Billy Joel - New York State Of Mind (Old Grey Whistle Test) | REACTION 

This is what happens when gifted musicians and real songwriters are allowed to be themselves in the music industry.

You can really see the ray charles influence here! Billy Joel is my favorite live performer ever! Thanks so much for the reaction.

He told a lovely story about writing this when he was on the "Actors' Studio" once. Said that the lyrics and music came to him while he was on his way back home, but to a new house that he hadn't seen before and that his wife had been in charge of moving everything into while he was traveling. Thing is, Joel doesn't have perfect pitch, so he couldn't write it down on paper and had to just keep singing it to himself until he got home. He ended up getting to the house and then running right past his wife when she asked him what he thought of it like, "It's fine, WHERE'S THE PIANO?!" 🤣

He has no bad songs. In fact, he only has great songs!

Billy Joel's father was a classical pianist. About the time his father left the family and returned to Europe, Joel started classical piano lessons. He trained for years, but preferred Rock & Roll and blues, especially Ray Charles (the echoes of which you can hear in Joel's performance of this song). Joel eventually wrote a song as a gift to his idol Ray Charles: "Baby Grand". Not only did Ray Charles perform the song, but recorded it with Joel as a duet (well worth doing a reaction to). Billy Joel's daughter Alexa was given the middle name 'Ray', in honor of Ray Charles and his impact on Joel and his music. Ray Charles presided over the introduction of Billy Joel into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Billy Joel is the quintessential Piano Man.

Billy Joel "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Goodnight Saigon" 🔥🔥

One-handed piano playing that sounds like two? Impressive. 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' has always been a favorite.

Billy Joel "SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT" 🙌

This is my favorite Billy Joel song. I'm from N.E. New Jersey and this song hits home. I know all the places he's singing about. The Hudson River Valley is gorgeous ( it extends from N.Y.C. up the coast of North Jersey and all of N.Y. State) ( we fought and defeated the British who came up the Hudson River from both sides of the cliffs that overlook the river) whether you go by bus or car or on the Circle Line ( a boat ride up and down the Hudson) the trip is beautiful. There is so much history that I'm reminded of too when I hear this song.. Billy Joel's piano playing is exceptional in this extended recording and the Sax player is a beast. Billy was channeling his inner Ray Charles in this song. If you didn't catch it the first time, listen to it again and you will hear it. The shades are a giveaway, but there are parts when he sounds very much like Ray.I I enjoy your reactions. I like seeing the joy you experience listening to older music.

Piano Man Allentown Uptown Girl Still Rock & Roll To Me We Didn't Start the Fire Zanzibar Only the Good Die Young You May Be Right (I May Be Crazy) She's Always a Woman to Me Movin' Out Just the Way You Are .....that should get you started.....

Billy and his band are so in tune. Nearly every song has a story. He is the complete musician nd nobody will surpass him. God bless Billy❤❤❤❤❤❤

The concert for 911, the audience was full of emergency workers straight from the pit. It was heartbreaking and beautiful. The album version is also gorgeous

Although this is his original song, you know he's "doing" Ray Charles here - the glasses, the voice, the style.... brilliant on its own, but quite a tribute.

Ooohhhh now you’re finally at my all time favorite song.

One of my absolute favorites.

He's magical!! You definitely need to react to GOODNIGHT SIAGNON! It's about Vietnam War and he always has veterans on stage singing the chorus. ❤

He is so great live! A true entertainer! I saw him twice and wish it had been more. ❤

