The Spirit & Sound of Steely Dan
Less tribute and more homage, Nearly Dan are saviours to the legions of Steely Dan fans desperate to hear the meticulously crafted grooves and allusive lyrical style of Donald Fagan and Walter Brecker.
The group started in 1995 as a covers band with a few Steely Dan numbers. As public demand grew, more Dan songs were added, and before long a major proportion of the set was comprised of Steely Dan’s extraordinary three-decade-plus catalogue. By 1997, the suggestion of a tribute band was mooted, with the name Nearly Dan.
Since then, Nearly Dan have toured consistently all over the UK and Europe, gaining critical acclaim for their performances, including Glastonbury, Big Chill, Birmingham and Coventry Jazz Festivals, the Jazz Café in Camden and the Blue Note Jazz Club in Milan.
Their approach is faithful, though not reverential, and relaxed, but just as tight as their namesakes, and their uncannily precise imitations are testament to hours of rehearsal and a great deal of talent.
The ten-piece band promise all the Steely Dan favourites in a two hour-plus show, including ‘Ricki Don’t Lose That Number’, ‘Reelin’ in The Years’ and ‘Haitian Divorce’, along with tracks from the celebrated albums, from the groove of Countdown to Ecstasy, to the super cool of celebrated albums The Royal Scam, Aja & Gaucho.
Nearly Dan play at The Apex on Saturday 20 January at 7.30pm. Tickets are £18, call the Box Office on 01284 758000, or visit www.theapex.co.uk for more information, or to book.
