Billy Joel, new song and one UK gig 2024
Discussion
Billy Joel.
In the UK, he's mostly remembered for 'Uptown Girl', and the slightly cheesy video that went with it. In the USA he is considered a musical god, and, in New York City, he is pretty much actually god.
As a gigging musician for more years than I care to remember, I've got to perform quite a few of his songs on a regular basis. They are musically and lyrically brilliant and never get boring to do. He's one of the great songwriters of all time. An outrageously gifted performer. No weaknesses, really. A singer with a colossal range and great control, even at 74. His piano playing is off the scale and he puts on tremendous live shows.
Talking of which, he is doing one UK gig this year, at Cardiff Principality Stadium on August 9th.
He's also recorded a new song. This is really his first 'proper' new recording since the 1993 River of Dreams album, if we disregard his classical piano record played by Richard Joo.
Here is the new song, at this year's Grammys:
Anyone going to the gig, and what do we think of his new song?
In the UK, he's mostly remembered for 'Uptown Girl', and the slightly cheesy video that went with it. In the USA he is considered a musical god, and, in New York City, he is pretty much actually god.
As a gigging musician for more years than I care to remember, I've got to perform quite a few of his songs on a regular basis. They are musically and lyrically brilliant and never get boring to do. He's one of the great songwriters of all time. An outrageously gifted performer. No weaknesses, really. A singer with a colossal range and great control, even at 74. His piano playing is off the scale and he puts on tremendous live shows.
Talking of which, he is doing one UK gig this year, at Cardiff Principality Stadium on August 9th.
He's also recorded a new song. This is really his first 'proper' new recording since the 1993 River of Dreams album, if we disregard his classical piano record played by Richard Joo.
Here is the new song, at this year's Grammys:
Anyone going to the gig, and what do we think of his new song?
LR90 said:
Love Billy. Saw him at Madison Square Garden in 2022. That was a big tick on the bucket list.
I like the new song. It’s not exactly ‘Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’ but it’s a grower. His voice is still great as well.
Agree with that. It's a solid song, nicely performed. I doubt we'll hear another 'Scenes', either from Billy, or anyone else.I like the new song. It’s not exactly ‘Scenes from an Italian Restaurant’ but it’s a grower. His voice is still great as well.
The last Billy gig I went to was at MSG in 2017. It was just after the Manchester Arena bombing, and he did 'A Day in the Life' as a kind of Brit tribute. Amazing memories.
I first saw him at the NEC in '89 on the 'Storm Front' tour, following that in 1994 at Earls Court, then in 2006 at the NEC, and a couple of weeks later at the MEN arena in Manchester. Took my dad to that one. He (my dad) was a world-class jazz guitarist, and he loved the gig, having been a bit of a fan since buying 'The Stranger' on tape in 1977.
Did a very good interview with Howard Stern on Sirius over in NY a couple of days ago and was talking about why he has started recording and co writing or the first time. A good sixty minute chat with loads of background about writing and performing. He is great friends with Don Henley and Stevie Nicks in addition to performing soon with Sting and Rod Stewart. An album maybe?
Did a very good interview with Howard Stern on Sirius over in NY a couple of days ago and was talking about why he has started recording and co writing or the first time. A good sixty minute chat with loads of background about writing and performing. He is great friends with Don Henley and Stevie Nicks in addition to performing soon with Sting and Rod Stewart. An album maybe?
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