Steely Dan - Can't Buy A Thrill (1972) Part 1 (Full Album)

Track List: 1-4

1. Steely Dan - Do It Again (0:00)
2. Steely Dan - Dirty Work (5:57)
3. Steely Dan - Kings (9:06)
4. Steely Dan - Midnight Cruiser (12:51)

Can't Buy a Thrill Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine:
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were remarkable craftsmen from the start, as Steely Dan's debut, Can't Buy a Thrill, illustrates. Each song is tightly constructed, with interlocking chords and gracefully interwoven melodies, buoyed by clever, cryptic lyrics. All of these are hallmarks of Steely Dan's signature sound, but what is most remarkable about the record is the way it differs from their later albums. Of course, one of the most notable differences is the presence of vocalist David Palmer, a professional blue-eyed soul vocalist who oversings the handful of tracks where he takes the lead. Palmer's very presence signals the one major flaw with the album -- in an attempt to appeal to a wide audience, Becker and Fagen tempered their wildest impulses with mainstream pop techniques. Consequently, there are very few of the jazz flourishes that came to distinguish their albums -- the breakthrough single, "Do It Again," does work an impressively tight Latin jazz beat, and "Reelin' in the Years" has jazzy guitar solos and harmonies -- and the production is overly polished, conforming to all the conventions of early-'70s radio. Of course, that gives these decidedly twisted songs a subversive edge, but compositionally, these aren't as innovative as their later work. Even so, the best moments ("Dirty Work," "Kings," "Midnight Cruiser," "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again") are wonderful pop songs that subvert traditional conventions and more than foreshadow the paths Steely Dan would later take.

A commercial success, in the United States Can't Buy a Thrill peaked at number 17 on the Billboard albums chart, bolstered by the popular singles "Do It Again" and "Reelin' In the Years", and was eventually certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. It was also met with positive reviews, and has appeared on many retrospective "greatest albums" lists, Rolling Stone magazine's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" (2003).

Personnel:
Jeff "Skunk" Baxter – guitar, pedal steel guitar, spoken Spanish (the end of track 5)
Walter Becker – electric bass guitar, co-lead vocals (10), backing vocals
Denny Dias – guitar, electric sitar
Donald Fagen – piano, electric piano, plastic organ (YC-30), lead vocals (all except 2,4,8), backing vocals
Jim Hodder – drums, percussion, lead vocals (4), backing vocals
David Palmer – lead vocals (2,8), co-lead vocals (5,9,10), backing vocals
Additional musicians
Elliott Randall – lead guitar (3,6)
Victor Feldman – percussion
Jerome Richardson – tenor saxophone (2)
Snooky Young – flugelhorn (2)
Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields – backing vocals (3,8)

Production:
Gary Katz – producer
Roger Nichols – engineer
Tim Weston – assistant engineer
Doug Sax – mastering engineer
Robert Lockart – cover design
Tristan Fabriani (Walter Becker & Donald Fagen) – liner notes

[brianevans]

I had forgotten how amazing this album is. Recently come out of hospital... I was chilling and wanted to listen to something to suit my mood and this album was it. Top quality I'm in bliss. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[henktuinman]

I was 21 that time had my girlfriend and my motorbike and enjoyng thuis music
Now 73 stil with my girfriend and motorbike and stil enjoying
Steely Dan

[markkelley]

June 2025 and still here, live off the music❤

[crystalhuddleson]

Their music came out way before i was born. Im in my 30s and i enjoy it more than the stuff out nowadays

[CoreaKixx]

I was 12 when this beauty came out. Do it again, and Reelin' in the years were big radio hits. This was the beginning of my life long love for Steely Dan. I'm 65 today, and that has not deminished at all.

[marissavelasquez]

I'm 65 still thinking like a teenager and with music like this my ol adage is love the one your with and never forget Steely Dan!

[SuperDavemason]

Music just isn't the same these days. love Steely Dan!

[hondo]

Born in 65 always loved this, still do in 2025

[scottorton]

We were "cutting edge" avandt guard, this music as well as much more got me through high school but also jr HS. We didn't know it at the time. What a time to live, be young, we had the best of everything. We never even thought it could end. IT DID. Still in love after all these years. What a time to live. Won't never be the same, glad I lived it. We were un-stoppable. Long live the Dan.👍👍👍👍👍

[kevinsnyder]

I was 15 and I still feel like I'm 15 when I listen to these guys

[oldskoolerful]

Ahh the 70s. What a great time to grow up, and hear great music like this. The Dan was part of the soundtrack those years.

[GaryFox]

70's one of the greatest decades of creative music .
Steely Dan - was incredible
Walter Becker &
Donald Fagen .
Bravo 🎷👍

[MarkCramer-gepx]

67 and still rocking 😎...love the way it sets the mood...

[PatriciaVanZeben]

GREAT DRIVING TUNES 🏁 🏍 🏁 🚗 🏁 🚘 🏁 🏎 🏁 ✈️ 💃 📻 🕺 💓 🚶‍♀️ 💃 💓 🎧 💓

[oldbluesboy]

Didnt we have it all back then. I'm in the UK, lived in Bristol when this came out and it presaged a wonderful decade of music from Steely Dan and many others ( thank you USA! ♥) All gone to hell in a handcart now, more's the pity...

[PriscillaTurpin-Machinsky-oz]

This year 2025 college days 1975 took my son with me to pre school now he’s grown and hella handsome and so smart thank you The GOD🙏🙏

[kecgemv]

this band band was way ahead of their time. Walter Becker and Donald Fagan genius musicians thank you for the music and memories all of the years and to this day.

[salvadoro]

I was 12 years in 1972. This is great music 🎶.

[FrancisThompson-by]

THANKS TO ALL OF US THAT ARE ROCKERS IN THE WORLD ROCK KEEPS ROCKIN ON GOD BLESS ALL OF US

[silverseeker]

March 24th 2025; enjoying this with my two grandsons, (four years old and 18 months)... Both are mesmerized, and time stands still!