The Nightfly is the first solo album by Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen, released by Warner Bros. in 1982. It is an early example of a fully digital recording in popular music. Although The Nightfly includes a number of production staff and musicians who had played on Steely Dan records, it is Fagen's first release without longtime collaborator Walter Becker. Unlike most of Fagen's previous work, The Nightfly is almost blatantly autobiographical. Many of the songs relate to the cautiously optimistic mood of his suburban childhood in the late 1950s and early 1960s, and incorporate such topics as late-night jazz Read more on Last.fm.
We all know Donald Fagen from Steely Dan sure, but do you know about his 1982 debut solo record? The first record to be completely recorded digitally from beginning to end, “The Nightfly” is like a movie. I feel a beginning, middle and end.
We begin with the positive, 1950’s American idea of anything being possible and the anthem, “I.G.Y.” From there we go to, “Green Flower Street,” where Fagen’s vocal harmonies are spotless. Each song is overflowing with positive vibes, it’s hard to not feel lifted when I hear this record. The record weaves and creates this unmistakeable vibe and feeling.
My favorite tracks are, “I.G.Y.,” “The Nightfly,” and, “Maxine.” Honestly though, I can put this record and listen to the whole thing every time. Donald Fagen is a master of jazz, R&B chord voicings. There is a lot of music theory going on. I seriously love this record.