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Steely DanThe Royal Scam

Label:

ABC Records – ABCD-931, ABC Records – ABCD 931

Format:

Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Santa Maria Pressing

Country:

US

Released:

Genre:

Rock

Style:

Pop Rock, Jazz-Rock

Tracklist

A1Kid Charlemagne4:38
A2The Caves Of Altamira3:33
A3Don't Take Me Alive4:18
A4Sign In Stranger4:22
A5The Fez3:59
B1Green Earrings4:05
B2Haitian Divorce5:50
B3Everything You Did3:54
B4The Royal Scam6:31
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Companies, etc.

  • Record CompanyABC Records, Inc.
  • Phonographic Copyright ℗ABC Records, Inc.
  • Copyright ©ABC Records, Inc.
  • Engineered AtABC Recording Studios
  • Engineered AtA&R Studios
  • Lacquer Cut AtAllen Zentz Mastering
  • Pressed ByColumbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria
  • Published ByABC/Dunhill Music, Inc.
  • Copyright ©ABC/Dunhill Music, Inc.
  • Published ByAmerican Broadcasting Music, Inc.
  • Copyright ©American Broadcasting Music, Inc.
  • Published ByRed Giant Music
  • Copyright ©Red Giant Inc.
  • Published ByE.L.D.G. Music, Inc.
  • Copyright ©ELDG Music, Inc.

Credits

  • Arranged By [Horns]Chuck Findley, Donald Fagen, Walter Becker
  • Art Direction, DesignEd Caraeff
  • Artwork [Cover Art]Charlie Ganse, Zox (3)
  • Backing Vocals [Back-Up Vocals]Clydie King, Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald, Sherlie Matthews, Tim Schmit*, Venetta Fields
  • BassChuck Rainey, Walter Becker
  • DrumsBernard Purdie, Rick Marotta
  • Engineer [A&R Studios]Elliot Shiner*
  • Engineer [ABC Studios]Roger Nichols
  • Engineer [Mix Down]Barney Perkins, Roger Nichols
  • GuitarDean Parks, Dennis Dias*, Elliot Randall*, Larry Carlton, Walter Becker
  • HornsBob Findley, Chuck Findley, Jim Horn, John Klemmer, Plas Johnson, Slyde Hyde
  • KeyboardsDon Grolnick, Donald Fagen, Paul Griffin, Victor Feldman
  • Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀]Brian Gardner (tracks: B1 to B4)
  • Lacquer Cut By [Runout Etching ❀]Brian Gardner (tracks: A1 to A5)
  • Lead VocalsDonald Fagen
  • Other [Nurse]Karen Stanley
  • PercussionGary Coleman, Victor Feldman
  • ProducerGary Katz
  • Songwriter [All Songs Written By]Donald Fagen, Walter Becker
  • Technician [Techno]Bob DeAvila, Buns, Jerry*, John (113), Leslie (25), Roy (27), Stuart Dawson*, Warren Wallace
  • Typography [Typographic Design], Design [Typographic Design]Tom Nikosey
  • Written-ByPaul L. Griffin* (tracks: A5)

Notes

Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria, pressing denoted by "S" etched in runouts.

Mastering symbols on this version: "flower" motif etching on side A, "bird/seagulls in flight" motif etching on side B.

ABC multicolor concentric circle labels. Track A5 appears on three lines.

Issued with printed cardstock inner sleeve with lyrics and artwork.

Jacket with silver print.

First cat. # (ABCD-931) on labels.
Second cat. # (ABCD 931) on jacket front, spine.

℗©1976, ABC Records, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.

Engineered at ABC Studios in Los Angeles and at A&R Studios in New York.

Track publishers on labels:
A1, A3, A4, B1 to B4: ABC/Dunhill Music, Inc. (BMI)
A2: American Broadcasting Music, Inc./Red Giant Music (ASCAP)
A5: ABC/Dunhill Music, Inc./E.L.D.G. Music, Inc. (BMI)

Track publishers on inner sleeve:
A1, A3, A4, B1 to B4: ©1976 ABC/Dunhill Music, Inc. (BMI)
A2: ©1976 American Broadcasting Music, Inc./Red Giant, Inc. (ASCAP)
A5: ©1976 ABC/Dunhill Music, Inc. (BMI) ELDG Music, Inc. (BMI)

Special thanks to Larry Carlton and Mr. Garry Sherman.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

  • Pressing Plant ID: S
  • Rights Society: BMI
  • Rights Society: ASCAP
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A label): ABCD-931-A
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B label): ABCD-931-B
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A-1A AZ [Flowers] S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B-1A AZ [Seagulls] S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A 1C AZ [Flowers] S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B-1B AZ [Seagulls] S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 3 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A-1D AZ [Flowers] A28 S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 3 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B-1B AZ [Seagulls] E I S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 4 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A 1C AZ [Flowers] I S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 4 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B-1B AZ [Seagulls] E I S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 5 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A 1D AZ [Flowers] A9 S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 5 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B•1B AZ [Seagulls] A5 I S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 6 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A-1D AZ [Flowers] S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 6 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B•1B AZ [Seagulls] A I S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 7 runout - A-side etched): ABCD-931-A 1D AZ [Flowers] A8 S
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 7 runout - B-side etched): ABCD-931-B•1B AZ [Seagulls] A4 S

