Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic

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Pretzel Logic — Steely Dan's gold-selling third studio album now on UHQR!

Includes the smash hit "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"

Definitive reissue Ultra High Quality Record, the pinnacle of high-quality vinyl!

45 RPM LP release limited to 20,000 numbered copies

Mastered directly from the original master tape by Bernie Grundman

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings using 200-gram Clarity Vinyl®

Purest possible pressing and most visually stunning presentation and packaging!

Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jackets with film lamination by Stoughton Printing

"While Steely Dan's Pretzel Logic UHQR may not share the full-on Wow factors that its predecessors Countdown to Ecstasy and Can't Buy a Thrill do (each in their own respective ways, of course), that doesn't discount this 2LP set's value when it comes to overall worthiness or what you'll get out of repeat listens — because the more you hear it, the more you get into it. If Pretzel Logic is your personal go-to Steely Dan album, this UHQR edition is absolutely for you. If you want to test your jazz-lineage chops and get further inside the music to hear how SD are literally transitioning their studio acumen right before your very ears into a signature style that wound up blooming in full force on their subsequent albums, then this UHQR edition is definitely for you too. ... Logic stands tall in all its 200g 45rpm 2LP clear-vinyl glory, just like many a great record on the phonograph should." — Music = 8/11; Sound = 9/11 — Mike Mettler, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Mettler's full review, click here

Steely Dan's gold-selling third studio album Pretzel Logic, charted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and restored the group's radio presence with the single "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," which became the biggest pop hit of their career and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The 1974 album was produced by Gary Katz and was written primarily by Walter Becker (bass) and bandleader Donald Fagen (vocals, keyboards). The album marked the beginning of Becker and Fagen's roles as Steely Dan's principal members.

They enlisted prominent Los Angeles-based studio musicians to record Pretzel Logic, but used them only for occasional overdubs, except for drums, where founding drummer Jim Hodder was reduced to a backing singer, replaced by Jim Gordon and Jeff Porcaro on the drum kit for all of the songs on the album. Steely Dan's Jeff "Skunk" Baxter played pedal steel guitar and hand drums.

Pretzel Logic has shorter songs and fewer instrumental jams than the group's 1973 album Countdown to Ecstasy. Steely Dan considered it the band's attempt at complete musical statements within the three-minute pop-song format. The album's music is characterized by harmonies, counter-melodies, and bop phrasing. It also relies often on straightforward pop influences. The syncopated piano line that opens "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" develops into a pop melody, and the title track transitions from a blues song to a jazzy chorus.

Other standout tracks include "Any Major Dude Will Tell You," a reflective ballad with lush harmonies, and "Parker's Band," a playful ode to the jazz great Charlie Parker.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of nostalgia, lost love, and the struggles of the creative process. In "Barrytown," the band reflects on their early days as struggling musicians, while in "Through with Buzz," they offer a biting critique of the music industry and the pressure to conform to commercial expectations.

One of the defining characteristics of Pretzel Logic is its use of unusual chord progressions and unexpected musical twists and turns. The band's intricate arrangements and skilled musicianship are on full display throughout the album.

Rolling Stone praised the album, calling Steely Dan the "most improbable hit-singles band to emerge in ages."

"When the band doesn't undulate to samba rhythms (as it did on 'Do It Again,' its first Top Ten single), it pushes itself to a full gallop (as it did on 'Reelin' in the Years,' its second). These two rhythmic preferences persist and sometimes intermingle, as on 'Rikki Don't Lose That Number,' which jumps in mid-chorus from 'Hernando's Hideaway' into 'Honky Tonk Women.' Great transition." — the review said.

AllMusic gave the album 5 stars, with reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine noting that "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.

The album's cover photo featuring a New York pretzel vendor was taken by Raeanne Rubenstein, a photographer of musicians and Hollywood celebrities. She shot the photo on the west side of Fifth Avenue and 79th Street, just above the 79th Street Transverse (the road through Central Park), at the park entrance called "Miners' Gate."

