Album Review: Billy Joel – ‘12 Gardens Live’

By Patrick Luce Jun 28, 2006, 15:31 GMT

12 Gardens Live is worth the cost just for Billy Joel\'s still-robust renditions of "My Life," "Only the Good Die Young," "Movin\' Out (Anthony\'s Song)," and "Big Shot"--time off has not taken a toll on the piano man\'s pipes, and his playing remains on the right side of rock critics\' expectations--but the big surprise here are the sleeper hits; by rights, they should sink like stones amid a sea of ...more

This review is simple – BUY THIS ALBUM! If you are a Billy Joel fan then this is a must have album. If you are not, give this album a listen and you will become a Billy Joel fan.

Produced by Billy Joel and Grammy-winning "Producer of the Year" Steve Lillywhite, ‘12 Gardens Live’ is a massive two CD set  that captures the hottest performances from Joel’s record-breaking 12 sold-out concert run at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The album features a set list of 30 songs that cover the wide spectrum of the singer/songwriter’s career.

The album also captures Joel’s fiery energy that has made him a legend to see perform live, and it is easy to see why the crowd is goes nuts at the beginning of each new song. The singer has the crowd from the second the concert begins, and holds the same level of energy until the final song is played. He is clearly an icon in rock music, and believe me he can still give modern rockers a run for their money.

If you are already a Joel fan then this is the “live” album to own thanks to the collection of song titles.  Both discs are filled with some of the singer’s biggest hits. Titles on disc one include hits like “My Life,” “New York State Of Mind,” “Allentown,” and “Don’t Ask Me Why.” Disc Two (which I liked a little better than disc one) includes “Piano Man,” “And So It Goes,” “Only The Good Die Young,” “You May Be Right,” “River of Dreams,” and “We Didn’t Start The Fire.”

With such a large sample of Joel hits, this album truly has something to offer everyone, and Joel sings his heart out on each and every song. It is clear the singer enjoys being on stage and performing for the crowd.  I would HIGHLY recommend this album to any fan of Billy Joel’s music.

'12 Gardens Live’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.