Steely Dan - Two Against Nature (2LP 3 sides, 45RPM)
Donald Fagen – lead vocals (all tracks), Fender Rhodes (A1-3), Clavinet (A1), piano (A2-3), Wurlitzer (B1-C1), organ (C3) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Donald Fagen]
Walter Becker – bass (A2-C1), guitar (A1-2, B1, B3, C1), lead guitar (A3, C3)
Ted Baker – Fender Rhodes (B1, C1-3), piano (C3)
Jon Herington – rhythm guitar (A3, B1, C1, C3), acoustic guitar (B2)
Paul Jackson Jr. – guitar (C2)
Hugh McCracken – guitar (B2)
Dean Parks – guitar (C2)
Tom Barney – bass (A1, C2-3)
Keith Carlock – drums (A3)
Leroy Clouden – drums (B1-2, C1)
Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (C2)
Sonny Emory – drums (C3)
Ricky Lawson – drums (A1)
Michael White – drums (A2, B3)
Gordon Gottlieb – percussion (A2-3, B2-3, C3)
Will Lee – percussion (B3)
Daniel Sadownick – percussion (A3), timbales (A3)
Dave Shank – vibraphone (C2)
Steve Shapiro – vibraphone (A3)
Amy Helm – whistle (C1)
Lawrence Feldman – clarinet (A1, B2), tenor saxophone (B1, B3), alto saxophone (B2), saxophone (A3)
Roy Hitchcock - clarinet (A3)
Lou Marini – alto saxophone (B1, B3), tenor saxophone (A2)
Chris Potter – tenor saxophone solo (A1, C3), alto saxophone solo (B1)
David Tofani – tenor saxophone (A1) saxophone (A3)
Roger Rosenberg – bass clarinet (A1, A3-B2), baritone saxophone (A2, B3)
Michael Leonhart – trumpet (A1-B3), Wurlitzer (A3)
Jim Pugh – trombone (A1-3, B2-3)
Cynthia Calhoun – background vocals (A1-3, B3, C2-3)
Carolyn Leonhart – background vocals (A1-B2, C1-3)
Michael Harvey – background vocals (A1-3, B2-3, C3)
Composed and arranged by Donald Fagen, Walter Becker
2 LP 3 sides, gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 45RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : Quality Record Pressings
Label : Analogue Productions
Original Label : Giant Records
Recorded 1997–1999
Engineered by Phil Burnett, Per-Christian Nielsen, Johan Edlund, Anthony Gorman, Roger Nichols, Ken Ross, Dave Russell, Jay A. Ryan, Elliot Scheiner, Peter Scriba
Mixed by Roger Nichols, Dave Russell
Produced by Walter Becker, Donald Fagen
Mastered & Cut by Scott Hull at Masterdisk
Originally released in February 2020
To be reissued in June 2022
Tracks:
Side A:
- Gaslighting Abbie
- What a Shame about Me
- Two Against Nature
Side B:
- Janie Runaway
- Almost Gothic
- Jack of Speed
Side C:
- Cousin Dupree
- Negative Girl
- West of Hollywood
Awards:
2001 Grammy Awards:
- Album of the Year
- Best Pop Vocal Album
- Best Engineered Album - Non-Classical
- Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "Cousin Dupree"
Reviews :
“Notorious for shunning concert performances, Steely Dan's improbable live reunion in the mid-'90s eventually turned into a full-fledged reunion album. Since Steely Dan fans went two decades without even the hope of a new record, the very prospect was a delight, but it was also a little worrying, since a botched comeback would tarnish the band's legacy. Fortunately, Two Against Nature is as seductive and alluring as the best of Steely Dan's later work, with a similar emphasis on classy atmosphere and groove. Pitched halfway between Gaucho and the immaculate production of Fagen's solo album Kamakiriad, it's a graceful, intricate record that works its subtle charms at its own pace. While that means it isn't a knockout on the first listen, it's a real grower -- a quietly addicting album that slowly works its way into the subconscious. It's also an uncannily natural extension of the duo's previous work, but surprisingly, it never sounds nostalgic or dated. It's clear that Becker and Fagen re-teamed because they simply enjoy working together: crafting the songs and arrangements, designing the production, shoehorning in-jokes into the lyrics, finding the exact performances that fit their specifications. In this sense, Two Against Nature is no different than any past Steely Dan effort; that's exactly why it's welcome, since they find nearly endless permutations within their signature sound. Lyrically, the album isn't quite as malicious as their '70s work, but they haven't lost their sharp humor, even on some mere throwaway lines. The real payoff, however, is musical. Each song gradually reveals its own identity through small, thrilling touches, giving the record depth and character, and fitting it comfortably into Steely Dan's acclaimed body of work. And that's as delightfully unexpected and peculiarly beautiful as anything else in their career.” AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Ratings :
AllMusic : 4 / 5 , Discogs : 4.34 / 5