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

The music of this great artist makes this a CD you will never tire of and it will remain in your changer.

This is NOT the definative Billy Joel one might want. While it contains a lot of his hits, it skips many others, like Top 10 hits You May Be Right, You're Only Human, Modern Woman, A Matter Of Trust, and I Go To Extremes, along with others that made the Top 20. In place of the big hits, we get drivel such as Scandinavian Skies, New York State of Mind, and Goodnight Saigon. That said, why did I buy this one? To get the edited single/radio versions of Piano Man, My Life, Just The Way You Are, We Didn't Start The Fire, and All About Soul. If you're like me, you'll need this CD for that reason alone. Now, if we could just get a volume 2 containing the missing pieces (in their single edits....please), I'll be very happy.

I was very impressed with the audio quality of this CD given the age of the material. It was truly remastered!