STEELY DAN – The Royal Scam (1976) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The Royal Scam is the first Steely Dan record that doesn't exhibit significant musical progress from its predecessor, but that doesn't mean the album is any less interesting. The cynicism that was suppressed on Katy Lied comes roaring to the surface on The Royal Scam -- not only are the lyrics bitter and snide, but the music is terse, broken, and weary. Not so coincidentally, the album is comprised of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen's weakest set of songs since Can't Buy a Thrill. Alternating between mean-spirited bluesy vamps like "Green Earrings" and "The Fez" and jazzy soft rock numbers like "The Caves of Altamira," there's nothing particularly bad on the album, yet there are fewer standouts than before. Nevertheless, the best songs on The Royal Scam, like the sneering "Kid Charlemagne" and "Sign in Stranger," rank as genuine Steely Dan classics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1 Kid Charlemagne 4:38
2 The Caves Of Altamira 3:33
3 Don't Take Me Alive 4:19
4 Sign In Stranger 4:22
5 The Fez 3:59
Songwriter – Donald Fagen, Paul Griffin, Walter Becker
6 Green Earrings 4:05
7 Haitian Divorce 5:50
8 Everything You Did 3:54
9 The Royal Scam 6:31
Credits:
Arranged By [Horns], Horns – Chuck Findley
Backing Vocals – Clydie King, Michael McDonald, Sherlie Matthews, Timothy B. Schmit, Venetta Fields
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Drums – Bernard Purdie, Rick Marotta
Guitar – Dean Parks, Dennis Dias, Elliott Randall, Larry Carlton
Guitar, Bass, Arranged By [Horns] – Walter Becker
Horns – Bob Findley, Jim Horn, John Klemmer, Plas Johnson, Slyde Hyde
Keyboards – Don Grolnick, Paul Griffin
Keyboards, Percussion – Victor Feldman
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Horns] – Donald Fagen
Percussion – Gary Coleman
Songwriter – Donald Fagen (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9), Walter Becker (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)