Pizza Express Holborn, Sunday 10 May, 2026
One of the problems with witnessing Simply Dan in action is that songs like ‘The Fez,’ ‘Dirty Work’ and ‘Reelin’ In The Years’ remain ringing in your ears for days afterwards.
But then the inspirational music of Steely Dan is timeless and unforgettable whenever it’s played, especially by a band as skilled and devoted to the cause as the modestly named Simply Dan. So, that’s not a problem. It’s a delight!
During three sold-out nights at the Holborn venue the band fronted by singer and guitarist Mark Roadnight rewarded fans with meticulous performances that went beyond mere recreations of the songs devised by Donald Fagan and Walter Becker in the 1970s.
Together with singers Becky Harris and Lauren Goddard and a powerful brass section, the London Dan armed with super powered guitarists and a dynamic drummer developed their own blend of sensitivity and attack, whether as soloists or team players.
On their Sunday night session they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the release of The Royal Scam (1976) album by playing all its tracks during the first set. They swapped around the running order by opening with ‘The Royal Scam’ and closing with ‘Kid Charlemagne’. In between came ‘Caves Of Altamira’ during which the audience clapped along to the beat and a powerful tenor sax solo from Jack Thrust.
‘Don’t Take Me Alive’ featured the first of many outstanding solos by lead guitarist Darren Spicer with added fills and back beats by Mark Claydon, who surely best deserves the ‘Best Drummer Award’ in any readers poll. (Well, he’d get my vote).
Roger Evan’s keyboards set the mood for ‘The Fez’ while Mark C’s snare drumming evolved into a full-on solo drawing cheers and cries of ‘amazing’ from aficionados.
The effective reggae rhythm of ‘Haitian Divorce’ was matched by ‘Everything You Did’ that came before ‘Kid Charlemagne’ with moody keyboarding by Roger Evan and impassioned singing from Mark Roadnight and the girls. Phil Mulford, (last seen with Ana Gracey’s Doxey Box) depped faultlessly for David McLeod on bass guitar without any rehearsal.
Guitar fans noted Darren switched from a Gibson ES 335 as played by Larry Carlton on The Royal Scam album to a dark brown Gibson Les Paul Studio for the second set. More Steely classics included ‘Aja’ (when Mark Roadnight blew into a pink Melodica), ‘Pretzel Logic’ and a rousing ‘Dirty Work’ showcasing Becky and Lauren.
Felix Shepherd (trombone), Mark Wilson (alto sax) and Jack Thrush were often hidden away on the cramped stage, but their solo skills and section power was a huge asset whether the Dan was trying not to ‘Lose That Number’, escape from ‘My Old School’ or just enjoy ‘Reelin’ In The Years.’ Their fans (including me) enjoyed every moment. CHRIS WELCH