Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
It feels as though maybe Time had stopped for a while, the clocks refusing to move forward in fear of losing a precious commodity, not wanting to reveal the final performances of arguably one of music’s most important figures of the latter half of the 20th Century, and yet after two long years in which the world has found its way to damage itself, what holds dear is that art has the power to heal if people are willing to spend time in its company and do more than pay lip service to its message and its potency.
The second vinyl box set of Billy Joel’s immense back catalogue, Volume 2, is one that truly exemplifies the understanding of the man as it holds various styles of music that few of his contemporaries could muster, and in which perhaps only fellow pianist Elton John could as successfully adapt to.
There is a fine line between the two box sets, two almost varying presentations to which Volume 2 showcases the degree of love and freedom that Mr. Joel could place upon the releases that would be embraced by the musically inclined public and the fans. Whereas the first boxset showcased the young man as he fought for recognition, against the drama of leaving labels, and what perhaps could be seen as leaving the legacy firmly imprinted on history as the second half of his illustrious career unfolded.
What is illuminated is not only the brilliance of the period of the 1980s to the early part of the 90s when the standard of production was not only impressive, but mind-boggling, but also that as The River Of Dreams was released in 1993, there was no sense that aside from an unexpected classical album, Fantasies & Delusions, there would be no more studio albums from the much loved Piano Man.
Nothing more to say, it seems inconceivable to think such a thing of such an idol and creator of musical worlds to state; and yet thankfully the story was not over, it was just that there would be the live sets for the fans to grasp onto, no more studio albums, nothing new to impart.
Thirty years since the River of Dreams, forty since the absolute brilliance of An Innocent Man, the world thankfully knows Billy Joel’s music, still revels in the various ways he was able to bring to life the ordinary in such an extraordinary way, and as songs from this period are committed, as memories resurface as the studio albums, and the previously unreleased on vinyl Live From Long Island, all highlight the passion and depth of talent that comes from adored New Yorker, so the understanding is complete.
The fan may have had to wait two long years for the substantial boxset to appear, but it has been worth the weight, and what a time to be had as each album offers Time in its natural state once again.
Ian D. Hall