Steely Dan

20th February 2019

Glasgow Hydro

Is Steely Dan without Walter Becker still Steely Dan?  Well I suppose, given the artiste name on my ticket, we have have to assume the answer to be yes.  Which did make me wonder: had it been Donald Fagen who had shuffled off, rather than his more reclusive musical partner, would Becker have toured as Steely Dan.  I think probably not; Fagen's vocals being such an integral element to the Dan sound.  

Although, one has to say, that astringent whine which characterises many of Fagen's vocal performances was not always to the fore, this evening.

For, whilst I would not go so far as to state that Donald and his singing voice have parted company, they are clearly no longer on as intimate terms as in days of yore.  He really struggled to make himself heard at all during some songs - Bodhisattva and Rikki, Don't Lose That Number in particular relied very heavily upon the three backing Danettes to carry things.  But, rather in the manner of the Paul Simon gig we saw a few months back, the sheer quality of the songs, allied to the virtuosity of the backing musicians, won the day over some perfectly understandable age-induced vocal limitations on the part of our host.   

That being said, during Kid Charlemagne and Josie, I experienced those tingles down the spine, one so rarely encounters (or, at least I do not) at gigs these days.  And even though Fagen struggled with the tongue-twisting lyric to Reelin' in the Years (actually who wouldn't?), this first encore was a real right-time right-place moment.

I was perhaps a bit disappointed not to hear my favourite Dan tune (Pretzel Logic) performed, but certainly more than a little surprised to note Do It Again was not aired.  Is this not one of the quintessential SD songs?

Leaving the place, after the odd band-only second encore, there was a bit of the old box-ticking exercise feel to the business.  There had been some real high points, and I felt privileged to have heard pretty much the whole of that marvellous Aja album aired.  But I could not help but think this would be the last time mine and Donald Fagen's paths would cross.

Set list

Cubano Chant (band only)
Bodhisattva
Hey Nineteen
Black Friday
Aja
Green Earrings
Time Out of Mind
Black Cow
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Kid Charlemagne
Dirty Work
Peg
Deacon Blues
Keep That Same Old Feeling (band only)
Josie
My Old School

Encore
Reelin' in the Years
A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry (band only)

Steely Dan - Glasgow 2019

Donald and his melodica during Aja

The Danettes got a chance to shine trietting on Dirty Work.

Steely Dan - Glasgow 2019

Support act Steve Winwood, on the other hand, I would go and see again in a flash.  For I really enjoyed his hour long set.  Even if much of it was unfamiliar to me, as he judiciously plucked gems from his Spencer Davis Group/Traffic/Blind Faith/solo stuff back catalogue.  

I have never been much of a fan of Traffic, but the two songs performed from that period in his career (The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys, and Dear Mr. Fantasy) really shone this evening, with Winwood sharing some impressive geetar chops with fellow band member Jose Neto.

Steve's 70-year old voice was in fine form, particularly on the pair of Spencer Davis group rabble rousers, although it did appear that Higher Love was performed at at least one key lower than originally released.  But we could excuse the old trooper that indulgence.

Set list

I'm a Man
Them Changes
Can't Find My Way Home
Had to Cry Today
The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Keep On Running
Higher Love
Dear Mr. Fantasy
Gimme Some Lovin'

Steve Winwood - Glasgow 2019

 

Steve Winwood & band.

The Hydro, Glasgow