Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Fifty years ago Steely Dan released their third studio album. Pretzel Logic made its debut in February 1974. The band was formed by core members Walter Becker (1950-2017) on guitar and bass & Donald Fagen on keyboards. Both men, who met when they were students at Bard College in New York, also shared songwriting duties. The album also featured one of the group’s earlier members and future Doobie Brother, Jeffrey “Skunk” Baxter, on guitar and Jim Gordon of Derek & The Dominos on drums.

By May of 1974, the first single from the album became a Top Ten hit on Billboard’s Hot 100. It is highlighted by an incredible musical arrangement including the use of a flapamba, a great lead vocal by Fagan, backing vocals by future Eagles bassist Timothy B. Schmit and a smoking guitar solo by Baxter. No wonder the track become the best selling single of Steely Dan’s career to date.

“I have a friend in town he’s heard your name
We can go out driving on Slow Hand Row
We could stay inside and play games I don’t know
And you could have a change of heart“.

Top: The band’s 1974 album. Bottom: Steely Dan circa 1974 (L-R): Denny Dias, Walter Becker, Donald Fagen, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Jim Hodder. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Steely Dan: “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” (1974, written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen).

Stay safe & well.