Since Walter Becker and Donald Fagen first wrote songs with the idea that someone else would sing them and only started a band when they found limited success peddling their songs, some of the earlier Steely Dan tunes sound a little like they were meant for a different act. “Dirty Work" is like that.
Then again, I think what really makes this song sound so un-Steely Dan-like might be because of who is singing it. David Palmer was allegedly foisted on the band by ABC Records execs who was afraid that Donald Fagen's voice lacked commercial appeal. Moreover, Fagen early on suffered bouts of stage fright, so Palmer was the main lead singer on the road. But Palmer's voice was too willowy and lacked the oomph to give Becker and Fagen's song the impact it needed. Like most record exec ideas in the artistic realm, it was a divebomb failure, but before Palmer's inevitable departure, he supplied the lead vocals onthankfully only two tracks from Can't Buy A Thrill, including this one.
In covering every song Steely Dan has officially released, it's inevitable I'm going to have to talk about a few I can't conjure up a whole lot of enthusiasm for, and this is one of them. Yes, it does have a few things going for it: this was the first appearance of a horn section in a SD song, and right from the start, they use this tool tactfully, scripting smart, lean arrangements that bolster songs, not overpower them. There's also an early appearance of the sax solo, something that would eventually become almost as popular with the group as guitar solos. Jerome Richardson did the honors this time; the household names like Wayne Shorter and Tom Scott would have to come later. Furthermore, Fagen's soulful organ work keeps the song from dragging the bottom, if just barely.
Palmer, though, puts in not a bad but mediocre performance, singing an ok composition. Maybe you could do better. I included a karaoke version of the song in the Amazon links below, so give it a shot...
Then again, I think what really makes this song sound so un-Steely Dan-like might be because of who is singing it. David Palmer was allegedly foisted on the band by ABC Records execs who was afraid that Donald Fagen's voice lacked commercial appeal. Moreover, Fagen early on suffered bouts of stage fright, so Palmer was the main lead singer on the road. But Palmer's voice was too willowy and lacked the oomph to give Becker and Fagen's song the impact it needed. Like most record exec ideas in the artistic realm, it was a divebomb failure, but before Palmer's inevitable departure, he supplied the lead vocals on
In covering every song Steely Dan has officially released, it's inevitable I'm going to have to talk about a few I can't conjure up a whole lot of enthusiasm for, and this is one of them. Yes, it does have a few things going for it: this was the first appearance of a horn section in a SD song, and right from the start, they use this tool tactfully, scripting smart, lean arrangements that bolster songs, not overpower them. There's also an early appearance of the sax solo, something that would eventually become almost as popular with the group as guitar solos. Jerome Richardson did the honors this time; the household names like Wayne Shorter and Tom Scott would have to come later. Furthermore, Fagen's soulful organ work keeps the song from dragging the bottom, if just barely.
Palmer, though, puts in not a bad but mediocre performance, singing an ok composition. Maybe you could do better. I included a karaoke version of the song in the Amazon links below, so give it a shot...
