Last Sunday, 19 East club owner Wowee Posadas’ pet project, a band called Black Cows with an all-Steely Dan repertoire, drew cheers from a crowd whose musical taste developed with the remarkable work of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.

The brains behind Steely Dan, Fagen and Becker invented jazz-rock, or, at the very least, defined its essence. The songs of Steely Dan were meticulously written, which means playing them live requires exceptional talent.

Onstage, the Black Cows—Pido Lalimarmo (guitar, vocals), Gail Viduya and Suy Galvez (vocals), Bolichie Suzara (bass), Gibson Viduya (drums), Rancis de Leon (alto sax), Oyyo Danal (trumpet), Ronald Tomas (tenor sax), Posadas (keyboards, vocals)—rendered faithful versions of Steely Dan classics, almost note-for-note, but not quite, considering the improvisational leeway that jazz allows.

And, what a nice surprise, it wasn’t really all Steely Dan that the band played—there was a couple of Doobie Brothers hits as well as one from Eye to Eye, though these acts apparently had worked with Fagen and Becker.

Dennis Mabanta, Tony Fernando, Wack Garcia at 19 East

This was probably the only gig of its kind that you’ll see in a long time. I mean, only a few local bands can do justice to such songs as “Aja,” “Kid Charlemagne,” “Caves of Altamira,” “Deacon Blues,” “Josie,” “Nice Girls,” “Green Earrings,” “Rikki Don’t Lose that Number,” “Takin’ It to the Streets,” “Hey Nineteen,” “Bodhissatva,” to name just the second set’s lineup.

The good news is, Posadas has announced that the Black Cows will play again at 19 East on Dec. 11, 17 and 26.

19 East, Km. 19, East Service Road, Sucat, Muntinlupa; call 8376903 or 09494984405.

New music lounge

18 West Bistro Bar DJ Alvin de Guzman, managing director Alexander Martos, marketing manager Rio Yabut Mercado

There’s a new place to unwind in Quezon City—18 West Bistro Bar at the penthouse of West Avenue Suites.

It’s quite spacious, an entire floor that functions as a music lounge—divided into an indoor space and a semi-al fresco area with a skyline view of Quezon City.

I’ve been there twice—the first time on opening night a few weeks ago when the R&B vocal group K-24/7 performed, and on a Monday with Doc Eric, a real doctor who seems to love music more than medicine.

I haven’t sampled enough of the food to recommend specific dishes, though the grilled liempo is done right.

Here’s hoping DJ Alvin de Guzman, who helps run the place, will get all the support from management as far as turning 18 West into a popular hangout.

18 West Bar Bistro, penthouse, West Avenue Suites, West Triangle,
Quezon City; call 09175225660.