Greatest Hits Collection: Vol, 1, 2 & 3 (3CD)

The most comprehensive complition is Complete Hits Collection (1997) 4CDs @52.99 - the first three disc are exactly the same as GH1-3 except that you get "Don't Ask Me Why" instead of "Honesty". But basically you are paying another $19 just to get the fourth outtakes disc. So why bother?

Essential (2001) costs $26.99, but has only two CDs. Compared to GH1-3, you get "You're My Home" and "Miami 2017" plus two classical bonus tracks - Waltz no 1 and Invention in C. Okay...
But of course one fewer discs mean fewer total tracks, so you don't get: "The Strange", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Big Shot", "Pressure", "You're Only Human", Keeping the Faith", "This is the Time", and "Shameless" plus the three bonus tracks at the end of GH3. You lose 13 tracks, but get 4 alternative tracks and save a whopping $7. Personally I like a number of these omitted tracks.

Ultimate (2001) is a 2-CD European import selling for $36.99. Compared against GH1-3 you gain "You're My Home", "Miami 2017" (which Essentials also included), "Don't Ask Me Why" (also on Complete) plus "Streetlife Serenade", "All for Aleya", "Leave a Tender Moment", "Modern a Woman" which aren't found on any other collection. Meanwhile you lose out on "Captain Jack", "The Stranger", "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Only the Good Die Young", "Big Shot", "Pressure", "Night is Still Young", "Keeping the Faith", "This is the Time", "And So it Goes", "Shameless", "Lullabye" and the 3 new tracks. Considering you are actually paying $3 more and getting one disc fewer, there's no reason to get this.

Finally, Piano Man -the Very Best of @30.99 was just put out. It's three dollars less, but only one disc of 19 songs. The only song unique to this mix is "Scandinavian Skies". Also included is "Don't Ask Me Why". The remaining 17 can be found on GH1-3. And while these 17 tracks are the cream of the crop of GH1-3, it's worth the extra $3 dollars to get the other 25 songs not include on the Very Best of.

Needless to say, GH1-3 is the collection I'd recommend and the one I plan to get. The only way they could improve on it would be to add "Don't Ask Me Why"


GREAT COLLECTION   January 9, 2005
 0 out of 1 found this review helpful

This is fun for everyone. The man is a genius and is actually generous in sharing the stories behind his songs. Great travel set, even in heavy traffic, you stay entertained.


Amazing   July 3, 2003
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I just bought this CD set at a local Media Play, and I can't believe it. All the songs are fantastic, and most of my favorites ("Goodnight Saigon," "We didn't Start the Fire," "Keeping the Faith," "Piano Man," "Only the Good Die Young," "She's Always a Woman," "My Life," "Big Shot," "Pressure," "Allentown," "Uptown Girl," "The Longest Time," "An Innocent Man," "A Matter of Trust," "This is the Time," "Leningrad," "I Go to Extremes," and "The Downeaster 'Alexa'") are included. I was very surprised to find, however, that this set was an Australian import, and I wish it had been released in the US as well.


a good set   December 26, 2000
i dug older Billy Joel material from the early 70's until the middle 80's after that it lost some of the fire."New York State of mind","The Stranger"."My Life" that's the era of Billy Joel that really stands out for me.a very talented composer.this set contains all of his hits.


all the best   January 30, 2000
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

No wonder this CD is out of stock- It is the best... Great soundtracks and the 4 discs are separated according to years. Do yourself a favor and buy it!