Nice one-disc Billy Joel import, notable mainly for using the 4:33 single version of "Piano Man" -- first time on CD. It also uses the edit versions of "My Life," "We Didn't Start the Fire," "Tell Her About It," "All About Soul," and "Just the Way You Are."

Collectors may want those hard-to-find single edits, and the disc is a good choice for beginners, but the more comprehensive "Essential Billy Joel" can be got for around the same price.

If, like me, you already own Billy Joel's Greatest Hits 1,2 and 3, you don't really NEED this album, even though you might WANT it anyway.

If you just want to have a collection of his best songs in one compact package for the car or office, this is perfect for you.

It's got all the songs you sang and danced to over the years, including "Just The Way You Are"; "Honesty"; "My Life"; "Uptown Girl"; "An Innocent Man"; and "Movin' Out" et al.

An excellent "Beginner's Guide to Billy" for someone on your gift list.

Amanda Richards, December 14, 2004

always have dug Billy Joel and his main hits were always on point to me and this compilation captures him in his prime and peak as a songwriter and musician. i have the best of 1 AND 2 ALREADY BUT this is cool.

This is a great CD if you love Billy Joel. Some of his best.

Looking over the track listing, we have all the Joel classics here... "Piano Man"... "Just The Way You Are"... "We Didn't Start The Fire"... "She's Got A Way" and of course, "Scandinavian Skies". Huh? Don't remember that one? Dig out your copy of Nylon Curtain. If you're putting together the Joel staples on one CD, I highly doubt that sits on top of the pile of essential songs. But aside from the obvious choices that could go in place of "Scandinavian Skies", it has a nice selection of songs for the casual listener. But of course, the casual listener would be better off dropping the extra money for the Greatest Hits 1-3 Box. Overall, 4 stars on the weight of the songs included, not on the ones they didn't.