Monday, July 29, 2019

Alternative Lyric: Are You Tosans with Some Beers?

If you thought Chicago Rewired filled Wauwatosa's Rotary Performance Pavilion stage, just wait until you see Steely Dane. Fifteen members! These are dozen-plus of Dane County’s finest musicians coming together to pay tribute to one of their favorite influences: Steely Dan.


You know Steely Dan. The 1970’s American rock band that was founded by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. They fused jazz, R&B, rock, and pop to become what Rolling Stone called “the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies.”

Really, when you think back to the Seventies, doesn’t disco first come to mind? Steely Dan’s music was definitely on the outskirts of the mainstream.

Admittedly, Steely Dan is somewhat of an acquired taste. One that I haven’t totally developed, however, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate their talents. And I always admire good musicianship. Based on their large and advocative base, Steely Dane fans, too, are champions of Steely Dane’s perfect renditions of Steely Dan’s complex and progressive 70's sounds.

One song, though, that I always like, is 'Reeling in the Years'. Check out Steely Dan’s 1970’s Midnight Special version first, and then give Steely Dane’s a spin. Particularly pay attention to the guy who screams “Yeeeaaaahhhhh!!” at first note of Dane’s version. That might be the sound I make when they launch into this song at Tosa Tonight.





The featured act for Steely Dane is Bonifas Electric Band. I will be clear here: the only thing I know about them is that they play jazz and, like the 15 fellows from the Madison area, they are impeccable and talented musicians.



The weather is supposed to be perfect. So it will be a fine night to spread out a blankie, unbox your picnic spread from Metcalf’s Sentry (Did you know that you can pre-order a picnic basket from them and pick it up right before the show? Easy and too cool. [see below for details), enjoy our favorite adult beverage and relax the evening away. After Steely Dane, there will only be two Tosa Tonights left! *sad face*

See ya there, fireflies.



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