HIDDEN TREASURES - Billy Joel (Part I)

I really enjoyed the two part Triumph series and I want to try and do another two part playlist starting with the early works of an artist. This time I want to showcase an artist that this site doesn't hear much from.

BILLY JOEL

For Part 1 we'll take a look at his early work, prior to his stardom.

PLAYLIST --> http://snack.to/auml65s3

	TURN AROUND COLD SPRING HARBOR 1971 Interesting story about how this album was first released. The recording was finished and due to a bizarre mastering error the tapes were sped up about 8% faster than they were recorded. Long story short, the album was pulled and it wasn't until 1983 that Columbia corrected it. You can hear some of Joel's input in the drum tracks as they sound more modern than originally recorded. I would love to have one of those original pressings!
	YOU'RE MY HOME PIANO MAN 1973 Plagued by legal issues and a first album that he had to tour endlessly to pay for, Joel found himself in LA working as a lounge Piano Man while recording this album. Clearly the title track is auto-biographical, but the track I picked is also somewhat introspective as its supposedly written for his wife at the time. Cool album for any fan of Joel its a must have, and the new Legacy Edition also contains a cool concert from the Cold Springs Harbor era.
	THE GREAT SUBURBAN SHOWDOWN STREETLIFE SERENADE 1974 This album was a recent purchase (in the last few years or so). And one I was happy I picked up. No hits and not much radio attention from this album, and that's probably what I like best about it! The whole album is full of hidden gems. All songs are solid although a bit reflective lyrically and melancholy in its tempo with the exception of Root Beer Rag. Its has a permanent place in my catalog.
	SUMMER, HIGHLAND FALLS TURNSTILES 1976 There's something intriguing about albums that precede the breakout album from classic rock artists. Its very cool to hear the build up to the super-stardom, and though the artist may prefer an overnight sensation approach, these albums are invaluable to help us understand how they got where they are. Turnstiles is so cool it really is on par with The Stranger, so in listening to it, it's easy to see why Joel got so big! Just hard to understand why Super-stardom didn't happen sooner...

So I picked some mellower tunes this week, but man they are soo sooo good! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did putting it together!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott on August 15, 2012 at 7:43pm

Asck an yeee shall reeceeve

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Permalink Reply by Jon on August 15, 2012 at 7:49pm

Kuul!

Permalink Reply by Jon on August 15, 2012 at 5:11pm

This was another splendid playlist, the first song I've never heard but the rest I have. Still have Piano Man on cassette, mainly because of that song and Captain Jack. Don't think I'll ever pick up Cold Spring Harbor, just don't like the cover!

Streetlife Serenade has been mostly "meh" with me, but the song you picked is ok. As for Turnstiles, this is when he started to rock a little bit more. Rjhog mentioned a couple other songs off this album, but Angry Youn Man is killer stuff, especially with him pounding on the peeano (see what I did?).

Little known fact, but Frankie Goes To Hollywood "borrowed" the word "pleasure dome" from the song You're My Home (oh yes, spell the title correctly, Scott! Jeez, what are you in second grade????). Now you're all in the know.