BILLY JOEL 100. Today: #85-81. More- next week.

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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85

YOU CAN MAKE ME FREE

Prior to recording ‘Cold Spring Harbor’, Billy was struggling with depression, leading to an attempted suicide. He admitted himself into a psychiatric hospital. This experience resulted in a set of introspective tracks. “You Can Make Me Free” is one where Billy demonstrates his vocal talent on his solo debut LP.

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84

ALL YOU WANNA DO IS DANCE

Billy’s evolution as a songwriter and performer continued with the ‘Turnstiles’ album. Columbia wanted to see him realize his potential and matched him with a new producer. Enter James William Guercio, who had helmed albums by Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. The producer also took over as Billy’s manager. Initial sessions in Colorado displeased the piano man. Billy took action; firing Guercio and deciding to produce the album himself. His then wife Elizabeth became his manager. Recording sessions resumed in New York. Billy recruited his touring musicians to play on the album. This line-up included drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer and saxophonist Richie Cannata. His bold move inspired a stronger quality in his new material, including the reggae-tinged “All You Wanna Do Is Dance” on the 1976 album.

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83

WORSE COMES TO WORST

Billy’s father worked as an engineer and was a classical pianist, but it was his mother that encouraged her son to study the piano. He displayed talent on the instrument at a young age. Later, Billy would apply a similar discipline to boxing. He competed as a welterweight. Billy won 22 out of 24 contests. His ‘Piano Man’ LP included the track “Worse Comes To Worst”. The album marked a progression, bringing Billy even closer to a major breakthrough.

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82

A ROOM OF OUR OWN

At the time of its release, critics did not greet ‘The Nylon Curtain’ with enthusiasm. In the decades since its release in 1982, the LP is now regarded in a more positive light. It was a shift in style after the success of the preceding album ‘Glass Houses’. “A Room Of Our Own” is one of the underrated tracks on ‘The Nylon Curtain’.

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81

CHRISTIE LEE

Billy’s new relationship with supermodel Christie Lee Brinkley inspired most of the songs and feel of the 1983 album ‘An Innocent Man’. The track “Christie Lee” is the most obvious of references to her on the LP.

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