Classic Albums: Steely Dan - Aja

Oct 21, 1999

1h 2m

★ 6.5

The songs and story of this classic album

Overview

Aja was the biggest selling album of Steely Dan's illustrious career. It was the first album by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker as a duo. Fagen and Becker recall the history of the album, along with Peg, Deacon Blues and Josie. Michael McDonald, later of the Doobie Brothers did guest backing vocals on Aja, the late British musician Ian Dury, record producer Gary Katz and the legendary session musicians who worked on Aja also contribute. This is a vivd portrait of a 70's record that is still as fresh and as memorable more than two decades after its release.

Genres

Music

Documentary

Production Companies

Eagle Rock Entertainment

Isis Productions

Daniel Television

Steely Dan Inc.

MEDIA Programme of the European Union

Classic Albums: Steely Dan - Aja Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Self

Donald Fagen

Self

Walter Becker

Self

Wayne Shorter

Self

Ian Dury

Self

Michael McDonald

Self

Gary Katz

An intimate look at the Woodstock Music & Art Festival held in Bethel, NY in 1969, from preparation through cleanup, with historic access to insiders, blistering concert footage, and portraits of the concertgoers; negative and positive aspects are shown, from drug use by performers to naked fans sliding in the mud, from the collapse of the fences by the unexpected hordes to the surreal arrival of National Guard helicopters with food and medical assistance for the impromptu city of 500,000.

7.4

This Is Spinal Tap

Mar 2, 1984

"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.

10.0

Functional Block Diagrams

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A synthesis of sound and movement; colourful characters dance and move in repetitive patterns to percussive and melodic elements. A combination of motion and music that is hypnotic and beautiful. At first it feels structured and orderly but as more elements are added becomes quixotically expressive.

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0.0

Heavenly Waters

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After an acrimonious split back in the 1970s, rock group Heavenly Waters agree to reunite in Greece to scatter the ashes of their biggest fan. Only things don't go according to plan.

0.0

The Plastic People of the Universe

Mar 1, 2001

Meet The Plastic People of the Universe, the avant-garde, jazz-rock, Sun Ra meets Velvet Underground, Czech revolutionaries. A tribute to the band that against all odds used the power of their music to help topple their oppressive government.

5.8

Bandslam

Aug 6, 2009

A new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band — together, they achieve their dreams and compete against the best in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.

7.5

Let It Be

Feb 13, 1970

A documentary chronicling the Beatles' rehearsal sessions in January 1969 for their proposed "back to basics" album, "Get Back," later re-envisioned and released as "Let It Be."

6.5

Classic Albums: Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Jul 22, 1997

Formed in 1975 from the remnants of a British blues band and a California soft-rock duo, Fleetwood Mac evolved into one of the most successful pop-rock groups of the 1970s--a reputation no doubt cemented by their 1977 masterpiece RUMOURS. One of the bestselling albums of all time, RUMOURS' impeccable songwriting, lush vocal harmonies, and polished production stand as testament to the band's cohesive powers--a fact made even more remarkable by the romantic tensions roiling amongst its members at the time (Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were ending their long-term romantic relationship; Christine and John McVie were getting a divorce). This episode of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series recounts the making of Fleetwood Mac's career-making opus through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances of timeless gems such as "Don't Stop," "Dreams,""Go Your Own Way," "You Make Loving Fun," "The Chain," and more.

8.4

Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium

Jul 12, 1986

One of the world's biggest bands returns to the scene of their Live Aid triumph (one year earlier in 1985) to play all their greatest hits in front of a packed Wembley Stadium.

8.3

Stop Making Sense

Oct 19, 1984

A concert film documenting Talking Heads at the height of their popularity, on tour for their 1983 album "Speaking in Tongues." The band takes the stage one by one and is joined by a cadre of guest musicians for a career-spanning and cinematic performance that features creative choreography and visuals.

7.5

Pearl Jam: Live at the Garden

Nov 11, 2003

Pearl Jam perform live at Madison Square Garden on 8 July 2003 as part of the Riot Act Tour, the band's first with organist Boom Gaspar.

0.0

Caravan

Jan 1, 1995

The film consists of three novels: the first novel about Gobustan, an ancient human settlement. The second novel deals with the theme of the East and women. The third novel tells about January 20, 1990 and the Khojaly tragedy.

6.5

Valentino: The Last Emperor

Sep 7, 2008

Film which travels inside the singular world of one of Italy's most famous fashion designers, Valentino Garavani, documenting the colourful and dramatic closing act of his celebrated career and capturing the end of an era in global fashion. However, at the heart of the film is a love story - the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti. Capturing intimate moments in the lives of two of Italy's richest and most famous men, the film lifts the curtain on the final act of a nearly 50-year reign at the top of the glamorous and fiercely competitive world of fashion. (Storyville)

7.4

Classic Albums: Pink Floyd - The Making of The Dark Side of the Moon

Jun 1, 2003

Released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of this classic album, learn how Pink Floyd assembled "Dark Side of the Moon" with the aid of original engineer Alan Parsons. All four band members--Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright--are interviewed at length, giving valuable insights into the recording process. The themes of the album are discussed at length, and the band take you back to the original multi track tapes to illustrate how they pieced together the songs. With individual performances of certain tracks from Roger, David, and Richard included, this is an essential purchase for any Pink Floyd fans, and a fascinating artefact for rock historians everywhere.

6.9

Crazy Heart

Dec 16, 2009

When reporter Jean Craddock interviews Bad Blake—an alcoholic, seen-better-days country music legend—they connect, and the hard-living crooner sees a possible saving grace in a life with Jean and her young son.

0.0

So What

Jul 16, 1988

In a small town, high school students in their final year try to balance their studies while also playing together in a rock band.

8.7

Bad News

Jan 24, 1983

A documentary crew films heavy metal band Bad News as they have trouble starting their van, pick up a schoolgirl groupie, and meet up with rock journalist Sally at a motorway service station where they argue about the cost of sausage and chips.

9.8

More Bad News

Feb 27, 1988

Four years after they were last the subject of a documentary, the heavy metal band Bad News get back together again for another film of their exploits, beginning with a reunion gig at the Flying Horse.

0.0

Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story

Apr 9, 2007

Documentary about brother and sister duo The Carpenters, one of the biggest-selling pop acts of the 1970s, but one with a destructive and complex secret that ended in tragedy.

7.3

Becoming Led Zeppelin

Feb 5, 2025

The individual journeys of the four members of the band, as they move through the music scene of the 1960s, playing small clubs throughout Britain and performing some of the biggest hits of the era, until their meeting in the summer of 1968 for a rehearsal that changes their lives forever.

Classic Albums: Steely Dan - Aja

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Classic Albums: Steely Dan - Aja Trailers