Erik James - Root Beer Rag (Billy Joel)

[@jeff_4817]

I’ve heard about fifteen covers of this song this evening, and yours is the best one I’ve heard hands down. It’s not rushed, the notes are crisp, and you didn’t get carried away. Very well done!

[@summerhaven32086]

And it always sounds better with just piano like this (maybe drums too), thus I like "alternate" versions like this better than Mr. Joel's original on the album (which had too many other instruments).

[@beefhamma]

Totally awesome stuff. A little improv in there, I like it. Let's hear the 2020 version now!

[@ddsmusic-doug2469]

The best rendition and performance of this that I have heard. Billy would commend.

[@BassBunnyMusic]

Buff, Handsome, and EXTREMELY Talented! You are GOALS.

[@erikjames9033]

Thanks so much, Jon!

[@trueimagesproductions]

I respectfully disagree with Daniel Robinson. I think this was one of the best performances of the rag I've seen, I liked the extra notes, your special touch. Thanks, Erik.

[@Nico-uy2so]

Daniel robinson also said he was good tho

[@ucfknight239]

Billy needs to see this if he hasn't already. Bravo, Mr. Erik.

[@twentyonepilotstrash3118]

I normally can’t get through an entire instrumental video bc I have the attention span of a goldfish, but this was mesmerizing

[@Reynaldo2712]

Just an awesome interpretation of Billy Joel's masterpiece - brilliant!

[@donpetruzzi1010]

Hey man, I've been playing for 33 years and would like to say this is incredible! Love your embellishment. Billy himself would be so impressed!

[@mlr080965]

I just revisited this and I am amazed at how clean this rendition is....well done!

[@wastelandtourguide5956]

You deserve a billion views and subscribers

[@りる-o4c]

スゴー! 完璧！PERFECT！GREAT！

[@zumba111]

How does he only have 350 subs he should have more than 1 million with this kind of playing!

[@bman342a]

Because he's only posted about 8 performance vids. As Billy would say, this guy definitely has chops, and if he posted more would easily have tons more subs.

[@WillieWagglestick]

Well done! Absolutely brilliant!

[@rouncer74]

Yeeeeeew! Awesome interpretation mate! Loved it. Bravo on the ad lib. You took a classic piece and made it your own.

[@mlr080965]

I agree......... you have made this song your own.Normally people dont raise the bar when doing so....NOT SO in this case!!

[@BroJay_76]

The satisfied smile at the end knowing you nailed the crap out of it.

[@ivanb8126]

Level of Quality: Billy Joel. Great job!

[@davidedwards8]

By any standards, outstanding!

[@aidanclarke6065]

I never comment on KZbin videos but that was absolutely incredible!

[@OuaghlaniAlaa]

That was wonderful!!

[@JimmyLeeHook]

That was a great rendition. You threw in a few licks of your own, and changed up a few rhythms, and it sounded great. You are a skilled player! Love it!! Thank you for sharing.

[@danstokesmusic]

amazing, great performance

[@meganpemberton332]

Wow!!! I love this! Truly awesome.

[@World-as-i-c-it]

That was awesome !

[@markclyde3326]

Excellent. Simply excellent. I love the personal touch you put into this. Billy would be proud. Flawless execution. Well done, Eric. Well done.

[@nicholasjohnleach4327]

Great job well done!

[@beatrixwickson8477]

That Simpsons theme quote at 2:47 XD Great stuff!

[@benh1496]

Lol I didn’t notice that

[@marn45]

This is absolutely incredible!!!!!! Amazing job!!!!!!!

[@ruthnewton2579]

Brilliant!!

[@TheBigsbee]

Marvelous version...you rock!!

[@filsgreen]

Astounding playing, thank you for posting.

[@SissyShamrock]

I'll be honest by saying I was skeptical about clicking on this, but I am glad I did. An amazing job! BRAVO!!

[@Sweence]

That was a great rendition. I love the extra flourishes.

[@jondesalvatore2052]

Who would dislike this? This is as good if not better than Billy himself. Really well played Erik.

[@JackT702]

I'm sorry, did you say "better than Billy"? Is that a thing? I'm pretty sure you can't be better than someone at their own song and Billy is the greatest of all time.

[@hughtyner2344]

Even Billy admits there are those who play his stuff better than he does....especially the classical stuff he wrote... I have to agree....if you listen to him play this with his band...it's not technically this good...

[@josephwilson3180]

Billy Joel plays it faster in non-album performances. I think "better" is subjective.

[@kerryholland5879]

wow thats hard piece to play

[@pim4095]

I liked your Simpsons quote on 2:47. Great job!

[@flipperdale51]

...Very nice--Billy J. would be proud.

[@chrisschwanekamp1583]

Great job man, love the variations you came up with!

[@ticntac09]

My God,.. what an awsome Version ist that !!!! You re a lucky guy man !!!

