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December 18, 2022

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The Kent Stage closed out the 2022 concert season by hosting Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter of Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers fame.

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Baxter, a self proclaimed "studio slut" for all of the work he has done as a studio musician, is out promoting his first solo album titled Speed of Heat. 

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Baxter and his crack four piece backing band, all top studio musicians themselves, ran through most of the new album while also playing a few Steely Dan tunes including a rocking version of "My Old School."

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Skunk noted that he and keyboardist CJ Vanston met in a Chicago studio as they were both working on TV jingles in the 1980s.  After coming up with a few jingles on the spot, they decided to exchange numbers and began working together soon after.

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The band ran through a few songs like "My Place In The Sun," "Speed of Heat" and a great cover of "Apache."  Baxter noted that he loved surf music, so he played a snippet of The Ventures "Pipeline."  However, Vanston said that he hated surf music because there was nothing for keyboard players to do, so they settled on "Apache" for the new record.

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A rearranged version of "Do It Again" and a few more new songs like "Juliette," "Bad Move" and a funky "Insecurity" that featured drummer Mark Damien on vocals closed out the set.

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The band returned to encore with a rocking version of "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and a bluegrass tinged "China Grove."

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It was a great way to close out the 2022 concert year for the Kent Stage and for me!

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Here's to a great 2023!

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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