Review: Philly Joel
by Kenny Tommacello
A review of two releases by the Philadelphia-based original and tribute artist.
Philly Joel is an original artist that also does a tribute to the piano man. An album of the live show is reviewed here, as well as the EP of original music. All are produced and recorded by Dave Giorgio.
Philly Joel, LIVE, a tribute to the PIANO MAN: It features one full set of music, representing half of a complete show. The song order follows the exact order the songs were played live.
Miami 2017 opens the show and features a gentle piano opening that leads to a high energy beat. Nifty soprano sax work is interspersed with the vocal melody. It sounds like a live concert from Madison Square Garden, though it was recorded at a smaller venue in New Jersey.
Moving Out is next and features an extended ending with a guitar solo.
The whole album was mixed in the style of classic rock live albums from the 70s, which I love the sound of.
Stiletto is the album’s hit. It features a very bluesy performance by Philly Joel (Dave Giorgio) and has an extended sax solo that absolutely rocks.
Other memorable moments are She’s Got a Way where Philly Joel brings a girl from the audience onto the stage for a serenade. This song is only piano and vocals but is sung so passionately it should not be overlooked.
Never Told You About Your Smile: This is an EP of original music.
It features the Champagne Song (key lyric: “I would drink champagne from your shoe”), based on an actual encounter with a British girl from Boston.
The Magician was written about a girl who worked at Starbucks and is a legitimate piece of hippie folk music. One of the lyrics: “I am one of those men, who looks in your heart, and measures the good within.” This song has an organic vibe. The tempo fluctuates indicating it was recorded without a click track, which is refreshing in this age of sterile perfection in recording.
Also on the EP is Zoe, a mid tempo rocker, that I found out is also based on a true story…the meeting of a girl at a Borders bookstore, and Beautiful Dreamer, a song for his daughter.
Both the album and EP are available on Amazon Music, Spotify, iTunes, YouTube Music and others.