Billy Joel & Itzhak Perlman - The Downeaster 'Alexa' (MSG - March 9, 2015)

Billy Joel and Itzhak Perlman perform "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" during his concert at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 9, 2015.

[@jasonkeller7623]

Without question the most underrated Joel song

[@ochoandortizwrestling]

Jason Keller he’s got so many songs that I think could be considered underrated: this, Vienna, And So It Goes, You’re My Home - just to name a few. Speaks to just how truly great and talented Mr. Joel is

[@KyleCourounis]

Great choices, and I'll also tack on a few of my favorite deep-cuts (in year-order): • Say Goodbye To Hollywood (Turnstiles, 1976) • I've Loved These Days (Turnstiles, 1976) • The Stranger (the actual track, not the album lol) (The Stranger, 1977) • Stiletto (52nd Street, 1978) • Rosalinda's Eyes (52nd Street, 1978) • Half A Mile Away (52nd Street, 1978) • Sleeping With The Television On (Glass Houses, 1980) • She's Right On Time (The Nylon Curtain, 1982) • Laura (The Nylon Curtain, 1982) • You're Only Human (Second Wind) (An extra track on Greatest Hits Volume I & II, 1985) • The Night Is Still Young (An extra track on Greatest Hits Volume I & II, 1985) • Running On Ice (The Bridge, 1986) • Leningrad (Storm Front, 1989) I also love Zanzibar (52nd Street, 1978), Everybody Loves You Now (Cold Spring Harbor, 1971), and Summer Highland, Falls (Turnstiles, 1976), but they aren't as true to the term "deep-cut" anymore due to the fact that he's played them live a lot now, so they are slightly more known. :)

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

@@KyleCourounis The Stranger, Say Goodbye To Hollywood and Leningrad are all on his greatest hits' albums. Hardly deep cuts either. Sleeping with the Television On, Stiletto were singles. I'm with you on Laura. I always loved "Somewhere Along the Line" too.

[@KyleCourounis]

@@TheGodYouWishYouKnew true, but rarely played live and so mamy people I meet have no idea when I mention them. Television was not a single iirc. I agree that Somewhere Along The Line is great too, as well as Stop In Nevada, You're My Home and Travelin' Prayer!

[@TheGodYouWishYouKnew]

Kyle I love You’re My Home. It was almost my wedding song but we went with something else instead.

[@ncooty]

"There ain't no island left for islanders like me." Such a powerful line.

[@Joe-sm6qv]

And history is repeating itself. Long Island has been resold to the highest bidders.

[@graham7455]

@@Joe-sm6qv

[@MrCabimero]

THis song gives me the chills. If you listen, you can feel a ship cresting one wave, dipping into the trough and then rising up the next crest. Powerful.

[@MxmlnFx]

holy... this is the exact explanation i was looking for to impress my feelings while listening to this masterpiece

[@mikedavidrivera]

Seems like a Movie could be made staring Johnny Depp!?

[@edgarparker16]

​@@mikedavidrivera Yes! I've been saying that for 30 years. THANK YOU! Also, perhaps a big humpback whale breaking the surface as well.

[@22161]

That's why I love the video with this song. It was perfect

[@howardbeatman2820]

You have to love Perlman - he refers to his priceless Stradavarius violin as "my fiddle".

[@naughtiusmaximus]

Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Elton John - these guys are like wine. The older they are.. the better they are...

[@howardprincz9372]

Bob Dylan, are you serious?

[@awesomemcawesomeshorts9531]

Neil Diamond, Michael W. Smith

[@DistrustingToaster]

Bob Dylan has gotten abysmally worse

[@EmmaGlz211]

Clapton sucks.

[@jeffarnold3229]

I have to agree with Dylan. He’s given up trying - all aspects of his performance are substantially worse.

[@sharkbiteleft2651]

Rides in on a scooter thingy .....and brings the damn house down. How cool is Perlman??????

[@rabbi120348]

He had polio as a child.

[@nadav7707]

thats my grandpa my name is Nadav Perlman-Greenberg

[@acomegna]

Mr. Perlman rocked it! 👍👍👍

[@ORagnar]

Give him a mic to speak through. He's an excellent speaker. Love his violin, though this was not a challenging piece for him.

