Steely Dan Puts Puts On Unforgettable Performance During A Perfect Ravinia Concert Evening!

When Donald Fagan and Walter Becker met one another at Bard College in NY back in 1970, neither musician foresaw that their partnership ultimately resulting in their becoming one of the most iconic acts of all-time.

Shortly after forming their musical union, the two trekked to LA, where they composed and recorded their first LP: “Can’t Buy A Thrill,” that was the first effort to launch their storied career.

Becker, one of the most gifted and underrated guitarist’s in music history, displayed his uncanny versatility, while acting in his role of frontman for their extensive band, which included their signature trio of female vocalists and top-notch horn section.

Fagan, commanding the stage while orchestrating many of Steely Dan’s mega-hits, projected confidence and modesty while appearing authentic, truly enjoying Becker’s banter with the audience, while cranking out so many of the classic hits that had the Ravinia faithful on their feet on too many occasions to count.

Steely Dan’s rhythmic combination of jazz-infused rock, funk and fusion ballads proved timeless, particularly after Fagan fully warmed up. Fagan, never a fan of over-touring, showed time and again, how a well preserved singing voice can still hold its own 50 season’s later.

The band was chill, relaxed and comfortable in its Hall of Fame skin, running through numbers like: “Peg,”

“Black Cow,” “Asia,” “Gaucho,” (Title track), and of course, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with “Josie,” the great “My Old School,” and “Dirty Work,” featuring one of their standout female backup singers, who could have been singing lead in her own right.

Band member highlights included an all-star band of New York’s finest:

Jim Beard on Keyboards, the great Keith Carlock on drums, the formidable John Herington (He of Boz Scaggs fame) on co-lead guitar/Wow! Freddie Washington on Bass, Walt Weiskopf on Sax, and Steely Dan’s incredible trio of “best in the biz,” backing singers in Cindy Mizelle, Carolyn Leonhart, and standing out above the rest, (by a tad) Paulette McWilliams.

Becker, playing the role of guitar great and standup comedian, predicted that Steely Dan’s Saturday evening performance might just rank as that night’s Ravinia audiences “best concert experience ever,” and as immodest as that may appear, he wasn’t far off. As wonderful as The Doobie Brother’s recent show was, Steely Dan proved to be the tighter, more noteworthy group, with nary a slip all evening. Fagan and Becker’s group in Becker’s own words: “Is the best version of Steely Dan to date, 50 year’s later!”

Amen to that. Ironically enough, even though Steely Dan was elected to the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame during the mid-2000’s, Fagan and Becker have made no secret of their disdain for the Hall or the mismanaging of their standards for election to same. Good for them. Especially considering the plethora of snubs in Cleveland.

While Fagan’s hometown of New York or even Chicago would most likely prove to be a more legit fit for a Hall of Fame destination, Cleveland dropped the ball on too many occasions to be taken seriously. Hopefully, more groups will band together (pun intended) to get the Hall moved to a better venue with more objective voting standards, instead of the silly politics that currently pervade selection to Cleveland’s “hallowed halls.”

One suggestion based on several recent Ravinia Festival fan reactions to many of the blue-chip, featured acts performing in Highland Park’s great venue: Let the fans decide since after all, they’re the ones supporting the music. I would surely trust the fan’s passion over the suits that have infiltrated the current incarnation of the Hall.

Steely Dan’s performance Saturday evening at Ravinia Festival celebrated everything that’s wonderful about music. With 75 degree weather combined with one of the greatest groups in rock/jazz/history, Ravinia proved once again why this venue is the place to be all summer/fall long.