SIMPLY DAN

Pizza Express Holborn

October 2 2026

As any major dude will tell you, if you want to hear a Steely Dan tribute band rockin’ out live, then Simply Dan is simply the best. This was proven one more time, when they returned for another season at the London venue where they regularly reel in a loyal following prone to cheering and singing along to an exhilarating parade of Steely hits.

It was only last May when they delighted fans with their recreation of all the tracks on the 1976 Royal Scam album. This time the band led by singer/guitarist Mark Roadnight delivered a more varied selection of Steely Dan classics starting with ‘Pretzel Logic.’ Its casual back beat rhythm and contemplative Donald Fagen lyrics: ‘I would love to tour the South Land in a travelling Minstrel show. I’m dying to be a star and make people laugh. But those days are gone for ever …’

Well, they seem to have come back when Mark jokes with the audience and Darren Spicer unveil lead guitar solos that are among the many highlights of a Simply Dan show.

These also include the drumming of Mark Claydon whose cool beat propels such numbers as ‘Deacon Blue’ with its message of youthful ambition and ‘Peg’ a hit song from the 1977 album Aja. The latter was further enlivened by backing vocals from Becky Harris and Lauren Goddard, not to mention stabs from the tight knit brass section.

‘Barrytown’ another selection from the Pretzel Logic album led to questions posed about the strange attitudes to be found in a town where times hadn’t changed even by the mid-20th century – according to a bemused Mr. Fagan.

OH YEAH

Mark then explained how he first heard the plaintive but caring lyrics of ‘Any Major Dude Will Tell You’ as a young boy back in 1974 and it had a big effect on him. There were more Logic items to come in the second half including ‘Night By Night’ which begins ‘It’s a beggars life’ said the Queen of Spain, but don’t tell it to a poor man.’ Apparently, he must ‘Kill for every thrill’. (Easier to open a savings account and do a paper round perhaps?) Such thoughts became irrelevant when Darren played a speedy guitar solo and the whole band launched into the boppish Charlie Parker tribute ‘Parker’s Band.’

Now it was the time for the girls to shine on ‘Dirty Work’ with its saucy lyrics, relaxed back beat and cries of ‘Oh yeah!’ The powerful brass section was featured on a swinging ‘Do It Again’ from Can’t Buy A Thrill and there was another captivating Darren guitar solo on ‘Kid Charlemagne’. This was pronounced ‘amazing’ by an attentive fellow guitarist in the audience, also a fan of Larry Carlton’s playing on The Royal Scam (1976).

During the second set the band danced into ‘The Boston Rag’ where the lyrics proclaim any news was good back in 1965. Its composers Walter Becker and Donald Fagan were engaging in nostalgia for simpler, happier days of their youth when they cried out ‘Bring back the ‘Boston Rag.’

Whether they meant a song or a newspaper isn’t quite clear. What was clear was Mark Claydon’s drum solo followed by the joys of ‘Ricky Don’t Lose That Number.’ The entire audience sang along, only pausing to listen intently to another outstanding lead guitar solo and cheer a keyboard display from ever supportive Roger Evan.

‘Do It Again’ became a showcase number for the brass boys. These included smooth trombonist Felix Shepherd, his playing matched by fast and fluent trumpet from Mark Armstrong, a hot tenor sax solo by Jack Thrush aided and abetted by alto sax man Mark Wilson. And all blown over funky bass guitar lines laid down by David McLeod.

The final numbers were ‘My Old School’ and of course…‘Reeling in The Years.’ We were all left reeling on that splendid night at the Pizza. Or should we say Pretzel.

CHRIS WELCH