As one who came of age during the nineties, I probably would have blended into the crowd a little better at one of the venue’s earlier shows, which included the Counting Crows, Hanson (seriously), and the Backstreet Boys (seriously).
But when Steely Dan took the stage, after a stellar, jazzy opening performance by the Sam Yahel Organ Trio, the crowd of 2,000 or so was just about as sprightly and fired up as I’ve seen at any show by a group that formed in the post-record (and even post-cassette) era.
Now, children of the seventies, don’t be offended. For one thing, I chose to go to Steely Dan for a reason. They’re pretty awesome (though for years I wouldn’t have admitted that to my parents). But in addition to that, the crowd was as chatty about their elevated average age as they were about the smooth piano playing by Donald Fagan, the guitar licks by Walter Becker, the amazing drum solos by Keith Carlock, the powerful horns, and the perfect synchronization among the backup singers.
"You don’t even KNOW about these guys," one man said to a pair of teenagers entering at the same time as us.
"It’s almost like college," another concertgoer said as he brought a beer back to his date. "Except my knees are aching already, and I plan to be in bed by midnight."
The energy was there, though, and there’s no disputing much of it came from hits such as "Hey Nineteen," "Babylon Sisters," and "Bodhisattva," as well as a shout out for Rutt’s Hut in Clifton by Fagan (one of at least three Jersey natives in the ensemble). But plenty could also be attributed to the buzz around the Wellmont Theatre, which opened three weeks ago (check out our recent story about the renovation) and has not disappointed. The interior is gorgeous, the sound was balanced and crisp, and the parking wasn’t an issue.
All in all, the Wellmont provided a wonderful evening, and it’s a testament to how a thriving arts venue can reel in the years among fellow rock lovers.