Ballad Of Billy The Kid

He may be twice the size he once was and may have lost his hair but Billy Joel can still put on a damn good show. I've just got back from the 'refurbished' Wembley Arena. I had a pretty lousy seat, stuck behind a girl who must have been all of 6'4". This meant I couldn't see the stage for most of the show without twisting my neck like Stretch Armstrong. Thankfully a giant screen relayed the performance overhead and the sound was very clear. I'm not sure I liked the computerised lighting though. It was spectacular but seemed a bit over the top - this was a Billy Joel Concert not Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.

Billy's voice was great, better than on the River Of Dreams and Storm Front tours. He actually went for, and hit, the high notes on Innocent Man (he used to have to leave them to his backing singers). It being a Greatest Hits tour there were few surprises. I could have done without hearing Uptown Girl and Just The Way You Are for the umpteenth time. However, it was nice to get Miami 2017, Everybody Loves You Now and Keeping The Faith. Highway To Hell (AC/DC) - sung by his roadie 'Chainsaw' was good too.

After finishing the encore with Piano Man Billy looked visibly moved by the audience's reaction (although it was hard to see past the bright lights as the Mothership was coming in to land). I predict that Wednesday's show will have a more interesting setlist. Good tickets still available.

12 Gardens Live is Billy's new 2CD release. It was recorded over his 12 night stand at Madison Square Garden, NYC.

What I've heard so far sounds pretty damn good. Be aware though that (annoyingly) 2 tracks are only available if you order via the Sony Music web site and a further 2 tracks are only on the Japanese version.

BillyJoel.com