Kontsert

Background

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. Joel being a history enthusiast, took advantage of this opportunity, knowing that this would impact the history of the Cold War. He was seen as a "nice, safe, first attempt at bringing in an American 'pop star.'"

The Concert

The tour of the Soviet Union consisted of 6 shows, 3 in Moscow and 3 in Leningrad. He brought his family with him 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."

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."

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

Joel played a tour in Europe prior to the tour in the Soviet Union, and was being interviewed during the day. As a result, his voice became hoarse. Joel himself stated that he was disappointed by the album, and believes his vocals were not up to par during its production. Despite his opinion, Columbia Records released the album, claiming it was a "historic event." Joel and his band jokingly refer to the album as "Kaput."

Impact

Prior to this show, Rock music was barely gaining ground in the Soviet Union. The implementation of Gorbachev's glasnost allowed people of the Soviet Union to witness Western Rock. In result, the government had to learn how to put on concerts, while the people of Russia had to learn how to participate in them. Joel's Russian tour was the first live rock radio broadcast in Soviet History. Joel and his band were one of the first western rock groups to perform in Russia, along with Elton John, James Taylor, and Santana.

While in Russia, Joel and his daughter Alexa met and became friends with a clown named Viktor. The song "Leningrad" would eventually be written about him. This song was released on the 1989 Storm Front album.

Joel went on to say:

The trip to Russia was probably the biggest highlight for me as a performer. I met these people and they weren't the enemy. I also hoped that the people in America could see what we did. What happens when your kid says to you 'what did you do in the Cold War, Daddy?' And now we have something to say.

Kontsert track listing

All tracks written by Billy Joel, except where noted. Joel's cover of the Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." became the first single released by him that was written by someone other than himself. The B-side was "The Times They Are A-Changin'", Joel's live cover of Bob Dylan's song.

A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia

On May 19, 2014 the album was re-released & re-titled as A Matter of Trust: The Bridge to Russia, A two CD, one DVD/Blu-ray set incorporating eleven previously unreleased tracks on CD and seven previously unreleased & restored songs on video. In addition the DVD/Blu-ray set contains a newly produced documentary of the same name which features updated interviews with Joel's current & former band members as well as personnel involved with the original 1987 production.

Track listing

All songs written by Billy Joel, except where noted.

1. "Odoya" (Traditional Georgian) – 1:16
2. "Prelude/Angry Young Man" – 5:33
3. "Honesty" – 5:15
4. "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" – 5:32
5. "She's Always a Woman" – 3:35
6. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" – 8:21
7. "Goodnight Saigon" – 6:37
8. "Stiletto" – 5:10
9. "Big Man on Mulberry Street" – 7:29
10. "Baby Grand" – 6:14
11. "What's Your Name" – 2:17
12. "The Longest Time" – 5:11
13. "An Innocent Man" – 6:04

1. "Pressure" – 5:23
2. "Allentown" – 3:52
3. "A Matter of Trust" – 5:10
4. "Only the Good Die Young" – 3:32
5. "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" – 4:00
6. "Sometimes a Fantasy" – 3:38
7. "You May Be Right" – 5:35
8. "Uptown Girl" – 3:09
9. "Big Shot" – 4:54
10. "Back in the U.S.S.R." (Lennon/McCartney) – 2:55
11. "The Times They Are A-Changin'" (Dylan) – 2:38
12. "She Loves You" (Lennon/McCartney) (Russian concerts rehearsal recording) – 2:24
13. "New York State of Mind" (Russian concerts rehearsal recording) – 6:22
14. "Piano Man" – 4:25

1. "Prelude/Angry Young Man"
2. "Allentown"
3. "Goodnight Saigon"
4. "Big Man on Mulberry Street"
5. "Baby Grand"
6. "An Innocent Man"
7. "Honesty"
8. "The Longest Time"
9. "A Matter of Trust"
10. "Only the Good Die Young"
11. "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"
12. "Sometimes a Fantasy"
13. "You May Be Right"
14. "Uptown Girl"
15. "Big Shot"
16. "Back in the U.S.S.R."

Bonus song:

1. "Pressure"

Personnel