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Piano Men Joel, John Give Fans What They Want

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By CURTIS ROSS

cross@tampatrib.com

Published: March 5, 2009

TAMPA - Two pianos and a mountain of hits drew a sell-out crowd of 20,898 to the St. Pete Times Forum Thursday night for Billy Joel and Elton John, co-headliners on the "Face 2 Face" tour.

The two took the stage together, Joel looking professorial in his conservative, gray suit, John looking as if he'd raided Sgt Pepper's closet for his black-with-red-piping knee-length jacket and trousers.

They shared duets on John's "Your Song" and Joel's "Honesty," before members of both men's bands joined them for "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" and "My Life." Both versions were excellent, with the full-band arrangement revealing the rock 'n' roll heart beating beneath the surface of Joel's "My Life."

John's set was first, and it was a treat for fans of his '70s heyday, almost every song from the period 1971-73.

"Burn Down the Mission," was driven by longtime Elton John John drummer Nigel Olsson's dramatic playing. Following it with the title track from 1971's "Madman Across the Water" was manna from heaven for fans who remember John from his days as an FM radio mainstay.

Guitarist Davey Johnstone, another Elton John Band veteran, cleverly mimicked a pedal steel guitar with a volume pedal and slide on "Tiny Dancer." An extended "Rocket Man" gave the band an opportunity to stretch out, with John leading a bluesy coda with some sharp, swinging runs.

Joel wisely began his set with the heavy artillery, pounding out the lightning-fast opening of "Angry Young Man," barely slowing down for "Moving Out (Anthony's Song)"

"Zanzibar" was a knockout, letting Joel work out his jazz chops and featuring some fine horn work from Kyle Fisher. "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" was the show-stopper it was meant to be.

The show ended with the two sharing the stage again, charging through some Beatles numbers – "Birthday" and "Back in the U.S.S.R." – as well as "The Bitch Is Back" and "You May Be Right."

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