18 illinoisentertainer . com august 2023
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STEELY DAN Countdown to Ecstasy 50th Anniversary LP ( Geffen / UMe )
Steely Dan ' s sophomore album Countdown to Ecstasy has returned to its original vinyl format with audiophile enhancements for your record player . The standard 33 1 / 3 RPM LP arrives on black vinyl for the first time in more than 30 years . Although singles “ Do It Again ” and “ Reeling in the Years ” from debut album Can ’ t Buy a Thrill were bigger pop successes , Countdown to Ecstasy helped grow Walter Becker and Donald Fagen ’ s brand as purveyors of meticulous and snarky jazzinfluenced rock . Fagen ’ s sardonic vocal leads every track following the departure of singer David Palmer . The chorus of “ Show Biz Kids ” is delivered like a mantra and driven by drummer Jim Hodder ’ s pristine pocket and insistent groove , while Fagen ’ s lyric sneers at the Hollywood elite . “ They got the Steely Dan t-shirt ,” he sings when listing the vices and excesses of spoiled West Coast hipsters . The song was contemporaneously compared to Harry Nilsson ’ s 1971 hit “ Coconut .” Rick Derringer ’ s slide guitar solo adds spice . The salty reminiscence of “ My Old School ” begins with Fagen ’ s woozy parlor piano and carnivalesque Leon Russell-styled rhythm before leaping into a taut R & B groove led by Jimmie Haskell ’ s bristling saxophones . Guitarist Jeff “ Skunk ” Baxter delivers acrobatic and melodic solos . The wry lyric is inspired by a college pot bust led by G . Gordon Liddy ( namechecked as “ Daddy Gee ” in the song ), but also touches on the wounded pride of a jilted lover . For sheer studio firepower , it ’ s hard to top album opener “ Bodhisattva .” The song ’ s bluesy , uptempo progression is a springboard for spine-tingling and dizzy bop-style jazz solos from guitarists Denny Dias and Baxter . The lyric portrays Western oversimplification and commodification of Eastern religion , even through the divestment of material things . The Latin jazz-pop of “ Razor Boy ” features glistening marimba and Baxter ’ s weeping steel guitar , while Fagen doubts a privileged foil ’ s ability to weather a loss of creature comforts . “ The Boston Rag ” is described by Becker and
Fagen in the sleeve notes as “ an attack of unrelieved nostalgia .” “ Your Gold Teeth ” is propelled by Hodder ’ s conga , underscoring Fagen ’ s funky electric piano rhythm and skittering jazz solo . Baxter draws equally on his jazz and rock chops for biting guitar leads . Fagen has his heart stolen by a Crescent City torch singer in the breezy “ Pearl of the Quarter ,” colored by Baxter ’ s florid steel guitar . Becker plays nimble bass as " King of the World " explores a postnuclear holocaust American landscape .
Devoted fans can find the limited-edition 45 RPM version on 200-gram vinyl from the Analogue Productions label or the same label ’ s Super Audio CD version . Countdown to Ecstasy was remastered with strict quality control by Bernie Grundman from original analog tapes . The basis for comparison in this review was a 50-year-old first pressing that was not exactly maintained in pristine condition . The new pressing is an audible improvement , offering full character and lively playback .
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– Jeff Elbel
LOUISE POST Sleepwalker
( El Camino )
Veruca Salt ' s Louise Post is no stranger to going solo , helming the iconic Chicago band by herself on their third album , Resolver . Her first “ official ” solo release shows she still has a penchant for a good melody , albeit with several harder rocking edges . Album opener , " Queen of The Pirates ," is a classic Iggy Pop-styled rocker that would certainly sound home on a Vercula Salt album . " All Messed Up " and “ Don ’ t Give Up ” are twee tales of regret , showing she can write a lilting Nina Gordon-affected chorus . Post has learned a few things from her former bandmate , and it ' s a joy to show the influence ( s ), not hide it . " Secrets " ( dare we say it ) sounds like it could a Taylor Swift duet , with a curveball trumpet riff .
Post had to cancel a portion of her summer tour last month due to illness and the unfortunate theft of her equipment in Denver ( every musician ' s worst nightmare ). When she ' s ready to restart , Sleepwalker shows she still has the chops and knowedge to hit the reset button .
– John Vernon
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