Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Thank God for Escalating Car Insurance Rates

Well this is not exactly how Billy Joel broached the subject. He did tell us that instead of touring to promote a new album, his car insurance rates went through the roof, touring was his only option. He needs the cash. This is why I love this man, owning up to it and putting on one great show.

I have been to at least six of his shows over the years and this one was, by far, the best. Not because the effects or sound mixing was far superior than any other show. He had no reason to pander to the audience, he picked from his vast repertoire and entertained us for more than two and a half hours. I had never seen him perform Zanzibar live, if I had to pick one as a favorite that would be it. It was a little disheartening to see that the Carolina crowd did not know many of the nuances involved with his songs but HFS and I made up for the rest. How can you not sway as a group during Piano Man?? Half the crowd was on the right page.

My trip to Raleigh and back could not have been more perfect. Any time spent with HFS is always an adventure. So we were geographically challenged for about 20 minutes, whatever. During each plane ride, my seat mate kept quiet which is exactly what I wanted especially on the way down. On the way back up, I admit to nursing a slight hangover. A quiet seat mate was just what the doctor ordered.

If you are a fan and he comes to your town, I highly recommend the concert. Tell him Wicked sent you and don’t take any shit from anyone!

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11 comments:

The CEO said...

"I am the Entertainer...." and I told you that I put in the existential fix. I just wish I had been with you.

Robin said...

I saw him almost exactly 20 years ago. It was my first concert. No other concert has ever lived up to the expectations he gave me.

wallofdenial said...

Glad you actually remember the experience....Glad you had a good time!

Wicked H said...

CEO: I owe you big time, you don't realize how much the existential fix was needed. We will see a concert together some day, have faith!

Robin: He is fantastic, right? You should have been there, I did think of you on my way back to my hotel. I waived to you on Route 40.

Dave: My memory is fine. This was exactly what I needed. Thanks.

HotForSimon said...

Ahh...you forgot to mention his best line of the night!!

"Hello, for those of you who don't know who I am...I'm Billy Joel's father. Billy is in the back getting his makeup done and crap."

Hysterical!!!

I will admit, I didn't know a lot of the obscure songs he did, but I can certainly appreciate the sentiment of doing them for the die hard fans. Being a Bowie fan forEVER, I LOVE when he does the lesser known songs which are my favorites as opposed to the "hits". Half the crowd doesn't have a clue, but us die hard fans are screaming our heads off. I'm sure it was the same for the Billy Joel fans this time around.

Billy was in GREAT voice and getting to hear Innocent Man live was a treat in itself.

I highly recommend going to see Billy live if you ever get the chance. It's well worth the trip.

Wicked H said...

HFS forgot to mention that her right ear is still ringing from this hard core fan singing along to EVERY song. Whether they were written and sold BEFORE HFS was born or not.

Oh, and it's official that I am BAD because only the good die young!

(HFS:since it was your favorite line of the night, I left it for you to share - you're welcome)

Amy said...

I've been listening to Billy Joel nonstop for the past few days. I love him. I'm a little creeped out about how young his current wife is... but otherwise, I love him, he's amazing!

Margaret said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time! Favorite music is relaxing and uplifting at the same time.....except for the hangover thing....

HotForSimon said...

I don't think any of it was SOLD before I was born...I might have been in diapers, though.

((ducking flying objects))

Teresa Osborne said...

I am so glad to hear it is a good show...I have tickets to see him in Toronto on April 20th and I cannot wait.
I had tickets to see him and Elton John play together a few years ago, but it was the same time as SARS hit and the show was cancelled, so I hope this makes up for it!

Weary Hag said...

Thanks for the good advice!

So glad you had such a great time ... but then, you knew you would, right?