STEELY DAN “THE ROYAL SCAM” AT THEIR MOST CYNICAL

STEELY DAN “THE ROYAL SCAM” (U.S.ABC ABCD931) 1976 CVR IS VG++ SOME WEAR DISC IS NICE VG++ COUPLE SMUDGES, HAIRLINES
To me, this album marks a perfect bridge between the “old” Steely Dan sound, and the newer, slicker approach that would come on _Aja_. The thing is, this album kicks _Aja’s_ ass. It’s the best of both worlds really, with the rich textures of _Aja_ but the added guts of really well played guitar. Listen to the guitar soloing on songs like “Kid Charlemagne” or “Don’t Take Me Alive”. They’ve got a bit to them that just disappeared on the next album. It also helps that the songs have a more compact, get in and get out feel to the playing that keeps them from wallowing into self indulgence. The Dan were really onto something with this album. I wish they would have applied more if it to future albums.
Track listing
A1
Kid Charlemagne4:38
A2
The Caves of Altamira3:33
A3
Don’t Take Me Alive4:19
A4
Sign In Stranger4:22
A5
The Fez3:59
B1
Green Earrings4:05
B2
Haitian Divorce5:50
B3
Everything You Did3:54
B4
The Royal Scam6:31
Total length: 41:11