Sting opened the show by performing a 16-song set from both his solo catalog and The Police discography, joining Joel for several duets during this opening act.
This summer, 74-year-old singer/songwriter Ray will complete his Madison Square Garden residency and show Tampa plenty of Empire State love by showing video footage featuring Brooklyn Bridge and crashing waves during “New York State of Mind.”
1. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Sting, who sang his winning numbers at SDSU last October and again here, is an exceptional musician, capable of taking an established tune and rendering it sound completely new. His performance of classic Police tunes such as Roxanne, “Message in a Bottle,” and Roxanne made them seem as relevant today as when first recorded.
Joel delivered Tampa its first taste of something brand new since River of Dreams with the jazzy Big Man on Mulberry Street, recruiting Sting – dressed like Frank Sinatra with his trademark hat and suit – for a duet performance. This song first emerged from South African Solomon Linda who wrote its 13-note melody under the name Mbube, then played it through Pete Seeger & The Weavers as Wimoweh then Tokens “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, with new lyrics written by Brill Building songwriter George David Weiss who replaced Linda as co-writer with new lyrics written by Brill Building songwriter George David Weiss without acknowledging him on record.
2. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Joel has seen his popularity soar recently, beginning the spring with co-headlining gigs alongside Stevie Nicks and Rod Stewart before concluding his lengthy Madison Square Garden residency this summer.
Sting has also seen tremendous success with his recent releases and live performances, with his voice as reliable and versatile as ever – easily shifting between key variations on “Roxanne” or tempo changes on “Message in a Bottle”.
Sting sounded excellent on his new song, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” perfectly capturing its transformative mood through lyrics that caught the spirited audience’s humming along. Tampa finally experienced something truly new since decades; while old favorites were well represented too. Sting returned dressed like Frank Sinatra for an encore jazz duet performance of “Big Man on Mulberry Street”. It was truly the best of both worlds!
3. Big Man on Mulberry Street
Joel always welcomes Sting to his stage for a duet on “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” written about Little Italy in New York by Joel. Their performance was both soothing and exuberant as the crowd sang along.
Joel, 74, kept the show moving while sitting behind his Steinway piano on a rotating platform that provided audience members on both sides of Petco Park with good viewing vantage points. He did some impressive impressions – Tony Bennett particularly being spot on – making Petco Park seem more like an intimate nightclub than an arena.
Sting brought plenty of Empire State spirit to the venue, with screens showing images such as Brooklyn Bridge during “Vienna,” water lashing onto shore during “Movin’ Out,” and a picture of Statue of Liberty during an upbeat “New York State of Mind.” In his hat and suit outfit reminiscent of Frank Sinatra he even added some signature scat notes that left audiences howling.
4. Turn the Lights Back On
Joel and Sting joined forces at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on Monday, setting their audience into a “New York State of Mind.” From showing clips from Brooklyn Bridge clips during “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” to singing the duet “Big Man on Mulberry Street”, Joel helped put them all in an Empire City frame of mind.
Joel took advantage of this momentous occasion to showcase his extensive catalog. To their delight, the crowd welcomed back “Turn the Lights Back On”, his first pop release in 17 years.
“Turn the Lights Back On”, co-written with Arthur Bacon and Wayne Hector, is evidence of Joel’s timeless songwriting talents at any age. From chord progressions to Joel’s skillful ivory playing, “Turn the Lights Back On” exudes timeless charm similar to his classic hits. Additionally, this track arrives just in time for him to headline stadium shows alongside Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Sting and other artists this spring and summer – in addition to ending his decade-long residency at Madison Square Garden this July 25.