"Babylon Sisters" by Steely Dan

Here comes that Santa Ana wind again, blowing us right into the slightly skewed world of Steely Dan.

It was never a question whether Strong Songs would do a Steely Dan episode, it was more a question of which song to focus on. In the end, Kirk chose "Babylon Sisters," a culmination of the band's incredible 1970s run that exemplifies Fagen and Becker's brand of pristine, laser-focused groove. It's also arguably the definitive recording of Bernard Purdie's signature Purdie Shuffle.

Written by: Walter Becker and Donald Fagen

Album: Gaucho (1980)

Listen/Buy: Apple Music | Amazon | Spotify

ALSO FEATURED/DISCUSSED:

• “Sloop John B,” Bahamian folk song as recorded by The Beach Boys on Pet Sounds, 1966

• “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” by The Temptations from Law of the Land, 1972

• “Cousin Dupree” by Becker/Fagen from Two Against Nature, 2000

• “Reelin' in the years” by Donald Fagen from Can’t Buy a Thrill, 1972

• “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” by Fagen/Becker from Prezel Logic, 1974

• “Black Friday” by Becker/Fagen from Katy Lied, 1975

• "Peg," "Aja," and "Home at Last" by Becker/Fagen from Aja, 1977

• “Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)” by Louis Prima performed by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, 1936

• “Cissy Strut” by The Meters from The Meters, 1969

• "Rosanna" by David Paich as recorded by Toto on Toto IV, with Jeff Porcaro on drums (and Tom Scott on alto sax!)

• Rob Brown’s Purdie Shuffle tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g41Ab8iDaD0

OUTRO SOLOIST: Kyle Molitor

Kyle is a Portland-based trombonist who plays in all sorts of bands, and was also featured on the year three Strong Songs theme msuic. Find him on Instagram @tbonemolitor and check out his latest single here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kylemolitor/the-jazz-feat-toranpetto

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