Last Play at Shea

This is a documentary/concert for the ages. It's not just an old rocker playing his hits for the umpteenth time. No, it honors an era, painted in music and sports. You'd think that would dilute the performances, but it doesn't. Instead, it's a gigantic, mass celebration. I myself grew up with and experienced this history, from the first "concert" of the Beatles at Shea stadium. Looking back was nostalgic, triumphant, and illuminating. Billy Joel is, as always, terrific--backed up with a bevy of instruments with his iconic piano work still right out in front leading everything. The guest stars are amazing, particularly the last surprise appearance. Viewed projected on a large wall screen with full surround sound, the experience is immersive---as good and even better than actually being there! This is an amazing documentary worth viewing many times over into the future. Highly recommended!

I remember filing out of SHEA that hot summer night in 2008 - stunned at what I'd just witnessed - and already chomping at the bit for a CD or DVD of this historic show. After seeing a bunch of garbage on youtube, we FINALLY got to see it at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2010, and I was FLOORED. OK - in the interest of full disclosure - I'm a huge Billy Joel fan, and even bigger Paul McCartney fan, and (alas) a die-hard NY Mets fan. So, really - what's not to like. Billy Joel turning over the mic to Sir Paul - at his own concert, in his own backyard, was really classy. So much so, that when McCartney opened "the new Shea" (CitiField), he invited Billy to perform with him. No big deal ? Tell me, for as often as Paul is a "special guest" on the concert stage, how many times does he bring on a guest ? NOTE: It's not a straight concert film - there's lots of New York history - baseball and otherwise - in the mix. I really was hoping they'd have done a treatment similar to the "Concert For George" (George Harrison tribute) DVD - one disc with the theatrical release (edits, interviews, backstory, documentary stuff), and one with just the concert (beginning to end). UPDATE - JUST ANNOUNCED JAN 21: There will be a CD/DVD set called "Billy Joel Live at Shea Stadium", to be released March 1st. NOW it seems all will be right in the world ! Set list looks like a combination of the two-night stand, with guests from both nights. Still, top to bottom, the movie is terrific. Very informative and entertaining.

The Last Play at Shea offers such a compelling and cool insight into the history and essence of the vast segment of Baby-Boomers. It is an awesome retrospective of the emergence and growth of an important music culture and an American rock icon both having matured, withstanding the test of time. Billy Joel's life history is brilliantly intertwined with that of the Amazing NY Mets and their original, former home. The significance of Shea as a music venue with various footage including The Beatles 1965 concert, is as inspirational as the sports team who uplifted the spirits of the greatest city on earth during its most troubled times. Billy Joel effectively underscores his talent and humility and shows why he is clearly Long Island's favorite son. His duets with various music legends, including Tony Bennett (NY State of Mind) and the surprise arrival of Sir Paul McCartney to cap this final performance at Shea before its destruction, is something that that will reverberate over and over.

Fantastic DVD of the story with the beginnings of the Beatles playing at Shea Stadium to Billy Joel playing the last concert at Shea Stadium before they tore it down. Billy had the class to iinvite other great performing artists to this show - such as Paul McCartney. This is a documentary DVD, not a concert DVD - just to be clear to the customers. But it is fantastic and a must have for Billy Joel, Beatle fans and Shea Stadium fans. Now I want Billy Joel's sales company to release a DVD concert that was titled "Live from Long Island." It was great, but isn't on DVD yet. Let's see that one available soon please!

This is a super DVD - one of my favorites. It chronicles the rise and fall of Shea stadium, and the Mets, along with the career of Billy Joel as he plays the last concert at Shea stadium. Really well made and a lot of interesting trivia about all the entities mentioned. Special guests at the concert are Paul McCartney, Tony Bennet, Garth Brooks and others. Lots of special folks on the DVD that have been important in Billy Joel's life, including family and band members - which have often been one and the same! If you haven't seen this on PBS - you're in for a treat.

Very interesting to learn about Billy Joel and what inspired some his songs. Worth watching if you are a Billy Joel or even a baseball fan.

Excellent video. Complete view of the history of Shea and parts of Billy Joel’s life. Wish the video was longer than 90 minutes. Wish there was more of the concert that is not even recorded on the video Joel made of the concert. Video as described by the seller.

Great transaction!!

Shea Stadium was opened in 1964 and closed in 2008, where Billy Joel did the last ever concert on Friday, July 18th. Now, for New Yorkers, Shea was the home of the Mets, a baseball team. As Sting says, for the British that meant very little. Shea Stadium was where the Beatles played. DVD has songs from this last concert, interspersed with interviews with Billy Joel, Sid Bernstein (who was the promoter for the Beatles concerts), Sting and Christie Brinkley, among others. It is not a concert as such, more a documentary about the stadium itself and the career of Billy Joel. If you are a fan of Billy Joel then you will enjoy this, as there is lots of great footage and rare clips of his career, interviews with his friends and bandmates and even film of him in his early band, the Hassles. There are many guest stars at this concert, although Tony Bennett is the only one who is really heard singing, but there are short snippets of Roger Daltrey and Steven Tyler. However, there was one guest, Billy Joel really wanted - Paul McCartney. At the beginning of the concert, Billy Joel says, "I want to thank the Beatles for letting us use their room. Best band that ever was. Best band that ever will be!" I have to agree, but there was a problem. Paul was in England and didn't think he could make the concert as his schedule simply wouldn't allow it. However, when air space was cleared for his plane to land and a police escort rushed him to Shea in eleven minutes, he managed to sing "I saw her standing there" and to finish the night with "Let it Be". This really is an amazing documentary and, for fans of Billy Joel or Paul McCartney (or both, as I am) this is a must see. Billy Joel is a great performer and it was moving to see him acknowledge that he owes his career to the Beatles and to want a Beatles song to be the last song played at Shea Stadium. Wonderful to watch, very interesting and highly recommended.

The DVD is fantastic. The supplier is also extremely cooperative. While there was an initial problem they were quickly willing to make it right. I was able to view the product on my laptop and it is amazing. Unfortunately it has been discontinued but at least I can watch it on the small screen. REVIEW BELOW NO LONGER RELEVANT: I ordered this DVD for my husbandn for Valentine's Day. We settled down to watch it Sunday night and it did not work -- we got a "Region Code Error" message on the screen. We tried another player -- same thing. I've never had a problem with anything I've ordered from Amazon so thought nothing of not keeping packaging to return as I wrapped the DVD as a gift. Needless to say I am very displeased after having waited so long for delivery of this product.

It would have been nice if I have had this DVD before I had the Concert. It was good to know the history about The SHEA stadium. Very good documentary. And interesting to see some of Billy's way to the Star he is and have been for some decades now.

Although it is a good documentary, it is just that; a documentary. I was expecting more of a live concert like others in my collection. This reviews history of the stadium and his marriage etc.

He's a fabulous entertainer. great show.