Other Versions (5 of 216)

View All
Title (Format)LabelCat#CountryYear
The Royal Scam (LP, Album, Repress, Stereo)ABC Records, ABC RecordsABCL 5161, ABCD 931UK1976
Recently Edited
The Royal Scam (LP, Album)ABC Records27 552 XOTNetherlands1976
The Royal Scam (LP, Album, Promo, Stereo, Santa Maria Press)ABC RecordsABCD 931US1976
The Royal Scam (8-Track Cartridge, Album)ABC Records8022-931 HUS1976
Recently Edited
The Royal Scam (LP, Album)ABC RecordsABC 421Italy1976

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Reviews

  • crichton's avatar
    crichton
    Steely Dan's The Royal Scam (1976) is a captivating journey through the band's signature blend of jazz-infused rock, cynical lyrics, and immaculate studio production. Released at the height of their creative powers, the album showcases their ability to craft intricate arrangements and deliver them with a cool detachment that has become synonymous with their sound.

    The Royal Scam is an album of contrasts. The music is often upbeat and catchy, with infectious grooves and soaring guitar solos, yet the lyrics paint a picture of urban decay, disillusionment, and the darker side of the American dream. This juxtaposition creates a unique tension that is both fascinating and unsettling.

    The album features a stellar lineup of session musicians, including guitarists Larry Carlton and Elliott Randall, drummer Bernard Purdie, and saxophonist Pete Christlieb. Their contributions, combined with the meticulous production of Gary Katz, create a sonic landscape that is both detailed and expansive.

    Standout tracks include "Kid Charlemagne," a funky and energetic tribute to the notorious LSD chemist Owsley Stanley, and "The Caves of Altamira," a haunting ballad that explores themes of history and memory. "Haitian Divorce" is a cynical take on love and relationships, while "Don't Take Me Alive" is a dramatic tale of a desperate criminal.

    The Royal Scam is not an easy listen. It's an album that demands attention and rewards repeated listens. Its complex arrangements, cryptic lyrics, and masterful musicianship reveal new layers with each playthrough. While it may not be as widely celebrated as Aja, The Royal Scam is a crucial piece of the Steely Dan puzzle, showcasing their unique blend of cynicism, sophistication, and sonic brilliance. It captures the band at a pivotal moment, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the mid-1970s while pushing their musical boundaries.
    • echauhan1's avatar
      echauhan1
      Side A sounds a bit loud and possibly some distortion on certain chorus sections. This could just be due to previous ownership and usage before I got this. Side B better balanced, more headroom, easier on the ears and more enjoyable. Overall great detail, presence and production value noted.
      • mhnien's avatar
        mhnien
        Edited one year ago
        How many compete Steely Dan collections have I gone through in the past 33 years?

        1990: the cassettes from the 3 dollar bin.
        1992- 93: the CDs, most high jacked from Columbia House.
        2001: the Brooklyn LP stash, followed 8 years later by
        2009: the LA LP stash. One stop shopping at a thrift store on Hollywood Blvd. Probably one dude's collection.
        2017: all sold off. Made a go of mp3s. Meh.
        2023: another some dude's Steely Dan collection. Smelling like smoke and cologne, at the local record shop. Lotta first US and UK presses. Nice.

        I'll probably go for used copies of the direct cerebral interface too.

        The SD guitar album. But then every SD album is the SD guitar album. 'Pretty' Purdy got the call for tub work based on the strength of his Beatles sessions. Donald Fagen pronounces 'Oregon' like a true New Yorker. The title track tells the heartbreaking tale of how LaGuardia Airport got its name. The Fez may be a prophylactic.
        • kamaaina1's avatar
          kamaaina1
          Edited 2 years ago
          "Don't Take Me Alive", is one of the best guitar intros of all time! Fantastic album to boot!!
          • zackswax's avatar
            zackswax
            These records honestly don't need audiophile reissues – the originals sound incredible and on par with any Analogue Productions or MOFI pressings in my collection. This original issue is sublime, if you can find a VG+ or NM copy.
            • Spatzo-'s avatar
              Spatzo-
              Edited 2 years ago
              Think I read something about the original masters burning up in a hollywood studio fire along with other renown artists catalogs. So if a repress comes out it will most likely be digital
              • xvxvinyl's avatar
                xvxvinyl
                Hi would anyone be willing to sell ONLY the printed inner vinyl sleeve? I got a copy the other day and it's missing the inner sleeve :(
                • fotogink's avatar
                  fotogink
                  Edited 3 years ago
                  My copy has two side A labels <and no side B> but is in shrink with a "Includes the hit single Kid Charlamagne" hype sticker. Great pressing and sounds fantastic.
                  • themodernlore's avatar
                    Love the flower on the matrix run out. What other pressings do you know of that have this?
                    • mikeh69's avatar
                      mikeh69
                      OK here is my question to buy Steely Dan records is a pain in the ass. ABC records pretty much sucked as MCA did let's be honest. I bought this copy it turns out. https://www.discogs.com/Steely-Dan-The-Royal-Scam/release/11142165 ... Does anyone know was this a great copy... What copy is the best copy flowers seagulls Brian Gardner Allen Zentz................... WTF ?????????????

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