Word: ands
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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The five-night engagement in Worcester marked the beginning of Joel's Storm Front tour, and his band was tight, stomping their way through "Pressure" and "You May Be Right." Saxophonist Mark Revere added extra flourish to the show, and maniacal drummer Liberty DeVito is always entertaining to watch.
You don't go to a Billy Joel concert to see the band, though, and Joel remained the center of attention, racing through the audience on "Only The Good Die Young," cartwheeling off his Steinway on "Big Shot," and performing nearmagical tricks with the piano. Joel played behind his back...
Joel refused to sacrifice speed for substance, though, and every moment of madness was balanced by a slower, more poignant section. On "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)," Joel's driving guitar-based verses about the destruction of New York faded into a gentle piano conclusion. "Scenes...
My personal favorite was a hypnotic version of "Goodnight Saigon," Joel's ode to the Vietnam veteran, which began with the pounding sounds of helicopters and combined searchlights that swept the audience with Joel's solemn piano chords. Not a cheery moment, but a moving one.
Joel also demonstrated ample holiday spirit, inserting "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and a hillarious rap version of the poem "Twas The Night Before Christmas" into his line-up. The festive mood extended beyond the songs played; Joel went out of his way to show appreciation for the crowd...