Pretzel Logic

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Product Details

Artist : Dan Steely
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0008811191726
Label : Universal Music Group
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 1999-05-18
UPC : 008811191726

ASIN : B00000IPAC

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
2. Night by Night
3. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
4. Barrytown
5. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
6. Parker's Band
7. Through with Buzz
8. Pretzel Logic
9. With a Gun
10. Charlie Freak
11. Monkey in Your Soul

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Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

Pretzel Logic marked a transition for Steely Dan from a studio-bound rock band producing hits such as "Reeling in the Years" and "Do It Again" to a looser constellation of studio musicians under the direction of songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. That later version of Steely Dan would paint its masterpiece with Aja. Pretzel Logic is much more playful than that, and also jazzier than the albums that came before. The jazz intentions are made perfectly clear on "Parker's Band", a swinging tribute to bebop titan Charlie Parker, and a crafty cover of Duke Ellington's "East St. Louis Toodle-oo". The lyrics displayed their own twisted logic, presenting a tumble of images in search of a unifying principle that most often remained elusive. Steely Dan was that rare act that could work such purposeful obscurity to its advantage: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was a top-five hit even though nobody had a clue as to what it was about. Or, perhaps, everybody had a clue, but nobody could agree. --John Milward

Amazon.com essential recording

Pretzel Logic marked a transition for Steely Dan from a studio-bound rock band producing hits such as "Reeling in the Years" and "Do It Again" to a looser constellation of studio musicians under the direction of songwriters Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. That later version of Steely Dan would paint its masterpiece with Aja. Pretzel Logic is much more playful than that, and also jazzier than the albums that came before. The jazz intentions are made perfectly clear on "Parker's Band," a swinging tribute to bebop titan Charlie Parker, and a crafty cover of Duke Ellington's "East St. Louis Toodle-oo." The lyrics displayed their own twisted logic, presenting a tumble of images in search of a unifying principle that most often remained elusive. Steely Dan was that rare act that could work such purposeful obscurity to its advantage: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" was a top-five hit even though nobody had a clue as to what it was about. Or, perhaps, everybody had a clue, but nobody could agree. --John Milward

Customer Reviews

Warning about the Canadian pressing (2008-04-03)

If you're ordering from Amazon.ca, or any other Canadian site for that matter, be warned that Universal up here is still pressing and distributing the version that is missing the intro to "Rikki" (20 seconds or so!). This error was corrected in the US almost immediately after release back in 1999. I figured that Uni Canada would've followed suit but not so, even after nine years! I contacted them to point out the problem but no one bothered to return my call (gee, what a surprise). So if you live in Canada order this one from a US seller and get the complete version. Normally a 4 star rating, Canadian pressing docked two stars for Universal's complete lack of QC.

Right up there (2004-06-21)

They were so good for so many albums. I prefer Gaucho and The Royal Scam even more, but this is every bit as good as Katy Lied.

Truly Spectacular (2004-06-18)

The Dan would get better after this, but no band can match any of their original recordings. "Pretzel Logic" is another masterpiece in a very rich musical canon. The jazz overtones start to rear their heads here, in the Ellington cover and in several other songs disguised as pop tunes. "Rikki" is the radio classic, and you frequently hear the title track on the FM dial. But "Night By Night" is easily the best song, followed by "Any Major Dude", the rehashed "Barrytown" (which dates back to their early days, pre- "You Gotta Walk it"), and "Monkey in Your Soul". One thing: does anybody seem to notice that the track listing has changed from the original version? I believe that, on the original LP, "Monkey" played out earlier, like somewhere on side one. I'm actually thinking it was the 2nd song on the album when it was originally released. I wonder why the record company decided to change it. It doesn't really matter, though; this is still a great album with many listening pleasures. This was the first Dan album that I bought, and it hooked me. Yes, you can find many of its contents on "greatest hits" packages, but the ones that haven't been compiled to death are the ones you need. For more comments on this, check out my review of their 2nd album. And, if you don't know which one that is, DO YOUR DAMNED HOMEWORK!!! Signed, Steely Dan Fanatic.

Steely Dan's Masterpiece. (2004-05-25)

This IS Steely Dan's definative album for me. Fom the beginning to the end, I am spellbound every time I play this disc. This is in my top twenty favorite cds. A big must own for this winner.

Sterling Steely Dan! (2004-04-03)

Yes, this is the best place to start! Definitely the album that rings of the hits "Dirty Work", "Midnight Cruiser", "Reeling In The Years" and "Do It Again" from their first album, CAN'T BUY A THRILL, while continues the departure from their commerciality and journey through a bit of obscurity on their 2nd, COUNTDOWN TO ECSTACY.

"Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is still the familiar Top-40 radio fodder, "Through With Buzz" is a 1 1/2 minute ditty about the guy one no longer wants to be friends with--for three reasons heard here (and the other put-downs, Becker & Fagan probably weren't allowed to say!), "With a Gun" is a "Country Hustle" and the first of its kind, introduced as their version of a "story song" in the group's ouvere, much like "Night By Night", "Charley Freak" and "Barrytown". While the sarcastic Title-Track also gives that kind of a perspective over a trilling "bluesy" piano groove you'll hear again on future numbers like "Chain Lightning". Its polar-opposite is, of course, another almost Top-40 hit, the gentle, acoutic guitar/electric piano-driven, "Any Major Dude". And the album closes with the Show-Bizzy, alomost Heavy-Metal-esque Rocker, "Monkey In Your Soul". "East St. Louis Toodeloo" is a first and probably only non-Becker & Fagan written track; a twisted-tribute to Duke Ellington and along with the Charles "Yardbird" ecomium, "Parker's Band", both show The Dan's obviously chief reference point in their musical influence--Ragtime and Traditional Jazz. And on the latter, they take a break from their Satirical Haze and give us a song that's more direct and very straightforward. Yes, Steely Dan really understands the concept of Modern and Traditional Jazz perfectly well, takes it seriously and of course, on PRETZEL LOGIC, makes it a Lot of Fun!! And it most of all, whets your appetite to hear more of what Steely Dan can do!

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