After a brief battle with esophageal cancer, Walter Becker died on September 3, 2017 at the age of 67. Steely Dan has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March 2001. VH1 ranked Steely Dan at No. 82 on their list of the 100 Greatest Musical Artists of All Time. Rolling Stone ranked them No. 15 on its list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.

This stereo UHQR reissue will be limited to 20,000 copies, with gold foil individually numbered jackets, housed in a premium slipcase with a wooden dowel spine.

Overall, Pretzel Logic is a standout album in Steely Dan's discography. The album's blend of catchy hooks, complex arrangements, and thoughtful lyrics has made it a favorite among fans of classic rock and pop music.

 

Side A Rikki Don't Lose That Number

Night By Night

Side B Any Major Dude Will Tell You

Barrytown

East St. Louis Toodle-Oo

Side C Parker's Band

Through With Buzz

Pretzel Logic

Side C With A Gun

Charlie Freak

Monkey In Your Soul

Customer Reviews (4.47 Stars) 17 person(s) rated this product.

Just great - so is the SACD posted on 05/21/2024 5 Stars Reviewer: JA I was resisting the temptation to buy this one as I already bought the SACD and found both the Red Book and SACD editions outstanding and my new best. But, because this is perhaps my favorite SD album … yes I bought it. No disappointment here. Not sure why it was reviewed poorly by some but maybe equipment differences?? I have very middle of the road turntables and cartridges but the clarity and instrument separation are outstanding!! Even better than the SACD. And I don’t note that it is a particularly low volume recording as I had heard. If you have a SACD player and want to save some money that option will work at close to the same sound quality.

AMAZING! posted on 03/24/2024 5 Stars Reviewer: Capt. Howell I own all of the Steely Dan UHQR pressings, and ALL OF THEM are absolutely awesome! I hear people talking about "hissing" and "noise". They need to check their systems. These recordings are the best of the best! The dynamics, and the soundstage these vinyl's present are mind bending, accurate, and Heavenly. The midranges are perfect, the highs, perfect, the lows, perfect, all the information comes through. The only bad thing I can say about these pressings is that they make you look at your collection in a somewhat "I wish all of my albums were UHQR!" way!

Betters my mint first pressing posted on 02/17/2024 5 Stars Reviewer: KH This is a great reissue! I almost didn’t buy it based on reviews on YouTube. It sounds amazing through my Tannoy speakers! I noticed other sellers were running out so I bought it from AS. Had to pay for shipping but I’m glad I made the purchase before they are sold out!

Mastering To Suit The Recording posted on 09/27/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Alex What a great listen. I think the mastering choices really suit this album and make it an incredible listening experience. The detail is where it needs to be. Has a nice subtle low end kick. Vocals sound incredible and spacious. This pressing made one of my least favorite Steely Dan records feel like new. Whole new appreciation for the music.

Fantastic UHQR posted on 09/24/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Kieron This version of Pretzel Logic is my favourite of the first 3 Steely Dan UHQR’s and that’s saying something as the first 2 albums were wonderfully mastered. Compared to my original it is a much more musical presentation. Instruments are more easily defined and not compressed like on the original which can at times sounds quite messy. Don’t let anyone tell you this version lacks punch. Hog wash! Just give it a bit of a boost in volume and you’re good. I didn’t know turning up the volume was that difficult. Pressing quality was excellent and packaging as always top notch.

A Very Tasty Pretzel posted on 08/12/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Dave C. Fantastic effort from Analogue Productions with this UHQR of Pretzel Logic. The detail, space, depth, and overall immersiveness provided in this presentation is truly impressive. The original 1974 issue is quite good and is one of the better sounding early Steely Dan albums, but this UHQR has me enjoying one of my favorite SD albums at another level. Highly recommended for Any Major Dan Fan.

Another incredible release posted on 08/10/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Scott Olinger Got mine today. Listened to it 3 times already. I think it sounds amazing! Very detailed. I heard more detail in the instruments and suttle sounds. Yes it's not as bright but still clear and dynamic. Chad & Bernie did it again!! Highly recommend!

