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 forgot how good this cd was! Oct 08, 2009
It's been years since I had heard this cd- album. And I had forgot most of the songs. Well it will go back into the lineup again. Billy sure can play a piano! You forget these things as life takes you forward into other relms,as you get on with the daily grind. It's good to know somethings remain the same. Thanks amazon for great deals on music as always.
Landmark album for Billy Joel Sep 07, 2009
Captures the essence of Joel's everyman, modest non-comformity, and emotional intimacy that would be the hallmark's of Joel's career. Many have criticized Joel for not having a more creative musical vision, but the arrangements and instrumental diversity on this album are outstanding. Joel has a tremendous talent at seizing an audience's attention and tapping into their soul. His songwriting, lyrics, piano virtuosity, and honesty have made him an american and world treasure.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Billy's Best Pre-"Turnstiles" Effort Oct 12, 2008
Of the three albums released between 1971 and 1975, "Piano Man" is easily the best of Joel's recorded output from that period. It is by far his most cohesive and polished of the three ("Cold Spring Harbor" and the following year's "Streetlife Serenade" are the other two), and it includes some of the best material in his catalogue.
"Travelin' Prayer" is a mock country number set to a fast paced hodown rhythm as Billy, an admitted atheist Jew from Long Island, feably attempts to ask God to look after his loved one "far across the sea." Though it seems like a filler track, it is actually a very solid number, and the structure of the melody and the way it is arranged on record is nothing short of amazing. The blending of the piano with the bass and drums is beautiful, and the banjo playing is awesome.
Next comes the album's title track, which obviously needs very little to be said. Though Billy has done more complex and impressive material both lyrically and melodically, this song easily personifies Billy and is deserevedly his signature song. A true classic with rich lyrical detail and a timeless melody.
"Ain't No Crime" is a gospel rave-up with beautiful harmonies and tough, rollicking rhythm. This song was a major staple of Billy's live set list in the 1970s', and was even more exciting in that conext.
"You're My Home" is a beautiful, atmospheric ballad with great lyrics and some hugely impressive instrumental work. The guitar strumming on the intro is incredibly beautiful and one of the most complex arrangements Billy ever wrote.
"The Ballad Of Billy The Kid" is probably the second or third most well known tune on the album after the title track, an epic tribute to the Old West with fantastic lyrics, a piercing, atmospheric melody and arrangement, and a raw, powerful Billy vocal. I've seen Billy perform this song live three times, but I have yet to hear a version match the unbridled passion and intensity of the studio version.
"Worst Comes To Worst" is another, solid catchy albums that hold sits own against the album's stronger tracks. The lyrics are very clever and Billy's sly vocals adds an extra flair to them.
"Stop In Nevada" is another epic number, a tride and true 1970s' folk rock ballad reminscent of Poco, Bread and various other bands of that ilk. There are many great lines in this song ("With some money in her pocket, she's a rocket on the Fourth Of July"), and the song paints a vivid picture of the longing and detemination present in the 1970s', especially amongst females of the era. Great song.
"If I Only Had The Words" and "Somewhere Along The Line" are perfectly crafted MOR pop ballads, and should've been bigger hits than they were. The latter song sounds especially Elton John influenced, who at the time was the premier rock pianist until Billy hit his stride four years later with "The Stranger."
We come to the album's closing number, "Captain Jack." Ah, how hard it is to put my feelings towards this dark, brooding masterpiece in the word. A darkly atmospheric attack on the decadence of the early 1970s' drug culture post-Vietnam, this song is arguably the best thing Billy ever recorded. With its grim singalong chorus and graphic imagery (lines about masturbation, nose picking and smoking pot), this song is an absolutely chilling experienece that is also a pure crowdpleaser in concert.
"Piano Man" might not be a masterpiece, but it's definitely an exciting look at what was to come for the boy from Hicksville, Long Island.
 Well we're all in the mood for a melody Apr 26, 2008
This is Billy Joel's second album but his first with Columbia Records. It's also the first of two albums recorded in L.A. before returning to his native New York. The title track (his signature song) became one of his popular hits before the "The Stranger". According to Joel, the characters in that song were actual people while he was a lounge singer in L.A. There's the seven-minute anti-drug song "Captain Jack". "Travelin' Prayer" and "Worse Comes To Worst" were minor hit singles. Other noteworthy tracks include the historically inaccurate "The Ballad Of Billy The Kid", "You're My Home" about his then-wife (she's the "waitress" in the title track) and "If I Only Had The Words". The enhanced portion of the CD features a live version of the title track performed at Yankee Stadium in '89.
I first purchased this title on cassette years ago and it's one of the few titles in my collection in which I liked every track. I found it interesting though that the other musicians and singers were not credited. At any rate, I'll recommend this to any rock fan in general. If you're a die hard Billy Joel fan this is definitely essential.
Total Time-43:32
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
fine early Billy Joel album Sep 28, 2007
Billy Joel's Piano Man album on Columbia Records remains one of his best ever; and anyone who enjoys good solid rock from the 1970s will enjoy this CD very much.
The track set opens with "Travelin' Prayer." Listen for some great drums, fiddle, banjo and piano to create a country flavor for this ballad. Billy's voice is rich and full of masculine warmth--terrific! "Piano Man," the title track for this CD, leaves nothing to be desired. It starts with some great harmonica playing; and when Billy Joel comes in "Piano Man" takes off like a jet! Billy sings some portraits of people who come to the bar where he plays piano. Moreover, "Ain't No Crime" is a beautiful, gospel flavored number with a backup chorus that harmonizes to perfection as Billy sings it well!
"The Ballad Of Billy The Kid" gives us a country/western flavored arrangement as Billy sings the story of Billy The Kid and even compares himself to Billy The Kid but in a more positive light. Billy Joel sings "The Ballad Of Billy The Kid" flawlessly.
"Worse Comes To Worst" actually has a catchy melody that reflects the optimism Billy's character feels that he'll get by no matter how hard life gets; and this song has a great early 1970s rock and roll beat to it! Listen for some great key changes on "If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You)," too.
The album ends strong with the ballad called "Captain Jack." Billy delivers this flawlessly with panache and sensitivity. Great!
The artwork impresses me--how's about that cover photo?
Billy Joel remains a titan in the music industry; and this title is well deserved. Billy is one of the very few versatile artists who can evoke whatever emotions he wants his audiences to feel with every song he sings or records. I highly recommend this fine CD to anyone who likes great rock music from the early 1970s.
Enjoy!
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