2000 Years: The Millennium Concert [LIVE]

Billy Joel

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 2, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 2, 2000
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Live
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004T0QB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #29,367 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #22 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Singer-Songwriters
  #34 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Vocal Pop
  #48 in	Music > Pop > Live Albums > Pop Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Much has been made of Billy Joel's plans to ditch his career as a rock & roller and age gracefully into the supposedly sanguine world of classical music. Maybe it's the right thing to do if, as it seems, he's run out of gas as a pop songwriter. Recent years have seen no new material, only box sets and reissues of his old albums. Now comes the capper, a live album from his Millennium Concert recorded at New York's Madison Square Garden on New Year's Eve. Certainly there's still some mileage left in Joel's catalog, particularly ballads like "Summer Highland Falls" and "I've Loved These Days," and, considering the nexus of the occasion and Joel's career plans, his version of "My Life." And he also turns in sharp performances of signature pieces like "Angry Young Man," "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant," and "You May Be Right." But his between-song patter may grow tiresome over repeated listenings. Joel is known to be pretty full of himself, but after hearing him rattle on about high ticket prices and his classical ambitions, you may have had your fill of him, too. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome and rare live album spanning a monumental career, May 2, 2000

By	David Berkowitz "Blog - MarketersStudio.com" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With the noted exception of a disc of live recordings in his Box Set, Billy Joel hasn't released any live material since his Russian album from the 80s.

A second live CD from BJ is long overdue. He performed a fresh, lively concert, and the album is deliciously crisp. Fans will appreciate some musings on his future and career, and casual listeners can enjoy this insanely energetic 25-track compilation. Even though you may have wanted to be there, it's not a case of "you had to be there" to enjoy this release.

I've heard these songs before, over and over and over again, but there's an added vivacity here that makes this a worthwhile addition to my complete collection.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Joel Better Than Ever, May 3, 2000

By	Ray Hemachandra (Bellingham, Washington) - See all my reviews

2000 YEARS: THE MILLENNIUM CONCERT brings out the best of the legendary Long Island-born rocker and balladeer. Billy Joel has always been at his finest in live performance, and his shows have gotten even better over the years. This double-CD set captures the vitality and broad musical mastery that characterizes Joel's shows, as well as a very special moment in time, the turn of the millennium. (The crowd's countdown to the year 2000 immediately follows the performance of the song "2000 Years.") Highlights include some choices in set selection that veer from the norm: "2000 Years," "Don't Ask Me Why," "Big Man on Mulberry Street," "This Night," and "I Go to Extremes," and also rollicking covers of "Dance to the Music" and "Honky Tonk Woman." What's missing? Well, "Piano Man," Joel's signature song, is a big omission. (It's not on the KOHUEPT recording either; the only live performance of "Piano Man" officially released by Columbia House is on the bonus fourth CD of THE COMPLETE HITS COLLECTION set.) Still, Joel provides a set of brilliant performances on 2000 YEARS: THE MILLENNIUM CONCERT. The performances are energetic and crisp, and the recording's sound and Joel's voice are both in excellent form. This is an absolutely essential set for Joel's fans, a magnificent final release (if it indeed turns out to be that) of Joel's rock 'n' roll career, and a outstanding way for new fans to start a Billy Joel collection.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great CD, but just one thing missing, May 3, 2000

By	Charles J. Gessner (Claremont, NH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you've seen Joel live, you'll love this CD. All the classics are here and the sound is fantastic. You can hear the crowd singing along on several numbers which just adds to the overall "live" effect.

The biggest disappointment however is the omission of Joels' signature song "Piano Man". As most Joel fans can attest, this song played live is one massive sing-along. Not including it is sacrilige. If you want that one song live, you'll have to buy the Joel boxset, which might have been part of the reason.

With over 2 hours of hits such as My Life, Only the Good Die Young, and Scenes from an Italian Restaurant; this CD is a can't miss.