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Let's be frank: his personal life has seen better days. In fact, given unfortunate recent experiences with the three D's-divorce, drinking and destructive driving-it seems the once kingly Billy Joel is in downward spiral mode. So there's no better time for a far more favorable D: distraction. If any American songwriter is deserving of such a thoughtfully selected, career-spanning odds 'n' ends box, it's Joel. Among the glut of previously unreleased tracks, demos, alternate takes and live versions of fan favorites, this four disc/one DVD set includes cuts from obscure pre-solo groups the Lost Souls, the Hassles and Attila. From there, Lives follows Joel through his club ascension ("Captain Jack" performed in a Long Island saloon) to his arena god days (dueting with Sir Elton on "You May Be Right"). The live DVD is, unsurprisingly, more megahit-based. Hopefully, the whole shebang cheers us all up.