Kohuept (Live In Leningrad)

International rock artists rarely played in the U.S.S.R. during the Cold War. Billy Joel's 1987 tour there was a big deal, and it's said he lost more than a million dollars of his own money on the venture. But the chance to be part of history in the making: priceless. Russian audiences were mild, unaccustomed to bright lights, and fearful of expressing themselves in public (security removed fans who acted out). Joel infamously kicked his piano and broke a microphone stand in frustration. Despite this cultural learning curve, Joel's symbolic gesture was one in good faith, and he provided fans with a look at his catalog (though with an emphasis on his more recent albums). "Goodnight Saigon" is chilling. His cover of The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." was practically a requirement and done in good fun. Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'" is another near-mandatory tune here, with its central truth about to manifest through the U.S.S.R.