Pretzel Logic

by Steely Dan

Overview

Countdown to Ecstasy wasn't half the hit that Can't Buy a Thrill was, and Steely Dan responded by trimming the lengthy instrumental jams that were scattered across Countdown and concentrating on concise songs for Pretzel Logic. While the shorter songs usually indicate a tendency toward pop conventions, that's not the case with Pretzel Logic. Instead of relying on easy hooks, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen assembled their most complex and cynical set of songs to date. Dense with harmonics, countermelodies, and bop phrasing, Pretzel Logic is vibrant with unpredictable musical juxtapositions and snide, but very funny, wordplay. Listen to how the album's hit single, "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," opens with a syncopated piano line that evolves into a graceful pop melody, or how the title track winds from a blues to a jazzy chorus -- Becker and Fagen's craft has become seamless while remaining idiosyncratic and thrillingly accessible. Since the songs are now paramount, it makes sense that Pretzel Logic is less of a band-oriented album than Countdown to Ecstasy, yet it is the richest album in their catalog, one where the backhanded Dylan tribute "Barrytown" can sit comfortably next to the gorgeous "Any Major Dude Will Tell You." Steely Dan made more accomplished albums than Pretzel Logic, but they never made a better one. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	07/28/2023
Label:	Geffen / Polydor / Umr
UPC:	0602445332311

Tracks

1. Rikki Don't Lose That Number
2. Night by Night
3. Any Major Dude Will Tell You
4. Barrytown
5. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
6. Parker's Band
7. Through with Buzz
8. Pretzel Logic
9. With a Gun
10. Charlie Freak
11. Monkey in Your Soul

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steely Dan   Primary Artist
Denny Dias   Guitar,Banjo,Percussion
Victor Feldman   Marimba,Guest Artist,Guitar,Keyboards,Percussion
Timothy B. Schmit   Marimba,Bass,Vocals,Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Ben Benay   Guitar
Donald Fagen   Vocals,Keyboards,Sax (Alto),Lead Vocals,Vocals (Background)
David Paich   Keyboards
Ernie Watts   Saxophone
Dean Parks   Banjo,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Jeff Porcaro   Drums
Ollie Mitchell   Trumpet
Walter Becker   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Jerome Richardson   Saxophone
Lew McCreary   Horn
Wilton Felder   Bass
Jim Hodder   Drums,Vocals (Background)
Roger Nichols   Percussion
Jeff Baxter   Guitar,Keyboards
Jim Gordon   Drums
Plas Johnson   Saxophone
Michael Omartian   Piano,Keyboards
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter   Guitar

Technical Credits

Walter Becker   Liner Notes,Composer
Donald Fagen   Liner Notes,Composer
Roger "The Immortal" Nichols   Audio Engineer
Gary Katz   Audio Production,Producer
Steely Dan   Performer
Denny Dias   Mixing
Duke Ellington   Composer
Jimmie Haskell   Orchestration
Bubber Miley   Composer
Roger Nichols   Engineer
Vartan   Reissue Art Director
David Larkham   Design,Original Design Concept
Michael Diehl   Reissue Design
Daniel Levitin   Consultant
Raeanne Rubenstein   Cover Photo
Ed Caraeff   Photography,Art Direction
James Wesley "Bubber" Miley   Composer