Billy Joel: The Stranger 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set

Columbia Legacy -- July 8, 2008


Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition - 4 Discs (3 CDs and 1 DVD)

• CD of "The Stranger" remastered by the original album producer, Phil Ramone

• CD of "Live At Carnegie Hall 1977"- previously unreleased - On June 3, 1977, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger album, Billy and his band performed at the historical Carnegie Hall.

• Bonus CD of a 2nd live show circa "The Stranger' tour

• Bonus DVD of BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test - approx 60 minutes PLUS 2 live promotional videos

• 48 Page Booklet with liner notes by Rolling Stone Editor, David Fricke and un-seen photos from the original album photo shoot

The Stranger CD Tracklist:
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
The Stranger
Just The Way You Are
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant
Vienna
Only the Good Die Young
She's Always A Woman
Get It Right The First Time
Everybody Has Dream

"Live At Carnegie Hall 1977" CD
On June 3, 1977, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger album, Billy and his band performed at the historical Carnegie Hall in NYC. This show has been brilliantly restored to be released for the first time as part of the 30th Anniversary edtion of The Stranger.

"The Old Grey Whistle Test" DVD
Billy Joel made a special appearance on BBC2 television music show "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in early 1978 during the promotion for The Stranger album. The show is approximately 60 minutes and aired only once on BBC2. The Old Grey Whistle Test was an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from September 1971 to 1987. The Old Grey Whistle Test was also the template for what later became MTV.
"Miami 2017"
"Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)"
"New York State Of Mind"
"The Entertainer"
"She's Always A Woman"
"Root Beer Rag"
"Just The Way You Are"
"Souvenir"
"Ain't No Crime"
"Only The Good Die Young"

PLUS Live Promotional videos:
"The Stranger"
"Just The Way You Are"

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[bigred]3-CD/1-DVD Deluxe Box Set[/bigred]



Contains the 3 CDs and 1 DVD detailed above.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00168PTG0/?tag=imwan-20

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[bigred]2-CD Legacy Edition[/bigred]



Contains only The Stranger and Carnegie Hall CDs.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00168PTFQ/?tag=imwan-20

I just may need to buy this.

Amazon just received my order.

First off...it says "remastered by Phil Ramone". When did he become a mastering engineer? Usually, that's not good news when the recording/mixing engineer masters it as well...

Second, it shows 3 discs in that picture...is that "bonus CD" an Amazon exclusive?

Same Here.

Wow! This sounds like a thorough package. The only thing lacking is session material (outtakes, alternates, etc). But I'm not complaining.

I don't get the whole "Bonus CD", "Bonus DVD" aspect of this. It's either in the package or not, unless they're both Amazon exclusives.

Amazon lists a 2 CD version of the new release with just the album and the Carnegie Hall show. Perhaps the "bonus" discs refer to the additional 2 disc in the more expensive set. I agree with you though. I'm really tired of bonus this and bonus that. Just release the stupid thing in one configuration. If people want it, they'll buy it. If they don't, they won't.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00168PTFQ/?tag=imwan-20

His early live shows were really good.

I hope the complete box set is released in stores...

I agree. I want this, but $40 is way too much.

Amazon has the 2CD Deluxe Edition listed for $16.97. So you can save $23 by skipping the DVD and the bonus concert CD. Although, after watching the two promo clips that are up on Amazon, I can't imagine skipping the DVD.

I guarantee this will be found for less than $40 when it's released. I'll go on record here...I'm predicting a Best Buy exclusive of some kind with a $29.99 sticker price the first week of release.

Thing is what I want here is the concerts.

Geff,

Do you have the C.W. Post concert? It's a great broadcast recording, I think from 1977, with an early version of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant. I could get you a copy if you are interested.

Musictap had a short blurb on these two Billy Joel releases...

I was alerted... that Columbia is also readying a big old 3CD/DVD booklet Box Limited Edition of The Stranger for Billy Joel. It is scheduled to be released on the same date as the Legacy Edition but is completely worth the purchase. Remember Springsteen's Born to Run box? Same thing. On this baby, there is that which you'll find in the Legacy Edition plus a DVD of the The Old Grey Whistle Test performances, 10 songs. In addition, there are a few live promotional videos ("The Stranger," "Just the Way You Are"). It comes with a 48-page booklet and a bonus CD of performances from The Stranger Tour.

Legacy and Columbia will unite to being you a 2CD Legacy Edition of The Stranger by Billy Joel in celebration of the album's 30th Anniversary. It features new re-mastering by Phil Ramone and a second disc of a live performance called Live at Carnegie Hall '77. That performance is one that is previously unreleased. I'm sure the booklet is deserving of such a release as well. This classic is expected on July 8.

Got this email from Sony today:

PRE-ORDER BILLY JOEL'S "THE STRANGER"
One of the classic albums of the 70s finally gets the deluxe treatment for this, its
30th anniversary. The Legacy Edition of Billy Joel's "The Stranger" will be
available in (count 'em) FOUR different configurations.

1) A Limited Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition - 3 Discs, containing the original
album remastered by original producer Phil Ramone, a CD of the previously unreleased
"Live at Carnegie Hall 1977" show, recorded on 6/3/77, a bonus DVD of Billy's
performance on BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test as well as the brand new "The Making Of
The Stranger" documentary, all accompanied by a 48-page Booklet with liner notes by
Rolling Stone editor David Fricke and never-before-seen photos from the original
album photo shoot, AND and a reprint of the original Carnegie Hall poster!
2) The two CD Legacy Edition, featuring the remastered album, the Carnegie Hall CD
and a 24-page booklet
3) A VINYL release (the first time this album has been released on vinyl since it
initially came out) with a bonus download card entitling you to download everything
that's on the 2CD edition.

We know this selection will please even the most ardent Billy fans.

That's 3...what is the 4th, even though I'll be shooting for item 1.

It's fuzzy math...

I've read on some sites that the deluxe version has 2 CDs + 1 DVD. Does anyone know for sure how many CDs this will have?

Disc: 2
1. Miami 2017 [Live]
2. Angry Young Man [Live]
3. New York State of Mind [Live]
4. Just the Way You Are [Live]
5. She's Got a Way [Live]
6. Entertainer [Live]
7. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant [Live]
8. Band Intros [Live]
9. Captain Jack [Live]
10. I've Loved These Days [Live]
11. Say Goodbye to Hollywood [Live]
12. Souvenir [Live]

I'm still confused as to what is being sold here and by who...who is selling the 3 CD and 1 DVD configuration? That would be the one I'd like to buy.