Billy Joel | Daryl Corridor | Natasha Bedingfield
BST Hyde Park
seventh July 2023

BST Hyde Park showcased largely American headliners this 12 months, and this present that includes Piano Man Billy Joel enjoying for 65,000 followers on a scorchingly scorching day was all the time destined to be some of the legendary of the lot. 

Greatest recognized for pop songs within the Noughties like UK primary These Phrases, Bedingfield has relocated to the States lately and is making one thing of a comeback with newest album Roll With Me, launched in 2019. With bursts of spectacular vocals, her set appears to go down nicely with a crowd that’s largely lounging about within the sweltering warmth.

The taller, blonder half of Corridor & Oates, Daryl Corridor’s set is sort of completely Corridor & Oates hits, with the odd cowl thrown in – kicking off with Maneater, then Household Man, Wealthy Lady and You Make My Goals.  Resistant as I used to be to American pop within the ’80s I do have a gentle spot for I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do), excellently sampled by De La Soul in Say No Go. It’s one other set that retains the Billy Joel clients happy.

Watching Billy Joel, just a few factors spring to thoughts.  The primary is how his voice remains to be so good, possibly even higher. Additionally, how younger the gang is – in addition to the anticipated over 60s contingent there’s a wealth of 30-somethings who all know the phrases to each tune. After which there’s his self-deprecating sense of humour. At one level he glances up at himself on display and says “Oh Christ, it’s my previous man. Hi there Dad.”

Half apologising for his setlist – the unhealthy information is I’ve no new songs, the excellent news is I’ve no new songs – Joel then takes us on a journey by his stellar catalogue of songs, giving particulars of every album and 12 months and seeming shocked at each cheer (“You didn’t purchase that one did you?”).

The setlist holds no actual surprises – kicking off with My Life, Movin’ Out and The Entertainer, the viewers had been then given a selection and opted for Vienna over Simply The Means You Are. I’d been crossing fingers for She’s All the time A Lady which hasn’t all the time made it into current exhibits, the gang erupting with the “Oh, she takes care of herself”s.

Presumably it’s a bonus of performing each month at Madison Sq. Backyard that Joel is surrounded by considerably gifted band members, together with Mike Delguidice, who reels off a faultless Nessun Dorma, and Crystal Taliefero, who upstages her personal efficiency on saxophone, drums and guitar with a merely beautiful The River Of Goals.

The principle set builds to a gradual climax culminating in Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, adopted intently by Piano Man, the final refrain sung by 65,000 voices. A brief break and it’s the encore, with the important Uptown Lady, We Didn’t Begin The Fireplace, and ending proceedings with You Might Be Proper.

“Effectively, we’re all within the temper for a melody
And also you’ve obtained us feelin’ alright”

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