If you don't like different! posted on 08/09/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Gordon Johnson If you don’t like different then avoid this pressing. Though that means missing out on a presentation of a classic album that details the music like never before. While there is a softer top end that is more than compensated for elsewhere. The pedal steel guitar from Baxter is highlighted by Grundman in the manner he did with some of the Hendrix UHQR pressings, almost unreal in its presentation. While it would be easy and a little churlish to rate this at less than five stars, I do understand that different is not for everyone, I for one am becoming more relaxed with how this playing out on my set up. Any time I feel the need for a sharper top end I can easily pull my Probe label copy.

Absolutely worth the wait! posted on 08/07/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Tony After reading some of the reviews and watching some of the video's out there, I had concerns that I just wasted $150.00. As I put the UHQR on and sat down for the experience , I knew that I had made the correct decision. From my first listen of Rikki Don't Lose My Number. Night By Night - the guitar solo is prevalent like the original copy, however the Keyboards come to the forefront and compliment that guitar solo that is buried in the original mix. Same thing on Charlie Freak. Keyboards you know they are there, but now you can place them. I hear what I believe to be a violin and tambourine on this track that is not as noticeable on my original. Title track - Pretzel Logic the Kick drum, Guitar, Keyboards and Fagen's voice give plenty of punch. Just a killer sounding remaster on this track by B.G. Plenty of Punch and Headroom. Don't believe everything that is out there. If your a fan of this record , find a friend that owns a copy so can decide for yourself

The Best Version? posted on 08/02/2023 3 Stars Reviewer: JB I have been thrilled with the first two Steely Dan titles in the UHQR series. This one misses the mark. It’s not as clear and dynamic as my early pressing of this same album. Several songs seem to have a boost in the mid section which affects the detail. Also the shimmer from the cymbals and high frequencies seem to be a little muted. I’m not sure what happened on this one but maybe it’s an EQ choice or the tape is not what it used to be. I was hoping this version would better my favorite pressing. Unfortunately it doesn’t.

A Great Alternative to the OG posted on 08/02/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Tim W. I have the ABC OG and it's a solid record, for sure. This new UHQR is very solid, as well, and I'm happy to own both. Whereas the OG definitely has more sparkle, the UHQR has nice low-end richness, punch and a wider soundstage, and I prefer it to the OG as an overall listening experience. In fact, now that I've gotten more used to the UHQR, my OG seems almost a bit TOO bright. You'll find that opinions about this release will differ, but I find it to be a richer & smoother version of this classic.

Another UHQR HR posted on 07/31/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Justin Schoof I've only listened once and I can already say that it's far better than my Japanese SHM-SACD.

Everything I had hoped far. posted on 07/31/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Derek D. This is my favorite of the Steely Dan catalog and I’ve been patently waiting for iit since I received my Can’t Buy A Thrill. I was not disappointed. It’s literally a new life for the album in my opinion , can’t wait for the rest of the series.

Best it has ever sounded posted on 07/31/2023 5 Stars I was truly impressed with the first two UHQR Steely Dan releases and expected a lot from this. I am happy to say that it does not disappoint. I am a long time fan of this album and own multiple pressings on vinyl, CD, and SACD. On my system, this is the best Pretzel Logic has ever sounded. I've read a few mixed reviews and not really sure what they are hearing that I am not. To me, it sounds like a well mastered vintage recording from 1974, but with a wider sound stage and pressed on extremely quiet vinyl. Because I like to sit at home in the evenings listening to records alone in my listening room through my fancy tube amp, most would probably consider me an audiophile. I have also spent many hours in recording and mastering studios relying on my ears. I care about sound. My ears think this sounds wonderful. ***** P.S. Chad, thank you for your determination in making sure these releases are AAA when so many labels don't care anymore.

Superb posted on 07/28/2023 5 Stars Reviewer: Bob H I have listened to this album thousands of times (vinyl, cd, sand, etc) and prior to hearing this today I know I had not ever I heard this album, like I think, it was supposed to sound. Thanks to Donald Fagen, Chad Kassam, Bernie Grundman and Stan Bishop, and all to involved, I feel as If I have finally heard this album like it was supposed to sound. And it sounds great! Thanks again all involved.

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