By Bob
Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com
Steely
Dan brought their appropriately and coincidentally named 2007 High Rollers
Tour to the packed beyond capacity Events Center at the Seneca-Niagara
Casino in Niagara Falls on June 2nd. Walter Becker and Donald Fagan along
with their crack ten piece "Steely Dan Orchestra" played a nearly two hour
set of their unique style of smooth jazz rock that mixes those two idioms
along with a healthy dose of funk, soul, R&B and hipster coolness.
The crystal clear sound along with some of the best video screens I've
ever seen added to the evening allowing you an intimate peek at the musicians
as they performed on stage. The show is not a run thru of their radio hits
as is wont of some artists from the era instead the band uses slight changes
to the arrangements and vocals for a fresh live sound. This was most evident
as the two female background singers handled "Dirty Work" and Walter Becker
took a turn on vocals for "Haitian Divorce". A spoken verse mentioning
the Falls appeared mid song on a great take of "Hey Nineteen". Stellar
versions of "Kid Charlemagne", "Black Cow", "Bad Sneakers", "Babylon Sisters"
and "FM" were performed as well. The night's best performances were "Two
Against Nature" and a magnificent and beautiful version of "Aja". The band
returned for an encore with "Bodhisattva". For more upcoming shows at Seneca-Niagara
Casino go to www.senecaniagaracasino.com
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