"Aja" is an intentional misspelling of "Asia". This song, I believe, is a parody of the trend at the time (and to an extent still now) of interest in Eastern philosophy. "Angular banjoes" is a borderline-offensive reference to Chinese pentatonic musical styles ... the sort of comment an ignorant person would make (hence being parodied here). Similarly "People don't stare, they just don't care ... They think I'm OK, or so they say" is a reference to the popular belief the Eastern philosophy is especially tolerant. Which explains its popularity among shallow, self-indulgent Americans!
Steely Dan always thought they were cleverer and better than everyone else, and they were mostly right.
Great music though.
How is "Angular Banjoes" offensive? Its just a description of the shape of a musical instrument. Nothing disparaging there, no need to throw down the race card so eagerly. Its like the boy who cried wolf, nobody will take you seriously.
How is "Angular Banjoes" offensive? Its just a description of the shape of a musical instrument. Nothing disparaging there, no need to throw down the race card so eagerly. Its like the boy who cried wolf, nobody will take you seriously.
'Up on the hill' is intentionally vague, could be any hill where one can be above it all. This song is a celebration of music, each verse refers to music. 'Throw out the hardware' refers to playing acoustic music, like the Chinese banjo, which is doing it the right way, the natural way.
'Up on the hill' is intentionally vague, could be any hill where one can be above it all. This song is a celebration of music, each verse refers to music. 'Throw out the hardware' refers to playing acoustic music, like the Chinese banjo, which is doing it the right way, the natural way.
The song refers also to getting away from the material world, dime dancing (work) and returning to the mytho-poetic land of Aja. It's not Asia in particular, it's an impression of that feeling. Then they stop singing, play, and Wayne Shorter and Steve Gaddis do their legendary...
The song refers also to getting away from the material world, dime dancing (work) and returning to the mytho-poetic land of Aja. It's not Asia in particular, it's an impression of that feeling. Then they stop singing, play, and Wayne Shorter and Steve Gaddis do their legendary work.
Usually sceptical of such interpretations, but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Your analogy fits the song pretty well, although I think it's subtext rather than text.
Usually sceptical of such interpretations, but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Your analogy fits the song pretty well, although I think it's subtext rather than text.
@what123ever Angular banjoes? offensive? Why? Are banjoes too low and redneck for your class? Or Angles too sharp?
Let this racist banjo loving country bumkin provide some context on the concept of “angularity” in music theory. In Western music, scales and melodies are typically described as having a “linear” or “horizontal” structure, where notes are arranged in a sequence of whole and half steps. In contrast, “angular” or “disjunct” melodies and harmonies refer to those that depart from this linear structure, often featuring unexpected leaps or jumps between notes. To be precise, in the context of scales, an “angular pentatonic scale”...
@what123ever Angular banjoes? offensive? Why? Are banjoes too low and redneck for your class? Or Angles too sharp?
Let this racist banjo loving country bumkin provide some context on the concept of “angularity” in music theory. In Western music, scales and melodies are typically described as having a “linear” or “horizontal” structure, where notes are arranged in a sequence of whole and half steps. In contrast, “angular” or “disjunct” melodies and harmonies refer to those that depart from this linear structure, often featuring unexpected leaps or jumps between notes. To be precise, in the context of scales, an “angular pentatonic scale” would imply a pentatonic scale with a non-linear or disjunct structure, potentially incorporating intervals other than whole and half steps.
And how pretentious that us mere westerners would dare to consider aspects of Eastern philosophy. As if we haven't colonized enough already!!!
"Aja" is an intentional misspelling of "Asia". This song, I believe, is a parody of the trend at the time (and to an extent still now) of interest in Eastern philosophy. "Angular banjoes" is a borderline-offensive reference to Chinese pentatonic musical styles ... the sort of comment an ignorant person would make (hence being parodied here). Similarly "People don't stare, they just don't care ... They think I'm OK, or so they say" is a reference to the popular belief the Eastern philosophy is especially tolerant. Which explains its popularity among shallow, self-indulgent Americans! Steely Dan always thought they were cleverer and better than everyone else, and they were mostly right. Great music though.
How is "Angular Banjoes" offensive? Its just a description of the shape of a musical instrument. Nothing disparaging there, no need to throw down the race card so eagerly. Its like the boy who cried wolf, nobody will take you seriously.
How is "Angular Banjoes" offensive? Its just a description of the shape of a musical instrument. Nothing disparaging there, no need to throw down the race card so eagerly. Its like the boy who cried wolf, nobody will take you seriously.
'Up on the hill' is intentionally vague, could be any hill where one can be above it all. This song is a celebration of music, each verse refers to music. 'Throw out the hardware' refers to playing acoustic music, like the Chinese banjo, which is doing it the right way, the natural way.
'Up on the hill' is intentionally vague, could be any hill where one can be above it all. This song is a celebration of music, each verse refers to music. 'Throw out the hardware' refers to playing acoustic music, like the Chinese banjo, which is doing it the right way, the natural way.
The song refers also to getting away from the material world, dime dancing (work) and returning to the mytho-poetic land of Aja. It's not Asia in particular, it's an impression of that feeling. Then they stop singing, play, and Wayne Shorter and Steve Gaddis do their legendary...
The song refers also to getting away from the material world, dime dancing (work) and returning to the mytho-poetic land of Aja. It's not Asia in particular, it's an impression of that feeling. Then they stop singing, play, and Wayne Shorter and Steve Gaddis do their legendary work.
Usually sceptical of such interpretations, but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Your analogy fits the song pretty well, although I think it's subtext rather than text.
Usually sceptical of such interpretations, but I think you've hit the nail on the head. Your analogy fits the song pretty well, although I think it's subtext rather than text.
@what123ever Pretty sure Thelonious Monk talked about angular music and may have even mentioned banjos.
@what123ever Pretty sure Thelonious Monk talked about angular music and may have even mentioned banjos.
And “Chinese “music” is what Louis Armstrong called bebop jazz cuz he didn’t like or understand it.
And “Chinese “music” is what Louis Armstrong called bebop jazz cuz he didn’t like or understand it.
So both are simply jazz references
So both are simply jazz references
@what123ever Angular banjoes? offensive? Why? Are banjoes too low and redneck for your class? Or Angles too sharp? Let this racist banjo loving country bumkin provide some context on the concept of “angularity” in music theory. In Western music, scales and melodies are typically described as having a “linear” or “horizontal” structure, where notes are arranged in a sequence of whole and half steps. In contrast, “angular” or “disjunct” melodies and harmonies refer to those that depart from this linear structure, often featuring unexpected leaps or jumps between notes. To be precise, in the context of scales, an “angular pentatonic scale”...
@what123ever Angular banjoes? offensive? Why? Are banjoes too low and redneck for your class? Or Angles too sharp? Let this racist banjo loving country bumkin provide some context on the concept of “angularity” in music theory. In Western music, scales and melodies are typically described as having a “linear” or “horizontal” structure, where notes are arranged in a sequence of whole and half steps. In contrast, “angular” or “disjunct” melodies and harmonies refer to those that depart from this linear structure, often featuring unexpected leaps or jumps between notes. To be precise, in the context of scales, an “angular pentatonic scale” would imply a pentatonic scale with a non-linear or disjunct structure, potentially incorporating intervals other than whole and half steps.
And how pretentious that us mere westerners would dare to consider aspects of Eastern philosophy. As if we haven't colonized enough already!!!
Go have a wank,