“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 DVD 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 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 DVD comes with a 20-page colour booklet with an extensive essay written by Larry Russell.
CHAPTER LIST
01 Opening Titles
02 Introduction by Larry Russell
03 GOT TO BEGIN AGAIN (Kenny Ingram)
04 Introduction by Elio Pace
05 FALLING OF THE RAIN (David Clark)
06 Intro to Travelin’ Prayer
07 TRAVELIN’ PRAYER (Elio Pace)
08 Intro to The Ballad Of Billy The Kid
09 THE BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID (Elio Pace)
10 Intro to She’s Got A Way
11 SHE’S GOT A WAY (David Clark)
12 EVERYBODY LOVES YOU NOW (David Clark)
13 Intro to Nocturne
14 NOCTURNE (Kenny Ingram)
15 Intro to Turn Around
16 TURN AROUND (Elio Pace)
17 Intro to Long, Long Time
18 LONG, LONG TIME (David Clark)
19 Intro to Captain Jack
20 Dialogue by Judy Sciaky
21 CAPTAIN JACK (Elio Pace)
22 Intro to Josephine
23 JOSEPHINE (Elio Pace)
24 Intro to Rosalinda
25 ROSALINDA (David Clark)
26 Intro to Tomorrow Is Today
27 TOMORROW IS TODAY (Elio Pace)
28 Intro to You Can Make Me Free
29 YOU CAN MAKE ME FREE (David Clark)
30 End Credits
BONUS FEATURE: LARRY RUSSELL’S ‘TALE FROM A TAXI’
Larry Russell - Bass
Rhys Clark - Drums
Don Evans - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Background Vocals on chapter 12
Elio Pace - Lead Vocals and Piano on chapters 7, 9, 16, 21, 23 and 27, Harmonica on chapter 9, Background Vocals on chapter 29
David Clark - Lead Vocals and Piano on chapters 5, 11, 12, 18, 25 and 29
Kenny Ingram - Lead Vocals and Piano on chapter 3, Piano on chapter 14, Background Vocals on chapter 29
WORDS & MUSIC BY BILLY JOEL
MUSIC PRODUCED BY ELIO PACE
Mixed by Tony Draper
Mastered by Nick Watson at Fluid Mastering
DIRECTED AND EDITED BY PETER THORP
Assistant Directing by Amy Rhiannon Worth
Produced by Steve Tottingham of bigSMALL TV
Executive Producer: Elio Pace