Great Performances: Piano

[Black Diamond Vol]

Billy Joel has had a long, spotty career, following up brilliant albums with clunkers.  But through it all, he has absolutely shredded some keyboards.  "Root Beer Rag" was a bright spot on the otherwise forgettable "Streetlife Serenade" album.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/8ZDiTr1-RfY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/8ZDiTr1-RfY</a>

Tom Waits: music's king of the weird, and a brilliant songwriter.  It takes a bold man to take the stage with a porn mag sticking out of his jacket pocket.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bpkfcklv8Ag" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/Bpkfcklv8Ag</a>

Over the years, several members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band have achieved celebrity in their own right.  Roy Bittan isn't one of them, and that's a shame.  IMO, his piano is what drives the band's signature sound.  Check out the gorgeous slow-build of this solo beginning around 5:20.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/vtQqQxD021Y" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/vtQqQxD021Y</a>

[VinnieVOL]

The guy at Park Grill in Gatlinburg is good.  (right, Creek?)

[Creek Walker]

The guy at Park Grill in Gatlinburg is good.  (right, Creek?)

Yeah, he's pretty good.

[Creek Walker]

Billy Joel is one of my favorite artists ever, and probably the best pianist I've ever seen perform.

One of the absolute best piano players I've ever seen or heard, maybe even as high as second behind Billy Joel, was Anthony Burger...even though he was at the opposite end of the music spectrum. When he decided to turn loose, I doubt there have been many people who have ever played who could set the keys on fire the way he could. I had an opportunity to meet him shortly before his death (he died of a heart attack at the age of 44 while performing on a cruise ship) and he was quite an inspirational guy as well as a huge talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8uqfkpEfdc

[GreggO]

Gotta throw Chuck Leavell.

G