Steely Dan - The Royal Scam

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, All Music Guide

Name Credits Barney Perkins Mixdown Engineer, Mixing Bernard "Pretty" Purdie Drums Beth Stempel Reissue Coordination Bob Findley Horn Chuck Findley Horn, Horn Arrangements Chuck Rainey Bass Clydie King Vocals, Vocals (Background) Dean Parks Guitar Denny Dias Guitar Denny Diaz Guitar Dick Hyde Horn Dinky Dawson Sound Consultant Don Grolnick Keyboards Donald Fagen Vocals (Background), Keyboards, Horn Arrangements, Vocals, Liner Notes Ed Caraeff Art Direction, Design Elliot Randall Guitar Elliot Scheiner Engineer Elliott Randall Guitar Elliott Shiner Engineer Gary Coleman Percussion, Drums Gary Katz Producer Hugh McCracken Guitar Jim Horn Saxophone, Horn John Klemmer Horn Karen Stanley Nursery Rhyme Larry Carlton Guitar Michael Diehl Reissue Design Michael McDonald Vocals (Background), Vocals Paul Griffin Vocals, Keyboards Plas Johnson Saxophone, Horn Richard Hyde Trombone Rick Marotta Drums Roger Nicholas Engineer Roger Nichols Digital Remastering, Engineer, Mixing Sherlie Matthews Vocals (Background), Vocals Slyde Hyde Horn Stuart Dinky Dawson Graphic Editing Timothy B. Schmit Bass, Vocals, Vocals (Background) Tom Nikosey Design, Cover Art, Typography Vartan Reissue Art Director Venetta Fields Vocals (Background), Vocals, Horn Victor Feldman Keyboards, Drums, Percussion Walter Becker Liner Notes, Bass, Vocals, Guitar, Horn Arrangements Zox Cover Art