David Rosenthal plays Billy Joel's Root Beer Rag

Billy Joel’s longtime Music Director and Keyboardist, David Rosenthal performs Billy's finger-bending ragtime tribute, Root Beer Rag.

[@nedleyolpal]

He’s been touring with Billy Joel for years

[@JovanGaluit-vy5hr]

Yep, and no props. What's going on there, the guy's a gem

[@JovanGaluit-vy5hr]

So talented and exciting. You do not get the attention you deserve, and it's truly a shame. You are loved 🙋🏻

[@howtodoitdude1662]

Even though the feel is not there like Billy’s playing, it’s still a great cover. Thanks for sharing!

[@bherber]

His tempo is all over the place. I can't understand how this guy is Billy's keyboard player.

[@moc1609]

@@bherber David's worked with Billy for 20 years. Who are you to question Billy? Do you honestly think BJ doesn't know what he's doing? BTW, in case you aren't aware, David is a lot more than just BJ's "keyboard player." He's his musical director.

[@bherber]

@@moc1609 - Dave's actually not that good. I mean whatever though. I haven't seen Billy live since 2006/07. He and his entire band are washed out. Same show over and over and over again. As far as who am I to question Billy means that I can play and perform any of his tunes by memory on piano and vocally and could blow you out of the water on Billy knowledge, but whatever...

[@elliemenzel7939]

Herbert seems to have her man panties in a wad. Insecurity of that scale is a horrible thing to trot out for others to see.

[@bherber]

@@elliemenzel7939 - Willing to get together anytime at a piano with you. Let me know place and time. Rosenthal sucks. He should not be playing this.

[@geraldgross2812]

Amazing Talent You Are David 🎹🎹🎹

[@bherber]

In music nothing is ever talent, it's skill. You have to work at it.

[@JovanGaluit-vy5hr]

Depends who you are. I know talented people.

[@Redlouie]

First class musician and a first class human being.

[@bherber]

He might be a first class human being, but piano playing is not that good, and I'm upset that he would have the audacity to pay Root Beer Rag.

[@gabe1918]

@bherber Are you working with Billy Joel 😂 Why don’t you play it then..

[@kochnasakti7187]

Ex Rainbow keyboard player..?

[@gregr2784]

yes

[@walren98]

Nice Dave 👍👏👏👏

[@noname-jh3bd]

Nice!!

[@MollyT119]

Dave makes this look so much easier than it actually is, definitely not an easy song to play at all. This man is so incredibly talented! 🎹

[@bherber]

Dave can't even keep a consistent tempo. You may want to go back and listen again.

[@bherber]

I am still surprised that Steinway would publish this video.

[@seanscanlon9067]

I wonder if it occurred to Billy to ask David to play on the recording of Fantasies & Delusions?

[@bherber]

Why? This is a terrible cover with tempo all over the place. And this isn't even classical. It's a ragtime tune.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@bherber It is far from terrible and nor is the tempo all over the place and yes, I am aware of it being a ragtime tune but do you really think that is all David can play?

[@bherber]

@@seanscanlon9067 - Sean, if you don't think the tempo is all over the place, then you may want to listen again. Go ahead, and then get back to me.

[@seanscanlon9067]

@@bherber I have and of course it is not exactly like the version on Streetlife Serenade but not too many of Billy's are either.

[@bherber]

@@seanscanlon9067 - The main point is that you don't publish a tune of this caliber and then murder it. I'd accept this sloppy rendition from a 14 or 15 year old kid, but Dave is a professional musician. He shouldn't have attempted this if he wasn't prepared.

[@swerveshot]

Guys, do you even know who this man is? Who cares if he's playing a bit sloppy?

[@davidkyle2073]

Buy a metronome 😮

[@dojabon9330]

In a technical sense it‘s awesome. But the first version where i feel nothing. Too sterile and perfect.