Billy Joel

"Coaster" is made from the label (center) portion of some of your favorite records. Coaster has 1/8" cork on one side and receives a light spray seal.

At this point, who else but Tony Bennett would have the clout to round up stars on the scale of Elton John, Paul McCartney, Bono, Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand for some duets? (Note also that unlike some similar projects, all the parties involved on this CD were alive when it was recorded!) The material consists of relatively obvious classics in standard big-band arrangements, and Bennett himself is in top form at age 80, so much so that he doesn't need anybody else to handle "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." But the fun comes from checking out how his collaborators fare. The Dixie Chicks provide wonderful Andrews Sisters-type harmonies on the percolating version of "Lullaby of Broadway" that opens the festivities. The best songs tend to be the ones where Bennett's slightly craggy voice is juxtaposed to smooth female ones, like Diana Krall on "The Best Is Yet to Come," familiar accomplice k.d. lang on the sultry "Because of You" and Streisand—-perhaps Bennett's only equal in stature at this point—on "Smile." Among the less expected guests, soulman John Legend is a revelation on the hard-swinging "Sing, You Sinners," while George Michael confirms he's quite the crooner on "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" Elvis Costello, Celine Dion or Juanes don't sound as comfortable, and sometimes it feels as if they overdo it to compensate, but overall this collection is among the best of its kind, with most guests rising to the occasion. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

