1973 Steely Dan – Countdown To Ecstasy

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Countdown to Ecstasy is the second studio album by the American rock band Steely Dan, released in July 1973 by ABC Records. It was recorded at Caribou Ranch in Nederland, Colorado and at The Village Recorder in West Los Angeles, California. After the departure of vocalist David Palmer, the group recorded the album with Donald Fagen singing lead on all the songs.

Although it was a critical success, the album failed to generate a hit single, and consequently charted at only number 35 on the Billboard 200. It was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), having shipped 500,000 copies in the United States. Well-received upon its release, Countdown to Ecstasy received perfect scores from music critics in retrospective reviews.

Tracks

1  Bodhisattva (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 5:20
2  Razor Boy (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 3:11
3  The Boston Rag (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 5:41
4  Your Gold Teeth (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 7:02
5  Show Biz Kids (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 5:25
6  My Old School (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 5:47
7  Pearl of The Quarter (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 3:50
8  King of The World (Donald Fagen, Walter Becker) 5:03

Musicians

BassWalter Becker
DrumsJim Hodder
GuitarDenny Dias
GuitarJeff Baxter
Pedal Steel GuitarJeff Baxter
Acoustic GuitarBen Benay
PianoDonald Fagen
SynthesizerDonald Fagen
PercussionJim Hodder
Background VocalsJim Hodder
Background VocalsWalter Becker
Background VocalsSherlie Matthews
Background VocalsMyrna Matthews
Background VocalsPatrica Hall
Background VocalsDavid Palmer
Background VocalsJames Rolleston
Background VocalsMichael Fennelly
VocalsDonald Fagen

Other Musicians

2 Razor Boy

Double BassRay Brown


5 Show Biz Kids

Slide GuitarRick Derringer


6 My Old School

SaxBill Perkins
SaxErnie Watts
SaxJohn Rotella
SaxLanny Morgan

Liner Notes

Producer – Gary Katz
Arranged By (Saxes) – Jimmie Haskell
Engineer – Roger Nichols
Mixed By (Stereo Mixmaster General) – Denny Dias

Design – Dotty Of Hollywood
Photography By – Ed Caraeff

Record Company – ABC Records, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – ABC Records, Inc.
Copyright (c) – Probe
Recorded At – The Village Recorder
Recorded At – Caribou Ranch