The Royal Scam

by Steely Dan

Overview

The Royal Scam is the first Steely Dan record that doesn't exhibit significant musical progress from its predecessor, but that doesn't mean the album is any less interesting. The cynicism that was suppressed on Katy Lied comes roaring to the surface on The Royal Scam -- not only are the lyrics bitter and snide, but the music is terse, broken, and weary. Not so coincidentally, the album is comprised of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's weakest set of songs since Can't Buy a Thrill. Alternating between mean-spirited bluesy vamps like "Green Earrings" and "The Fez" and jazzy soft rock numbers like "The Caves of Altamira," there's nothing particularly bad on the album, yet there are fewer standouts than before. Nevertheless, the best songs on The Royal Scam, like the sneering "Kid Charlemagne" and "Sign in Stranger," rank as genuine Steely Dan classics. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/07/2025
Label:	Analogue Prod.
UPC:	0753088134579
Rank:	148765

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steely Dan   Primary Artist
John Klemmer   Guest Artist,Horn
Michael McDonald   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Tim Schmidt   Guest Artist
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie   Guest Artist,Drums
Dean Parks   Guest Artist,Guitar
Elliott Randall   Guest Artist,Guitar
Larry Carlton   Guest Artist,Guitar
Victor Feldman   Guest Artist,Drums,Keyboards,Percussion
Walter Becker   Bass,Guitar,Vocals
Venetta Fields   Horn,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Hugh McCracken   Guitar
Rick Marotta   Drums
Dick Hyde   Horn,Trombone
Denny Dias   Guitar
Chuck Findley   Horn
Chuck Rainey   Bass
Bob Findley   Horn
Gary Coleman   Drums,Percussion
Paul Griffin   Vocals,Keyboards
Jim Horn   Horn,Saxophone
Plas Johnson   Horn,Saxophone
Sherlie Matthews   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Timothy B. Schmit   Bass,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Clydie King   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Donald Fagen   Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Don Grolnick   Keyboards

Technical Credits

Walter Becker   Composer,Liner Notes,Horn Arrangements
Gary Katz   Producer
Roger Nicholas   Engineer
Michael Diehl   Reissue Design
Karen Stanley   Nursery Rhyme
Beth Stempel   Reissue Coordination
Tom Nikosey   Design,Cover Art,Typography
Chuck Findley   Horn Arrangements
Paul Griffin   Composer
Roger Nichols   Mixing,Engineer,Digital Remastering
Vartan   Reissue Art Director
Zox   Cover Art
Dinky Dawson   Graphic Editing,Sound Consultant
Ed Caraeff   Design,Art Direction
Barney Perkins   Mixing,Mixdown Engineer
Elliot Scheiner   Engineer
Donald Fagen   Composer,Liner Notes,Horn Arrangements