JUST BACK FROM SEEING THE WORLD'S LEAST NECESSARY

...Live Band. Which is not to say that Rabbi Becker and Cantor Fagen weren't good. The timing of the show (in Vancouver, WA just north of Portland) obviously wasn't, what with Tom Petty and CSN&Y playing the same shed Friday and Saturday. The expensive seats were easily half-empty. We scalped our way into the fifth row at close to 50% off (which, at $75, was still more than I've ever paid for a concert ticket in my life).

Was expecting to enjoy the sweet smell of former hippies doing drugs, but really, the place looked more like a Cialis commercial.

Was glad to hear the likes of "Showbiz Kids" instead of "Rikki" or "Reelin,'" but the fact that they played not one single song from Two Against Nature (or the more recent more forgettable album) makes you wonder why they even bother.

Also enjoyed telling the dark-eyed beauty at the roasted corn and German sausage stand that Steely Dan were a "they" rather than a "he" (cue "Hey Nineteen").

Then there was the opening act. I did not realize Michael McDonald's two records of Motown songs were actually released by Motown. But it's about time someone improved on "Second That Emotion." And it's so great that he's introducing such important music to a whole new generation of fans.

And yet, oddly -- though not surprisingly -- when he joined Steely Dan onstage they ruled. It's like Fred and Ginger -- he gives them heart, they give him brains.

No mention of the Wilson Brothers, sadly.