Concert Review: Steely Dan and Michael McDonald at Jones Beach, 17 August 2006 - Page 2

Donald began speaking to the audience about the need to feel a groove, and this was the segue to the portion of the show where the band members showcase themselves individually. Walter then introduced each of the band members, and concluded by welcoming Michael McDonald back to the stage to join in with them. While the band continued to play a low-keyed funk groove, McDonald sat down in the middle of the stage, between Becker and Fagen, settled in at his keyboard and started singing "Show Biz Kids", one of my all-time favorite SD tunes, from Countdown to Ecstasy.

After enthralling the audience with his reading of this great song, featuring backup vocals from Fagen, Young, and the girls, Donald explained that when Michael was a member of SD in the mid-'70s, on tour he would often sing lead on some of the tunes, including “this next one”, which turned out to be "Do It Again", their first big hit. Once again, the audience was blown away by McDonald’s version of the song. The McDonald/Steely Dan set list included:

• "Show Biz Kids"
• "Do It Again"
• "Peg"
• "Don’t Take Me Alive"
• "Kid Charlemagne"

McDonald joined The Dan for the encore, which opened with "FM" (the encore song for all their tours, it seems), and a wicked version of "My Old School".

Steely Dan continues to impress, and the Dan music gets better with age. Becker and Fagen continue to surround themselves with brilliant musicians, and the current lineup is no exception:

• Jon Herington - Guitar
• Freddie Washington - Bass
• Keith Carlock - Drums
• Jeff Young - Keyboards and Backing Vocals
• Walt Weiskopf - Sax
• Michael Leonhart - Trumpet
• Jim Pugh - Trombone
• Roger Rosenberg - Baritone Sax
• Carolyn Leonhart-Escoffery - Backing Vocals
• Cindy Mizelle - Backing Vocals
• Walter Becker - Guitar
• Donald Fagen - Keyboards and Vocals

Eleven dates remain on the current tour. If you are a fan of The Dan and Michael McDonald, and they come to your part of the world, don't miss this show — it's worth the time and effort, and you won't be disappointed.

Article Author: Randy Reichardt

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