Countdown to Ecstasy

by Steely Dan

Overview

Can't Buy a Thrill became an unexpected hit, and as a response, Donald Fagen became the group's full-time lead vocalist, and he and Walter Becker acted like Steely Dan was a rock & roll band for the group's second album, Countdown to Ecstasy. The loud guitars and pronounced backbeat of "Bodhisattva," "Show Biz Kids," and "My Old School" camouflage the fact that Countdown is a riskier album, musically speaking, than its predecessor. Each of its eight songs have sophisticated, jazz-inflected interludes, and apart from the bluesy vamps "Bodhisattva" and "Show Biz Kids," which sound like they were written for the stage, the songs are subtly textured. "Razor Boy," with its murmuring vibes, and the hard bop tribute "Your Gold Teeth" reveal Becker and Fagen's jazz roots, while the country-flavored "Pearl of the Quarter" and the ominous, skittering "King of the World" are both overlooked gems. Countdown to Ecstasy is the only time Steely Dan played it relatively straight, and its eight songs are rich with either musical or lyrical detail that their album rock or art rock contemporaries couldn't hope to match. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/17/1998
Label:	Mca
UPC:	0008811188726
Rank:	19490

Tracks

1. Bodhisattva
2. Razor Boy
3. The Boston Rag
4. Your Gold Teeth
5. Show Biz Kids
6. My Old School
7. Pearl of the Quarter
8. King of the World

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steely Dan   Primary Artist
Jim Hodder   Vocals (Background),Drums,Vocals,Percussion
Victor Feldman   Guest Artist,Marimba,Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone
Rick Derringer   Guest Artist,Guitar,Slide Guitar
Ernie Watts   Guest Artist,Saxophone
Donald Fagen   Piano (Electric),Piano,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion,Synthesizer
Walter Becker   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Electric)
Myrna Matthews   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Rotella   Saxophone
Ray Brown   Bass,String Bass
Sherlie Matthews   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Pam Hall   Vocals (Background)
Jeff Baxter   Guitar,Pedal Steel,Guitar (Steel)
James Rolleston   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Sherlie Mathews   Vocals (Background)
Michael Fennelly   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Royce Jones   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Patricia Hall   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter   Guitar
David Palmer   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Denny Dias   Guitar
Ben Benay   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Bill Perkins   Saxophone
Lanny Morgan   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Gary Katz   Audio Production,Producer
Roger Nichols   Audio Engineer,Engineer,Remastering
Donald Fagen   Reissue Producer,Composer,Liner Notes
Walter Becker   Composer,Liner Notes,Reissue Producer
Jimmie Haskell   Arranger,Saxophone Arrangement
Rick Derringer   Engineer
Daniel Levitin   Consultant
Ed Caraeff   Photography
Miss Natalie   Engineer
Denny Dias   Mixing