Billy Joel - Root Beer Rag (Live at Jazz Fest 2013)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- "Root Beer Rag (Live at Jazz Fest 2013)" by Billy Joel
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#BillyJoel #RootBeerRag #Live #JazzFest2013
Sometimes I get so hung up on Elton and Liberace that I forget how amazing Billy Joel is.
Best thing about being in his position is any slip ups he can always fall back on "I wrote the damn thing"
True lol
That's how I feel when folks line up to hate on Lars Ulrich.
it's all improve he would never fuk up
Oh, but it’s like even the slip ups which you can hear I mean, if you know the music right but like he manages to make it sound more like he is just riffing or improvising. I can debate his live vocals but tbere is no question he is a top-tier pianist!!
@@dddlll2471cope
Great musicians can screw up too
I love Billy Joel but it's obvious he made some mistakes here
He played into it really well and that's the impressive part
That tempo is relentless. This is what being an artist is about; challenging yourself rather than phoning it in. Beautiful.
Nice said.
Once, I saw Cameron Carpenter saying the same thing, as I say always, "practicing an art with passion is a competition, a competition with oneself".
I love Billy Joel's art, he's the One !
Theres a video floating around where they played this piece in double time. That was ruthless
😊
Yes!! But it loses everything being played so fast!! It’s not a terribly difficult piece (you just need that “basic” wrist and forearm strength that comes with being a pianist even at the level of this piece!), but playing it faster than it is played here destroys the “Ragtime” feel altogether.
Poor Bill, that track is brutal on his fingers these days but he still takes the chance to play it for the fans! what a guy!
And what he has of poor?
@@PicadorCriminal
He has osteoarthritis in his fingers, which make it rather sore to play songs like this one.
@@ericsampson372 no kidding?
@@PicadorCriminal
Yep. He still plays beautifully, in spite of this. It sometimes forces him to play certain songs at a slower pace.
I have had RA in my fingers since I was ~7 (I sightread through a piano level one book and one of the only great things my parents ever did for me is to get me into lessons ASAP - by the end of 4th grade I had outplayed three piano teachers!) but way back before the Internet was so omnipresent, I had a concert level adjudication and was ranked #1 in all levels in the area … including NYC (we are a suburb!). Why am I ranting on? Bc what was RA had become OA in many of my fingers as well and playing actually does my arthritisy hands a world of good!!!
It's times at 2:33 that still makes my realize why I love this dudes piano playing so much. Now yes, as you might of seen from all the comments, he's not in his prime anymore, and his fingers aren't as fast or flexible as they used to be, and it was incredibly brave of him to play this piece live in-front of thousands of people, from a LONG time without doin the root beer rag. And his genius brain thought, "Since I'm messin' up a-lot, at sliding down the scales (2:26) I could just play them In chords". And while, yes, that was the "easy" way out, he really had no other choice, but by God he can still do it, it might have just been a little "oh I'm old moment now" part, but It's actually such a genius way to think about it like that, he wrote the song, he can play it as he wants, so he make it incredibly catching and lovable, and a cool new twist on the song we haven't heard from in such a long time. I feel like simple things like this he's capable of doing, gets unnoticed a-lot, and he deserves to be reminded he's still a great pianist. Even though he may not be in his prime anymore. You're incredibly talented Bill, and you've earned even more of my respect!
genius indeed
Yep guy is incredible
I’m not reading that.
@@zacharymordente tldr; he’s a really good pianist
@@cjadventures8840 I know he is
A whirlwind performance. He barely breaks a sweat. The PIANO MAN's still got it.
Check out the part around 1.40 - he DOES break a sweat and misses almost every second note!
@@gutgolf74still sounds pretty damn good
I love the improvs! The band can stay with it bc they are all on the same chord progressions, but that improvisation is mind blowing to a classically trained pianist like me!!
as a guitar player - Billy is my piano hero. he plays with the same passion as Jimmy Page or Eddie Van Halen. just goes for it and gives it everything he has! love him to death
Love that he says to the crowd “I might mess up a couple times I haven’t done this in a while” That means this song truly is the death of some people to learn if the man who wrote it can’t play it perfectly every time hahaha DAMN BILLY
❤You make my day!
