's.

[piliage]

Is it also possible that Gadd demanded an insane fee?

[NickDuvet]

20 grand a day was his fee at the time I think. Is that insane? Randy Newman told a story about one of his uncles, who was a famous composer, exclaiming "20 thousand dollars for a backbeat?"

[piliage]

@NickDuvet Alfred Newman was a fixure in Hollywood for decades working on over 250 films and scores. It is possible that he made the quote, but he died in 1970. The other possibility is Randy's other uncle Lionel Newman, who worked at Fox TV for years. The Newman clan are music royalty in California, Randy's cousin is Thomas Newman who scored American Beauty, and his other cousin is David Newman who worked a lot with Devito. There is an uncle Emil too, and a Maria who plays Violin. Amazing genes

[fredblassie123]

Wayne Shorter Kicked Ass on this tune.....

[ocajinoj]

Yeah, boggles my mind as well... I rewatched the dvd several times thinking surely I missed it but no...

Without a doubt one of the best drum tracks of all time and not even a mention of his name....

[MrDrumsdrumsdrums]

I have this DVD. Great stuff but VERY weird that Steve Gadds contribution on the title track "Aja" is not even mentioned!! Its one of the most legendary tracks of all time!

[sugahface]

its like there in each others heads.....one in the same but so different....

[lolosixfoe]

wtf gadd is the starr of this tune why no mention????

[sarahnewt]

couldn't agree more......

[svenghoulieil]

@lolosixfoe i know - I was soo disappointed that Gadd did not appear in this and tell everybody that the stick hit was ON PURPOSE

[partidoalto1]

@lolosixfoe ... Wayne Shorter is the star. He set up Gadd's solo!

[stevedrums]

@lolosixfoe I too was shocked when I bought this video and there was no mention of Gadd.

[bradominus1]

Er, not quite dude... He's a great drummer, but the reason this album is so great is Fagen's songwriting; don't know what Becker did - but this album is their masterpiece... Their whole career was waiting for this album. Gaucho is a great album, but the problem was it came AFTER Aja... LOL

[TheBarbaciano]

@bradominus1 Completely agree with you. Gaucho is brilliant, but Aja is without doubt their masterpiece. It has their most famous ans Steelydanesque tunes, like "Peg", "Josie" "Black Cow" and my favorite, "Home at last", in Donald words "a little blues about Ulysses" !!!! BTW, I read "The naked lunch" because the name of the band was taken from this novel... mmm interesting novel if you have in mind to become a heroin addict :-)

[Goosemeyer]

@lolosixfoe search Steve Gadd aja drum fills..it's incredible

[EXTIQUE]

@Goosemeyer even funnier,,alot of people think it was jeff pocaro who played the drum track(s) in the studio on AJA.

[dannybighair]

@lolosixfoe

haha starr i see what you did there

[cosmicwarrior287]

like wayne shorter s miles imitation.

[tubetime345]

i want to hear them go off and explain the mu major chord

[Hgclaw]

doesn't fagen explain the mu chord at some length in one of the archived metal leg interviews?

[C33Four]

Where is this? I really wanna hear it.

[Hgclaw]

search google for metal leg (a defunct steely dan fanzine). the contents of several of SD's interviews were transcribed and uploaded online some time ago.

[EliKilby]

Mu Chords FTW!

[radcam69]

Cool the way Ian says "I can hear...".

[generatrix999]

4:48 Do we, can we, should we even suggest SD is on the same ray as Miles?

3:48 "Took awhile to persuade him". Doubt it, Shorter was just being 'cool'. He admits @ 4:14 it was quite matter of fact. You couldn't ask a dumber question to a hired musician - a real 4:20 moment.. What would be the options? "Just telephically send me an image of what's happening, that's how I want to approach it man". Shorter probably walked in, thought/felt "Man, white boys overanalyzing their music".

[levanyzzuf]

Wayne Shorter is such a gentleman. Such a gentle soul.

[kirkmach32]

Absolutely scrumptious like a rich candy bar on a hungry day

[doedoe1]

Love this DVD. Can watch it OVER AND OVER again....

[Corestore16]

whats the name of this dvd?

[doedoe1]

Classic Albums :Steely Dan "Aja" you can get it from Amazon :)

[bsharpinLondon]

How can you possibly explain the making of Aja without talking about Gadd's drumming?

[franjon]

Glad someone else noticed it. :-)

It was signature Gadd just about everywhere, particularly at the end. I think they were just talking about the making of the song, not necessarily about the guys on the date, apart from Shorter.

[219Dave]

I was thinking the same thing...wanted to hear about Gadd coming in and nailing it right away.

[Dethmeister]

I know, how can they not mention Gadd? The drumming on the song Aja is my favorite part of the song and the album. Maybe this youtube clip doesn't show the whole thing.

[bruce3635]

I'm consistently moved to tears with Aja.

[nsra1933]

It's an amazing album, but tears?

[selinerd]

I was named after this song, so I feel the same way.

[Thaepae]

Nothing fits, but still it fits. Great musicians !!

[KootchDaddy99]

Have this DVD, big Dan Fan, but,

How do you profile the making of AJA and not mention Steve Gadd at ALL????

[apujols2194]

i kno, he was a big factor for the whole album

[treadley]

who is he?  musician/writer/producer...all of the above?

[apujols2194]

steve gadd is the drummer....for aja

[apujols2194]

hes also just a studio drummer whos played many bands.

[jode72]

Yeah. Just a studio drummer. Like Frank Lloyd Wright was just an architect. Like Michael Jordan was just a basketball player. Like Ernest Hemingway was just a writer. Sheesh.

[apujols2194]

haha i bet uve never seen michael jordan play at a bulls championship...i have. gadd is amazing so u can stfu

[jode72]

Something tells me you wouldn't get my point if I stabbed you in the eye with it.

[sugahface]

I love how they have been friends all this time ,with a few exceptions,,and there minds seem to click...great minds !

[vindicator14]

yea, this DVD is top notch...very informative. Gives a little insight into the minds of these wizards

[SeriousPieEnthusiast]

oh wow. i always thought aja was just the way they felt like spelling asia, not a name

[nitedrive]

"We were feeling lucky that year..."

I love the dry wit of these guys.

This is a great DVD, by the way, do get it if you can.

[Leen851]

This song is so beautiful

[goldenpica]

These guys are so unfashionable yet produce such beautiful music.

[levanyzzuf]

"We immediately regrouped after that and went back to concise."

Considering "Gaucho" came next, I guess that's supposed to be ironic. You never can tell with these guys.