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March 7, 2006
Concert Review: Billy Joel at @ MSG 3/2/2006
Juliet and I had a great time last week attending the Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden. The last time we saw Billy at The Garden he was sharing the stage with Elton John. That concert was great but I was aching for a 100% Billy-fest.
Our seats were in section 318, which is just off to the side and a little behind the stage. No worries about seeing from that vantage point though. Billy always has a wide open stage with a couple of keyboards at the back to play to the folks in the rear. The view was excellent. Of course, the show was sold out. And even though the weather outside was icy and cold, spirits were warm inside the arena.
The concert kicked off about 8:15PM with Billy's piano rising from center stage to the sounds of the theme to the movie, The Natural. The band immediately broke into I Go To Extremes as the crowd went wild.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect for the set list as I'd heard that Billy was mixing it up. I was pleasantly surprised. Billy and Co. played a few cuts rarely heard live over the last 20 years including Zanzibar, 52nd Street, Sleeping With The Television On and Keeping the Faith. I always love hearing tracks that I've never heard him perform live before.
The rest of the set was packed with hits and Billy gems as follows:
The Entertainer, Ballad of Billy The Kid, Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) [my favorite live cut after Goodnight Saigon], Vienna, My Life, Big Shot, It's Still Rock n Roll To Me, Matter Of Trust, Only The Good Die Young, We Didn't Start The Fire, I Go To Extremes, Allentown, Pressure, She's Always A Woman, New York State of Mind, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Captain Jack and Piano Man (finale) .
He also had one of his roadies sing Highway To Hell. I saw him do that in Dallas in 1999 and I guess it's become part of the regular show now.
I was a little bit disappointed that he did not play Goodnight Saigon or Innocent Man. Oh well, you can't have everything. As I stated earlier he played a few tracks I never expected so it all evened out in the end.
The supporting band was great as usual with old favorites Tommy Byrnes on Guitar, Richie Cannata and Mark Rivera on Sax and Crystal Talifero on just about every thing else. On big change is the fact that longtime Billy Joel drummer Liberty Devitto IS NOT playing on this tour. He and Billy had a falling out a few years back so he has been replaced with the drummer from the Movin Out show on Broadway.
I was amazed by the diversity of ages in the crowd. I saw fifteen year old kids dancing next to sixty year olds. And yes, people danced in the aisles til Garden security shooed them back to their seats.
The show ended at a few minutes til 11PM and I wanted more. I could listen to Billy play for hours and he's got the catalogue to support a four hour show. He was definitely on though. From the friendly banter to the mic stand twirling, the man was in the house. Billy did look a little heavy. At least heavier than he has in recent years. I guess marriage will do that to ya.
Next time Billy comes around I'll do my best to be there. I'm just hoping he tours long enough for me to take my daughter Mia to a show.
Posted by Rob at March 7, 2006 6:21 PM
Comments
I am so jealous! I would have loved to have been able to see this concert. I saw Billy Joel--what seems like a lifetime ago--back when he did his Innocent Man tour. Although I enjoy most all of his music, my favorites are Vienna, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Captain Jack, Stiletto, Sometimes A Fantasy.....oh, who am I kidding. This list could go on & on...I just love the man :) :)
Elton John is another favorite. He has a song called Ticking from the Caribou album that is just freakin' fantastic. My four favorite albums from Elton are Caribou, Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirty Cowboy, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and Rock Of The Westies (Feed Me, Yell Help (Medley), and Hard Luck Story---awesome).
Posted by: Janine at March 9, 2006 7:54 PM
I have a choice between section 11 floor seats (first row of 11) at MSG for the 4/24 Billy J concert and section 106 E (second level, towards stage right).
The floor seats are cheaper--but I am concerned that there may be way too many heads blocking the view.
I'm from out of town and have never attended a concert at MSG. Any words of advice ??
Posted by: rm at April 12, 2006 2:32 AM
I like the second level better. I've sat on the floor and it's really only good if you're in the first 10 rows.
Posted by: Rob at April 14, 2006 10:53 AM