[@aakashchauhan3203]

Absolute legend of the game

[@jamesritchie2167]

As a former Long Island resident and Striper fisherman this is a truly heartbreaking song. I have always wanted a Down Easter style boat. Steady, very seaworthy and a joy to handle.

[@russfleming3169]

Real talent does not require glitz. Real talent speaks for itself :)

[@iorekby]

Generally there's a correlation in music: The better the music, the less the image matters. Conversely, when the music is drab, derivative, auto tuned crap, the image is paramount.

[@angryjellobear9353]

True, with the only exceptions of Freddie Mercury, Elton John, and David Bowie.

[@poppyrowland1385]

Indeed.

[@poppyrowland1385]

@@angryjellobear9353These musicians you name do/did put on the glitz, but they didn’t NEED TO. Their talents are great WITHOUT the glitz.

[@mbunches21]

I grew up on Long Island and this is my favorite Billy Joel song. So sad and beautiful and amazing all at once. Gives me chills and makes me smile every time I hear it. Billy you are the best!

[@nickconlon5312]

Margaret Klos Same! Use to live in Bohemia

[@groverbuilt]

Sayville here!!!

[@TheDADX13]

as a fisherman...this makes me cry...so beutiful

[@leuchtturm3816]

I'm not a fisherman, but this song moves me too.

[@alanbodell2050]

I hear this, i think of the Andrea Gail and those so brave coastguarders that serve our shores without any consideration of their own safety. God bless all at sea.

[@patrickfarrell1491]

To those who went down in ships

[@paularcaria]

Me too. Left Montauk and road West.

[@000Six]

@@patrickfarrell1491 are fishermen going down in ships?

[@kerstinmagnusson4195]

From sweden I am 66 and love this song ❤

[@susanphelan8408]

What a masterpiece!!! I am from Newfoundland,an island on the east coast of Canada that has much more similarity to Ireland than Canada. This song has such a celtic feel to it,especially the violin! Nfld was devastated by the cod moratorium in the early 1990s so this song resonates very much. A bit of info- pretty much anyone living outside of our capitol city St.John's is called a bay man here. Being from Harbour Grace, that would be me. I introduced this song to my youngest son Liam when he was about 14( 17 now) and he absolutely loves it! We have to keep the younger generation in the know of such sensational music!

[@cathalsmith730]

Your Irish origin!?

[@ericdunn555]

Phelan is a quite common name in my parish here in Ireland.

[@ericdunn555]

.... and Liam is even more common

[@susanphelan8408]

@ericdunn555 Yes it is. My maiden name is Hennessey, also Irish! I visited Ireland in 2013 and absolutely loved it! It is very much like here ( Newfoundland culture is very much more like Irish culture, we have little in common with Canada). I also have a daughter, Erin, and another son,Kyle Patrick.🙂

[@PatriarchWPB]

This is a performance for the ages. Great heartfelt song. As a striped bass fisherman and someone who adores Itzhak Perlman, this moves me.

[@LorrieSmithSTOPANIMALCRUELTY]

Just stunning. Mr. Joel's voice is so pure, no vibrato, just...pure. Would love to hear him in concert.

[@GuadalupePicasso]

Plan a trip to NYC around one of his monthly shows at MSG!

[@liamg2271]

Interesting fact: Billy Joel has always hated his own voice.

[@captainkane1984]

@@liamg2271 so did Bowie and Lennon! Unreal right?

[@captainkane1984]

@@GuadalupePicasso it’s an AMAZING show. I was in the “cheap seats” but honestly there’s not one bad seat in the Garden for his shows now. We sat behind and above the stage looking down on him with his spinning stage. Incredible show. And Steve Miller made a cameo too!

[@GuadalupePicasso]

@@captainkane1984 I was at his last MSG show before the lockdown, in February 2020! Such a great night of nearly 3 hours of music, and with Izhtak Pearlman on guest violin for two songs, including The Downeaster Alexa (the original recording featured Pearlman)!

