FILE UNDER: Billy at his best—Live!
CORPORATE LINE: No other artist has shook the “World’s Most Famous Arena” quite like Billy Joel has.
With 12 record-breaking sold-out performances, Billy Joel now has the longest most successful run of a single artist at MSG.
On the 12th sold-out night of this incredible run, a MSG jersey ‘Joel 12’ was raised among the rafters and presides alongside NY sport legends, making Billy Joel the first non-athlete to have this honor bestowed upon him
For all those who were there to witness this great moment in music history or for those who want to experience the magic of Billy Joel’s captivating MGS performances for the first time, comes the new record 12 Gardens Live. This extraordinary double-CD release from Billy Joel was recorded live at Madison Square Garden during his recent record-breaking TWELVE sold-out shows in New York City and features amazing live versions of greatest hits and fan favorites including “New York State Of Mind,” “Piano Man,” “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” and many more!
THE REVIEW: It was more of a shameless indulgence to review 12 Gardens Live. I grew up enjoying Billy Joel in between digging Motley Crue, Ozzy, and the Sex Pistols. I was a closet Billy Joel fan because my friends would kick my ass if they found out. It would be the equivalent of being a fan of 50 Cent today and digging Daniel Powter. The only difference is that Billy Joel is a musical genius.
There are so many songs that make you want to get up and dance that it’s almost impossible to remember when an artist has made you feel so good. Music in the last fifteen years has been so apathetic and then you hear this album and instantly your mood brightens and music comes alive once again. It’s a shame we have to dig into the past to get music so brilliant and awe-inspiring. Songs like “My Life” and “Only The Good Die Young” are vibrant and colorful—the adjectives could go on forever. Thank you Billy!
There are the good songs: “Miami 2017,” “Allentown,” “Movin’ Out(Anthony’s Song),” and “Goodnight Saigon.” And then there are the absolutely great songs: “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant,” “Piano Man,” and “Only The Good Die Young.”
And then there are my shameless favorites: “The River of Dreams,” “Big Shot,” “We Didn’t Start The Fire,” and “You May Be Right.” It so hard to believe one guy created all of these great songs.
FRANKLY: The only thing better than 12 Gardens Live is seeing Billy Joel live—if you didn’t get to see him then this is a must buy. 12 Gardens Live is two discs that are filled to the brim with greatness. For a live album it sounds very good and Joel is at the top of his game. There are two bonus hidden tracks “And So It Goes” and “A Room Of Our Own.” As if we needed a bonus.
+ Rae Gun
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