Greatest Hits: 
Rating: 10/10+
Sensational Steely Dan brought their unique Jazz Funk stylings to Summer Pops 2007.
As part of their Heavy Rollers 2007 Tour the Grammy winning duo of Walter
Becker and Donald Fagen thrilled the capacity 4,500 fans for almost one hour
and forty five minutes.
Rolling back the years, Walt and Don, backed by the Steely Dan orchestra plundered
their 35 year back catalogue in a dazzling display of musicianship. Having
waited since 1975’s Can’t Buy A Thrill to see them, they consolidated
their credentials as one of the top bands in the world today. Known for their
immaculate studio perfection, the pair showed they can be equally impressive live.
The band kicked off with instrumental Jeri, waiting for Walt and Don
to emerge. When they did, they were given a standing hero’s welcome. It was
many years ago since they played Liverpool, and they were clearly relishing
their long overdue return.
Powerhouse Two Against Nature from 2000’s Grammy winner of the same name
saw the band, and in particular bassist Freddie Washington and sticksman
Keith Carlock, letting rip while Fagen, who’s 60 next year, showed he hasn’t
lost any his vocal dexterity.
Midway, we were given their brilliant 1976 global hit Haitian Divorce
which brought one of the biggest sing-alongs and cheers of the night.
Later Fagen announced, "We’re gonna go back to the Royal Scam album – Green
Earrings", as he sat at his keyboard. The funk fuelled belter was more
familiar than the previous songs, much to the crowds delight. Then Fagen said,
"What night. This is Dirty Work from our third album [ Can’t Buy A Thrill ].
We’d like to feature our choir", he joked about the two backup singers
Cindy Mizelle and Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffey, who as it happens were on fine
form all night. This memorable and extra special version of the album track
brought back floods of memories from the time I bought the album as an art
student in the early '70s.
A virtually unrecognizable, but equally impressive Chain Lightning saw
the pair tackle this album classic with great finesse, giving it a more bluesy
touch. Aja’s title track got people singing once again, with some
brilliant solos by Becker and Jon Herington and a scintillating drum close by
Carlock. Kid Charlemagne, opening track from The Royal Scam was
a classy ending to the main set, as once again, the Steely Dan orchestra pulled
out all the stops.
For a brief encore they really turned on the style for the 1978 slow jazz-funk
of FM (No Static At All), again sending the crowd into raptures. Finally,
it was back even further as My Old School lifted the atmosphere even
further as the crowd dance away.
32 years, and the waiting was over.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT.
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2008.
