By Joanie Cox-Henry
Photo By Larry Marano
Billy Joel is a national treasure, and I have long believed that his lyrics contain the answers to life's most puzzling questions. When I landed a seat at his Nov. 23 show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. I immediately found myself floating along the "River of Dreams." I have seen Billy Joel perform live multiple times, including a fourth-row seat once at his show with Elton John in 2003. Like that bottle of red and bottle of white he sings of in "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant," Joel just gets better with time.
"The Entertainer" opened "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)" and proceeded to take the eager audience on a dynamic journey through time and space with his expansive catalog as a super soundtrack that balanced nostalgia with musical precision and sincere storytelling.
"You guys gambling tonight?" Joel quipped from his grand piano in the center of the stage. "I have never had any luck gambling. Someone told me to put $150 on a horse once when I was 16. The horse never came in. It was my entire life savings at the time so I never gambled again."
It was a relatable moment; perhaps that's Joel's strongest superpower! He keeps it real and in an era where authenticity is disappearing faster than tickets to a Taylor Swift concert, it's refreshing and essential. Joel's fans are also generally cool people also and this audience was dialed in, singing along with every note.
His band was equally electric, particularly during deep cuts like "Zanzibar" and "The Entertainer," which revealed the intricate jazz and rock influences that have always set Joel apart from his peers. The unexpected classical moment with Mike DelGuidice's stunning rendition of the aria "Nessun Dorma" was a bold, sort of unexpected artistic choice, highlighting Joel's musical adventurousness.
Occasionally, Joel would treat us to a spontaneous piano noodling session. "I don't know why I just did that," he admitted. Every time he did it, it was frankly a treat.
Classics like "New York State of Mind" and "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" were delivered with confidence, and each note was distilled from the source that brought us these iconic singalongs that have become the soundtracks of our own lives.
The evening's most explosive moments came during his high-energy numbers. "Movin' Out," "Only the Good Die Young," "We Didn't Start The Fire," and "Uptown Girl," transformed the venue into a jubilant celebration, with Joel attacking the piano with the passion and flair he is known for. There were also some surprises in this show. I swear I had a religious experience during "River of Dreams" when Crystal Taliefero broke into Tina Turner's banger "River Deep Mountain High." That woman can sing, and wow, when paired with Billy Joel, it was a soul-satisfying melodic moment to hang onto for life.
Joel doesn't simply play music; he creates entire universes within each composition.
As the night culminated with "Big Shot," it was crystal clear. Billy Joel isn't just performing his history — he's still actively telling our own stories, one powerful note at a time.
I was literally at zero gravity when this concert ended. As I made my way through the casino, passed Geddy Lee's bass and Nancy's Wilson's red heart-shaped guitar, and opened the door to my car, I was still trying to wrap my head around what I had just experienced. It was truly a magical night of brilliant music. And as Billy Joel so eloquently sang at this show, "Sometimes a fantasy (oh, oh, oh, oh) Is all you need!"
All images by Larry Marano:
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