| Billy Joel | Primary Artist, Harmonica, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals |
| Richard Huyghe | Piano |
| Richard Joo | Track Performer |
| Billy Joel | Producer |
| Chuck Willis | Composer |
| James Williams | Composer |
| Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner | Composer |
| Mark Feldman | Marketing |
| Marshall "Rock" Jones | Composer |
| Clarence "Satch" Satchell | Composer |
| Christopher Austopchuk | Art Direction |
| Andreas Meyer | Mastering |
| Marvin Pierce | Composer |
| Gary Montalvo | Art Direction |
| Greg Linn | Production Director, Marketing |
| Sharon Czechowski | Administration |
| Jane Arginteanu | Administration |
| William Beck | Composer |
| Ralph Middlebrooks | Composer |
Anonymous
Posted October 1, 2010
This guy can really write music that makes compositional sense. I really enjoyed listening to all his songs on this two disc cd and never get tired of it. Upcoming artists should buy this cd in order to get an idea on how to write quality music. I give "The Essential Billy Joel" a five star rating.
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Posted October 1, 2010
i like the billy joel cd my favorite songs are still rocking roll to me we didn't start the fire always a woman to me the river of dreams and alot more a very good cd
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Posted October 1, 2010
I'd actually give this three and a half stars. I picked it up a while back and if I'd really been paying attention, I'd have gone for the Complete Hits Collection instead. "Essential" isn't a bad buy, but it does have its flaws. These CDs do a fairly good job of gathering Billy Joel's most well-known and popular songs. Casual listeners will recognize many of the songs on here (anybody who has ever been to a bar should at least be familiar with 'Piano Man'). Billy Joel followers will find most of their favorites, with a few notable (and significant) exceptions. The most glaring omission: 'Scenes From An Italian Restaurant.' While not my personal favorite, that song is undoubtedly one of Billy's finest. Hits like 'Big Shot' and 'This Is The Time' are also conspicuously absent. Some of Billy Joel's more obscure works are added to fill the gap, but, really, what's the point? The people who will be interested in those songs are die-hard fans who probably own most of his albums already, anyway. Joel-newbies and casual listeners will find value here: they'll get most of the songs they're familiar with at a very reasonable price. Those who are more enthusiastic would be better off looking at the 'Greatest Hits' collection, which is far more encompassing and complete.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Billy Joel had made so many huge hits. One would assume that they would all be on here, but they're not. There are some unnecessary songs on here as well. Most of Joel's hits are on here, but some of my favorite minor hits are not ("Pressure", "The Stranger"). Some of his important songs are not on here. I can't believe "Big Shot" was excluded from this collection! Same with "Big Man on Mulberry Street", one of his biggest hits ever, yet it's not on any of his compilations! If the songs are supposed to be playing in chronological order, then I also don't understand why "She's Got a Way" is in the wrong place. There are too many songs from "Storm Front" and "River of Dreams" on this collection, and the songs I mentioned that should be on here would have done better in place of those couple (but in chronological order still). I also don't think it was too necessary to put any of Joel's classical pieces on here either. When are they ever going to make a completely decent Billy Joel collection?
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Posted October 1, 2010
billy joel is my favorite singer . i bought this cd yesterday & i love all the song on it.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Fabulous music by a fantastic artist! A Must for any Billy Joel Fan
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Posted October 1, 2010
I was quite disturbed when I heard that Billy Joel was no longer doing pop music. But now that he's slipped into classical I believe that I enjoy his work even more than ever. Billy Joel's musical appeal has seen me through some tough times in my life. I wish others could benefit as much from his music as I have.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Billy Joel inspired me to become Londons first and last real pianoman. I think anyone with a heart can appreciate his insight into life, he just knows how to make the piano sing and the lyrics hit the heart. What can you say to a great person but to just keep on being great... MATTHEW_RAND2000@YAHOO.COM
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Posted October 1, 2010
Isn't 'The Essential Billy Joel' an oxymoron? Repackaging of long forgotten 80's radio pap is scary in the sense that it may cause these overplayed sappy tunes to be heard again. Probably the most overrated artist of the pop era, this collection will only reinforce the bestowment of that title. Horrible.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I've never been an avid Joel fan, but this collection lets me hear his best songs. I am starting to really enjoy his work.
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Posted October 1, 2010
I agree with reviewer ''Razor (raydeeoh2002@yahoo.com), a fan of all types of music,'' that repackaging of greatest hits that were previously released in another greatest hits-style album has become commonplace nowadays and that does irk me. Other than that, Billy Joel will always be a true talent-one that is so rare. Most artists nowadays have a great voice, but that is all. I do not fault them for that. But Billy Joel's voice(albeit not as it once was) is not his only talent. His ability to create the lyrics that give life to his music and vice versa is a talent that he'll never show a loss in. His classical album(just released) is not only a valent attempt(valent because he had a classical pianist play the piano by admitting he lacks the ability to give creedence to the pieces he so eloquenty created). This ''Essentials'' is an essential collection for anyone who has not already purchased his other greatest hits collections.
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Posted October 1, 2010
Billy Joel rules! Moves from moody melody to soul shaking intensity with equal ease. An excellent compilation of memorable songs presented by one of contemporary music's very best craftsman. If you can't appreciate his talent, you don't know music! Billy's music will endure long after his critics have faded away!
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Posted October 1, 2010
Billy Joel is certainly not one of the most overrated pop idols... He has made some of the greatest music of the last three decades. Billy has always reinvented himself.. And the critic below is too stupid for words. All of his albums have been top of the bill and have lived up to the fans. Now his classical work will find new audiences and please his old time fans. He is '' THE PIANO MAN ''.... Thanks Billy for what you have done for music and for me... Your music has enlightened my life ! Ron
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Posted October 1, 2010
One of the best collection of Billy Joel songs ever released.
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Posted October 1, 2010
In retort to raydeeo... I can't believe he is refering to the single greatest musician to walk the planet, namely Billy Joel. His versatility and creativity make him the best ever. There aren't enough qualified words in the english language to ever over-rate his talent. When you find your taste in music (I suggest you look somewhere up your a$$) listen to his music again and I am sure you will concure. Agreed it is redundant to put out another Greatest Hits album under a different title, but come-on theis Billy we can never get enough of him. ...don't take any shlt from anybody! - BJ
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Posted May 24, 2009
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Anonymous
Posted April 17, 2009
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Anonymous
Posted October 26, 2008
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Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2009
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Anonymous
Posted January 12, 2010
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Editorial Reviews
Barnes & Noble
Piano man Billy Joel has emerged as one of the most popular singer/songwriters in modern rock and pop music. With his equal affection for Beatlesque hooks, Tin Pan Alley flair, and Broadway melodies, he's delivered some of the past three decades' biggest and most memorable hits, launching him into multiplatinum superstardom. This two-disc greatest-hits package celebrates the highlights of Joel's career with gems such as "Just the Way You Are," "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl," and the sentimental favorite "New York State of Mind."All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Released in conjunction with Billy Joel's grand experiment with classical music, ...