Billy Joel - 2000 Years: Millennium Concert
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Free Music Notes for 2000 Years: Millennium Concert
Free Music Review: Great concert, if you don't mind the talking
Hit: 4 Stars
I have been disappointed of late in Billy Joel's indecision about his career direction, because it seems that it has translated into weak music (if any at all) and erratic performances. However, he manages to get everything together and delivers a knockout in "2000 Years: The Millenium Concert".It is great to have the mix of greatest hits mixed with a few "forgotten" goodies (i.e. "The Legend Of Billy The Kid"). Mr. Joel seems to breathe new life into the songs, delivering them with better fire and intensity than has been seen from him for several years. The two discs also provide a nice "sample" of hits from all stages of his career, which is refreshing in a live format such as this. With a couple minor exceptions, the sound quality is pretty nice.
The biggest critique of this CD-set is, as has been mentioned in most reviews, the ad nauseum banter between songs. It is my belief that in any live disc, a little chatter is cool, provided it makes some sense and doesn't ramble on throughout. That is the major flaw with this set. Presumably the concert was edited so as to fit on both discs; if that is indeed the case, then surely they could have cleanly edited some of this idle chatter. On multiple occasions, Mr. Joel rambles at length about absolutely nothing, and/or idly riffs at his piano. The extensive nature of the talking between songs is really a drawback to this set. It's annoying, and forces you to have to constantly skip to the next track rather than just letting the CD player run straight through.
All in all, it is a fine addition to a music collection, particularly if you are a fan of Billy Joel's music. I dare say it is the best of his live recordings. The talking is a major distraction, thus preventing it from being rated any higher, but it doesn't significantly affect my rating because the overall music quality is too good to be diminished or ignored.
Free Music Review: Great CDs, but could have been better
Hit: 4 Stars
As a person lucky and fortunate enough to be present at the concert itself, I was only too excited to hear that they were making a CD of it. As soon as it came out, I bought it. I gave it a listen and found it to be extremely enjoyable. It was only after I thought about it for a little while that I realized how much better it could have been. There are a total of 23 tracks on the two CDs, 21 songs (excluding Beethoven's Symphony and Auld Lang Syne), 19 of which are Billy's (excluding two on the second CD). Now I remember counting 29 or 30 songs that he actually played at the concert. Among the ones that I most enjoyed were "Miami 2017," "Famous Last Words," snd "You're My Home." Also left off were such classics as "Piano Man" "Pressure," and "Uptown Girl," not to mention 3 or 4 others. What I would have liked a lot would have been for there to be three CDs, comprising all the songs that he played at the concert. But I guess the record company didn't think that that would sell.Some other notes: The combination of "2000 Years" and the countdown to the millenium was something that I will never forget; "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" was a great addition; Very often, Billy changed a little of the melody to avoid some high notes, most notably on "Only the Good Die Young."
Overall, this CD is a must buy for any type of Billy Joel fan.
Free Music Review: You'll Love It, but have realistic expectations
Hit: 4 Stars
This album is a wonderful souvenir of a concert most of us didn't (couldn't) attend. If bootlegs of this show were going around, many people would pay double or triple the price. Instead, here we have a terrific sounding recording of an outstanding performance at a reasonable price. Actually, it's one of the best live CD's I've ever heard.No, there isn't any new material that's going to compare to The Stranger/52nd Street. However, I think most fans will still really enjoy this CD.
As much as I LOVE "Songs In The Attic", the reason to buy this is because it is a (mostly) complete and cohesive show. Therefore, it's a much better representation of one of his concerts. Billy is in absolute top form and his enjoyment in this performance is clearly evident.
Of course each listener may miss a few favorites. Personally I would have loved "Vienna" or "Until The Night". Likewise, each person may wish certain songs were not here (in my case, I'd drop "Big Shot" and "River of Dreams" in a minute).
Most of the song selctions though are tunes that long time fans will love. It touches upon every CD he's put out except "Cold Spring Harbor" and "Streetlife Serenade" and thankfully it only has two cuts from "Storm Front".
In short, if you're a fan, you're gonna like this. You're gonna like this a lot!
Free Music Review: Something's Missing
Hit: 4 Stars
Although I was not there that night, I have seen Billy Joel perform live a lot of times, and I was a bit disappointed with this release. Thanks to the other reviewers for submitting more first-hand information about that show, by the way.The booklet is indeed a very poor job - it doesn't even mention that the concert was recorded at Madison Square Garden! Hardly any pictures, and just the bare necessities.
As this might very well be Joel's "rock" farewell album, it is a sin not to include "Piano Man" which - with its huge audience participation - has always been the highlight of any Joel show. A live rendition of that song wasn't even on the 1981 "Attic" album, so shame on the producers and the rush-job they made of it.
The album itself sounds good but the chronology includes a few slip-ups and omissions. All in all, "2000 Years" is a nice addition to the Billy Joel collection, but it could have been so much better. Maybe Columbia will release a complete version someday.
Free Music Review: LINER NOTES?
Hit: 4 Stars
As far as Live albums go, this one is up there, along with the requisite mutterings about song selection, (although I do agree that live versions otherwise available do not belong here). I actually bought it to hear This Night - one of the best Prom Night songs ever written - which Billy renders fabulously.The recording is crisp, he is still in good form, I only regret I coudn't be there myself.
But, am I the only missing Liner Notes (or am I showing my age)? For an event which took place on such a momentus occasion, I would expect that Mr. Joel would have some reflections to share on the significance of the evening - why he chose the songs he did, his feelings about 20,000 New Yorkers choosing to ring in the new year with him, Thanks to Madison Square Garden, SOMETHING. I felt gypped to find only the required credits.
I also would have appreciated a few pictures of the evening, to add to the festive spirit of the recording.
All in all, I am thoroughly enjoying my repeated listens.