Billy Joel… perhaps "William" would better serve upon embarking on this musical foray into percussive enchantment, "Fantasies & Delusions," thoughts created and composed by Mr. Joel and gracefully performed by Richard Joo, classically trained virtuoso pianist, and representative of an obvious departure for one of Rock music's most revered
singer/songwriters, yet one not totally unexpected.

Joel, continually honing his skills behind the bench of his own, comes away with an
understandably natural and appreciative return to those mystical moments of the 19th century Classical period and beyond in a time where names like Stravinsky, Bach and Beethoven reigned supreme.

Eight years in the making and his first compositions since '93s "River of Dreams," Joel,
ever present but low key, has captured the essence of the greats of the past by way of ten opuses for solo piano, gracefully ordered, skillfully played, tonally dignified, Joo, the performer, flawless in his dexterous sincerity, Joel, the composer, letting the light shine through to another level of achievement for a multi-platinum thirty-plus year career.

Recorded in Vienna, Austria, site of the many famous greats that would inspire countless generations to follow, Joel's compositions range from soulful to romantic to dynamic, radiating and indeed inspired from that old world charm, borrowing carefully from an age of innocence where piano was art, music was life, and the two combined were an insurmountable combination, much like the fostering talents of the team of Joel and Joo, together for a moment in history, one that captures the imagination and leaves behind a feeling of peace, prosperity and tranquility, and to the appreciative listener, an enlightened mind and welcoming spirit.

Released by Columbia Records

Review by Vinnie Apicella [va85@columbia.edu]
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