"LIVE IN CONCERT" WEEK (FEBRUARY 7-13, 2011)
Recorded in NYC, D.C., St. Paul, New Haven, Boston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and Chicago, June & July, 1980.
Note: this release was originally purchased as a LP, later replaced by a CD.
Joel hit it big in '77 with The Stranger and followed that up with two more multi-platinum albums, 52nd Street and Glass Houses. Those hit albums brought him many new fans, including myself. So, in an effort to introduce these new fans to the music from Joel's first four albums, the record execs put out a live album that revisits Joel's music from that the early and mid-'70s. Works for me. Joel's touring band, which by this time had become fairly consistent, sounds good. A little rough in places, but that's what you want from a live performance. This is actually one of Joel's better albums, just ignore Joel's own incoherent liner notes. Interestingly, the teenage version of me didn't ever go back and buy the first four albums, which seems exactly like something I'd do.
Press of the time:
- Record Mirror (★★★★):"this live setting has managed to bring out [the songs'] true worth.
- Rolling Stone (★★★½): "show his development from intent greenhorn to creator of standards"
- Billboard: Spotlight album of the week
- CashBox: "right up there with Joel's best material"
- Record World: "work especially well in concert"
- Stereo Review: Recording of Special Merit
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #8
- Billboard Rock: #15
- CashBox: #7
- Rolling Stone: #6
Tracks: My favorites are Summer Highland Falls, Streetlife Serenader, She's Got A Way, and The Ballad of Billy The Kid. Weaker cuts include Los Angelenos and You're My Home.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: When I was in high school, I had just enough piano and vocal talent to play and sing She's Got A Way. I quickly discovered that if you sing love songs to teenage girls, they completely melt. Back then, I was too goofy to have many girlfriends, but that song was money in the bank. Thanks, Billy. ;)
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