Written By Mauricio Segura // Image: Columbia Records
The lights of the "World’s Most Famous Arena" have a different glow when Billy Joel is on stage. Having just finished spinning the new CD and watching the DVD of Billy Joel: The 100th – Live at Madison Square Garden, I feel like I’ve just walked out of Penn Station after the greatest night of my life.
For those who need a refresher on the legend himself, Billy Joel isn't just a singer-songwriter; he is the undisputed architect of the New York soundtrack. Born in the Bronx and raised in Hicksville, Long Island, he turned his "working-class kid" perspective into 150 million records sold. He’s the guy who took the piano, an instrument often relegated to dusty parlors, and turned it into a 1970s-90s rock-and-roll weapon.
This specific release captures a staggering milestone: March 28, 2024. This wasn’t just another gig; it was Billy’s 100th consecutive performance of his historic Madison Square Garden residency. Think about that. Since 2014, he played a sold-out show every single month. By the time he took the stage for this filming, he wasn't just a performer; he was a "franchise," like the Knicks or the Rangers. This concert serves as the definitive time capsule of that decade-long victory lap.
The DVD (and Blu-ray) is where this release truly shines. If you caught the original CBS broadcast back in 2024, you might remember the frustration of it being edited for time, and famously cut off during "Piano Man" in some markets. This physical release corrects all of those sins. It is the complete concert, clocking in at roughly two and a half hours.
The setlist is a relentless parade of hits, but it's the pacing that strikes me. He opens with the apocalyptic energy of "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)," which feels like a homecoming anthem.
The guest spots are the "pinch-me" moments of the night:
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Jerry Seinfeld pops out to introduce Billy, offering a heartfelt tribute to the man who "captures how we all feel living in this part of the world."
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Sting joins the fray for a jazzy, high-energy rendition of "Big Man on Mulberry Street" and a dual-vocal cover of The Police’s "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."
One of my personal highlights on the disc is "Turn the Lights Back On." Hearing his first new pop single in decades performed in the room it was practically built for is emotional. You can see the relief and pride on his face, he’s still got the "magic" people talk about.
The accompanying CD (often found in the deluxe 2-CD/DVD or 3-disc sets) is mixed with incredible clarity. Live albums can sometimes feel thin, but the 7-piece band sounds massive here. You can hear every nuance of Crystal Taliefero’s percussion and Mike DelGuidice’s soaring vocals during the "Nessun Dorma" interlude.
However, I will say that the physical CD serves best as a companion to the visuals. Watching Billy joke about his voice deepening with age before nailing the high notes in "An Innocent Man" adds a layer of "humanity" that audio alone doesn't quite capture.
If you’re a casual fan, the hits like "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "You May Be Right" are delivered with more muscle than the studio originals. But if you’re a die-hard, this release is essential because it captures the end of an era. The residency concluded shortly after this in July 2024, making this the final, high-definition word on one of the greatest runs in music history.
This isn't just a concert film; it’s a love letter to New York City. Whether you’re listening in your car or watching on a big screen, Billy makes you feel like you’re sitting right there on the piano bench with him.
Reviewer Note: If you’re choosing between versions, hunt down the "Complete Concert" edition. The extra eleven performances omitted from the TV edit, including "Uptown Girl" and "We Didn't Start the Fire", are worth every penny.
