As noted in a recent “Casino File” column, one of the more unexpected developments of the “tribute band” scene is the popularity of acts that pay homage to the classic-rock sub-genre known as “yacht rock.” For proof of this, look no further than Ovation Hall inside Ocean Casino Resort, where Boat House Row stages an every-Sunday matinee through Sept. 6.
For the uninitiated, generally speaking, yacht rock is rock-lite pop music that leans towards R&B and emphasizes melody and a mellow vibe perfect for sipping umbrella drinks on a sunny summer day. Not that everyone seeks that in their musical focus. It’s been suggested that yacht rock is rock music for people who don’t like rock music.
As for the main practitioners, ’60s-bluesman-turned-’70s-pop-crooner Boz Scaggs and ’80s balladeer Christopher Cross are among the format’s stalwarts. However, the 2024 HBO film, “Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary” identified Steely Dan, Toto and Michael McDonald as the form’s founding fathers.
By definition, yacht rock is a smooth, relatively low-energy affair. Sure, the lyrics push the right emotional buttons and there were more hooks during Sunday’s gig than could be found in a fishing competition (Boat House Row’s 85-minute program could have been called “EarwormPalooza”), but there’s little in the way of grit or aggressiveness in the songs. It’s likely not coincidence the more-memorable tunes served up last Sunday by the Philly-based sextet were those with a little oomph behind them, including Hall & Oates’ “Maneater;” “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl),” the 1972 one-hit-wonder single by Looking Glass; a pleasingly thumpy version of The Alan Parsons Project’s “Eye In the Sky” and a cut-loose rendition of Toto’s “Rosanna” that culminated in some pretty sharp, jazzy jamming.
While bluster and fire may have been in short supply Sunday, there was no faulting the execution of the material.
The band’s two lead singers — primarily pianist Kenny Trout who is the main frontman and drummer Reily Hamlin — glided through the setlist sounding pleasingly close to the tunes’ most-familiar versions.
And throughout the recital, the material was likewise faithfully executed by the exceptionally sure-footed unit that also includes keyboardist Cougar Wessex, guitarist Caniche Derstine, bassist Mick Hillsdale and saxophonist Pete Mane.
The musicians have clearly done their homework in order to achieve their high level of sonic accuracy.
Incidentally, one of the hallmarks of the yacht-rock milieu are the nautical caps (think Thurston Howell III on “Gilligan’s Island”) worn by some male audience members. While a 2025 Boat House Row concert at Tropicana Atlantic City was awash in such accessories, interestingly, there was just one such accoutrement spotted at Sunday’s performance.
But male fashion aside, for those with such musical predilections, a Boat House Row summer Sunday matinee is definitely worth the trip to Ocean.
For more go to boathouserowrock.com
‘Magical’ rockers return
Be advised Ocean is also hosting a once-a-week residency by the clever, sort-of-tribute band Magical Mystery Doors for the fifth consecutive summer.
The band, which is scheduled to perform every Thursday at 8 p.m. through Sept. 3, limits its repertoire to the music of three classic-rock titans, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and The Doors. But the unit has a unique gimmick which sets it apart from the tribute-band pack.
Several times in a set, MMD will combine the lyrics of one song by one group and the music of another song by a different group. For instance, as the band runs through the chord changes to The Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” the lyrics sung by vocalist Vinny DeRenzis come from the revered 1971 Led Zeppelin track, “Stairway to Heaven.” It’s a fun twist aided by MMD’s just-right usage of the blueprint; the unit avoids over-doing the concept which prevents it from becoming tedious and predictable.
For more on MMD, go to magicalmysterydoors.com.
Tickets for both acts are available at Ticketmaster.com.
Ocean motion
Before we leave Ocean, the question I’ve been asked most the past couple of weeks is whether the recent outright purchase of the property by the Illich family of Detroit (they own, among other entities, the Little Caesars pizza chain and the Detroit Tigers) will result in any significant changes.
In two words, probably not. That’s because the family has owned a 50 percent stake in the luxe hotel-casino complex for several years and, more importantly, has been its managing partner since then. That means it has overseen day-to-day operations since it initially came on the scene.
As such, there’s no reason to believe the public will see any dramatic alterations, especially since the current management team has turned Ocean into what is arguably Our Town’s hottest gambling-and-entertainment facility.
It’s expected what changes may be implemented will mostly occur behind the scenes as the Illich clan also owns Detroit’s Motor City casino, so, there may be some business-end consolidation — although that likely happened before the recent transaction.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