[@christyl5481]

It was 1994 when I first remember my parents playing Billy Joel. We played him over and over and over again. In 1997 I started playing piano and as the years go on my admiration for Billy has grown. We saw him in 2001 about. What an amazing man.

[@arecaceae]

Their friendship is so beautiful. It's also very obvious that they respect each other's musical talent very much. Itzhak Perlman, one of the greatest violinist of all time, and Billy Joel, who has great talent in piano&lyrics writing. Precious performance.

[@MummaMia5]

So beautiful that it took him all these years to give him the publicly and credit that he was owed many many years ago. 🤷🏻‍♀️🙄

[@christophermihalatos2738]

Still has his voice, just perfect. 💪

[@harrisonedelman5185]

+Christopher Mihalatos Sorta-kinda, yes. He can sing almost as well as he did back in the day because he's changed the keys for all of his songs at least a half step or a full step lower because of his voice getting weaker.

[@stefanievolkamer9120]

+Harrison Edelman I like his deeper voice even better anyway. It's become much more soulful now.

[@LorrieSmithSTOPANIMALCRUELTY]

And man, was it soulful before!

[@giuliaramirez8440]

Oro.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

It’s better than what Elton does. Elton tries to keep the original key but sings a lower octave on the high notes. I prefer what Billy is doing.

[@MrPach19]

I was at this exact concert. Truly amazing.

[@antoinettelopes]

Me too.

[@TheRandomZachChannel]

And I absolutely love Itzak Pearlman’s passion and love for every note he plays and how it shows in his face.

[@tomtigerxxl]

The one and only Billy Joel. One of the best voices on this planet.

[@karlaweiss9161]

Billie Joel is a SONG MASTER!!! So much more than a just a great singer!!! Thank God I have been BLESSED to enjoy his genius!

[@TomBVoxman]

I have zero interest in fish or fishing, but hot damn that Billy can weave a tale. I get emotional with some of those lines...beautiful poetry. Great melody and also I have a soft spot for a good waltz.

[@clintonwilcox4690]

It is a great song, but it's not a waltz. Waltzes are in 3/4 time (and are meant to be danced to with a specific kind of dance), and this is in 4/4 time.

[@pattydella4]

Yep, it's 4/4.

[@wept_in_the]

Since my father (who was a Billy fan) died, the line about having bills to pay and children who need clothes always gets me.

[@TomBVoxman]

@@clintonwilcox4690good job. I was only testing you. 😜

[@mariebisson1252]

Any truckers listening to this song right now? Hello east coast from manitoba! I love this so g too!

[@darrendjay4035]

YEs yes

[@TheRandomZachChannel]

Billy Joel is one of the most underrated performers of all time. This is classic. By far one of my favorite live performances ever.

[@MichaelDiPrima03201994]

Billy Joel isn't underrated by any means. This man is known world wide.

[@leroybrown5726]

you are correct but I don't feel he gets the honor he deserves too many know him as the guy from "piano man" and "uptown girl" and a few of his other pop hits.

[@richardsirianni3973]

Most people know Billy as a music god. He is not underrated by any means and maybe by anyone born in 2000 and above but not by anyone else. He is known worldwide by almost everyone.

[@JTRocks4Ever]

The most famous Long Islander in the World! Still as down to earth as can be!

[@ss-gv1te]

When I discovered this in the spring of 2015 I was blown away to see the most beloved king of classical music, Itzhak Perlman, sharing the stage with this man who is the prince of rock and roll to me. They came together from two very different musical worlds and created something really special. ☺👏👏👏

[@ana-py3vz]

Decided to give this song a try. Currently I’m obsessing over this song. Such a beautiful song.

[@911shan]

Jesus that violin solo mid-song was heavenly...

[@SamDeLamb]

It was done flawlessly.

[@guillermorocha6661]

It's totally a journey that he let's us take part in.

[@tuca00100]

Realmente, é lindo. ❤

[@QalinaCom]

@@SamDeLamb it was out of tune in one place, you could see it in Itzhak's face. Other instruments and sound were louder, I don't think he cold hear himself very well. Still-amazing moment.

