Billy Joel/NY,USA 6.27.1984

About 10 days ago, a shocking new sound source appeared in front of Billy Joel mania around the world. The 1984 “FROM A PIANO MAN TO AN INNOCENT MAN” tour, which was held in support of the blockbuster album “AN INNOCENT MAN,” was a huge tour that ran from January to July, taking up half of the year. It was held in 2013, and this was due to the huge success that not only the album but also the singles including “Uptown Girl” were huge hits. Furthermore, considering that the tour for the release of the previous album “THE NYLON CURTAIN” was only held in the United States, this time we had to tour the world to solidify the success of “AN INNOCENT MAN.” Sho. In fact, “Uptown Girl” was a huge hit in the UK. Following its success, the highest quality version of the live footage at Wembley Arena filmed by the British BBC, “WEMBLEY 1984,” has been released many times, but other than this, the tour has extremely few items. I’ll put it away. The only copy of the Budokan performance had been on the market for some time, and a CD was released that was released as it was, but this was one of the few recorded items from the 1984 tour. However, it was the masterpiece “INNOCENT NIGHTS” that recorded the same sound source from the master in a special upper version, and even excavated the first day of Budokan sound source with the highest sound quality. With this, the video is Wembley on BBC, and the sound source is “INNOCENT NIGHTS”, which reigned as the two giants of the “FROM A PIANO MAN TO AN INNOCENT MAN” 1984 tour, but for some reason, the sound source from other days is completely unavailable. Not released. In 2016, a wonderful sound quality audience recording of the Philadelphia performance in February was discovered, but it is a shame that it was only talked about among some enthusiasts. However, the June Madison Square Garden performance that appeared on the internet this month was an ultra-quality audience recording that even surpassed Philadelphia, and it was unexpectedly discovered and surprised maniacs around the world. After all, the sound quality is outstanding. The sound image is quite strong, and when you hear the sound effects of the helicopter that plays in “Goodnight Saigon”, you almost get the illusion that it is a sound board. Still, the clarity and freshness are wonderful, and I can’t help but be surprised that such a superb recording has now been unearthed from the 1984 tour. Also, the content is amazing. That standard BBC video captured the wonderful stage when the tour was in its latter half and the band sound and stage were completely completed. However, three weeks after Wembley, even though it was in the middle of the tour, the composition was far from solidified, and it is also valuable that it conveys with the highest sound quality that it continued to evolve. At Wembley, before “The Longest Time,” Billy hummed just a touch of “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” by the Righteous Brothers, but here he didn’t just sing one chorus, the band also followed suit. Although it is short, it has evolved into a fine performance. From here, the familiar “What’s Your Name?” part begins, but it escalates from there to Dion and Belmonts’ “Teenager In Love” and finally “The Longest Time” begins. Despite the fact that “FROM A PIANO MAN TO AN INNOCENT MAN”, which had been performed under a tough schedule in response to the huge success of the album, is nearing its end, Billy’s attitude has remained on the offensive rather than taking a safe defensive stance. You could say that this is a bold stance. The structure of the live performance itself is at the beginning of the set, and the song “AN INNOCENT MAN” does not appear at all, and the title song is played in the middle, and then the songs are played one after another, giving a sense of a similar attack. Above all, there is a feeling of being active that comes through because the albums and singles have been big hits. A number of famous songs that even non-maniacs would know from MTV at the time are performed by talented members such as Liberty DeVito and the late Doug Stigmaier, who supported Billy’s golden age. I really miss this. And, it seems to be the end of the tour, and it was set in Billy’s hometown New York, right in the middle of the 7th show at Madison Square Garden, and it was recorded in the best sound quality (some noise was only removed for release). An Odins album that captures you. 4th day of 7 consecutive days of MSG performances. First appearance of ultra-high quality audience recording. Live at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, USA 27th June 1984 TRULY PERFECT SOUND Disc 1(58:50) 1. Mexican Connection 2. Prelude/Angry Young Man 3. My Life 4. Piano Man 5. MC 6. Don ‘t Ask Me Why 7. Allentown 8. Goodnight Saigon 9. Pressure 10. Just The Way You Are 11. Band Introductions 12. Scenes From An Italian Restaurant Disc 2(61:24) 1. Introduction of Glenn Stulpin, Bob Livingood, Larry Etkin (Brass Section) 2. An Innocent Man 3. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling 4. Introduction of Frank Simms & Peter Huwlett (Backing Vocals) 5. What’s Your Name? 6. Teenager In Love 7. The Longest Time 8. Leave A Tender Moment Alone (with Jean “Toots” Thielmans on Harmonica) 9. Stiletto 10. Sometimes A Fantasy 11. It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me 12. Uptown Girl 13. Big Shot 14. Tell Her About It 15. You May Be Right 16. Only The Good Die Young Billy Joel – Vocals, Piano David Brown – Guitar, Backing Vocals Russell Javors – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals Doug Stegmeyer – Bass, Backing Vocals David Lebolt – Keyboards Mark Rivera – Saxophones, Flute, Backing Vocals Liberty Devitto – Drums, Percussion Larry Etkin – trumpet Bob Livingood – trumpet Glenn Stulpin – saxophones Frank Simms – backing vocals Peter Huwlett – backing vocals Bob Duncan – backing vocals Jean “Toots” Thielmans – Harmonica