[DANDOM-MILWAUKEE] Milwaukee 11/13 & 14 Review

[Christopher Eisold]

Two great shows at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee this weekend. 
Friday night, Aja. A little pre-show reunion from the Trifecta in '00 
with Dale, Tony & myself and Hoops. Talked to a few other fans as 
well at Mo's Irish Pub. The show was damn near a sell out with only a 
handful of the $175 seats still available just before show time. The 
Aja performances were all excellent. Walter was featured very 
prominent in the mix, more-so than I can recall from past shows. This 
was definitely the Walter Becker show, he laid down some great rhythm 
and his numerous solos were bright, fluid and a couple were downright 
aggressive. The crowd was very loud with a big standing O after Aja 
and Deacon and everyone was on their feet for what seemed like 2 or 3 
minutes after Josie. The usual song selection until Don grabs the 
melodica after Hey19 and instead of Bohdi, we get a stellar version 
of Godwhacker! Walter, during the introductions, states that this is 
best, tallest, tightest and best smelling band they've ever had (or 
something pretty close to that). The reviewer from the Milwaukee 
Journal Sentinel said that the band was "loud and loose". he 
was wrong, the band was tight and the crowd was loose and well 
lubricated. Sound was a little loud in the balcony with a little bit 
of bouncing but still very good. Lots of dancing for M.O.S. & 
Reelin'. D & W both seemed really appreciative of the crowd and we 
really appreciate them giving us these great shows.

Saturday night, The Royal Scam. Earthbound (Keith) came up from 
Lafayette and we hit Mo's again. Hoops showed up soon after. This was 
show # 23 for both Keith & I. Hard to believe that after all of that 
I still can't get enough of the Dan. I was really looking forward to 
hearing Caves, SiS and Everything You Did again. During the Scam, it 
was the Jon Herrington show. He was tearing up everything, 
relentless. The highlight of this part of the show was a fiery Green 
Earrings with Jon & Walt trading licks for seemed like 5 minutes at 
the end of the song. Easily the best version of that I've every 
heard. A little less enthusiasm over all than for Aja, but a loud, 
long standing O at the end of the album. More songs from their 
illustrious career. No TooM, no story,again, from Walter during Hey 
19. He sauntered up to the mike and "skate a little lower now", took 
a few steps back then up to the mike again and "sure looks good". 
Godwhacker again. After Josie & Peg, in that order, Donald announces 
they've got a special guest, an alumni of the band and introduces 
Cindy Mizelle, who was in town to perform with Springsteen on Sunday 
night. She and Carolyn shared a mike and were smiling and giggling 
like little school girls through My Old School and Reelin' in the 
Sheaves.

I got my money's worth of my donation to their Mo' Rent Tour, as Don 
called it. If it wasn't for this pesky thing called, reality, I'd be 
in Akron in a couple of days.

Thank you Don, Walt, Jon, Keith, Freddy, Roger, Walt, Michael, the 
Jims (Pugh & Beard), Tawatha, Catherine, Carolyn, Cindy (yeah!!) and 
all of the behind the scenes people for all your hard work!

Chris
'Kid Clean'