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This edition of PIANO MAN is an Enhanced CD containing both a full audio program as well as a video clip for the song "Piano Man."
The title track from Billy Joel's major-label debut, 1973's PIANO MAN, became a smash hit, and put the singer-songwriter/piano player on the musical map for good. A story-song, the verses consist of character sketches given by the resident musician at a bar-lounge, and these build toward a sweeping, melodically infectious chorus and a melancholic, carnivalesque refrain. The tune demonstrates Joel's flair for narrative and lyrical detail, as well as his unmistakable knack for a catchy hook - qualities that would be the bedrock of his success through the 1970s and '80s.
Joel was still developing his trademark style here, and while the rest of the album doesn't quite measure up to the strength of "Piano Man," it fits quite neatly into the rubric of the one-man folk-rock artists of the era (namely Elton John, but also acoustic guitar-wielding troubadours like Harry Chapin). Still, there is evidence of Joel's signature tendencies throughout, like the tender love ballad "You're My Home" and the closer, "Captain Jack," a character-heavy story-song on the order of the title song. On the whole, PIANO MAN is an important step in Joel's development, and contains the musical and lyrical seeds that would sprout to full flower on albums like THE STRANGER, and subsequently catapult the artist to singer-songwriter stardom.
Personnel: Billy Joel (vocals, harmonica, keyboards); Billy Joel; Laura Creamer, Mark Creamer (vocals, background vocals); Susan Steward (vocals); Wilton Felder (keyboards, bass instrument); Emory Gordy (bass instrument); Susan Stewart (background vocals); Dean Parks, Larry Carlton, Richard Bennett (guitar); Eric Weissberg, Fred Heilbrun (banjo); Billy Armstrong (violin); Michael Omartian (accordion); Ron Tutt, Rhys Clark (drums).
SIMPLY THE BOMB!!! No song on this album is over or under-done. It's both a classic and "Billy Joel" classic in every way, and I can't believe how masterfully he infuses country and twangy elements into songs like "Travelin' Prayer" and "Billy the Kid". "Piano Man"- the whole album- has a real "renaissance man of piano rock" quality to it. I love it, though I would have liked it to have had at least one song with the kind of meaty social commentary Joel developed later on. 4.5/5 stars Submitted by nychro7 (Boston) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Piano Man ranks as Billy Joel's Best!! Any fans of Billy Joel owe it to themselves to own this CD. It has a number of platinum record hits and represents his music when he was at his zenith. Song after song is an absolute pleasure to hear Submitted by capezza (Wall NJ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Great piano man-playing music!! Billy Joel is a legend in his own time!! He's a sensational artist!! Submitted by Mary Jane (Lebanon, KY--) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
the incredible billy Let's Face it any Billy Joel album that has Piano Man in it is awesome. Then again ANY Billy Joel album is great... Submitted by basiamchugh (Glen Rock, NJ, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Definately a classic. If you like Billy Joel even just a little bit, you should buy this CD. All of the original music is here, and it's an enhanced CD, so you can see a video of Joel playing "Piano Man" live at Yankee Stadium in 1990. How cool is that? This CD also makes a GREAT gift. Absoulutely no fan should be without this. Submitted by beeverdenatdejazzd.com (Ephrata, PA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
SIMPLY THE BOMB!!!
Piano Man ranks as Billy Joel's Best!!
the incredible billy
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