Billy Joel - 12 Gardens: Live (2CD)
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Free Music Notes for 12 Gardens: Live (2CD)
Free Music Review: Disappointing
Hit: 3 Stars
I was disappointed in this CD. The older Billy Joel isn't as fun to listen to live, I guess. I listened to it once and filed it away in my "not played very much" CD section. But when I bought it I only paid $9.99. So I guess it wasn't a total disaster.Free Music Review: Billy Joel live
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the best live album Billy Joel has ever released, period.Free Music Review: Good Album, But Not For The Musically Sensitive
Hit: 4 Stars
First off let me say that I am a huge fan of Billy Joel to the point tha I have read his biography. So please don't look at my review as slander. As you may or may not have read in other reviews of this CD. Many of the songs were transposed into a different key because Billy Joel can't sing as high as he once could and although this likely won't affect most people, those with musically sensitive ears should listen to the samples first to make sure you can still enjoy the music this way and that your ears aren't too frusturated by the key changes if they're sensitive. Those who it would affect in the first place will understand what I'm talking about. If your sensitive to this I reccomend getting his 2000 Years concert instead. Everyone else pleaseu don't get me wrong on my review I think this is a wonderful high energy CD and show cases a high rock prospective on Billy Joel. I just want to make sure others, namely those with perfect pitch, make the same mistake I did in getting this CD. I want to say once again I think the CD is wonderful, it's just that it has many transposed songs and may not be right for everyone.Free Music Review: Billy Joel's Best Live Album
Hit: 5 Stars
"12 Gardens Live" is definitely Billy Joel's best live album ever, and one worthy of attention to both those familiar with his elegant songwriting and those who aren't. If nothing else, "12 Gardens Live" demonstrates why Billy Joel isn't just an elder statesman of American rock and roll, but one of our most talented American songwriters working in any genre, having created a body of work which deserves comparison with those from George Gershwin and Cole Porter. Much to my amazement, Joel's singing is as robust as ever, with a deep vocal and emotional range, that will remind devout fans of his elegant singing from his classic mid 1970s and early 1980s studio albums. This splendid new live allbum is worth its weight in gold, merely for his magnificient performances of "My Life", "Only the Good Die Young", "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" and "Big Shot". But there are memorable performances of lesser known Billy Joel hits, including "Goodnight Saigon", "Laura", and especially, "Miami 2017". This splendid album also records the considerable enthusiasm and appreciation shown by Joel's fans at his Madison Square Garden concerts, most memorably in an audience sing-a-long version of "Piano Man".
Recorded during his sold-out 2006 performances at New York City's Madison Square Garden (The album's title makes an oblique reference to this, and the fact that he set a record for any artist by having twelve sold-out performances at Madison Square Garden.), Joel is ably supported by his band comprised by some long-time acquaintances and friends from his prior touring bands. The only notable omission is long-time drummer Liberty De Vito, though the current drummer does a fine job playing as if he was indeed De Vito. There are a total of 32 songs on this two CD set (There are two hidden surprises in store on each CD which I won't disclose.) that comprise a veritable musical history of Billy Joel's songwriting from the early 1970s to the early 1990s (Regrettably one notable omission is "Say Goodbye to Hollywood", which has been covered successfully by both Nigel Olsson, Elton John's original - and long-time - drummer and Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes.). My only criticism is the poor album packaging done by Sony Columbia, but it is a minor complaint when what is offered here is without question, Billy Joel's best live album.
Free Music Review: Surprisingly robust live album
Hit: 4 Stars
I like Billy Joel. How can you not? He's an American icon. I've seen him a few times live a number of years ago, but not recently. I was not at all impressed with his previous live album "2000 Years: The Millenium Concert", in which Billy sounded tired, frankly. Not long after that 12/31/99 concert, Billy pretty much stopped touring. It wasn't until his long promised box set "My Lives" was released last year that Billy decided to tour again. Among other things, Billy sold out 12 shows at the Madison Square Gardens. (I'm sorry to say I wasn't there.)
"12 Gardens Live" (2 CDs, 30 tracks plus 2 "uncredited" tracks, 153 min.) finds Billy in a much better outing than the Millenium album (even if Billy's voice at times is showing his age). Apart from the tried-and-true hits, CD1 brings us unexpected tracks such as "Vienna", "Zanzibar", "The Great Wall of China" and (uncredited on the CD sleeve) an excellent "Room of Our Own". CD2 brings more of the same, albeit a more hits-oriented track listing. "Goodnight Saigon" is a highlight, as is "A Matter of Trust" and "You May Be Right", and on "Piano Man" it just feels like it's Billy's time and night. Here also another uncredited song at the end: "It's Still Rock and Roll". Billy's 8 piece band sounds tight throughout this collection.
I hope that Billy Joel will venture out to Cincinnati again, as I'd love to see and experience his show again. Strictly going on "12 Gardens Live", Billy sounds revigerated and comfortable with where he's at. "12 Gardens Live" is an unexpected return to form for Billy, and easily his best live album to date.