Billy Joel - 12 Gardens: Live (2CD)
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Free Music Notes for 12 Gardens: Live (2CD)
Free Music Review: I love the music of Billy Joel
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been a Billy Joel fan all my life. I would have loved to have seen him in concert in Madison Square Garden. This 2 disc set of live performances is probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing him live. Most of his biggest hits on here. I enjoyed classic songs like Movin Out, Big Shot, New York State of Mind, and Piano Man. However, I think that some of his biggest hit songs are not included here like Honesty, Uptown Girl, You're Only Human, and Pressure, but I guess these songs are not as popular as the ones he performed. Billy Joel has always been able to identify with the common working man, and I think this is why he has lasted so long. One of my favorite tracks is Downeaster Alexa. This song is a tribute to his daughter and to the many fishermen who struggle each day to make a living. Another excellent working man song is Billy's hit from 1982 entitled Allentown. I also enjoyed the track Vienna. This is a lesser known but very lovely song about trying to slow to enjoy life. Always A Woman is a beautiful love song that won the Grammy for best song in 1979. Overall, I think Billy sounds great vocally and on the piano here. The musicians in his band are excellent too.Free Music Review: Absolutely Fabulous!
Hit: 5 Stars
This is, by far, one of the best live recording's Billy Joel has put out. It surpasses the somewhat disappointing, often off-key "2000 Years: The Millenium Concert" by leaps and bounds. Billy's vocals are crisp, his playing is impeccable, and the set list covers nearly ever facet of Billy's musical history. Gems on this album (for the "true" fan) include "Zanzibar" "The Night is Still Young" "Great Wall of China" & "And So It Goes" among others. Billy packaged the perfect blend of songs to placate those who stick to the radio-friendly cuts, while not forgetting his die-hard fans. One drawback is the "dungeon-like" echoing hollowness of the sound on some tracks, but that is not enough to detract from an overall fabulous album.
This is a must have for any true fan who had the misfortune of not living in New York/New England/Florida during this tour. I still have my fingers crossed that he'll decide the Midwest needs a live-action dose of this tour. I've seen his shows live (solo and with Sir Elton) no less than 10 times, but it would be a thrill to hear some of these songs live, in person. For now, the magnificent "12 Gardens" will have to do.
Free Music Review: Billy Joel is a wildman
Hit: 5 Stars
Billy Joel has released many amazing live albums, but after listening to this a few times, I would definitely say that this one is THE BEST. This has a great song list and some of the best performing of the Piano Man's career. Until they release some old Billy Joel live recordings, such as "CW Post '77" or "Live at the Bottom Line '76," this would be the best live album for a fan to purchase. Sure, lessser-known gems that haven't been played live in some time like "Laura," "Everybody Loves You Now," and "The Entertainer" are enough to make this very interesting, but the way Billy delivers on tracks that we've heard live many times are what make this so awesome. He's singing the high notes on "An Innocent Man" again! "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" sounds better than ever! How about that piano jam at the end of "The River of Dreams?" WOW! The sleeve artwork is cool too, I really like the black and white look. This, along with the new releases from the Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam (and the Beatles' box set of course) are the must have releases of the year so far, in my opinion. All that's missing is a DVD release of "12 Gardens!"Free Music Review: Billy Joel Returns !!!!!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I saw two of Billy Joel's concerts from his recent 2006 US Tour. Both shows were at the Hartford Civic Center. Fortunately, he changed some of the songs at each show so I got an excellent mix of classic Joel songs. However, the one thing that stood out above everything else was that Billy Joel was having a great time on stage. His voice was as good as ever, the interaction he had with his audience was outstanding, and most importantly, his song selection was terrific at each show I attended.
Billy Joel's new CD, "12 Gardens Live", has allowed me to relive those two Hartford concerts. The song selection is wonderful (my favorites being Don't Ask Me Why, Laura, Keeping The Faith, The Great Wall Of China, and Zanzibar) and the CD has brilliantly captured the very essence of the show itself. I've been lucky to have seen every solo Billy Joel concert tour since the Nylon Curtain Tour of 1982-1983 and even though he's much tamer now than in his younger days, the enthusiasm and showmanship is very much alive. I highly recommend "12 Gardens Live". You won't be disappointed.
Free Music Review: Mature Artist at his prime, doing what he does best.
Hit: 5 Stars
Billy Joel has had a rough couple of years. He has been in rehab a few times and crashed some cars. He has managed to turn things around lately with a new marriage and this amazing live cd of his twelve night stand at Madison Square Garden. Lets look at the things that matter. His pianao playing is still top notcha and he rushes some numbers and is ponderous on another but he has agreat back up band and vocalsists. Now we come to the voice itself. At 55, Billy has lowered the keys on most of his numbers and i say so what. We all get older. At least he is not trying to pretend to hide the passage of time.His voice actually gets stronger as the concert progresse, allowing him to hit the high notes on "An Innocent Man" and he actually seesm to thrive on the energy of the crowd so with the exception of Piano Man, his voice has held up well. Still has the pipes.Unlike Elton John who cant sing any more. Billy still sounds like bILLY.i GUESS i wish he would record a new album of songs, but this live cd sates me for along time to come.