[@SuperCryptical]

Absolutely wonderful. This song, to this date, encapsulates the fate of the inshore fisherman. On Canada's and the US East Coasts. I never knew Mr. Perlman was the original violinist on this track. What a joy to hear them together again. Thank you for posting this.

[@FishKungfu]

Two Legends on the same stage!

[@johnlovescathyforevers6116]

I can only say ..i was a commercial fisherman in the 80s..it bottomed out .(who would have thought?)..this is my song..thankyou Mr joel

[@russelljackson007]

WOW !!!!🌞💪👍🖖👋😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👊🤣🤗

[@danmeehan1390]

One of my favourites from Billy Joel, he still has a voice in this one

[@andretheshadow]

This song is amazing, and it speaks to me on a deep level. My family were farmers in Norway for as long back as anyone can remember (at least 800 years). My uncle recently sold the family farm because it wasn't enough any more. This song is a tribute to anyone doing a job that'd been made obsolete by large-scale corporate involvement.

[@pereinarsivertsen9168]

🇳🇴🇳🇴🇳🇴👍👍

[@helenbloomer3356]

my uncle was a farmer in Ireland and they made him sell his cattle during the winter because they said his drainage wasn't up to code- such a load of crap- he had a fine farm , the government was trying to put the small farmers out of business, it broke his heart. He could only keep cattle on his farm for about 8 months a year, they wanted him to pay about 80,000 euro to install new drainage systems, the whole farm wasn't worth that price, I can so relate to this song. They had this farm for about 400 years or so, at least

[@janetives5470]

That’s sad. I thought corporate farms were only in the US.

[@laurak.1792]

I feel like I’m on the boat in high waves. Brilliant.

[@mitduschzentrale]

I have no connection to the fishing community, heck english isn't even my 1st language. And yet I think this is about the most perfect pop song. Great music, icredible meaningful lyrics w/o constant repeats. Thank you Billy. Looking forward to see you live again.

[@AGTsakumis]

Absolutely beautiful. Who are the idiots that would thumbs down this video? Both Billy and Mr. Perlman are international treasures.

[@cw6410]

Was listening to this song blasting across vineyard sound today….doesn’t get much better

[@TitanicConcerts]

The Downeaster Alexa has always been one of my top 5 Joel songs and I was fortunate to have been at this show. We knew it was a special moment but like so many things in life memories fade after a while. Happy to discover there’s an official video on Joel’s very own channel, with everything professionally done. What a wonderful souvenir.

[@sunrae7680]

I'm a city girl through and through. This song brings out emotions that I probably shouldn't have. It's my favorite of his. ❤

[@GuadalupePicasso]

Perlmann’s smile right around 4:30 is so beautiful, in the purest of pure senses!!!!

[@justinr.1111]

This song is my song. Billy I've been listening to u seance I was 11. The best song you ever made

[@FehadBilgramiChannel1]

Ditto mate,...God bless

[@aquapurity]

Ditto too! I heard The Downeaster Alexa when I was 12 and it remains one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@danieldaciuk]

11!!! me too. I'm 1977

[@ikonographics]

@@danieldaciuk Me too!

[@rk2827]

Me from 1997.

[@cameronboth8162]

Still has that great voice and plus it is the best song ever!!!

[@violinsheetmusicblog]

omg ITZHAK PERLMAN!!!

[@valeriegalbani5828]

omg BILLY JOEL!!!

[@xavierclementegarciacevall6519]

Omg both

[@ABSOLUTELYSMASHING]

I would give all of my money just to see this man perform once. Please come to the UK again.

[@headbangers67]

Manchester and birmingham October time I think, first UK shows in 7 yrs

[@ABSOLUTELYSMASHING]

Thanks! I'll be scouting for tickets now.

[@1jfecteau]

Steve Copeland Hell Steve ... I'd just take some of your money to see me perform musically ;)

[@Mona29695]

Me too

[@chrisfield8593]

I've had the pure joy to seen Mr. Joel 8 times. Each show better than the last.

[@MarinaSamoylovich]

Two of the greatest musicians on the Earth

[@poppyrowland1385]

Couple of living treasures, these two. ❤️

[@kroeze76]

4:31 this smile, a man with a amazing talent who enjoys his passion. It catches me every time

[@belfiore_18]

He sure does make playing that violin look easy. Gifted!