I'm always amazed by the talent Billy pulls for his band. That drummer is on another planet.
0:20 song starts
0:43 Mark Rivera - sorry guys, this phone call can't wait (what a Sticky Situation)
1:47 Andy Cichon - I'm going to support your effort with this supportive, ah, face
3:11 Mark Rivera standing in the background - you guys still playing that? This sure used to be shorter!
For an old bloke with stiff fingers (stiffer than when he wrote it at least) this is a wonderful attempt at a very hard to play piece. I've been a fan of Billy Joel since I bought "The Stranger" all those years ago, and then went on to buy pretty much all his albums, but I've always resisted the urge to watch a live rendition of this song as I didn't think it would be anything like the studio performance. Until now that is.
And I'm right. It's not in the same league as the studio track, but the honesty of this version makes it a pleasure to listen too.
Thanks for uploading it, and thanks Billy, for playing it. Took a chance, and it paid off for me.
You have had good taste ever since day one. I congratulate you.
Why, thank you!
I noticed the (many) mistakes, too... He wrote the song, though, and can do whatever he wants, LOL. Still a great song, but woah - I lost count of the flubs pretty quick :O
Still better than any cover on youtube. they are full of mistakes
Vikingraider10. However the studio recording is awful in the sense that in Mr Joel's own words it sounds like the Moog Synthesiser is pissing all over it going wah wah wah all over it. It was something he wanted to experiment with and I don't think he went near the Synthesiser again as a result ha ha ! Root Beer Rag is therefore much better live!
There is something very distinct about his piano sound...
...so "Billy Joel"
I'm tellin' ya, that man's still got it. He'll have it until the day he dies! Keep it up Billy!
even the CAMERAMAN is grinning from ear to ear, you billy joel are THE ENTERTAINER, you have magical gifts that bring us all joy
It's not real unless you miss a note or two! The grace of recovery is what counts. He does that well.
The "mistake" is deliberate. The grace is in your apology. See the music.
rationalguy what planet comes this guy from?
rationalguy absolutely !
@@johnbishop5316 No he did mess up a few times.
@@kavigasper8759 Please feel free to post your own version of Root Beer so we can assess your qualities as a critic.
The best piano Man of the world... Happy birthday Billy!
Billy is such a wonderful player I hate it when he down plays himself! By far my favorite piano work that he's done. Inspiring.
Will McDougal , I agree. He always compliments other pianists and puts himself down as a pianist.
A sign of the times-BJ wringing out his painful hands after Root Beer Rag... After all his accidents it's a miracle he can play it at all...!
The fact that he's been around since late 60s, drive some fast riff over his songs, and still playing this rag when he was 64 is amazing.
Remember Billy Joel’s performance at the JazzFest during a torrential thunderstorm?
I was there too! Fantastic!
😂yes, I remember this day! Worth every sopping minute of it. I was there also. We could have been standing in the same puddle!😂 Good thing I was wearing my waterproof motorcycle boots that day!😂
So happy to realize, Billy is human being having some issues playing this stuff. Besides that comment, Billy Joel is my hero as myself playing the piano as well.
I remember this was the opening music for a UK radio comedy show called "Hold Your Plumbs", hosted by Billy Butler & Wally Scott on BBC Radio Merseyside. As soon as we heard this on a Sunday morning two hours of laughter ensued.😂😂🤣🤣
Smokin' Billy! The man for all seasons
PRO, PERIOD.
With another period after 😂
Seriously guys, you never expected Billy to nail this? Seriously?? He's a piano vitruoso wirh forty odd years of experience; I know it's difficult, but he could do it in his sleep.
He didn't nail it, he struggled mightily as you can see in his face. I still love him, very human performance!
Your joints are stiffer when you get older. It's amazing how well he did this though!
Nothing "amazing" about it, he used to be an extremely accomplished piano player, after all! I was surprised he messed it up that bad but found it very sympathetic how he handled it - very likable!
