Skills on display with Steely Dan, Winwood

Steely Dan and Steve Winwood demonstrated the skills Saturday night in the Theater arrangement at Verizon Arena that got both acts inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And Winwood emerged as the most impressive, even as the opening act.

Never much of a touring act to begin with, Steely Dan (Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, plus a large band) made some odd choices for their playlist, no doubt disappointing fans who had hoped to hear “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” along with such others as “Do It Again” and “Deacon Blues,” but instead got the rather lame “Daddy Don’t Live in That New York City No More,” along with “Peg” and other songs that impressed only for their technical qualities.

There were bright spots, of course: “My Old School,” “Reeling in the Years” and “Dirty Work” (as sung by the Danettes, a trio of lithe ladies who otherwise sang backing vocals) and the work of the eight members of the band, especially electric guitarist Jon Harrington.

Steely Dan played for almost two hours, while Winwood got half that, but the crowd of 4,452 seemed more roused by him in his relatively brief set. He opened with “I’m a Man” and ended with “Gimme Some Lovin’,” both his earliest hits as the lead singer of the Spencer Davis Group in the 1960s. In between he delivered fine versions of three songs from his tenure in the band Traffic: “Pearly Queen,” “Dear Mr. Fantasy” and “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys,” a stunning piece of work on which his four-man backing band also rocked out on percussion, flute and guitar.

He also did one of his solo hits, “Higher Love,” a non-hit, “At Times We Do Forget” and an unforgettable version of his Blind Faith anthem, “Can’t Find My Way Home,” on which he demonstrated his considerable guitar skills. Most of his songs featured him on keyboards, on which his feet, always in motion, were as indicative of his musical talents as his fingers on the keys.

But it’s Winwood’s soulful vocals that stole the show away from the headliners, who delivered a cool jazz-rock show that impressed at times, but ultimately seemed a tad disappointing.

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