The Essential Billy Joel (2CD)

Personnel includes: Billy Joel (vocals, piano); Ray Charles (vocals); Richard Joo (piano); Liberty DeVito (drums). Producers include: Michael Stewart, Billy Joel, Phil Ramone, Mick Jones, Steven Epstein. Compilation producers: Greg Linn, Mark Feldman. Recorded between 1973 and 2001. All tracks have been digitally remastered. At the close of the 20th Century, it became apparent that Billy Joel was one of the premier pop craftsmen of the post-Beatles era. This generous two-disc compilation neatly makes a case for Joel's reign at the top of the musical heap by chronicling nearly 20 years of hits. Joel's melodic gift and lyrical acumen are amply displayed as THE ESSENTIAL BILLY JOEL moves from the introspective "Piano Man" to the sardonic, self-parodic "The Entertainer," from the Springsteen-like rocker "Only the Good Die Young" to the McCartneyesque "Dont Ask Me Why." As Joel's career progressed, his work became increasingly occupied with socio-political issues, as evidenced by disc two's "We Didn't Start the Fire" and "The Downeaster 'Alexa.'" By the end of the '90s, Joel decided to abandon pop in favor of classically inspired instrumental music, and this chronological collection fittingly ends with some of the first fruits of that notion, indicating that even after so many years in the public eye, Joel still had plenty to say, whether he used words or not. Track Listing: Disc 1: Piano Man You're My Home Captain Jack Entertainer, The Say Goodbye To Hollywood Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway) New York State Of Mind She's Always A Woman Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Only The Good Die Young Just The Way You Are Honesty My Life It's Still Rock And Roll To Me You May Be Right Don't Ask Me Why She's Got A Way Allentown Disc 2: Goodnight Saigon Innocent Man, An Uptown Girl Longest Time, The Tell Her About It Leave A Tender Moment Alone Matter Of Trust, A Baby Grand - (with Ray Charles) I Go To Extremes We Didn't Start The Fire Leningrad Downeaster "Alexa", The And So It Goes River Of Dreams, The All About Soul - (remix) Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) Waltz No. 1 (Nunley's Carousel) Invention In C Minor