Steely Dan – Pretzel Logic (1974)

I was very surprised when, a few months ago, actually sitting down and checking what CDs I actually own, that I didn't have a copy of this.

Fortunately, this week the second hand CD guy at Harborough Market had a copy, and I had a couple of quid, so we swapped. Now my Steely Dan studio album collection is complete.

Pretzel Logic is the band's third album, and possibly the album in which the jazz influences start to become more obvious than the earlier country feel of some of their work.

The album opens with their most successful US single, Rikki Don't Lose That Number (opening with the riff stolen from Horace Silver's Song For My Father) a laid back, beautifully sculpted song, followed by the slower, more mysterious Night By Night, then the fantastically optimistic Any Major Dude Will Tell You. This is followed by possibly my highpoint on the album, the superb Barrytown, a fantastic melody and song. I could normally take or leave the Duke Ellington instrumental East St Louis Toodle-Oo, but in the context of this first side of this album, it's a perfect wind down after four top class songs from the Dan, with some lovely guitar work from Walter Becker and Jeff Baxter.

Sadly, the second half isn't as strong, although it's a high bar been set. Parker's Band is a simple celebration of Charlie Parker, and Through With Buzz is just average in the Steely Dan catalogue. The downbeat Pretzel Logic is probably my favourite of this second half, but the final three are quite ordinary (by Becker/Fagen standards). With A Gun, a quick romp, Charlie Freak, a mysterious narrative and Monkey In Your Soul, a slow, more funky completion.

There's no such thing as a bad Steely Dan album, but the first half of this one is up there with the best of their output. Absolutely recommended.

Link to full album

4* - a great album, with promise of what's to come