I.G.Y. (Donald Fagen) Bass Cover Playalong

Anthony Jackson was a master of the arranged bass part. He would come up with lines unlike any other bassist, lines that would often bypass bass line conventions with unexpected and spectacular results.

This is one such bass line. Mimicking Jackson's robotic touch and staying consistent throughout the six minutes of music here was the main challenge.

I'm not sure which drummer I'm playing along to here. Both Jeff Porcaro and James Gadson are credited on the track, and the extreme consistency of the drum beats over the six minutes suggest that Roger "The Immortal" Nichols' "Wendel II" drum machine had something to do with it as well.

Any way you look at it (or listen to it), I.G.Y. is an excellent track that kicks off The Nightfly in perfect, cool-as-you-like fashion. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, which epitomizes Fagen's art of wrapping his quirky, yet relatable, lyrics in carefully measured accompaniment.

I love it.