Life gets in the way.  Thank goodness for DVRs!  The only part of the Sandy Relief Concert I caught last night was Billy Joel singing New York State of Mind (originally off his 1976 self-produced Turnstiles album).  I was impressed.  He sounds very much like he did back in 1977 when I saw him for the first time at the Atlanta Civic Center.  His album "The Stranger" (produced by Phil Ramone) had just been released.  But I knew him from a few earlier songs that I loved...like Captain Jack, and Ballad of Billy the Kid off of his 1973 Piano Man album (the title track was my least fave song)!  Loved the song The Entertainer and Angry Young Man off of Turnstiles.  I felt proud and privileged to be only a handful of people seeing him at the Civic Center in '77...there were about 2,000 people in the audience that night.  The next year he and Phil Ramone hit it out of the park with "52nd St."   And he sold out the Omni!

After that I fell out of love with him for some reason...did the same thing when Dan Fogelburg got big...and Steve Winwood.  Not sure if their music changed, my taste changed, or I just wanted them to be MINE so when they hit huge with the masses I had to go.  I DID see him twice in the dueling piano tours with Elton John in the early 90's.

Anyway, it was fun to reminisce with Mr. Joel last night...but sorry I missed Eric, Mick and Keith, Bruce, Jon, Eddie, Michael, Alicia, Chris, and the list goes on and on for the musical heros bringing people (and their checkbooks) together to help the victims of SuperStorm Sandy.  New York Times has a nice recap.

If you have time, take a listen to Mr. Joel here!  He is the master ivory tickler for sure!

May you make your own great music today!

Thanks for taking us to work with you.    Know You're Loved --Jordan