BILLY JOEL 100. Today: #95-91. More- tomorrow.

Caffè Lattè presents:

THE 100 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS BY

BILLY JOEL

William Martin Joel was born in The Bronx, New York in 1949. He grew up on Long Island and began studying the piano in 1953. Billy joined his first band 10 years later. In 1971, he signed a recording contract as a soloist. That year, he released his solo debut album. Since then, his music has been the soundtrack for countless fans.

Here are 100 of his best works…

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95

YOU LOOK SO GOOD TO ME

‘Cold Spring Harbor’ introduced Billy Joel- the singer/ songwriter- but something went wrong during the mastering process and the tracks came out at a faster speed, making the singer’s voice sound much higher. When he discovered the flaw, Billy reportedly threw his copy of the LP down the street. He would not work with producer Artie Ripp again. Nevertheless, the album does hint at Billy’s potential as a musician with tracks such as “You Look So Good To Me”.

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94

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE

Undeterred by the recording error, Billy persevered. A legal battle with his label Family Records ensued. Billy assumed the name Bill Martin and found work as a lounge singer. This experience would pay off later as the inspiration for one of his signature songs. In 1972, he signed a new contract with Columbia Records. Recording of the second Billy Joel album began in September 1973. Among the tracks on his sophomore LP ‘Piano Man’ is the Elton Johnesque “Somewhere Along The Line”.

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93

WEEKEND SONG

Billy broke through finally with ‘Piano Man’. He promoted the album but his demanding schedule did not allow him to let his creative juices flow as easily. With limited time to write and a label pressuring him for a new album to maintain the momentum, Billy delivered ‘Streetlife Serenade’. Released in October 1974, the new album was rushed but it did contain more glimpses of songcraft for which Billy would become renowned. Among the standouts on this weaker LP is “Weekend Song”.

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92

SHADES OF GREY

Billy initially was to produce the ‘River Of Dreams’ himself, but shifted gears and employed the services of Danny Kortchmar. The latter had already helmed projects by Do Henley and Jon Bon Jovi. “Shades Of Grey”, one of its tracks, finds Billy reflecting on middle age.

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91

STREETLIFE SERENADER

“Streetlife Serenader” finds Billy stretching out as a musician and as a vocalist. The track is a product of the times as singer/ songwriters such as James Taylor, Elton John and Carole King were flourishing on the charts. This song opens the album and remains one of its standouts.  

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