[@claudiascriba]

Great song! Are you italian?

[@belfiore_18]

@@claudiascriba yes

[@claudiascriba]

Bel Fiore me too 😜

[@acomegna]

Mr. Perlman rocks! Damn he can make that violin sing like no other can!!

[@Ryan-yl9kl]

Mr. Perlman's solo was ridiculous! Like best version of this sing I've heard

[@TheRandomZachChannel]

Joel’s ability to write a song that immerses you into the story and Pearlman’s incredible ability to shred a violin makes for the most amazing song ever.

[@ThisMayContainNuts]

Loving this and.. Holy smokes, the way Itzhak can talk with that violin. Seeing how much emotion it puts into his own soul through his facial expressions is just beautiful! So clear to see that he is enjoying every single second of this and it honestly puts a tear in my eye.. Brilliant performance this is!

[@TaylorJohnson1]

To my proud Americans, our pride is the cornerstone to our unbreakable spirit.

[@urshulgi666]

He owns it. Not even a big fan but have to recognize that Perlman owns this.

[@smik2630]

How can this guy still sing so FUCKING flawless and perfect.

[@michaelmaitre3654]

I was at that concert. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to

[@jamestowmsn]

I was there too with my family. A great concert.

[@wept_in_the]

What a privilege.

[@sd80mac]

These "slice of life" songs are where Joel's songwriting talent really shines. Downeaster Alexa, Allentown, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Leningrad etc. His ability to take the seemingly mundane everyday life of the working man and spin it into a captivating song is masterful.

[@eugenewalker4638]

Bill Joel is a great artists. Every song he writes or preforms is a hit.

[@nig4804]

I Heard the Song for the First Time on Hangover 2 a week ago and since then I have heard it everyday at least 20 Times 😅

[@MacaulayConnor]

Nach 55 Jahren habe ich verstanden, was klassische Musik bewirken kann. Billy Joel ist ein perfekt ausgebildeter Pianist, aber was Perlman dem Lied zufügt ist außerhalb dieser Welt. Fantastisch.

[@amierichan7231]

It's funny -- so many people waxing poetic over how great this song and Billy are. When all the violinists are thinking how lucky he is to have gotten to be on stage with Itzhak Perlman. He has been the king of the violin world ever since Heifitz died.

[@simonschulz9302]

What a Voice and the most underestimated Song from Billy Joel.

[@petronellankole8844]

I love this song and literally listen to it every day ❤️ Billy Joel...my hero

[@cpsmonroe1]

Every music fan needs to see him live in concert at least once. Its amazing when 15-20 thousand people join in to sing along. He puts on a great show.

[@user-ny9sw6nl3v]

Love your music from now to eternity, Mister Billy Joel! Blessings and Love! 🙋‍♀️💜☮🎼🎹🎻

[@seatick]

Incredibly beautiful and soul stirring song. Mr. Perlman is absolutely a genius on the "fiddle"!!

[@kevinmcsweeney8343]

It’s been awhile for comments. Hats off to this stellar performance. Perlman and Joel deliver like it was yesterday

[@Redeemed_02]

We are still together listening to this beautiful song. As we all sail down our own Alexa. God loves you

[@TheDADX13]

amazing...makes me cry..

[@svenlauke1190]

just saw billy in Cardiff. we couldn't believe he actually played this song, as its one of our favorites but somewhat underrated. proof of this is that we were pretty much the only ones who applauded and went nuts

[@deniseallen5233]

Always thought this song was a cut above the usual Billy Joel. Itzak Perlman, no wonder it's a cut above. Beautiful.

[@DDStriker-qf3ne]

I remember itzak perlman from sesame Street! And after all.tnis time, Billy's voice nis still so incredibly amazing 😍

[@blueplanetforsale1090]

This guy is just brilliant. Got shivers down my spine now !!!! Hello from the West of Scotland.

[@BaljeetSingh-hc5of]

Thank you the hangover for introducing me to this masterpiece

[@donnagilligan2905]

Beautiful performance Mr Perlman with you Billy Thank you..

