Steely Dan Vibrates Concord
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Walter Becker and Donald Fagen are touring this summer with their Steely Dan Jamalot Ever After tour across 47 cities. Although they have no new material, the set list is packed with several unique cover songs and features extended arrangements of familiar favorites.
Steely Dan’s seven-piece core band opened with a cover of jazz pianist Ray Bryant’s “Cubano Chant.” Becker and Fagen then casually walked out to a round of applause and officially kicked off the main event with two songs from Aja, an album that made up most of the evening’s playlist.
The show’s most memorable moments included a bold rework of “Show Biz Kids” featuring a Coltrane-inspired tenor sax solo by Walt Weiskopf. Cindy Mizelle’s outstanding lead vocals revived the 1972 classic “Dirty Work,” and drummer Keith Carlock took the spotlight several times, along with lead guitarist Jon Herington's dazzling fretwork during “Reelin' in the Years.”
Perhaps the only real 'bummer' of the show was Becker’s eight-minute mid-song ramble about aging and forgetting the name of the pot that smelled like burning cat fur. Luckily, the all-female trio, called The Danetts, brought the audience back into the groove that started with “Hey Nineteen.”
Donald Fagen. Photo: Steve Roby
Donald Fagen sang exceptionally well. He sat perched behind his keyboards, often swaying back and forth like a white Ray Charles. Fagen hit all the right nerves, prompting the audience to start dancing and shout along to the rebellious “My Old School.” Occasionally, he stood up to blow on his melodica, adding jazzy fills to “Time Out of Mind.”
The Jamalot Ever After performance also featured perfectly synchronized lighting and special effects that added dramatic emphasis to individual players.
Bobby Broom’s Organi-Sation started the concert just before 8 pm, while most of the crowd was still ordering at concession stands or finding parking. The New York jazz guitarist has performed with legends like Miles Davis, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Art Blakey. His slow, dreamy interpretation of Clapton’s “Layla,” including the dramatic second section, was pleasantly brilliant.
Program Notes
Steely Dan w/Bobby Broom Organi-Sation
July 10, 2014
Concord Pavilion
Concord, California
Bobby Broom Organi-Sation: Bobby Broom (guitar), Ben Paterson (Hammond organ), and Makaya McCraven (drums)
Set List: Superstition | Layla | Jitterbug Waltz | House of the Rising Sun
Steely Dan: Donald Fagen (vocals, keyboards, melodica), Walter Becker (guitar), Jon Herington (guitar), Jim Beard (keyboards), Freddie Washington (bass), Jim Pugh (trombone), Michael Leonhart (trumpet), Walt Weiskopf (tenor sax), Roger Rosenberg (baritone sax), and Keith Carlock (drums)
The Danettes: La Tanya Hall, Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery, and Cindy Mizelle
Set List: Cubano Chant | Black Cow | Aja | Hey Nineteen | Rikki Don't Lose That Number | Black Friday | Show Biz Kids | Time Out of Mind | Things I Miss Most | Dirty Work | Bodhisattva | Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More | Babylon Sisters | I Want To (Do Everything for You) | Josie | Peg | My Old School | Reelin' in the Years
Encore: Kid Charlemagne | The Untouchables Theme
Photos: Steve Roby
