Photos and Review by Jim LaValley
Galleries: Steely Dan, Steve Winwood
The Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA. has a way of setting the mood during a live show, and this night didn’t disappoint. Steve Winwood opened for Steely Dan and their “The Dan Who Knew Too Much Tour 2016” on a nice summer night that was filled with both hot air and thick humidity.
Steve Winwood and his band casually sauntered out onto the stage as the sun was setting and opened the show with the Spencer Davis Group’s “I’m a Man” and continued on his blues journey for another 55 minutes, playing a mix of Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and his own solo hits. His band (Richard Bailey – Drummer, Jose Neto – Guitar, Paul Booth – Saxophone/Flute, Edson “Cafe” DaSilva – Percussion) sounded soulful and tight, as they played the blues while the sun set.
Steve Winwood started the Spencer Davis Group in 1963, Traffic in 1967, Blind Faith (the first supergroup – with Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker) in 1969, then reformed Traffic in 1970, and then pursued a solo career in 1977 and he still continues to record and tour all over the world increasing his legendary career. On June 5, 2014, Steve Winwood was inducted into the Walk of Fame in Nashville, TN.
Steve Winwood’s voice sounded like it did 45 years ago. The set was filled with energy and the band looked like they were having a great time performing. The mood was set for Steely Dan to take the stage.
Steve Winwood’s Setlist:
- I’m a Man (Spencer Davis Group Cover)
- Pearly Queen (Traffic Cover)
- At Times We Do Forget
- Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith Cover)
- Them Changes (Buddy Miles Cover)
- The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic Cover)
- Higher Love
- Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic Cover)
- Gimme Some Lovin’ (Spencer Davis Group Cover)
Steely Dan’s “The Dan Who Knew Too Much Tour 2016” left fans loving the time capsule of music. To me, hearing their classic hits instantly brings you right back to the 70’s remembering about that era in time.……it was that kind of show.
Steely Dan has a large supporting band on tour that sounded soulful and in sync. They pounded out the hits of yesteryear as if they hadn’t missed a beat. Walter Becker started off slow, but after a 5-minute monologue he stated, “By the end you’ll feel like you were rode hard and put up wet”. Then he started jamming out some leads right in sync with the full sound coming from the band.
Donald Fagen sounded fantastic from the start along with his great team of female backup singers singing hit after hit, which pleased the crowd and kept them engaged throughout the night. Fagen’s tone of voice is very unique, commanding, and identifiable which makes their lyrics that much more effective as he sings.
During the harmonic song “AJA”, Donald Fagen got up from the piano and started jamming on the melodica (which is a blow-organ handheld instrument) that sounded great.
The overall sound had solid rhythm and a melodic jazz beat that was nothing short of perfection. Steely Dan toured from 1972- 1974 and then stopped touring for a long period of time and only recorded studio sessions, they started touring again in 1993 to present. In March of 2001, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their work.
What a great show, I highly recommend checking out Steely Dan and Steve Winwood as they tour the country.
Steely Dan’s Setlist:
- November Afternoon
- Black Cow
- Aja
- Hey Nineteen
- Black Friday
- Show Biz Kids
- Kid Charlemagne
- Babylon Sisters
- Dirty Work – (Sung by the Danettes)
- Bodhisattva
- Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More
- Godwhacker
- I Want To Do Everything for You
- Josie
- Peg
- My Old School
- Reelin’ in the Years
Encore:
- Pretzel Logic
- The Untouchables – (Nelson Riddle cover)