It's one of the cruel ironies of music today that Billy Joel has been relegated to a kind of adult-contemporary hell, where his legacy is measured by soft-rock staples such as "Just the Way You Are," "Piano Man," and "New York State of Mind." To be sure, well-crafted ballads are a part of his legacy, but they're hardly the whole story, as this collection of his early and mid-period hits amply demonstrates. From the unbridled biographical boasting of "The Entertainer" and the ambitious storytelling of "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" to the careening abandon of "Only the Good Die Young" and the thoughtful social commentary of "Allentown," Joel was as complete an artist as the last three decades have produced. --Daniel Durchholz
More Albums by Billy Joel
Billy Joel "The Stranger: 30th Anniversary [Limited Edition] (Deluxe Boxed Set - 2 CDs + 1 DVD)"
$27.65
CD of "The Stranger" remastered by the original album producer, Phil Ramone
CD of "Live At Carnegie Hall 1977"- previously unreleased - On June 3, 1977, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger album, Billy and his band performed at the historical Carnegie Hall.
Bonus DVD of BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test - approx 60 minutes PLUS 2 live promotional videos
48 Page Booklet with liner notes by Rolling Stone Editor, David Fricke and un-seen photos from the original album photo shoot
The Stranger CD Tracklist: Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) The Stranger Just The Way You Are Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Vienna Only the Good Die Young She's Always A Woman Get It Right The First Time Everybody Has Dream
"Live At Carnegie Hall 1977" CD On June 3, 1977, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger album, Billy and his band performed at the historical Carnegie Hall in NYC. This show has been brilliantly restored to be released for the first time as part of the 30th Anniversary edtion of The Stranger
"The Old Grey Whistle Test" DVD Billy Joel made a special appearance on BBC2 television music show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in early 1978 during the promotion for The Stranger album. The show is approximately 60 minutes and aired only once on BBC2. The Old Grey Whistle Test was an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from September 1971 to 1987. The Old Grey Whistle Test was also the template for what later became MTV. "Miami 2017" "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" "New York State Of Mind" "The Entertainer" "She's Always A Woman" "Root Beer Rag" "Just The Way You Are" "Souvenir" "Ain't No Crime" "Only The Good Die Young"
PLUS Live Promotional videos: "The Stranger" "Just The Way You Are"
Billy Joel "1973-97-Complete Hits Collection"
$21.85
The three volumes of Billy Joel's Greatest Hits albums make up the bulk of this catch-up set; a fourth disc features some live versions and discussion of the artist's composing methods. --Rickey Wright
