“You need to know about this band who started with Billy back in 1971, because it’s not that history was written wrong, it just, it wasn’t written.

So, we’re here to write it.” – Larry Russell, 22 September 2013

 

In early 1972, only a few months into Billy Joel’s debut tour of the US, Philadelphia radio station, WMMR, invited Billy and his 3-piece band to their Sigma Sound Studios to perform a set, live on air, as part of a series of radio shows featuring unknown artists. It was during this radio show that Billy and the band performed one of his new songs, “Captain Jack” as part of the set. The show was taped, and DJs at WMMR started to play this live version of “Captain Jack” on their radio shows: it became the most requested song in WMMR’s history. The excitement at the station, generated by the song and the young, unknown singer-songwriter, eventually reached Carl Davies at Columbia Records, who signed Billy Joel to the label.

 

This electrifying live concert CD and download album captures the sensational reunion, 41 years later, of bassist, Larry Russell, (from that original 1971-72 touring band), drummer, Rhys Clark, (also in that original 1971-72 touring band and who also played on Billy Joel's debut album, Cold Spring Harbor), and guitarist, Don Evans, who also played on that first Billy Joel's solo album.

 

Recorded live at the iconic Greenwich Village music club, The Bitter End, on Sunday, 22 September 2013, and recreating Billy Joel's breakthrough WMMR Sigma concert from April 1972, Elio Pace from the UK and David Clark from the USA "fill Billy Joel's shoes" with six sensational performances each, whilst 15-year old, Kenny Ingram from Canada proves the incredible reach of Billy Joel's music with two magnificent performances.

The CD album comes with a 20-page colour booklet with an extensive essay written by Larry Russell.

 

 

CD & Download Tracklist
 

01 Introduction by Larry Russell

02 GOT TO BEGIN AGAIN (Kenny Ingram)

03 Introduction by Elio Pace

04 FALLING OF THE RAIN (David Clark)

05 Intro to Travelin’ Prayer

06 TRAVELIN’ PRAYER (Elio Pace)

07 Intro to The Ballad Of Billy The Kid

08 THE BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID (Elio Pace)

09 Intro to She’s Got A Way

10 SHE’S GOT A WAY (David Clark)

11 EVERYBODY LOVES YOU NOW (David Clark)

12 Intro to Nocturne

13 NOCTURNE (Kenny Ingram)

14 Intro to Turn Around

15 TURN AROUND (Elio Pace)

16 Intro to Long, Long Time

17 LONG, LONG TIME (David Clark)

18 Intro to Captain Jack

19 Dialogue by Judy Sciaky

20 CAPTAIN JACK (Elio Pace)

21 Intro to Josephine

22 JOSEPHINE (Elio Pace)

23 Intro to Rosalinda

24 ROSALINDA (David Clark)

25 Intro to Tomorrow Is Today

26 TOMORROW IS TODAY (Elio Pace)

27 Intro to You Can Make Me Free

28 YOU CAN MAKE ME FREE (David Clark)

 

WORDS & MUSIC BY BILLY JOEL

 

Larry Russell - Bass

 

Rhys Clark - Drums

 

Don Evans - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Background Vocals on track 11

 

Elio Pace - Lead Vocals and Piano on tracks 6, 8, 15, 20, 22 and 26, Harmonica on track 8, Background Vocals on track 28

 

David Clark - Lead Vocals and Piano on tracks 4, 10, 11, 17, 24 and 28

 

Kenny Ingram - Lead Vocals and Piano on track 2, Piano on track 13, Background Vocals on track 28

 

PRODUCED BY ELIO PACE