First, I just discovered your station this week and I really love your vids. Your passion for the music, your extremely appealing personality and upbeat attitude, your willingness to be eclectic and your openness to be emotional when the music takes you there. The first vids I watched were your Carpenters reactions and those are fantastic. Now, I’ve watched your Billy Joel collection and love seeing someone newly excited about Billy. I grew up on Long Island listening to his albums - I graduated high school in 1980 and his albums meant a great deal to me, and still do. His gift for storytelling, his genius piano skills, that powerful voice that communicates masculinity and tenderness at the same time, his sense of humor and down to earth personality are all reasons he has such a passionate, loyal fan base. The albums conjur up such specific memories. In my teens, my mom and I loved Turnstiles and The Stranger together, in the last few years of high school, friends and I were crazy for 52nd Street and Glass Houses, freshman year of college I got into Streetlife Serenade and often blasted it from my dorm room ("Los Angelenos, all come from somewhere!"), sophomore year I was wild for Songs In The Attic, and by junior year my closest buddies and I played The Nylon Curtain over and over, then after college, in my 20s, An Innocent Man, Storm Front, The Bridge and then The River of Dreams came out when I was 30. I never really thought about it this way, but Billy Joel’s studio albums literally walked me through puberty, high school, college and my early years living in Manhattan. I know I'm late to the party here, but since you’re asking about Turnstiles (which is my favorite Billy Joel album), I’d recommend the following four (if you’re only gonna do one, I’d strongly vote for “I’ve Loved These Days" - obviously you've done "New York State of Mind", and gotta say - "Miami 2017" is true epic drama from the deeply creative heart, mind and soul of Mr. Joel. Summer, Highland Falls Prelude/Angry Young Man I've Loved These Days (I recommend the live version from Songs In The Attic) Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway) Here are my suggestions from the other studio albums. It wasn’t easy choosing just one cut from each (I cheated with Piano Man - but here ya go, in no particular order: Only The Good Die Young (The Stranger) Captain Jack (Piano Man) (sneaking in a second one here: Travelin’ Prayer, and check out Dolly Parton’s cover of this song, not kidding!) Laura (The Nylon Curtain) All For Leyna (Glass Houses) Big Shot (52nd Street) The Downeaster 'Alexa' (Storm Front) An Innocent Man (An Innocent Man) Two Thousand Years (River of Dreams) A Matter of Trust (The Bridge) The Great Suburban Showdown (Streetlife Serenade) Everybody Loves You Now (Cold Spring Harbor) KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! I think I shall now make myself a giant Billy Joel playlist.

When I was in college down in Florida most of the student on my floor were from Boston, Jersey or Miami and I would walk down the hallway after showering always singing this song and it would drive them nuts. Great times! Thx Billy!!

This is a fantastic example of his vocals! I was always so impressed how many different voices and emotions he could come up with singing his songs. His musical compositions are almost surreal at times

Billy Virtuoso Joel.

When he first made it big, I saw him in concert in Cincinnati. Sat in the fifth row. Still not over it. He is a genius.

Ever so often I like to listen to some Jazz. This was a good jazzy song. Love the Sax. solo man...

That's Richie Cannata on sax - one of the best. Love this Billy Joel video. My fave.

Such a great song and a brilliant live performance! Love Billy Joel. Thanks for reacting to this one. ☮️❤️😎

By far my fav from him

One of Billy’s best covered by some of the biggest artists in the world including Barbara Streisand, Sinatra, and Tony Bennett!Listening to this version of this famous tune I just think of how much he wanted to sound like Ray Charles especially for this performance!

I had forgotten what chops Billy Joel had on the piano. The tenor sax dude too was brilliant and clearly knows his jazz. This shows Joel is the embodiment of COOL. On a related note, Oleta Adams has a cover of this tune. It is wonderful and soulful. She even did it with the Phil Collins' Big Band at a Finland jazz festival in 1998! Who knew?

You need to check out his duet with Ray Charles; Baby Grand. Gives you chills just like this song.❤

My family and I had the great pleasure of seeing Billy live 30 years ago in Birmingham UK and I can state that he was absolutely fantastic. Richie Cannata on sax Liberty DeVito on drums Doug Stegmeyer on bass.

I hadn't heard this live version before. Between the sax fills and his KILLER solos (the final one was insane)... and Billy tickling the ivories in a way only HE can do it...... just great! This was outstanding! Great reaction!! Loved it!!!

Brilliant

Turnstiles is a great album. Angry Young Man is IMHO the best track on the album. Say Goodbye to Hollywood, Miam 2017, I've loved these Days and Summer Highland Falls are all great tracks.

It says much about Billy Joel’s talents when you recognize this song has become a standard which many crooners and jazz singers have on their repertoire.

You definitely have to react to Joel's The Ballad Of Billy The Kid. Absolutely amazing!!!!

I’ve seen Billy Joel three times (back in the day!), he’s one of the greatest! He also sang this for the televised 9-11 tribute.

Goat!!

He's not called the 'Piano Man' for nothing.

Super sensational.

I saw a very young, Billy Joel ,play in 1972 at the 14th Street Academy of Music, as the opening act for J Geils Band and Captain Beef heart. It was before he recorded "Piano Man" and was unknown outside of the New York/ Long Island area. He was obviously feeling frustrated and a little bitter, playing a medley of different piano players, like Elton John, Leon Russell , Ray Charles etc. Very Mocking and Sarcastic and Excellent! It probably didn't help that they had spelled his Name Wrong on the Marquis ," Billy Joe" like some kind of Hillbilly!

Check out Rufus Wainwright's performance of this song for Joel at his tribute concert at the Kennedy Center Honors. He did such an amazing job. He also finished off of course with the previous performers joining him in the grand finale for "Piano Man". Earlier, Garth Brooks sang "Allentown", Don Henley crooned to "She's Got A Way" and lead singer Brendon Urie from Panic At The Disco had a fun time with "Big Shot". Joel was in the audience of course loving it all. All is here on RU-vid.

