ABOUT NEARLY DAN
The demands of the music of Steely Dan are high, both in technical proficiency and in preserving the sarcastic, knowing attitude originally conceived. Nearly Dan excels on both fronts, fusing together the chops of 12 diversely-talented artists (with backgrounds in jazz, rock, R&B, country, and swing) into a veritable butcher’s shop window of precisely cut bass lines; surgical, highly reminiscent guitar solos; a biting yet sophisticated horn section and richly marbled beats. Nearly Dan coolly presents their own arrangements of those masterpiece compositions such as the bouncing “Reelin’ In the Years,” the sorrowful, karmic circularity of “Do It Again,” or the funny but mortified “Peg.” Satiate your hunger for music with depth when Nearly Dan takes the stage.
MEET THE BAND
Nearly Dan, a Steely Dan tribute band, is Jack Klitzman (saxes, flute, clarinet), Ed Weber (keyboards), Jamie Dieveney (lead vocals), Brad Boal (drums), Darelle Holden, Kelly Ash and Tina Hart (vocals), Rick Houle (bass), Michael McGee (guitar), Frank Seeberger (guitar), Andy Omdahl (trumpet), and Rich Cole (saxes & clarinet).
Jamie Dieveney
When I was in college, I had a great stereo/turntable with HUGE speakers. My roommate and I would leave the turntable spinning with the needle hovering over it. We would also leave a note, saying something like, "drop the needle and begin your real education." One day I dropped the needle and Black Cow jumped out of the speakers and into my soul...changed my life!
Jack Klitzman
Steely Dan compositions were new to me when I joined a SD tribute band after my college years. As I studied the music, a whole new world opened, with accessible melodies and novel and jazzy harmony. The arrangements allowed each instrument’s part to be heard, as in symphonic pieces. The harmonic content was uniquely creative. And the eloquence and poetry of the lyrics were stunning, carrying different messages for each listener. The excitement in performing this music is electrified by the joy emanating from our audiences. Full disclosure….. I’m hooked.
Darelle Holden
Lyrically speaking Steely Dan use dark and subversive themes along with a lot of satire and clever wordplay. They make you think, question, delight and cringe all at the same time. Haitian Divorce is a favorite of mine. The song is about the “quickie” divorce industry in Haiti in the 1970’s. The woman in the song goes for a quickie divorce, hooks up with a local, then comes back to the states pregnant by her fling but still married. “Some babies grow in a peculiar way”, the baby looks like a Haitian not like her husband. “Who’s this kinky so - and - so”? Again a dark theme and satire but with an infectious groove. Oh, and I love the film reference, “now we dolly back, now we fade to black”, just like in an old movie. Brilliant!!
Rich Cole
My earliest memory of being knocked out by a Steely Day song was hearing the guitar intro to “Josie” on the radio. I was driving and had to pull over to hear it better. I wondered how something this compositionally interesting and arcane made it onto pop radio.
Tina Hart
One of my favorites in the Steely Dan library is Babylon Sisters. The sultry sexy groove sets a vibe that makes you want to listen to it with a "friend" ;) You've got to shake it baby, you've got to shake it baby, you've got to shake it....
Andy Omdahl
Almost Gothic, Two Against Nature: this song has fascinating lyrics, portraying what appears to be a typical Steely Dan topic: an older man falling for a charming albeit unstable younger lady, but the song is actually an exercise in using what appear to be metaphors, literally. What initially seems like an older man falling for a younger woman, is actually about an older man describing his obsession with his dominatrix. The horn lines are mystifying and the melody captivating!
Ed Weber
I love the music of Steely Dan because these guys (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker) have/had a unique knack for blending accessible melodies with completely unexpected chord progressions and arrangements. That, combined with the pop and jazz influences woven into the music, makes for some of the most enjoyable material to both listen to and perform that I have ever encountered during my lifetime.
Frank Seeberger
It’s very hard to choose a favorite song from Steely Dan repertoire, but I always get a real kick out of playing Black Cow! I just love the overall feel and vibe of this tune! Like a lot of Steely Dan’s music, the harmony is sophisticated yet appealing. Plus I get to play that cool opening lick!
Rick Houle
I didn't listen, really listen, to Steely Dan before I joined this band.
Steely Dan presented the highest caliber musicians in the world. They have come a long way since the beginning of their band. For me the latest members are truly bad ass.
I love the subtle and unusual harmonic choices.
I love their ability to write great tunes in many genres.
Lastly, all my favorite bassists. Chuck Rainey, Marcus Miller, Freddie Washington and Tom Barney. Cool!
Mike McGee
Wow! For me to pick one favorite Dan tune, I don’t think I can, there is such a rich library to choose from. One of my favorite albums is Royal Scam. As guitar player, I love the way Becker and Fagen orchestrated this album with a lot of guitar work. I love performing their Music because of its sophistication and attention to details! I’ve run out of words to say, only “Very Tasteful” !!!