The mis-named THE PIANO GUYS –one guy plays the cello (Steven Sharp Nelson) and one guy plays the piano (Jon Schmidt)–started their 2024 Tour in Buffalo and guess who was there? Yes, Diane wanted to see (and hear) these guys even after I gave her a PIANO GUYS CD to listen to. THE PIANO GUYS have been together for 30 years and have played Buffalo in the past.
I slowly warmed to THE PIANO GUYS after listening to some very flashy piano and cello playing. I liked the mix of classic and contemporary music mashups. The videos accompanying some of the songs were distracting (for me) and the audience (not a Sell-Out) rewarded the duo with plenty of applause. I like the addition of a group of student violinists from Sweet Home High School and a group of local bagpipers to assist on a couple of songs. Nice touch!
If THE PIANO GUYS show up in your neighborhood, you might want to consider seeing them. They won me over. GRADE: B+
SET LIST:
- Avengers / Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Songs Play Video
- A Sky Full of Stars Play Video
- All of MePlay Video
- Twinkle Twinkle Little Star((Jon playing upside down)) Play Video
- Smooth Criminal(Michael Jackson cover) ((Steven loop pedal demonstration)) Play Video
- With or Without You / Pachelbel’s Canon Play Video
- Heart and Soul(Larry Clinton & His Orchestra cover) Play Video
- Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends Play Video
- Sweet Child O’ Mine Play Video
- Für Elise Jam Play Video
- The Cello Song Play Video
- Beethoven’s 5 Secrets Play Video
- Waterfall Play Video
- North Cape Play Video
- Let It Go / Vivaldi’s Winter Play Video
- The Mission / How Great Thou Art Play Video
- I Want You Bach Play Video
- Rockelbel’s Canon Play Video
- A Thousand Years (Christina Perri cover) Play Video
- Fight Song / Amazing Grace
- ENCORE: “You Belong to Me” (Taylor Swift) and “Viva La Vida” (Coldplay)
Thank you, no! Not that I have anything against misnamed duos, but if I should ever go to a performance again it would be to see someone I know and love! Speaking of misnamed duos, about half a century ago I saw George Carlin in concert and his opening act was Travis Shook and the Club Wow! It was two guys! Not very funny guys, but Carlin made up for that!
Bob, it sounds like you were all Shook up over that performance!
Sounds like you were reluctant to go. I bet Diane enjoyed it. I never heard of them before. I like the combination of “With or Without You” and the Pachelbel. Jackie took piano lessons as a kid, and apparently “Fur Elise” was one of her specialties. Too bad she didn’t keep it up.
Jeff, sometimes Diane’s musical tastes and my musical tastes do not align. I was reluctant to see THE PIANO GUYS, but there was no way I was going to let Diane drive to downtown Buffalo–where someone seems to be shot every day–alone. Not only did I enjoy THE PAINO GUYS performance, Diane and I survived the experience unscathed.
I love piano music so I will keep my eyes open.
Patti, THE PIANO GUYS will be performing November 8th in Kalamazoo: https://www.bandsintown.com/e/105230457?affil_code=js_thepianoguys.com&app_id=js_thepianoguys.com&came_from=700&utm_campaign=event&utm_medium=web&utm_source=widget