What is Aja by Steely Dan?
Aja ( / ˈeɪʒə /, pronounced like Asia) is the sixth album by the jazz rock band Steely Dan. Originally released in 1977 on ABC Records, it became the group’s best-selling album. Peaking at No. 3 on the U.S. charts and No. 5 in the United Kingdom, it was the band’s first platinum album, eventually selling over 5 million copies.
How many musicians did Steely Dan record with?
Recording alongside nearly 40 musicians, band leaders Donald Fagen and Walter Becker pushed Steely Dan further into experimenting with different combinations of session players while pursuing longer, more sophisticated compositions for the album.
What do you think about Steely Dan?
One of the interesting things about Steely Dan for me is Michael MacDonald who went back and forth from Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers. He is on two songs in this album: Peg and I Got The News. It seems to me that MacDonald’s work leaves a definite fingerprint on everything he touches.
Who is on the cover of the Aja album?
The cover photo by Hideki Fujii features Japanese model and actress Sayoko Yamaguchi and was designed by Patricia Mitsui and Geoff Westen. The inside photos were taken by Walter Becker and Dorothy A. White. Aja was released on September 23, 1977, by ABC Records.
Is Steely Dan jazz or pop music?
[Steely Dan] wasn’t rock or pop music with ideas above its station, and it wasn’t jazzers slumming… it was a very well-forged alloy of the two – you couldn’t separate the pop music from the jazz in their music.”
What did Ian Dury think of Aja?
Describing the album in 1999, British musician Ian Dury said: “Well, Aja ‘s got a sound that lifts your heart up.. and it’s the most consistent up-full, heart-warming.. even though, it is a classic LA kinda sound. You wouldn’t think it was recorded anywhere else in the world.
Why is Aja in the National Recording Registry?
In 2010 the Library of Congress selected Aja for inclusion in the United States National Recording Registry based on its cultural, artistic or historical significance. The album was included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.