Like most of Billys songs this one is an omage to an artist in this case its Ray Charles and his song Georgia on my mind hence the shades and soul in this song.

The ultimate jam session? Or jazz session? Either way,….to cool for school.

Great choice

That sax player sounds like the one who used to play on Saturday Night Live in the ‘70s.

After Piano Man, this is my second favorite Billy Joel song. Billy has a knack for telling a story with his lyrics.

Turnstiles is my absolute favourite of Billy's albums....packed with stellar compositions, delivered with emotive excellence by an inimitable Master.

Masterpiece live here love you

Billy channeling some Ray Charles.

Angry Young Man (find a live version) is a must watch from Turnstiles. Also Summer Highland Falls

Love your reactions especially to the old stuff! Hey I noticed you're hiding a bit of a voice in there somewhere too aren't you? God bless you bro! Keep these reactions coming they're awesome!

I LOOOOVVVE Billy Joel! He has no bad songs. It's a tough call, but my favorite off "Turnstiles" is "Angry Young Man".

Love me some good sax.......

Turnstiles was my favorite album of his. Summer Highland Falls and James were two of my personal favorites.

I have seen your channel come across my feed for a while now. I hate to say it but I never felt compelled to watch one of your videos until I saw this title come across. Not too many people react to songs off the beaten path like this one. I watched and was not disappointed. You get Billy Joel, the entertainer. This is one of my favorites and it is just as good live as his studio version. Mad respect for your reaction to it. Based on this experience, I am now subscribed. Keep them coming. BTW: The sax player owned his instrument for that solo at the end.

From Turnstiles? Miami 2017 for the rockin’ Billy Joel, Prelude/Angry Young Man for the ultimate piano man, Summer Highland Falls for the singer/songwriter.

You Can Hear Ray Charles Influence on Billy Joel in this Song & Baby Grand as Well. Anazing Sax Solo in Middle too

Old Billy Joel is the best. Check out Captain Jack, another classic

I love how you read the background on the musicians and the songs you're reacting to, and how you let yourself be touched by the emotions of the music. Just beautiful!

Angry Young Man from Turnstiles is one of my favorites.

Billy Joel is really great, I will give you some ideas of good songs, especially the official videos are a must to see: 'Piano man', 'My life', 'Honesty', 'Just the way you are', 'She is always a woman to me', 'Say goodbye to Hollywood', 'The River of Dreams', 'Keeping the Faith'

Absolute favourite song on Turnstiles, which is one of my favourite albums in general, is Summer Highland Falls. 100/10 would recommend

Prelude/Angry Young Man

"James" is my favorite song from Turnstiles and any other album. Give it a try, it is beautiful

It puts me in a different head space & now I need a cigarette & a single malt scotch.

He always said that this song was written to be sung in the style of Ray Charles. If you like one piano hand sounding like two, check out the hand speed on his "Prelude / Angry Young Man"

Seen the lights go out on broadway

I'm a 12 year trained classical acoustic pianist and my instructor wouldn't allow us to play anything but classical. I left that instructor after 9 years and began working with another instructor. The very first composition I learned under that instructor that wasn't classical. That composition was copywritten and published under the name of William Joel. The composition, and I'm telling my age, was "Piano Man". My all time favorite is "The Stranger" as there's so much truth to the lyrics and his piece is, in my opinion, the very best Joel ever composed! It's truly, from an artists standpoint, a phenomenal composition and one of his most difficult to play. Odd, but true! Trivia: One of Billy Joel's original compositions that actually became a huge, huge hit for Garth Brooks was "Shameless". Joel never performed, nor did he record, the piece.

First, I love your reactions. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Billy Joel is one of my 4 favorite artists (the others in no particular order: Pearl Jam, Van Halen, and Tupac). Billy Joel was my first concert in 1990 in Yankee Stadium. You are right that literally anything you pick of his will be great. Angry Young Man is my favorite track on Turnstiles. It’s 🔥🔥🔥. Other tracks that are not on the Stranger or Turnstiles you will love: Good Night Saigon, Why Do I Go to Extremes, Honesty, Allentown, The Longest Time, You May Be Right, Downeaster Alexa, Lullaby, and Big Shot. So many others, but I had to stop somewhere.

You must review a live version of Summer Highland Falls. I highly recommend the live one in Germany where he explains the lyrics which are about his struggle with manic depression. It's fascinating.

