Mr. Heartbreak Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Okay, there's some pretty obscure people reviewed in this forum, so let's put a couple super heavyweights here (no pun intended). Please, if you hate both these guys, or know them mainly from cheesoid 80s hits, don't ruin this thread with rude comments.I have always been a big fan of Elton's classic period ('69-'76), and I like a fair amount of Billy's classic period as well, so I was excited to have the opportunity to see these two legends. I do know how they sound these days, so I was able to manage my expectations going in.For those who have never seen them tour together, here is a spoiler alert: they do not do the entire show together. They start out doing songs together with just the pianos, trading verses from each other's songs, and, on this tour at least, end the show the same way. In between, there's an entire Elton set with a band -- including legendary players Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson -- and an entire Billy set with his own band.The sound in the St. Pete Times Forum is not optimum AT ALL for music. It used to be called the Ice Palace, and was nicknamed the Echo Palace at that time. It's basically a friggin' hockey rink that seats about 20,000. But these guys had a sound engineer who did just about as well as the sound man for The Dead in 2003, and that's really saying something. It was great.There were plenty of major hits, but the biggest surprise for me was that Elton started his full band set with Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. My night was made. He also played Burn Down the Mission and Madman Across the Water, which are not exactly top ten hits, and those were great too. This was a rock show, though they eased into the rock part. Sure, they played a bunch of well-known ballads, but mixed them in with some serious rock. Of course, it's like seeing Muhammad Ali fight in the late '70s - these guys are both past their primes - but hell, it's Muhammad Ali!Billy's set was shorter than Elton's, but he also did more active stuff on stage. Yes, he played my least favorite song of his, We Didn't Start the Fire, but by then I needed a bathroom break, so I was happy about it. I would have loved New York State of Mind or Captain Jack instead, but what can you do?If you like these guys, and can pony up the dough, it's worth it ... even for nosebleed seats like the ones we had.Set List:John & Joel:Your Song (solo pianos)Honesty (solo pianos)Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with band)My Life (with band)John and his band:Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies BleedingSaturday Night's Alright For FightingBurn Down the MissionMadman Across the WaterTiny DancerGoodbye Yellow Brick RoadDanielRocket Man (great version with a long echo-drenched coda)LevonI'm Still StandingCrocodile RockJoel and his band:Angry Young ManMovin' OutAllentownZanzibarShe's Always a WomanScenes From an Italian Restaurant (a real highlight of Billy's set)River of DreamsWe Didn't Start the FireIt's Still Rock 'N Roll to MeOnly the Good Die YoungJohn & Joel:The Bitch Is BackYou May Be RightBennie and the JetsBirthday -> Back in the USSR (!)Candle in the Wind (solo pianos)Piano Man (solo pianos) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bourbonbreath Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Poor Elton... he has written some great numbers since '76s peak (especially from 92-present) but there is only one song in his set that written after '74. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 nothing from Sleeping with the past? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 That was the best thing about it: Elton's set was almost entirely classic 70s. I would have been even happier if he had picked another 70s hit instead of I'm Still Standing, but no complaints here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
caliber66 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Huh. If we had been able to score free/reduced tix from the convention center, we would have gone to this concert instead of Gameworks in Ybor. Looks like a pretty good time - definitely the right era of Elton John tunes... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 I have seen both Billy and Elton a handful of times. When they tour together it is tailored to the greatest hits. Both of them should start thowing the audience a few bones. Play some obscure cuts and less hits already! I want to hear more off Streetlife, Cold Spring, Piano Man etc... Elton is slightly better than Billy in terms of mixing up his setlist though he should rework his too! Still don't get me wrong both artist are legendary and beyond talented I am just hoping for something more spontaneous if I see them again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
borracho Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 i saw this tour 4-5 years ago and it still stands near the top of my list... what a great night of music... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Speed Racer Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Saw Billy Joel for one of his Q&A things at the University of Chicago in 2001. It was AWESOME. Say what you will about him, he can work a crowd. Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock' and most of Billy Joel's Greatest Hits 1/2 were my staple 'dance around my room and sing' songs when I was little. All of our car trips were these two guys and Paul Simon's Graceland. Glad you enjoyed the show! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dest Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 No way! Elton is an old guy. But anyways he is cool! Those two fellow can light up night! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Atticus Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 we saw their show last week. pretty much the exact same setlist. It was worth going. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 how much were the tickets? last time they came here, there were charging $300 for the good seats! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hollinger. Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I think I paid $150 or so for balcony seats when they were touring 5-6 years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
froggie Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 phew, i might just listen to their cds! i love Billy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Moss Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I saw Elton play at one of Neil Young's bridge school concerts. He just came out in his little tennis shorts and it was just him on piano and nobody else. Made me realize what an amazing talent he is. He did Philadelphia freedom and it was so funky and really good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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