BENNETT TONY DUETS AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

Track Notes from Neil Diamond: 1. Forever In Blue Jeans — “Forever in Blue Jeans” was inspired by guitarist Richard Bennett’s wonderful opening guitar lick which he first played for me while we were out on the road. That guitar lick was so seductive that the melody I started singing over his guitar practically wrote itself. When we returned to L.A. we were anxious to get into the studio and put the finished (we thought) song on tape. After running through it with my band a few times, we all realized that we needed to add another musical section to make the record really work. We called a 15 minute break, right in the middle of the recording session, while Richard and I sat down at the piano and hashed out a brand new section with a lyric of its own (“Maybe tonight...” ). This new, unplanned section (instantly orchestrated by arranger Tom Hensley) would become one of my favorite parts of the record. Necessity really did prove to be the mother of invention on this wonderful Bob Gaudio production. 2. Beautiful Noise — I remember Garth Hudson of The Band sitting at his huge self built pipe organ and playing the solo of this record at the Beautiful Noise session. What he played completely floored us as he filled the musical track with an amazing sound that helped keep the record alive and interesting. Thank you Garth. 3. Love On The Rocks — “Love on the Rocks” was performed live for the cameras on the set of The Jazz Singer movie. This is something that’s hardly ever done in movies as they prefer to have the singer lip-sync the vocals of a pre-recorded track. All the songs in The Jazz Singer were done live because I’m terrible at lip-syncing. 4. Cherry, Cherry — Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, Artie Butler and I made a fun little demo of “Cherry, Cherry” to use as a guide for an upcoming recording session of the song. We never could top that unpretentious, good feeling demo at the full session, so they ended up releasing the demo. It went top five in America and marked the true beginning of my career in music. 5. I Am…I Said — “I Am...I Said” took four months of writing day and night to complete. When the song was finally finished, a great Lee Holdridge string and horn chart was written and recorded. An immaculate Tom Catalano production completed this musical journey. It was nominated for a Grammy and still gives me chills when I perform it. 6. Sweet Caroline — “Sweet Caroline” was written in a Memphis hotel room the night before it was recorded. The next day I walked the song over to American Sound Studio and played it through for producer Tommy Cogbill and the studio house band (Reggie Young on guitar, Mike Leech on bass, Bobby Emmons on the Hammond B-3 organ, Bobby Woods on acoustic piano and Gene Chrisman on drums). This little group created the basic track of one of my biggest and most durable hits ever. Co-producer Tom Catalano then brought in arranger Charlie Calello who wrote the unforgettable string and horn charts (bah-bah-bah) which were recorded later in New York City. This record was an unexpected gift from the Gods of music. One that made us all look so good, so good, so good! 7. Cracklin’ Rosie — While chatting with a Canadian fan one day I was told the story of an Indian tribe on a reservation in Canada which had a deficit in the number of women. This meant that those unfortunate single men would buy an inexpensive bottle of wine called Crackling Rosé to keep them company on Saturday nights. This wine would become their date for the evening and they called her Cracklin’ Rosie. That was all the story I needed to hear to write this song. It ended up being my first #1 record as an artist. For a recording artist there is no bigger thrill. 8. Play Me — We discovered during its recording session that “Play Me” didn’t feel quite right in the 4⁄4 time signature that I had written it in. Guitarist Richard Bennett came up with the solution by playing his guitar picking lick in 3⁄4 time. This new time signature made all the difference in the world as the song settled into its own natural feel. I thanked Richard for pointing me in the right direction by giving him my beloved Everly Brothers acoustic guitar on the spot. He returned it to me years later knowing how much I missed it. That guitar now resides at the Grammy museum in Los Angeles. 9. I’m A Believer — I don’t remember too much about writing or recording “I’m a Believer.” At the time it was just another one of the songs I had written for my second album on Bang Records. I do remember though, the Monkees recording it and taking it to #1 on the charts and it becoming the biggest selling single of the year. It’s hard to forget stuff like that. 10. Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon — This was my love song to all the screaming teeny-boppers at my early shows. 11. Holly Holy — Tommy Cogbill produced the basic tracks of “Holly Holy” in Memphis with the super-hot American Sound Studio house band. When co-producer Tom Catalano and I hand carried the boxes of recording tape through the Memphis airport to L.A. the next day, we held them like they were newborn babies because we both felt there was a miracle on those tracks. When we got back to L.A., Tom brought in arranger Lee Holdridge who was inspired enough by the tracks to write the most magnificent string and choral parts. When engineer Armin Steiner played it back all together, we knew we had somehow captured lightning in a bottle. This was a once in a lifetime recording experience for me. 12. Solitary Man — “Solitary Man” was a first for me in many ways. My first chart record as an artist, my first recorded performance with great professional musicians, the very best engineers, and two producers at the top of their game, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. These elements together made my first important musical introduction to the public one that I was thrilled to put my name on. 13. Song Sung Blue — I wish I could remember who played that electric piano riff on the opening of this record. I still love it. Also, it was my second #1 record as an artist. 14. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers — This song was written at the request of television producer Norman Lear. He wanted it used as a theme song for a new “male-female role reversal” TV sitcom called All That Glitters (why else would a guy be singing about not getting flowers?). Marilyn and Alan Bergman and I wrote the lyric first and then I went off to set it to music. It didn’t take long, the lyric was written to be sung. The song itself begged to be a duet and eventually my friend Barbra Streisand heard it and agreed. My third #1 single was shared with my favorite girl singer. What fun! 15. Hello Again — Alan Lindgren and I wrote this song at drummer Dennis St. John’s beach pad in a smoky haze of good fellowship. 16. Red, Red Wine — “Red, Red Wine” was recorded for Bang Records in 1967. Soon afterwards, I left the Bang Records label. After I left, the people at Bang began to release everything I had ever recorded while I was with them, whether it was complete or not. They decided to throw in some violins to the very understated track I did for “Red, Red Wine” and then released it. I didn’t like their version very much but I swallowed it and moved on. Years later the group UB40 released the song in a terrific reggae version. The fact that UB40’s record went to #1 on the charts helped soothe my hurt pride. #1 records have a way of making all the hurt go away. 17. If You Know What I Mean — This is one of my favorite songs from the BeautifulNoise album. Robbie Robertson did a masterful job of producing this entire album. 18. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show — This very unique record (produced by Tommy Cogbill and Chips Moman) was another Memphis creation (circa 1969). Bobby Woods on piano and Mike Leech on bass led me and the band to the promised land with this track. “Brother Love” was a very odd single (you couldn’t dance to it because of all the tempo changes) but it caught on nonetheless. Almost immediately, it became one of my favorite songs to perform live and remains my show closer after more than forty years. Now that’s what I call longevity! 19. Pretty Amazing Grace — “Pretty Amazing Grace” is one of the offspring of my two Rick Rubin produced albums, 12 Songs and Home Before Dark. I familiarized the band in the studio with it by having us practice the instrumental guitar section that can be heard about three quarters of the way through. Once we got that part down, the rest of the tune just fell into place. Of course it takes great musicians to make things just “fall into place.” I was lucky to have them and a great producer on those sessions. 20. Kentucky Woman — I wrote “Kentucky Woman” in an old limo that I had just purchased from a funeral home to carry me through a touring version of Dick Clark’s Where the Action Is T.V. show. It was my very first tour and I didn’t know exactly what to expect so I prepared myself to do a lot of writing in transit. My keyboard player Max Sandler drove that ’57 Cadillac limo as I sat in the roomy back seat cradling my guitar and writing songs throughout that entire thirty-two city, twenty-eight day tour. This song was started as we approached our play date in Paducah, Kentucky. 21. Shilo — “Shilo” set a higher lyrical standard for me than anything I had written before on Bang Records because it had a little story to tell. I wanted this record out as a single and Bang Records did not. They offered to release it if I were willing to re-sign with them for another two years. I refused, believing that I had earned the right to choose my own single after all the success we’d had. I finally left Bang and my producers Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich over this song. I don’t regret it and I guess it turned out okay in the end but I’ll always miss the excitement of those Bang Years. 22. America — For me, the song “America” provided the heart and soul of The Jazz Singer film. The satisfaction I felt from popularizing that song made the reviews I got as an actor sting a little less. 23. Hell Yeah — This self-revelation poured out of me as the last of the thirty songs I had written for contention in my 12 Songs album. “Hell Yeah” is an affirmation of a lifetime spent devoted to music and my attempt to find a personally satisfying life for myself beyond the music. I have that life now but it was a much harder job than I thought possible. Still, well worth all the years and all the tears. I wish I could personally thank the hundreds of musicians, arrangers, and engineers who, along with the producers, spent long days and nights in studios around the country to make these recordings vibrate and thrill. As a songwriter I can only humbly bow down and thank them all from the depths of my heart for giving wings to my dreams. —Neil Diamond

