Nearly Dan
The Sage, Gateshead 05/09/09
The music of Steely Dan lit up the 1970s like a beacon. Melodic, lyrically sophisticated and jazz-influenced, the songs of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker were both critically acclaimed and chart-friendly.
More than 30 years on, the band is still writing and performing. But reproducing the often musically complex Steely Dan sound is another matter altogether. Thankfully, Stoke-based outfit Nearly Dan are more than equal to the challenge, recreating some of the best songs of the rock era with great skill and finesse.
The talented 10-piece opened their concert to a sell-out crowd with The Boston Rag, drawing warm applause from the start.
There was a great rapport between the musicians and the audience, mostly made up of serious Dan fans, who even swapped some inside jokes with the lead singer.
Highlights were too numerous to mention, but Nearly Dan really nailed the tracks Doctor Wu, Pretzel Logic and Time Out of Mind.
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker would have been proud of them.
Terry Kelly
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