Although I saw Billy Joel at the Garden on the opening night of his NY tour (courtesy of Jeff Meckler- Thanks!) I also had purchased tickets to last night’s show (#9 of 12 sold-out shows) a few months ago. I had decided that if I enjoyed the January show, then I would attend last night as well.
I’m glad that I did. While the first show was great, the playlist was more oriented to BJ’s rock ‘n roll themed hits. Very high energy and the songs sounded like perfect cuts off the album. Ain’t nuthin wrong with that.
Last night’s show, however, was a much more balanced blend of ballads and rock, with a number of songs that were not featured in the January show. One of the disappointments for me from the first show was that he did not play Miami 2017 (I’ve Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway). Much to my delight, he did perform it last night, though I suspect that one of the reasons it may not show up on the playlist often is the lyric, “I’ve seen the mighty skyline fall” which perhaps is too vivid a flashback to 9/11 for New Yorkers.
As was the program, so was the crowd a bit mellower as well. Aside from those in floor seats, people did not really stand too much until the last few songs and the encore. Not only did we all wave Brenda and Eddie good bye again, but it seemed as if the whole Garden put their arms around each other and swayed while singing along to “Piano Man” as the closing number.
BJ himself seemed a bit more relaxed as well, evidenced in his patter between songs and his taking some liberties with the sound of some songs, making it seem even more like a live show. It was also more like listening to album rock as there were a couple of tunes such as “Sleeping With The Television On” that don’t usually show up in a list of BJ hits (though I love that song and was thrilled that he played it).
The one major exception to the mellower mood was when BJ brought one of his roadies – Chainsaw – out to sing AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell”. It brought everyone to their feet and then brought the house down with his high energy rendition, with BJ backing him up on guitar.
Some of his patter was new, some re-hashed from the first show, but all in all a more at ease and seemingly content Billy Joel who was honest about his financial status. When apologizing to the people at the far end of the Garden for having to pay so much for such lousy seats, he said “Listen, I need the money. You should see my car insurance bills.”