@@gutgolf74 Sorry guys, I didn't think you would expect a note for note recorded version. Yes I'm sure all of you "expert"piano players could pick holes in it, but I thought he nailed it, bum notes and all. Because I never heard them.
@@filsgreen So YOU are such an "expert" that you didn't hear (or see) the bum notes?? Well, HE certainly did, that's why he looked that way... But, in contrast to Keith Emerson, who tragically couldn't stand the fear of losing his abilities and disappointing the fans, Billy just smiles and jokes about it. He's old and not as fast as he used to be, and he knows it.
Cool guy and all his music stuff is mega good...Rock on Billy! :)
The best rock pianist and never will pass this way again. Rock on Billy!!!!!!!!!!
brent mydland was the best pianist
What about Keith Emerson? They are worlds apart from each other.
+Boxing Fan No...Billy Joel is simply the best. Phenomenal and gracious musician and guy!
Elton John exists and is just better than Billy Joel all around
Elton has a lazy left hand
Still sounds as awesome as ever Mr Joel Sir! Absolutely love your Root Beer Rag!
Awesome Material!!!!!!!
SO GLAD I HAVE PLAYED (PIANO)!!!! NOT THIS FAST BUT IF I PRACTICE AGAIN I BET I COULD GET AS GOOD AS THIS GUY!!!!
Go check out how fast he does it as a young man . Phenominal.
Neil Ballantyne in 78 his hands are so fast they are a blur.
Totally agree, the live version on the old grey whistle test is spot on, no mistakes and really fast
That 's good piano playing! Good band too.
Man, he's great. A man from a time in popular music where its performers didn't slouch! they knew their shit!!!
My favorite piano player and singer
What a talented musician he is. Must have been nerve-wracking playing that live in front of so many people!
Our band teacher had us do this song in high school. When this popped up in my feed I was excited to hear it. We killed it, minus the awesomeness of Billy’s talent. Good times.
Dude is a genius 🤩🥳
Badass PRO, PERIOD.
I watched this man play jazzy melodies on the piano with his butt cheeks nigh 20 years ago, he is forever the PIANO MAN
He's amazing! 😍
Rock on Billy!! Sensational!!
Please excuse my language, but holy crap! That thing is very difficult. Extremely extremely difficult. My respect for Billy Joel has skyrocketed
Crap isn't a curse word, sir
I love the composition as well as the whole album it is from. I played the arrangement on piano and it is a terrible arrangement whoever transcribed it, but Joel had a strike of genius with this song as well as most of his others
Tyler Jones Yes, it is.
Not difficult at all. It's in C Major. All white notes.
+Bryan Herber not all of it is white notes but most of it is, and the hard part is speeding it up and jumping around
My buddy’s 12 year old son played this at his piano recital the other day. Kid played Carnegie hall at 6.
Excellent job Billy! I've always enjoyed your music! My brother introduced me to you back in the early 80's. I remember driving all the way from Boise, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah for your River of Dreams concert! What an amazing show! Keep up the great work and keep those fingers going. Horowitz made it to his 80's playing Chopin, Liszt, and Scarlatti. Music like this will keep those fingers worked out so you too can play this tune for us in your 80's as well. :) Take care, Sam.
Son of a b, this is amazing I love Billy Joel and this amazing song.
Always loved this and he can still play it to perfection. Serious respect Billy Joel!!!
I’m sure he misses a few notes here and there, but that’s a given!
He played this at MSG a couple of years ago! Probably about 5 years after this particular performance. And he still crushed it. Love Billy.
The thing about music is it is fluid - it can be embellished, altered, augmented and changed but still carry the same essential message. You can listen to the original studio recording that Billy laid down or you can listen to this 'live' version and still be impressed!
PLEASE, play this next month in Tampa!!!!!
Its taken almost 20 years, but I can finally listen to this song again. My old man played it again and again and again until we could have killed him.
What a fun piece. I have to learn that one.
man has magical fingers........unbelievable !
Absolutely one of my favorites and compared to when he was young and in a hurry to play, I like it much better now.
Nice! Without a Net! Groovy Gumbo indeed. 💪❤️💪
Wore this track out on the album when I first found in in the 70's! Infectious as hell.
