Billy Joel and Elton John
March 5, 2009
The Piano Man and the Rocket Man join forces again at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa. Billy Joel and Elton John started off the night in a dueling piano set with both taking turns on each other's songs. Elton then took over for a mellow set sometimes deviated into a rock concert with songs including 'Saturday Night's All Right,' 'Tiny Dancer,' and 'Rocket Man.'
The spotlight illuminated the stage for Billy's solo who got the audience out of their seats for 'Movin' Out,' 'Allentown,' and the lesser known, 'Zanzibar.' The rotating piano set up the stage to reveal what would follow these upbeat tunes; the crowd-swaying classics, 'Always a Woman' and 'Scenes from an Italian Restaurant.'
Half-way through his set, Billy demonstrated that he's not just a man of the keys. He strummed away at his guitar during 'We Didn't Start the Fire,' and 'Still Rock and Roll to Me' with the sold-out theater clapping along in unison.
Of course, it wouldn't be a Billy Joel concert without his enthusiasm. What could have been a lackluster piano concert was a dynamic performance proven by his connection to the fans. Playing vigorously at the edge of his stool, throwing the mic stand around, and joking between songs, he captured fans' as if this was the peak of his career. And for a few moments, it was. His vocals sounded as crisp as it did in the 80's and his songs were nearly identical to the sound on his records. This is the music to live for.
--Nathalie Voirin/Jacqui Anderson, Metromix
