Steely Dan: Katy Lied [GEFFEN]

Why you'll love it

Katy Lied is Steely Dan's first studio-only album and the recording debut of Michael McDonald, polished jazz-rock with razor-sharp wit.

This edition

• Remastered
• Stereo mix
• Pressed in the Czech Republic

About the album

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen had decided touring wasn't for them, so for Katy Lied they set up shop in the studio with the best session players in Los Angeles and set about chasing perfection. The result is one of their smoothest, smartest records.

"Black Friday" opens with a sly tale of financial ruin and a ripping guitar solo, "Bad Sneakers" is a lovely, wistful shuffle, "Doctor Wu" features a gorgeous Phil Woods alto sax solo, and "Rose Darling" and "Everyone's Gone to the Movies" are pure, sardonic pop. A young Michael McDonald makes his recording debut on backing vocals.

It reached No. 13 on the Billboard chart and went gold. Jazz chords, rock grooves and lyrics you'll be decoding for years: that's Steely Dan in a nutshell.

Also at Kops: more Steely Dan on vinyl · browse Rock

Tracklist

Listen

On Geffen, a reissue of the 1975 album.