Outstanding compilation - the best available!

There have been a number of 'best of' compilations made avaialable for Billy Joel's back catalogue, but none betters this one, the first greatest hits package to be released. Billy Joel's earlier work from the 70s and early 80s was his best, so this is the perfect introduction to the work of the Piano Man. CD1 begins appropriately with the classic track 'Piano Man' from the album of the same name, and there are 6 tracks in total from the classic 1977 album 'The Stranger', which take up the latter half of the first disc. The second disc concentrates on Billy's work spanning the years 78-85, kicking off with 'My Life' (from 52nd Street), right through to the 1983 LP 'Innocent Man' (although the title track from that album is not included). The last two tracks on CD 2, 'You're Only Human (Second Wind)', and 'The Night Is Still Young', are the only previously unreleased album tracks and these make 'Greatest Hits 1 & 2' an even more worthwhile purchase. There are no weak tracks and all are worthy of inclusion. This remastered set has several subtle changes from the original 1985 album. The live version 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood' is replaced by the original studio track (from Joel's 1976 album 'Turnstiles'). 'Just the Way You Are', 'My Life', 'Big Shot' and 'Pressure' are in their full-length album versions, instead of the edited versions previously included. 'Honesty' which was on the original compilation is substituted for 'Don't Ask Me Why' but both tracks are equal in quality. Finally, this CD includes 4 bonus tracks which are not present on the original LP or cassette: 'The Entertainer' on CD 1 is probably the strongest and best known cut from 'Streetlife Serenade', while 'She's Got A Way' (originally included on Joel's 1971 debut) is a live track taken off 1981's 'Songs From The Attic'. The other two bonus tracks are the epic 'Scenes From An Italian Restaurant' (from 'The Stranger') and the unforgettable 'Captain Jack' (from 'Piano Man'), which are both over 7 minutes in length and are probably Billy Joel's two most enduring performances. Joel's lyrics are mostly very good as well. His studio albums after 1985 were not as strong as his earlier work, so if you want the best of Billy Joel, this CD is the way forward. Buy it and you won't be disappointed.Read full review