GOAT
The master at work.
The band are so genuinely happy during this number. Maybe it's because Billy is doing all the hard work. 😁
Nah, their smiling because Billy is messing up big time. Not that I could do better... I would've shit myself three times in front of all these people before I could even play middle C.
They're smiling because this is happy music that puts everyone in a good mood!
Billy Joel! Einfach genial, wie schon in früheren Jahren!
As a musician I know how hard this is to play - I never tire to listen to the original, it's a masterpiece. I always come back to it, practicing the little bits, but it's really hard. Sorry to say, but Billy really showed how this was too hard for him to play at this stage. He managed to overplay the weak parts, but there were lots of missed notes. Also this is clearly not his regular band, he tried to give the drummer a signal at the "bam" in the 4th "verse", but he still failed to do it, just the second time. So all in all a very "human" performance by a great, great musician, singer and composer - which can make us all feel better and appreciate his skills at his height.
The tambourine player is always so happy
i was there!
greatest day of my life thus far.
What a terrific rendition of this well-written piece. He did great. I have trouble playing this piece. Not him.
A previous poster had asked about what surgeries Billy has had, and I don't think it's been answered yet...he's had a few. 😉 Here goes...his right wrist and left thumb both required major surgery after his motorcycle accident in 1982; his thumb was crushed and he actually has little to no bone in it at all, and his wrist was badly broken and dislocated, and he finished his album The Nylon Curtain while he was recovering (he played piano with his right arm in a HUGE cast on the track "Where's The Orchestra?"). He broke the same wrist at home about 12 years ago, and had to have surgery to have pins inserted while it healed. He also had a double hip replacement in 2010. I think that's everything. 😉
On the Live From Long Island VHS (I think that's the one) Billy can be seen repeatedly shaking his hand like he is in pain.
simply terrific billy joel to live !!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding, never sounded better.
Great Billy!
Fantastic performance! You're great, Billy! RCC
I love the effortlessness of his piano skills
Turned this up to 11...
Peter Darbyshire
FML mine only goes to 11...
Killer!
the genius at work and the crowd having a blast. S U P E R B .
billy joel, the piano rockstar!!!!
Ahhhhhmazing.... you put your spin on everything xoxo
WOW WOW .....this is AWSOME .... real music
That dissonances, holy crap!!!! Amazing
I love root beer and rag time so I love this rag ,great one!
Awesome. The memories.
This was a great day, and this particular performance was my favorite, because this song has always been a favorite and I didn't expect it at all. Also, it's cool that I can see the sign I was holding up at the beginning & end of the videos on here from that day. :3
He's still got it!
UnBillyJoeleble!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your music, BJ :D
I love ragtime piano... it seems like so much fun
Amazing, this guy is great!
bro! you got the fastest fingers ever! this is a new fave! :)
Love him
amazing that he's still got it :D he always impresses me with his music :)
Oh my goodness!
A friend of mine in high school was able to play this on piano. I can't read music but just looking at the notes on the music sheets I couldn't believe anyone could do it.
Que gran musico tiene muchísimo talento! La forma de sentir la musica!
Piano Man ha tutti i talenti che esistono nel campo musicale 👏🎹👏🎹👏
A great example of a great composer who should be humble enough to let more skilled pianists play his piece.
Yeah, maybe he should have the drummer or one of the roadies play it. 🙄
It's his concert dumba**. Of course he's going to play all the piano parts.
I love this song
“Opening Soon at a Theatre Near You” Starring Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert
Rest in Harmony and Peace.
My hats off to the drummer. Do you know hard this is to play?
Judge urself not others BJ=THE BEST
I love how he nods to the fact that this piece is pretty hard to play! Even though he wrote it 😉
2:26 you still got it
He's still got it... the difference between amateurs and professionals is how quickly and easily they cover up their mistakes... a couple of clinkers pfft, so what... it's Still FUN.
he is so brrriiiiilllliiiaaant!
for all the fans of this fantastic rag, it is advisable to see "Michael Grundlach" playing this song, it is soo funny and perfect - I saw ist here and I like it