[@anthonypeluso9484]

Absolutely captivating!! Magnificent!!!!

[@samsoncrosswood7259]

Was lucky enough to catch Joel and Elton John together in 99 or 2000. And if you don't know who Itzhak Perlman is, turn in your music fan card.

[@mickhanley3432]

I'm an Irishman with no connection to New Jersey but this is the greatest version of the greatest song EVER!!!!

[@vincentpatierno9433]

I was there. Great show. I love this song

[@caraleasmith7834]

This makes me cry.

[@TheDADX13]

happy birthday mr. Perlman,,and thank you for making my life so much better...

[@josephmorgan3058]

I wonder if they are brilliant because of their joyous love of playing, or they are joyous because their music is brilliant...legendary talents either way.

[@wept_in_the]

Both, I think. You can't have brilliance without joy.

[@Punninator1]

HOLY SHIT. At least there's a good chance that lots of Billy Joel fans know who Mr. Perlman is-besides being the guy who played fiddle on the original recording...

[@mark4251]

Punninator1 He is the best violinist in the world. He also went to Julliart for the arts. To put this into perspective you only have two chances to get in.

[@heikoffm9097]

Cant wait to see him in September 2016 in Frankfurt

[@Xenon2589]

+Heiko FFM me neither :)

[@domenicbellybutton5647]

So jealous.

[@captaindaddy8645]

i think this is billy Joel's best song.

[@kasulewilliams784]

mummy i hope u see me make a difference. I might not have time but this song will always represent the courage u instilled in me.

[@mikemedlen5504]

BRAVO BRAVO....worked his fingers to the bone..god bless all the fisherman.

[@liamg2271]

Top 5 most underrated Billy Joel songs: 5) Code of Silence 4) I've Loved These Days 3) Angry Young Man 2) Ballad of Billy the Kid 1) Downeaster Alexa

[@jeffsomer]

I spent many summers on Shelter Island and ran into Billy and Itzak quite a few times, lovely people

[@cameronboth6619]

My favorite song from Billy Joel. Love You

[@IlaughedIcried]

What a fantastic thing! So glad I stumbled on this amazing version of my favorite Billy Joel song.

[@marciakeech6099]

My fav of all!!! Please play at concert 4/2024 ⚘️❤️

[@sultanfazal]

Beautiful very beautiful.

[@jhas727]

As a kid I growing on boats in RI. This song brings back so many memories. Family conversations of the area and knowing the points hits deep as an adult.

[@isaacporter7631]

Violently underrated song

[@5minmajor22]

Awesome performance by two of the music worlds legends

[@makingmusicmusicando685]

Music with no border. What we need now is a real musical citizenship making our world into a better place for human beings having in mind social justice, equality and solidarity. Thanks to Mr. Joel and Mr. Perlman. God bless you.

[@stevenhardy5767]

I never have enough volume to crank up for this song.

[@fratertenc7589]

Seeing Billy next Thursday! I wasn't that psyched as I thought maybe his voice had gone but I hear it's still as good as it can possibly be for his age. God bless him for still touring so much at his age. Will be my first time seeing anyone , esp Billy as MSG and I had the pleasure to be at the 1st Shea concert!

[@macho844]

Frater Tenc Wasnt It a great show? I was at the same concert!

[@fratertenc7589]

Were you man? It was! I was in section 115 i think it was, stage left with my brother. I really got excited when he played one of my favorites "Sometimes a Fantasy" even though "All for Leyna" got more cheers quite obviously.. haha. any favorite songs or moments of the concert for you? I know his stuff so well and oh one other thing, the sound of Gavin DeGraw was so bad compared with Billy's band.. it really showed what good sound engineering is and isn't :P

[@macho844]

Lol.. I was far away... Like in the 200's... But it was still very enjoyable.. When he hit that high note in Innocent man... i was going to faint lmao... I was happy he played Summer, highlands fall, and Downeastern Alexa

[@mark4251]

Billy Joel is smart to pair up with the greatest violinist in the world. Itzhah solo is just wonderful. I remember listening to this song in my last 20's and it was great then, but even better now.

[@rvc81396]

Bein from hicksville NY where he grew up on LI i love hearing this song