2011 career-spanning collection from the veteran singer/songwriter. From his early steps as a songwriter in the '60s to his world-dominating success in the '70s and beyond, Neil Diamond has created some of this generation's best-loved songs. Included here are all of his major hits including 'I Am I Said', 'Solitary Man', 'Forever In Blue Jeans', 'Play Me', 'Cracklin' Rosie', 'America', 'Pretty Amazing Grace' and many more. 23 tracks.

On October 29th and 30th, 2009, rock 'n' roll royalty held court at Madison Square Garden for what have been called "the best concerts ever," where "rock 'n' roll history was made." In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the concerts in New York City featured a who's who of rock from the '50s to the '90s and included artists performing together in unique combinations that will most likely never be seen again. Now, this critically-acclaimed and highly-rated special is available on DVD for the very first time! The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concerts features all 51 performances from the acclaimed special, plus 16 performances not seen on TV, all in a 3-DVD set. Highlights from the concerts include: Mick Jagger and Fergie in a blistering version of the Stones' classic "Gimme Shelter," with U2 as the backing band; a Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel duet of "Born to Run"; Sting joining Jeff Beck for the Curtis Mayfield classic "People Get Ready"; Paul Simon, David Crosby, and Graham Nash joining together for a spine-tingling "Here Comes the Sun"; Ozzy Osbourne singing with Metallica on the Black Sabbath classics "Iron Man" and "Paranoid"; and John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen sharing vocals on Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman." Plus there's appearances by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel, Dion, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, John Legend, Annie Lennox, Smokey Robinson, B.B. King, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Jackson Browne, and more. Originally nominated for 5 Emmy Awards, this 3-DVD set includes all 4 hours of the TV special on 2 DVDs, plus a bonus DVD of 16 exclusive performances never seen before. Also included are a special collector's edition full-length color reprint of the Rolling Stone magazine article about the planning, rehearsals, and concerts. This is a must-have for any fan of rock and roll.

