Despite Strong Storms Show Went On for Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan in Saint Louis

Sean Derrick June 21, 2018 0 Comments Donald Fagen, Doobie Brothers, Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre Saint Louis, Saint Louis concert review and photos, Steely Dan

–By Keith Brake

When you hear names like The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan your first inclination may be to say “Wow…those guys are still at it?” Well, yes they are and from what I witnessed this past Tuesday (6-19-2018) at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre they show no signs of doing otherwise.

The evening had Thunderous beginning, quite literally. Fans were sent back to their cars and denied access to the Amphitheatre due to a thunderstorm moving through. With no idea when or IF the performance would go on, they waited and were rewarded; two hours after the original starting time the first note was struck and all was good.

The Doobie Brothers performing at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Saint Louis Wednesday. Photo by Keith Brake Photography.

The Doobies and Steely Dan have paired up for “The Summer Of Living Dangerously Tour” which runs through October of 2018. There seems to be a theme this year of larger bands teaming up and hitting the road, this is the third concert in a row that I have covered that has had co-headliners. If this is a trend that is set to continue, I must say that I will not be disappointed in any way.

The Doobie Brothers took the stage to a very warm welcome from the somewhat wet and completely anticipatory group. They immediately thanked those in attendance for sticking around while mother nature did her thing. Immediately following the opening remarks, the music started and with the delayed start in consideration, rarely did it stop. The Doobies played a set riddled with hits as one would expect including some of their very early cuts like “Dark Eyed Cajun Woman”. This band is still sounding so good that it’s almost hard to believe your not listening to an album and when they finished their set off with “Listen To The Music”, those in attendance erupted with applause and appreciation.

Steely Dan took the stage in a shroud of semi darkness while the horn section foreshadowed a small taste of what the evening had in store. When Donald Fagen (vocals & Keys) appeared from the shadows the crowd turned electric. The aforementioned storm had pushed the start time so far back that I would have to exit this show early, but trust me, I did not want to. The songs that I did get a chance to hear were so perfectly done it was almost surreal and the lighting was masterfully arranged to match the music. Steely Dan has a powerful mixture of Jazz and Rock and when it takes shape live it becomes an experience and not just a performance.

“The Summer Of Living Dangerously Tour” rolls on and will be in Chicago next, and I highly recommend taking in this show if you can; and this recommendation comes from only hearing a handful of selections from Steely Dan. As always, thanks for the continued support.

Be sure to check out the gallery of photos from the night below the setlists.

Keith.

The Doobie Brothers Set:

Natural Thing

Rockin Down The Highway

Road Angel

South City Midnight Lady

Dark Eyed Cajun Woman

Jesus is Just Alright

Eyes of Silver

World Gone Crazy

Takin It To The Streets