Steely Dan - The Royal Scam

180-gram vinyl

The Royal Scam — Steely Dan's platinum-selling fifth album

UMe is releasing seven titles — from the classic Steely Dan MCA Records catalog — on 33 1/3 RPM, 180-gram vinyl. Led by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, these albums — Can't Buy A Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy, Pretzel Logic, Katy Lied, The Royal Scam, Aja and Gaucho — were released from 1972-1980.

The Royal Scam, with such fan favorites as "Kid Charlemagne," "The Fez," "The Caves of Altamira," and the biting title track, will return to vinyl for the first time in more than 40 years on June 6, 2025 via Geffen/UMe, concluding the extensive reissue program of the band's classic ABC and MCA Records catalog that began in November 2022 with the Dan's legendary debut LP, Can't Buy A Thrill.

Lacquers for UMe's standard 180-gram versions were cut by Alex Abrash at his renowned AA Mastering studio from high-resolution digital files of Bernie Grundman's new masters and pressed at Precision.

Steely Dan was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as part of its 2024 inductees with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker joining R.E.M. and Timbaland. The Steely Dan Reissue Series was personally overseen by founding member Donald Fagen.

Released in 1976, The Royal Scam marked a pivotal moment in Steely Dan's evolution toward studio perfectionism, delivering a darker, more cynical tone wrapped in complex jazz-rock arrangements. This album features some of the band's sharpest songwriting and introduces drummer Bernard Purdie to the fold — his first appearance on a Steely Dan record — bringing his signature groove to tracks such as "Kid Charlemagne" and "Green Earrings." Guitarist Larry Carlton delivers searing solos throughout the album, particularly on "Don't Take Me Alive," while Dean Parks adds talk box flair to the reggae-influenced "Haitian Divorce."

The album also includes standout cuts such as the funky, offbeat "The Fez" and the epic title track, "The Royal Scam," a scathing portrait of shattered American dreams. With contributions from bassist Chuck Rainey, keyboardist Paul Griffin, and the soaring background vocals of Michael McDonald, The Royal Scam combines biting social commentary with masterful musicianship, making it a cult favorite and a testament to Steely Dan's uncompromising artistic vision.

The Royal Scam was ranked as Steely Dan's second-best album by Stereogum, declaring it "their fiercest, funkiest record in their entire catalog, a classic that transitioned them from the uneasy company of the yacht-rock smooth to a mean unit that grooved like Stevie for pessimists."

Side A

1. Give Me The Simple Life

2. I Never Felt This Way Before

3. Lush Life

4. Flying Down To Rio

5. How Did She Look

6. Who’s In Your Arms Tonight?

Side B

1. A Wonderful Day Like Today

2. When Joanna Loved Me

3. Arrivederci, Roma

4. Hurry Home

5. Ain'tcha Ever Comin’ Back

6. Shadows

Be the first to write a review for this item OR just rate it