By GORDON GUILD
Saturday night at the Sprint Center, Elton John and Billy Joel performed their rescheduled "Face 2 Face" show; but, it could have been dubbed "Face Off" between these two veteran piano men. There were vast differences in John's and Joel's performances: From a frontman's perspective, Sir Elton had a more theatrical stage presence, while B.J. was a true showman by way of his sincere interaction with the crowd.
To open, two pianos rose from below the stage. The nearly sold-out crowd (median age: mid-forties) stood, applauding and screaming. Joel strolled out to the "Yankee Doodle Dandy," waving to the crowd. Sir Elton marched out to "Rule Britannia," baowing continuously to the audience. After hugging each other at center stage, John and Joel retreated behind their respective pianos.
Let the games begin.
The first four songs were an even exchange of John's "Your Song," then Joel's "Just the Way You Are," then back to EJ with "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," and finally to BJ's "My Life." Above the stage a screen showed a live shot of the two men face to face. Elton looked dolled up (wig and make-up to the hilt), while Joel looked real and impassioned. During the forty-five minute opening, both performers exchanged out on each other's lyrics.
After the prelude, Sir Elton took the stage alone with his
band. His opening was melodramatic, with a long, drawn-out classical piano
introduction to his first song, "Funeral for a Friend." John sang 11 of his classic hits for the enthused
audience. At times, it was difficult to watch the aged Elton struggling vocally
with notes and tinkling way too long on the keyboards. "Levon" was the roughest song. With loud electronic keyboards
(not played by John) and over production, this timeless song lost its greatest
asset: its simplicity and directness. This was also the case for his more
meaningful songs "Tiny Dancer" and "Yellow
Brick Road"; both seemed flat and lacked
depth. John seemed to perform at times with disinterest, like he was simply going through
the motions. But he did come through for the crowd on "Rocket
Man" and "Crocodile Rock." Fans sang aloud, while swaying arms and dancing in the aisles. John hardly reacted to the crowd. His only signs of interaction were little grins
and quirky looks. He exited the stage waving and bowing.
| Scott Spychalski |
When Joel entered the stage with his band, the energy in the entire arena changed. His introduction to "Angry Young Man" was quick, and he then ripped straight into "Movin' Out." Joel was more direct about his songs, with little or no theatrics
and no overproduction. He jokingly
introduced himself as "Billy Joel's dad. Billy is younger, thinner, and a full
head of hair," Joel explained. Joel's piano revolved in circles to face the crowd from various
angles. (He commented that the viewers behind him were "getting a lot of
head.") Joel rolled through his
crowd pleasers like "Allentown," "She's
Always a Woman," and "Still Rock
and Roll to Me." During his set, Joel
showcased his very talented band and even introduced them by name and hometown. His horn players, guitarist, and bass
player were often front and center stage during Joel's songs, launching individual solos. Joel ended his
solo portion with "Only the Good Die Young," and the crowd was still on its feet dancing from the floor seats to
the nosebleeds.
| Scott Spychalski |
After Joel performed his 11 songs, the two superstars joined
forces again with their two bands. Again, they exchanged each others' songs and
lyrics. At one point, Joel was on top of his piano, spinning around as if break
dancing, while Elton's flashiest move was lifting one leg on his lower monitor and
leaping backward, then (of course) flipping his coattails before sitting. During
Elton's "Bennie and the Jets," Joel held
out the prolonged "sssss's" for John during the chorus, showing more enthusiasm for John's song than John himself. The two finished with
Elton's "Candle in the Wind" and
Joel's "Piano Man." Despite a lack of energy in his own tunes, John sang some
of the verses for "Piano Man," and did an excellent job.
| Scott Spychalski |
While time has taken its toll on both piano men, the act was fun as a whole; if
not just to relive those moments from the past. It was great to get together
with Sir Elton and Billy to sing the old ones once again.
| Scott Spychalski |
Set List:
Elton John and Billy Joel, First Set:
Your Song (Elton John)
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (EJ)
My Life (BJ)
Elton John's Set:
Funeral for a Friend
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
Levon
Madman Across the Water
Tiny Dancer
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Daniel
Rocket Man
Philadelphia Freedom
I'm Still Standing
Crocodile Rock
Billy Joel's Set:
Angry Young Man
Movin' Out
Allentown
Zanzibar
Don't Ask Me Why
She's Always a Woman
Scenes from an Old Italian Restaurant
River of Dreams
We Didn't Start the Fire
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
Only the Good Die Young
Elton John and Billy Joel, Final Set:
I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues (EJ)
Uptown Girl (BJ)
The Bitch is Back (EJ)
You May Be Right (BJ)
Bennie and the Jets (EJ)
Candle in the Wind (EJ)
Piano Man (BJ)
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