Rating: 
Summary: 70%chatter/30%music
Review: If you don't LOVE Steely Dan and if you don't LOVE "Aja", you'll probably find this documentary something pleasant to fall asleep to. It's a fairly interesting, though hardly spellbinding, look at the music that went into that landmark album, from the point of view of Fagen and Becker and some of the other original musicians. But be warned, there are only two complete songs, minus singing, and they are modern renditions played in a small studio. There is no fault with those two numbers, played with customary smoothness and musicianship. However, the rest of the DVD is all truncated performances and interviews, backed by standard New York / Los Angeles scenery and a fair amount of Becker/Fagen replaying the original master on a mixer and analyzing some of the individual tracks. One needs to be a REAL aficionado to appreciate that. There is a certain self-conscious awkwardness to their chatter but the dry humor is there and there are at least a few hints of the musical brilliance behind this enduring and synergistic relationship. The audio and video quality are fine and the price ($14.99) is about right. But you had better be a BIG Steely Dan fan.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh nothing, just the deconstruction of a masterpiece...
Review: This DVD is a must-see/must-own for any serious fan of the Dan. Aja remains the duo's landmark album; more than that one of the shortlist of truly significant, groundbreaking "rock" albums of the '70s. Presented in a documentary style, it gives a brief background into the history of the band, then proceeds directly to the music itself. Donald and Walter attempt to break it down song by song, track by track, supplementing their revealing insights with interviews with the individual session players on each song, e.g., Larry Carlton, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Wayne Shorter, Michael McDonald, etc. I've shown this DVD to friends not intimately acquainted with SD and turned them into instant fans of the music. Btw, this makes a great companion to the Two Against Nature DVD. Although it lacks "2vN's" lush DTS 5.1 sound, it more than makes up for it with a truly revealing look at a remarkable album for all time.
Rating:
Summary: The analysis of a musical masterpiece
Review: For anybody who loves Steely Dan and especially appreciates their "Aja" CD, I highly recommend this video. This video goes into great detail on the methods and mixing of most of the songs on the "Aja" CD (all except "I've Got The News"). They include appearances of "guest" musicians who they used in some of the songs. Took each component of each song separately, then showed how they all blend in together to make the final product. A very interesting video enhanced by Becker and Fagen's dry witty humorous remarks along the way. The only disappointment was that they omitted a full analysis on "I've Got The News" instead just playing that song with the closing credits.
Rating:
Summary: Aja--one of the greatest albums every produced..
Review: This insiders look at the recording process plus a peek into at Becker/Fagen persona is extremely well done. How the Aja album is able to simultaneously evoke southern CA and NY imagery starts making sense now. Hearing all those Peg guitar solos that never made the cut along with Don and Walter's commentary is something that any Dan fan or guitarist will appreciate. I always thought that the SD was largely Don Fagen and that Becker was sort of along for the ride, but this DVD sheds new light on that for me. Walter Becker is an incredible producer and I would be willing to bet he contributes well over 50% lyrically. But where would they be without that Fagen voice? I'm not sure where Aja stands on your list of favorite albums, but it's at the very top of mine. Listen to it a couple of times, then watch this video. You will have a new appreciation for the album--its creators Becker and Fagen and the many musicians that played on it.
Rating:
Summary: Oh nothing, just the deconstruction of a masterpiece...
Review: This DVD is a must-see/must-own for any serious fan of the Dan. Aja remains the duo's landmark album; more than that one of the shortlist of truly significant, groundbreaking "rock" albums of the '70s. Presented in a documentary style, it gives a brief background into the history of the band, then proceeds directly to the music itself. Donald and Walter attempt to break it down song by song, track by track, supplementing their revealing insights with interviews with the individual session players on each song, e.g., Larry Carlton, Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Wayne Shorter, Michael McDonald, etc. I've shown this DVD to friends not intimately acquainted with SD and turned them into instant fans of the music. Btw, this makes a great companion to the Two Against Nature DVD. Although it lacks "2vN's" lush DTS 5.1 sound, it more than makes up for it with a truly revealing look at a remarkable album for all time.
Rating:
Summary: 70%chatter/30%music
Review: If you don't LOVE Steely Dan and if you don't LOVE "Aja", you'll probably find this documentary something pleasant to fall asleep to. It's a fairly interesting, though hardly spellbinding, look at the music that went into that landmark album, from the point of view of Fagen and Becker and some of the other original musicians. But be warned, there are only two complete songs, minus singing, and they are modern renditions played in a small studio. There is no fault with those two numbers, played with customary smoothness and musicianship. However, the rest of the DVD is all truncated performances and interviews, backed by standard New York / Los Angeles scenery and a fair amount of Becker/Fagen replaying the original master on a mixer and analyzing some of the individual tracks. One needs to be a REAL aficionado to appreciate that. There is a certain self-conscious awkwardness to their chatter but the dry humor is there and there are at least a few hints of the musical brilliance behind this enduring and synergistic relationship. The audio and video quality are fine and the price ($14.99) is about right. But you had better be a BIG Steely Dan fan.
Rating:
Summary: The analysis of a musical masterpiece
Review: For anybody who loves Steely Dan and especially appreciates their "Aja" CD, I highly recommend this video. This video goes into great detail on the methods and mixing of most of the songs on the "Aja" CD (all except "I've Got The News"). They include appearances of "guest" musicians who they used in some of the songs. Took each component of each song separately, then showed how they all blend in together to make the final product. A very interesting video enhanced by Becker and Fagen's dry witty humorous remarks along the way. The only disappointment was that they omitted a full analysis on "I've Got The News" instead just playing that song with the closing credits.
Rating:
Summary: Well Presented DVD....A Classic Album? Now That's Debatable
Review: A very well done dvd and a must view for any Steely Dan fan. No fan of the band will be disappointed with this purchase. Just be prepared for more "words" than music.
Personally, however, I always felt "Katy Lied" was the band's best work. Whether or not "Aja" can be considered a classic album, worthy of a dvd documentary in the company of albums like the Who's "Who's Next" & The Band's "The Band" is highly debatable. For the casual Steely Dan fan, best off saving you cash on this one and getting the Steely Dan box set instead.
Rating:
Summary: A cool inside look at the people and the process behind Aja
Review: If you are a Steely Dan fan, you have to buy this. The insights into how the pair work in the studio, hearing Fagen play back and discuss discarded guitar solos for Peg, hearing the musicians talk about the studio work - it is all fascinating. My 8 year old son is a fan and he wanted to see it over again almost immediately. So did I!
Rating: 
Summary: Looooooved it!
Review: This one is definitely a must for any musician/Steely Dan fanatic. The interaction between Donald and Walter behind the board is priceless and a window into their songwriting personalities. Very cool current-day interviews with the players from the record and even a little (very little) vintage footage. The only thing I don't get is how on earth there was no mention at all of the amazing playing/soloing of Steve Gadd on the title track. Very strange...Non-players might fall asleep (like my wife did) but I personally consider this one in my top 3 DVD's! P.S. If you want GREAT Steely Dan concert DVD, pick up Two Against Nature Jazz-Rock party in Sensuous Surround Sound. DTS 5.1 that sounds INCREDIBLE!
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