Donald Fagen
Walter Becker, may he rest in peace, has gone on to jam in the world beyond, so Donald Fagen is carrying the torch for his fallen bandmate and continuing to delight Steely Dan's adoring fans, like he did at the sold-out Hollywood Bowl with the Earth After Hours Tour.
His band had great chemistry. Fagen's voice and keyboards were spot-on, while Carolyn Leonhart and the three Danettes did not disappoint as they were featured on the song "Dirty Work." And Becker would be pleased to know how capable bassist Jon Herington is filling the void.
LA is where Fagen and Becker formed the group after moving out from New York in the early 1970s, so being here most likely inspired Fagen, now 74, to rocket the audience to the next dimension at The Bowl.
It was hit-after-hit, a bucket list experience, and such a thrill to see his band of talent supporting Fagen's distinctive vocals. The songs, crafted in the studios and played to perfection, giving each familiar song its own special delivery.
Since it was a Friday night, you knew that Fagen would be treating the fans to the song "Black Friday." It was the fourth song they played and did it well, just like all the other tunes.
"FM (No Static at All)" brought me back to the good old joyous high school daze when my life was fun and carefree.
The first encore, which was a good strategic move, was "Reelin' in the Years," followed by a Joe Williams instrumental cover of "A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry."
At the conclusion of the concert, after the last encore, as Fagen was exiting the stage, he let the audience know that this was for Becker, who we know is smiling down from the musical heavens.
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