Product Code: 460407 1
Artist: Billy Joel
Origin: Australia
Label: CBS (1987)
Format: LP
Availability: Enquire Now
Condition:
Cover: VG+
Record: VG+
Genre: Pop U

Концерт

Very smart clean double album housed in a  embossed gatefold cover showing minor shelf wear . Includes inner sleeves.

Kontsert (/kɒnˈtsɛərt/; Russian: Концерт, commonly changed to Kohuept, English: Concert) is the second live album by Billy Joel, released in 1987. The album was recorded during the Soviet leg of Joel's 1987 The Bridge tour.

During the Cold War, rock music was not allowed in the U.S.S.R. because it was not seen as part of Soviet culture. In 1987, Mikhail Gorbachev implemented glasnost. Glasnost, meaning openness, gave more freedom to the people of the Soviet Union, but in a controlled manner. As a result of glasnost, the Kremlin invited Billy Joel to perform in the Soviet Union in 1986.[2] Joel being a history enthusiast, took advantage of this opportunity, knowing that this would impact the history of the Cold War.[3] He was seen as a "nice, safe, first attempt at bringing in an American 'pop star.'"[2]

The tour of the Soviet Union consisted of 6 shows, 3 in Moscow and 3 in Leningrad. He brought his family with to show the Russians that he feels safe and trusts the Russian people. During the show Joel gave new meanings to songs such as "Honesty." Each time the song was performed, he dedicated the song to Vladimir Vysotsky because he was an inspirational Russian man that "spoke the truth."[2]

Because rock concerts were foreign to the Russians, Joel had to invite the crowd to stand and dance. During the second of the three concerts performed in Moscow at the Olympic Sports Complex, Joel flipped his electric keyboard, and broke his microphone stand on his grand piano. While performing "Sometimes a Fantasy," the audience kept getting attention from spotlights, which angered Joel. He yelled, "Stop lighting the audience!" He then trashed his instruments. He claims that, "People like their privacy. They go to a concert to get that, to be in the dark and do their own thing."[2]

Joel wanted the audience to feel comfortable, and most of all enjoy the show. To do so, he brought his daughter Alexa Ray Joel, brought his wife Christie Brinkley on tour with the band, and crowd surfed during his performances. While in Leningrad, Joel dove into the crowd during the performance of "The Longest Time." This was a way for Joel to show that he trusted the Russian people.[2]