Several years ago, I soaked up every note of Steely Dan’s live

Several years ago, I soaked up every note of Steely Dan’s live recreation of Can’t Buy a Thrill from a seat in the center of the very last row in the top balcony of the Paramount Theatre. And I found myself marveling at how great the sound was. For a band like Steely Dan, acoustics make all the difference.The last couple times I’ve been in the Paramount — The Tedeschi Trucks Band in June, Fiona Apple on Wednesday — I’ve wandered around the theater searching for the most optimal acoustic spot.The sound at my ticketed seat for Fiona Apple — just a few rows back from the stage, but all the way to the right — was actually terrible. And I noticed that from the middle of the balcony, Derek Trucks’ shrill guitar lines got caught (seriously) in the dome of the theater, creating this terribly siren wail.The best seat in the house — also, typically the easiest to procure, regardless of what your ticket says — is last seat in the center of the top balcony. For the best of all things in Seattle — musical and otherwise — pick up SW’s Best of SeattleR issue on Wednesday!