Our zoo used to send me upstate NY (Catskill) to manage a satellite summer zoo and this was always jamming on the sound system after hours. (I lived inside the zoo for summer too).

A couple of lesser known songs that i continuously go back to are A Matter of Trust And Downeaster Alexa You ought to check them out

It was very good, you're right, it was like watching a movie, like a musical

SalvoG you mentioned Vienna. Billy Joel has said that his favorite song...

If I were to rank the rest of the songs from Turnstyles from best to worst (solely my personal opinion): Three songs tied at number 1: 1, Summer Highland Falls 1. I've Loved These Days 1. Miami 2017 4. Say Goodbye to Hollywood 5. James 6. Prelude/Angry Young Man 7. All You Wanna Do Is Dance

I always get this song and Billy’s duet with Ray Charles, Baby Grand, mixed up. Have you heard any Ray Charles yet? You should definitely check him out, but as this video is a Billy Joel number, I’ll stick with recommending the duet. Fabulous story tellers, the 2 of them!

I really like what Alicia Keys did with this at the Global Citizen Festival in NYC, 2019. Fantastic cover !!

Turnstiles is a great album, and this one is probably the best song on it, but if I had to suggest one as a second favorite, I'd say Summer, Highland Falls. It's beautiful. Say Goodbye to Hollywood is also great, and if you want some bonkers piano, maybe check out Prelude/Angry Young Man.

Other songs from Turnstiles, which marked his return to New York after a few unhappy years in Los Angelos: * Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) -- this was a stadium rocker that is best heard on his live compilation album, Songs in the Attic -> that's the version that captures the dramatics of his live performance and is much better that the toned-down studio version on Turnstiles. It paints a different picture of NYC, which at the time, was bankrupt and in steep decline. Great music and lyrics. * Summer, Highland Falls -- one of Joel's most personal song about his struggles with mental health at a time when he was seeking and finding some relief which he imagined from the pastoral setting from a real village in upstate New York, Highland Falls. * Say Goodbye to Hollywood -- Joel's farewell to his time in Los Angelos. Also better as a live version from Songs in the Attic, which was not a traditional recording of a single concert but a collection of recordings from different concerts chosen, in part, because the sound system at each was excellent so it was recorded with more precision than most concert albums. * Prelude/Angry Young Man -- possibly the best example of Joel's virtuosity as a pianist. Used it for decades on tour as the opening song to start a concert with a bang.

Miami 2017 is my favorite from turnstiles!

I know he is talking more about NYC here, but I included this tune on a mixed CD made for my dad who grew up around Utica. When I was a kid, we would make the 12-hour drive every year to visit my paternal grandparents. Most of my NY family is gone or scattered around the globe, but this song brings me straight back to those visits in Upstate NY.

Anything like this happening today? I'm on a long and hard search...

Crazy that Turnstiles was considered a failure of an album on its release.

Billy is another one with a lot of really good ones to pick from. One that I really love is "Scenes from an Italian restaurant". I thought of 2 really good songs for you to check out. They are "The Cost of Freedom" and "Helplessly Hoping" by Crosby Stills and Nash. They only have around 200 awesome songs to pick from. Its hard to only give you 2😂❤❤❤❤Have fun😊

react to i've loved this days from songs in the attic. (or the miami 2017 version on the songs in the attic album

"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" has always been my favorite on the album, and in the top 10 of his entire music catalog. Saw him in Long Beach in a smallish auditorium (perhaps 5,000 people) with my wife and 5-year old boy many decades ago. While we had decent seats, it was more toward the back, where their electronic mixing boards were set up. To our surprise, we were moved to the third row. Billy Joel usually leaves the first two rows empty, then moves people from the far back to those two rows. I don't know any other performer who does that.

Billy’s great but that original band is 🔥

All She Wants To Do is Dance is the only skip on the record. Miami 2017 is powerful. I've Loved These Days will make you feel nostalgic upon your first listen. And Summer Highland Falls might be his best song. Turnstiles is an incredible album.

Who knew Eric Cantona liked Billy Joel?

There is also 52 Avenue or Street, don’t remember which it is? 10:28

Channeling Ray Charles

I don’t know why Billy says he’s not that good on the piano 🤦‍♂️

Non se ne può trovare nemmeno una di Billy joel che non sia un gioiello ... Live poi come potete ammirare anche qui ... Era un portento ... Consiglio Scenes from an Italian ..... Leave tender moment alone duet con Tootsie Tielemans ecc ecc ecc

Try Stiletto and We didn’t start the fire.

Guess providing links is a 'no-no'?

As cool as Billy is. You should also treat yourself to the studio version. The attention to detail on the levels and rhythms is spectacular.