Concert Review: Billy Joel and Elton John @ MSG 9/23/2002
This concert was six months in the making. Way back in March, Billy had to bow out of performing a series of shows due to illness, thus disappointing thousands of loyal fans in the New York area. Over the next few months Billy made headlines for everything but his music, including a one car accident and a short stint in rehab for an unspecified 'personal problem'. Thankfully, Billy has gotten passed the troubled times of the spring and summer and seems ready to be the piano man again. His weight in the spring looked to be at his peak but recent photos showed a much slimmer Billy Joel. With this in mind I took my seat at the Garden ready for a night of amazing music. I wasn't disappointed.
Personally, it's hard to imagine being able to attend a show that combine two songwriters of the caliber of Billy and Elton. Throughout the three hour and fifteen minute concert, every song played was recognizable and well received. It was like watching two great pitchers throwing perfect games, without a down moment in the whole game.
First, Billy and Elton rose out of the bottom of the stage with pianos facing each other and began a series of duets including Your Song, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me and Just the Way You Are. After the initial musical sparring, Elton's band took the stage and he rocked the crowd for the next hour, playing such classic hits as Funeral For a Friend, Take Me to the Pilot, Tiny Dancer, Crocodile Rock and Philadelphia Freedom along with some newer tunes like I Want Love and This Train don't Stop Here Anymore. Overall, Elton sounded great and his band was right on, including long time guitarist Davy Johnston who never missed a riff. I must admit that it took the heavily pro-Billy crowd a few songs to get into Elton, but he really broke the ice with Tiny Dancer and Philadelphia Freedom.
Next, Billy began his set with an impassioned rendition of Prelude/Angry Young Man. The crowd was sufficiently pumped from Elton's great set and rode the wave all the way through Billy's set. Even though Billy hasn't released and original album in ten years the songs were fresh. Highlights included a rare live rendition of Summer Highland Falls, an ode to manic depression. Billy seemed to work in material from all his albums except Innocent Man, including Movin Out, My Life, Allentown, River of Dreams, New York State of Mind, Scenes From and Italian Restaurant and my personal favorite, Miami 2017. Billy wasn't afraid to change a few lyrics to get a laugh, delivering the line, "A bottle of white, a bottle of red, perhaps a glass of perrier instead," obviously referring to his troubles with alcohol. One notable absence in Billy's solo set was Goodnight Saigon, maybe his most powerful live tune. That aside I can' say I was disappointed in the performance. During an impassioned performance of It's Still Rock n' Roll To Me Billy gyrated and worked the mike stand like in the old days. He even thanked a few young ladies in the front row who rubbed and grabbed at his legs and (ahem!) crotch while he wiggled his hips feverishly at the front of the stage, saying "thanks I needed that!" We all needed it and Billy delivered.
Roung two of the face to face kicked off with spirited versions of You May Be Right, with Billy dancing on top of Elton's piano, and The Bitch is Back. BJ and EJ also rocked out on a covers of Hard Days Night and Great Balls of Fire. The evening finished as it started with Billy and Elton on the stage playing piano on Candle in the Wind and Piano Man.
Billy paused and took a moment to soak in the love before walking off the stage for the last time, hinting that he really misses the connection with the crowd. Let's hope both these guys keep connecting for a long time to come.
