Songs In The Attic [Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Live]

Billy Joel | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00000DCHE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,024 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning live set upstages early recordings, September 9, 2006

By 

Christopher J. Benz "CJB" (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs In The Attic (Audio CD)

Truly great live albums are as rare as hen's teeth when scrutinised closely, but this 1981 live recording from Billy Joel could very well be the greatest of them all.

Why? Well, the hardest task in producing a live album is to give it a character of it's own, unique from the albums from which it's songs are derived. It's a great challenge for a live album to hold it's own in the face of better production in the studio, and to give it 'authenticity' when so many of the live elements are doctored with later production. 'Songs in the Attic' packs a punch that it's studio sources cannot match. The reasons for this are owing to four elements:

i) Joel and Producer Phil Ramone went for Joel's 'undiscovered' tracks - the songs that predated BJ's ascendency to fame with the massive success of 'The Stranger' in 1977. By eschewing the last 5 years of hits, the 'Songs in the Attic' album captured fresh and definitive versions of reasonably unheard tracks. Most importantly, these were genuinely great compositions that deserved to be reassessed in the wake of Joel's newfound fame.

ii) These were the first versions of these songs to feature Joel's live band. Ramone knew that Joel's band had the character and passion to belt out better versions of these tracks than the more insipid original studio recordings. It's a rare claim, but I can say without any concessions that these are perfect live performances from the musicians; particularly by De Vito's pounding, atmospheric drumming and Richie Cannata's brilliant multi-instrumental work. There are no better versions of any of these songs on any other live or studio album. 'Captain Jack', 'Miami 2017' and 'I've loved these days' send chills up your spine, and there is NO filler on this record.

iii) So often futzed on live albums, Ramone's production work and mixing here is astonishingly perfect. He wouldn't have done better in a studio. In fact, Ramone's taste for an overly-clean studio sound was nicely tempered by the grit of the live environment. Unwittingly, it might have actually added a dimension to his production style. The decision to capture some tracks in a stadium setting and others in an intimate club works superbly as a production motif.

iv) Billy Joel is caught here at the absolute peak of his powers, both as a singer and instrumentalist. He's completely 'in touch' with the meaning of these songs and the passion is so overt, it can't help but grab you. Anyone intrigued by what has driven Joel's illustrious career should start with this album. It's where he tells all of his old secrets.

This album is so utterly unique it almost deserves to be compared more with his studio output than his other live albums. There are no hits here (excepting perhaps 'Say Goodbye to Hollywood') but every track is magnificent. If you want a live version of his hits, go for the fantastic new release '12 Gardens' (2006). Whilst being a terrific showcase for Joel's hits, it's not quite the equal of the transcendent, perfect live experience of 1981's 'Songs in the Attic' which is unlikely to be equalled by any artist soon.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So good it gives you chills, October 2, 2000

By 

Mark S. Winger (Wood Dale, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Songs In The Attic (Audio CD)

Even if you are a casual Billy Joel fan you should love this album. This is the best live album I have heard. It has the feel of actually being there, the energy fills the room, but it doesn't have the scratchy or drowned out sound that so many live albums have. I listened to this even before it was digitally remastered and it was excellent then. What makes this recording so special is that you hear a lot of Joel songs that aren't played on the radio, and frankly I am too young to know if they ever were played back in the 70s & 80s. These songs are really good too, it gives you a further appreciation for Joel's talent and songwriting ability. Too often you get a best of or live album from a performer and the only tolerable songs are the ones you were already familiar with. Not so here. Buy it now!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Live Renditions of Joel's Early Work, July 14, 2002

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs In The Attic (Audio CD)

Billy Joel recorded a fair number of studio albums before breaking through to the big time with 1977's "The Stranger." Credit him for taking a chance and recording the live album "Songs in the Attic" rather than merely issuing a restrospective of his early career. Some of these version are actually superior to the original studio versions, most notably the teenage ... anthem "Captain Jack" and the self-referential "The Ballad of Billy the Kid." But even when not a substantial improvement, like with "Say Goodbye to Hollywood," or the ballad "You're My Home," they don't lose anything. Credit Joel also for NOT including his one pre-stardom hit "Piano Man," the definitive version of which he had already recorded.

Overall, a solid live album from Joel that neatly sums up his pre-stardom career.