[@mospeada1152]

Love this tune.

[@BallisticDrummer]

WOW!

[@bullridermusic2054]

Incredible job man wow!!!

[@DaveKlaiss]

Well done !

[@GaliciaSanAndres]

Hey, so cool, I'm working with this peace for a few weeks too. Like you easy playing, thank you!

[@marcvandenbrandt863]

FANTASTIC! Great playing and I love the sidesteps, it shows you don't just play what you learned from sheets but you actually know what you're doing.

[@rickytejada3111]

Like llove

[@rickytejada3111]

Like l lo ve de: Rossy

[@carrolllaw]

Amazing!

[@MidnightKahuna]

Props my man! What a monster!

[@CrazyFireGroup]

AWESOME!!!

[@SpencerRaybourne]

Yes!

[@crazyfingers1925]

This is just what i needed

[@WhitbyStuff]

Fanstastic.

[@andrewscrugham8358]

Great playing and camera angles!

[@sabby2662]

Amazing. One of Billy’s best works, most people don’t understand the level of difficulty this song is... you absolutely nailed it.

[@nickedmondson1583]

simply superb

[@frankod100]

Superb playing !

[@timedwards1220]

DAMN good rendition of Root Beer Rag! Almost as good as Billy Joel himself...he would be very proud! 😃😁

[@andreasbothmann235]

BRAVO!!!!!👉👍👈

[@bigredfreak2]

G’day, have watched this vid many times. I actually really like the extra keys you play and you have made it you own. Its a terribly difficult piece to play, I’m jealous. Keep up the good work!

[@miguelsjr9567]

Awesome. I need to have classes with you !!!

[@lucapiazza]

Great!!!!!!!

[@michelbeaupre920]

holy smoke! This cover was played with such precision!!! Bravo!!!!!!!

[@courtneyhart9727]

Unbelievable!!! You did SUCH a great job of this super difficult piece 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🔥🔥🔥🔥🥲

[@bullridermusic2054]

Absolutely fantastic, hats off to you man that was incredible.

[@szabolcskozma2754]

The best performance I've ever heard! Congrats! Awesome!

[@richardellett9569]

Will always be the theme tune to Hold Your Plums to me on BBC Radio Merseyside

[@AEKarys]

Wow! I'm speechless. Beautiful!

[@irishmusico]

Fantastic! 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Skelevon_gaming]

So cool

[@mrkipw8735]

I sometimes object to fooling around with a tune, but not when the fooling is done just exactly right. Well fooled, sir!

[@kc9kepextra460]

Cleanly executed .. great improvs .. excellente' :-)

[@TheBigsbee]

Fabulous!!! From Cleveland. Love it. Mr

[@WillieWagglestick]

You are INSANELY good!!!!!!!

[@inesh8223]

UNGLAUBLICH!! Vollsten Respekt!! Ich liebe diesen Titel von Billy Joel, Du hast ihn sehr gut umgesetzt. 🙌🙌🙌

[@井口史朗]

wonderful😀👍

[@ericpmitchell]

Great arrangement!

[@VK3ACU]

Erik make more videos you are unreal!

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Top performance man. Tribute to lots of hard work.

[@skulltone9734]

Wow..totally loved it!

[@peggybachler5952]

great job - how amazing you are!

[@airlinephoto]

Brilliant 👍🏼👍🏼

[@the06waves]

PLEASE TEACH ME YOUR WAYS

[@benniturkov5489]

I think its aweseome :)

[@yarnala]

All I can say is, Wow!

[@superdynamite7800]

Great job!

[@abrilsoboleosky3484]

what the hell did i just listened you're amazing congrats ✨🖤

[@38biscotto]

Great!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@arihayden9349]

Unbelievable

[@gemini2757]

Genius! 🎼🎹🎼🎹🎼🎹

[@markusk9460]

Great with this bluesy tough and your own licks!

[@JimmyLeeHook]

I’m a piano player, I cannot play this song. And you were awesome. You were absolutely spectacular. Bravo.

[@lukegreen5696]

F***ing awesome

[@jennakeith5711]

Just became your 400th sub! I hope to be able to play piano like this!

[@inesh8223]

hallo @inesh6223 Auch ich habe vollsten Respekt!!! Viele haben versucht diesen Titel umzusetzen. doch hat keiner dieses Feeling so in mir auslösen können wie das Original, bis zu diesem Video!!!

[@mospeada1152]

Without backup instruments, that was fantastic.

[@lissmcclymont8977]

Yes my grandma used to play it at home and I love no background instruments. When I heard Billies, I was like um, no, thats wrong 🤣

[@pkelaita]

Nailed it!!!!

[@AndriFannar]

Holy shit, well done

[@mikellbeus6498]

HOLY CRAP!! AMAZING!! I loved your added pizzazz.

[@MrTheBommel]

very very good! Youre talented!

[@cameronthomas9025]

this is awesome man!