Disney does Dickens in this animated version of Oliver Twist, in which a homeless New York City cat falls in with a bunch of mischievous dogs under the leadership of the appealing scoundrel Fagin. The roots of Disney's success with animation in the '90s begins with this clever, energetic, atmospheric movie, which succeeds in capturing the grim world Dickens conjured. Lyricist Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid) worked on the songs, the best of which is sung by Billy Joel, who provides the voice of (the Artful) Dodger. --Tom Keogh

Oliver & Company [VHS] (1988) Joseph Lawrence (Actor), Billy Joel (Actor), George Scribner

Powers Collectibles was started by Matt Powers as a way for sports and celebrity enthusiasts and collectors to have a high-quality product available at affordable pricing. Having been in the business since 2004, he noticed there wasn't a web site available that included not only sports and celebrity autographs, but also high quality custom framing and display cases. Authenticity is the backbone of the company, having all of our items come directly from the athlete/celebrity. All items come with a 100% guaranteed authenticity and Certificate of Authenticity. Signed Album Cover

Experience a magical adventure, filled with friendship, fun and "paws-itively" cool music in the new 20th Anniversary Edition DVD of Walt Disney's OLIVER AND COMPANY -- featuring tail-wagging bonus and new digital mastering! Oliver, a feisty young cat, explores New York in this thrilling animated classic cleverly based on Charles Dickens' timeless story, OLIVER TWIST -- featuring unforgettable songs performed by musical greats Billy Joel, Huey Lewis and Bette Midler! Joined by a pack of hilarious characters -- dogs Dodger, Tito and their pals -- Oliver knows he's found a lifelong friend and a real home. The new 20th Anniversary Edition includes the all-new Oliver's Big City Challenge Game, the Academy Award(R)-winning animated short "Lend A Paw" (1941, Short Subject, Cartoon) and much more! Hightail it to your home theater for a fun and exciting movie-watching experience your family will enjoy again and again! Product Measures: 0.61" x 5.34" x 7.5"

Based on Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist," Disney's Oliver and Company was one of the first animated features to incorporate computer images with traditional hand-drawn animation and features the music and voice talents of pop-music giants like Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, and Bette Midler. A traditional story set in the modern world, Oliver and Company is the story of a stray kitten who wanders the streets of New York in search of a loving family. When Oliver encounters a street-wise dog named Dodger, the dog begins to teach him about life in the big city and takes him home to his family of street dogs and their master Fagan. Fagan and his dogs Dodger, Tito, Einstein, Francis, and Rita must often resort to thievery just to survive and during a particularly daring caper, Oliver gets separated from the other dogs and winds up meeting Jenny, a young rich girl with a big heart. As Oliver revels in Jenny's affection and begins to feel like part of her family, the dogs set out to rescue Oliver thinking he's been kidnapped. Eventually both Oliver and Jenny end up in grave danger and the only way Fagan and his dogs can save them is by doing what's right. As fresh on its 20th anniversary as it was when it premiered in 1988, this time-tested film appeals to children and adults of all ages. Bonus features include the Mickey Mouse and Pluto shorts "Lend a Paw" and "Puss Café" as well as a 5-1/2-minute making of featurette in which director George Scribner and animator Glen Kean describe the then brand new technique of blending computer and hand-drawn animation. Also included are sing-along versions of "Why Should I Worry? and "Streets of Gold," an interactive game, fun film facts, and an Oliver and Company scrapbook featuring concept art, storyboards, and publicity materials. --Tami Horiuchi

This dark brick red colored wine has classic Bordeaux aromas of currant and ripe plum with pencil lead and earthy, clay notes followed by scents of new leather and black olives. The palate is very supple with a core of cassis and black cherry fruit, layered with hints of wild strawberry and yellow plum. The finish is silky with refined French oak flavors intermingled with vanilla and subtle oak char. This wine is the quintessential pairing with braised short ribs with horseradish and parsnip mashed potatoes. Try it with Miso glazed black cod over steamed rice with spring onion dim sum, or arugula salad with fresh strawberries, goat cheese and black pepper.

Framed Commemorative Silver Disc Display Sized 14inc x 11inc - 1 inch, black Plexi-glass frame included Here is your chance to purchase the superb commemorative silver disc display pictured. The displays feature a silver plated 7" record with a mirror like finish. The record has been professionally electroplated and will not peel or crack. The displays are mounted and framed as pictured. The listing image does not do the item justice, they look simply amazing on any wall! This really is the ultimate gift for any music fan!