If this is really going to be his last concert tour ever, pop star Billy Joel certainly went out on a high note last night at the Air Canada Centre.

The 49-year-old Joel -- supported by a seven-piece band, including a two-person horn section, a huge lighting system and a stripped-down stage with incredible sight lines -- came on like gangbusters with the show-opening Angry Young Man.

The song not only showed off Joel's proficient piano playing but his still-vital energy and strong voice -- if more limited range -- despite his own claims to the contrary.

In fact, Joel, a native of Hicksville, Long Island, still bristles with the same chip on his shoulder attitude that he possessed way back in 1971 when he was just starting out.

Dressed in a conservative black suit and shirt last night -- with a little more grey in his beard than the last time he played Toronto in 1995 at the SkyDome with Elton John -- he took a good look around the new Air Canada Centre and commented: "Oh, there are booths for the rich bastards up there too! They're watching us on TV and sipping martinis."

Showman

He also proved to be the consummate showman as he did imitations (Gordon Lightfoot and Julio Iglesias), told funny stories about his two ex-wives (including Christie Brinkley) and even famous people he's dated (model Elle Macpherson).

"I knew it was doomed," he said of his relationship with Macpherson. "She looks like her. And I look like me."

Following Angry Young Man, Joel proceeded to take the sold-out crowd of 20,000 all over his 28-year-old songbook, pointing out himself that he hasn't had a new album of material since 1993's River Of Dreams.

The interesting thing was that he allowed the audience to sometimes vote on which songs he would play. Like when it came to his "mushy love ballads," fans chose 1971's She's Got A Way over 1977's Just The Way You Are.

That song turned out to be one of the best of the evening and made you long for another tour featuring just Joel and his piano.

Still, he made light of She's Got A Way's poignant lyrics saying: "That was written for my first ex-wife. Obviously I don't know what the hell I'm talking about."

And when he launched into 1982's This Is The Time, written for Brinkley, he said: "This is for my second ex-wife -- who at least didn't take the publishing away."

Rotating stage

With the use of a rotating stage underneath his piano -- one of two -- along with two swivelling keyboards at either side of the stage, Joel also was able to literally reach out and touch the audience.

He moved easily around the stage from instrument to instrument and only suffered through a couple of missteps, including the wonky 1982 song Pressure and 1989's I Go To Extremes.

But generally he -- and the audience -- seemed to be enjoying themselves as he shook people's hands and accepted notes. Among the musical highlights were 1977's 'Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), 1982's Allentown, 1983's An Innocent Man and 1978's My Life, the latter song which provoked the first genuine clap-along of the evening.

Joel is getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next Monday and said to me in an interview last week that he hadn't decided yet whether or not to perform at the function.

For those attending the ceremony, let's hope he does.

And maybe eventually he'll even reconsider retirement from the road.

JAM! Rating: 4 out of 5