Steely Dan

Countdown to Ecstasy - ABC Records 1973

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

Comments:

"Countdown to Ecstasy" was the follow-up to Steely Dan's very successful debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill." The album was partially recorded during rapid studio sessions between live performances and the group was initially not fully satisfied with all of the performances on the record.

The album contains the two singles "Show Biz Kids" and the "My Old School", which both made it close to number 60 in the charts. Especially "My Old School" is an unforgettable classic, which still appears on the group's live sets. So does the fast blues / rocker "Bodhisattva", which despite some energetic guitar has never been among my favorites - the melody is simply too monotonous

In contrast, the album contains one of my alltime biggest Steely Dan favorites, namely the beautiful melodic ballad "Pearl of the Quarter". A little in the same vein are "The Razor Boy" and "Boston Rag", both songs that help making this album an undeniable classic.

The long funky and slightly monotonous "Your Gold Teeth" have some great improvisational piano and guitar, and its a number that is likely to grow on you. The final number is "King of the World" sounds a bit like an outtake from the first album - a slight funky disco style - but a nice track, too.

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