Friday, May 15, 2009

Face to Face

One of my Mother's Day presents was tickets to the Billy Joel/Elton John concert (or Elton John/Billy Joel - depending on where you live).

It has been a long long time till touchdown brings me round again... sorry, got a little distracted there. Anyway, I like to go to concerts where I know at least half the songs. Sometimes you go see an act that is promoting a new album, and that's usually when all but the die-hard fans go get a drink and use the facilities. Not last night. I knew every song and so did 99% of the audience.

The piano men took the stage around 7:45, and played and played, ending around 11:15. They started together, did a few songs, then Elton John took over for about 45 minutes more. The lights went down for probably 5 minutes, then Billy Joel came back and played for about an hour. The lights went down briefly again, and then they played the final songs, ending with Candle in the Wind for Elton, and Piano Man for Billy. They also threw in some Beatles with Birthday Song and Back in the USSR.

The songs brought back so many memories for me. I remember my babysitter bringing over her Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album (yes, album - those big black round things), and playing it while I memorized the lyrics. Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting was my favorite - we would dance around the living room and act like we were tough. Crocodile Rock, Daniel, Levon, Yellow Brick Road, I'm Still Standing, I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues...all made an appearance last night.

I wasn't into Billy Joel too much at first, but once he started dating Christine Brinkley, we all wanted to be Uptown Girls, Keeping the Faith and hoped some day our guy would Tell Her About It. An Innocent Man was my first Billy Joel record, and remains one of my favorites.

As I got older I began to appreciate the earlier Billy Joel songs. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant always reminds me of me and my friend Heather (Bottle of red, bottle of white...). Only The Good Die Young - well, that's got a whole new meaning for me now. I was hoping for New York State of Mind, but it was not to be.

All in all, wow. Just...wow. They still can rock out, they sound fantastic, the light and stage show is fabulous, but never overwhelms the music. And at the end, when it's just Elton, Billy, and the pianos - that's when the talent of these men really shines through.

If you have a chance to catch this show, do it. You will not be disappointed.

11 comments:

Jeannette E. Spaghetti said...

I'm jealous. I would've loved to see that show. But I've been on a whirlwind of concert mania the last few weeks, so I'm on a short break... until a couple weeks from now when I will road trip to see Gogol Bordello and Man Man. I. Can't. Wait.

Frogdancer said...

It sounds fantastic. I've seen Elton John in concert many moons ago, but Billy Joel with him would add the extra zing!

Glad you rocked, baby!!!

Angie said...

I went to the show last night and LOVED it!! I have been a Billy Joel fan since River of Dreams came out and then got his older stuff and fell in love with it!!

My mom took me to see the duo when they were here in the 90's and they were great then too.But last night ROCKED!! I thought Billy Joel was AWESOME. So glad to find someone else who went and had a great time!!!!

minniemama68 said...

I've seen Billy in concert twice. He puts on quite a show. And Elton John...sigh!!! Sounds like you had a great time!!

Kelli said...

So jealous. I wanted to go so bad, but it just didn't work out. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Marrdy said...

I saw Elton John the first time in 1975. Loved it. One of the best concerts I have been to. Saw Billy Joel in 1988. Amazing. Also, one of the best! Glad you had a good time.

mn said...

Oh, i'm so j-e-a-l-o-u-s.
I almost won tickets to see billy joel. I was caller 12 when they were looking for caller 13.
Elton's good. But I love love Billy Joel and have been listening to his songs since a young girl in the Middle East. Good songs. glad you got to go.

Jakki said...

hey lady...just stopping in too check on ya...

Zip n Tizzy said...

Either one of them can always bring me back as well. Sounds like a fun night.

Melody said...

Wishing I could have gone :) sooo jealous!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a blast. I love both of those guys.