Big Shot Rocks the Sounds of Billy Joel

Over 1,000 people descended upon Thursday night to hear some outstanding Billy Joel covers by the band, Big Shot. They also received the answer to the hypothetical question: what if Billy Joel rocked?

Big Shot is an amped-up Billy Joel tribute band with the edge coming from Michael DelGuidice, vocalist and keyboardist extraordinaire. DelGuidice looks and sounds like Billy Joel, expect with more of a rock timbre. DelGuidice seems like he could stand-in comfortably as a front man for any alternative-rock band. 

Speaking of alternative-rock bands, Bassist Nick DiMichino is also in the band, Nine Days. The band is currently on-hiatus, but their single  “Absolutely” became a number one hit on multiple radio formats. 

Guitarist Ken Cino roughs up the sound further with searing licks and wicked finger-work that you will not hear at any Joel concert. The pulsing percussions of Mike Sorrentino ratchet up the band’s onstage volume.

While DelGuidice is the featured-performer, saxophonist Mark Fineberg has instances of genuine stage stealing. One of the strongest moments of the set came during “New York State of Mind” when Fineberg took a walk around the crowd during his scintillating solo. Several children proceeded to follow after him, pied piper-like. 

Big Shot definitely got some people up and grooving, particularly during their rollicking version of “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.” But, most fans remained seated throughout. Joel released his first album forty years ago, so, unsurprisingly, the demographic skewed on the older side.

Unfortunately, this audience may have been slightly ill matched for Big Shot’s cranked-up take on Billy Joel. Murmurs of discontent were audible about the show’s intense volume. 

“I know Billy Joel’s music isn’t that loud,” Shirley Ehrlich, 81, of Wethersfield declared. Indeed. 

The continues next Thursday July 21 with the top 40 jams of Kick. Showtime is same time, same venue.