Still a Big Shot

"I don't care what you say anymore, this is My Life … Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah."

Billy Joel has a new compilation album coming out soon. It's all about love songs.

This is the umpteenth re–release of his material. He is becoming the repackage king.

Sampling of Hit Collections and Re–releases
Greatest Hits, Vol. I & II (1985)
Greatest Hits, Vol. III (1997)
The Complete Hits Collection (1997)
The Essential Billy Joel (2001)
Piano Man: The Very Best of Billy Joel (2004)
My Lives (Compilation of unreleased material in the form box set, 2005)
The Hits (2010)
She's Always A Woman: Love Songs (2012)

52nd Street Started It All
I do have to say that I am a fan of Billy Joel's music and career. I have purchased most of his albums on vinyl, cassette, and CD (twice each) — not to mention some of his "collections" that aren't even mentioned above. I've seen Mr. Joel several times in concert, including from the front row in 1998.

Same Old Story
I've read several articles about him, read a few biographies, and was actually fired up when he announced he was writing his autobiography — then changed his mind. He's had an interesting career. Unknown for much of the 70s until his sudden breakthrough in 1977 with the Stranger. He didn't put out a bad album after that. He released River of Dreams in 1993 — and he didn't put out a new album after that. This dude hasn't released an album of new rock 'n' roll or pop in 20 years! He was screwed by so many managers and agents in his career; he's been married in divorced several times; he's been suicidal and he has an alleged drinking problem … (that's not me saying that, that's the many articles and books written about him),

Another Package of Hits
I won't be buying the love song collection. But I will consider seeing Billy Joel live in concert if he were to tour. I don't care to see him with Elton John because when they do that, the cost of the concert requires most people to get a second mortgage to attend.

New to Billy
If you're new to Mr. Joel, then you should consider this package. Go buy it. It's probably worth the $9.

"Big Shot" from 1978.