Billy Joel Appreciation

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Billy Joel is one of those rare artists whose music has this uncanny way of conjuring a visual picture or vignette in my mind.   His music is very much "grounded" in the vagaries of daily life. 

Definitely.  One of the all-time greats for sure.

Anyone on here see the musical Movin' Out that was based on Billy Joel songs?  Very well done, IMO.

No! I really wanted to, too.... It's up there next to Avenue Q in the musicals I need to see

You definitely need to see Avenue Q. Funniest show ever.

I know. The only reason I know of it is because someone showed me the soundtrack. It was AWESOME

[ZeppelinDT]

It's sort of an odd musical in terms of format because none of the performers sing except the band.  The character performers act out their parts solely in dance format.  It is almost a modern "ballet" set to Billy Joel music, which I know sounds odd to those who haven't seen it.  But it somehow works pretty brilliantly.

Do they recreate the brilliantly awful "Uptown Girl" video?

[ShadowWalker]

Billy Joel is one of those rare artists whose music has this uncanny way of conjuring a visual picture or vignette in my mind.   His music is very much "grounded" in the vagaries of daily life.  

Definitely.  One of the all-time greats for sure.

Anyone on here see the musical Movin' Out that was based on Billy Joel songs?  Very well done, IMO.

Saw it on Broadway. I love Billy Joel's music and my wife (not as big a fan as I) is a huge fan of the choreographer of that show, so it was a win-win for both of us. I thought the show was just ok, but I thought the band did a decent job with the music. I pop in the original cast recording every now and again...

[bosk1]

It's sort of an odd musical in terms of format because none of the performers sing except the band.  The character performers act out their parts solely in dance format.  It is almost a modern "ballet" set to Billy Joel music, which I know sounds odd to those who haven't seen it.  But it somehow works pretty brilliantly.

Do they recreate the brilliantly awful "Uptown Girl" video?

No.  But they do use the song as part of the storyline.

Billy Joel is one of those rare artists whose music has this uncanny way of conjuring a visual picture or vignette in my mind.   His music is very much "grounded" in the vagaries of daily life. 

Definitely.  One of the all-time greats for sure.

Anyone on here see the musical Movin' Out that was based on Billy Joel songs?  Very well done, IMO.

Saw it on Broadway. I love Billy Joel's music and my wife (not as big a fan as I) is a huge fan of the choreographer of that show, so it was a win-win for both of us. I thought the show was just ok, but I thought the band did a decent job with the music. I pop in the original cast recording every now and again...

I figured you'd probably be a fan, Greg. 

[jasc15]

Billy Joel is one of those rare artists whose music has this uncanny way of conjuring a visual picture or vignette in my mind.   His music is very much "grounded" in the vagaries of daily life.  

This is the biggest reason I enjoy his music.  I can almost feel what it was like to grow up in that generation, especially with references that are so familiar to people who live in the NY area combined with stories from my parents, etc.  And I always get goose bumps listening to "We Didn't Start the Fire"

[Samsara]

 (I still have vague memories of being in elementary school when "We Didn't Start the Fire" came out

Man, now I feel really old. 

Yeah, native Long Islander here. Been a fan of Billy's pretty much my entire music appreciating life. Great songwriter, good voice, great musician. And man, his songs really hit home for most Long Islanders. Always something about home in most of the tunes.

[ZeppelinDT]

(I still have vague memories of being in elementary school when "We Didn't Start the Fire" came out

Man, now I feel really old. 

FYI - I'm a couple of months away from 28.

That's how long ago "We Didn't Start the Fire" came out.

[hefdaddy42]

If I had to make a Billy Joel top 10, these songs would make the cut (in no particular order):

"Allentown"
"Prelude/Angry Young Man"
"Captain Jack"
"Scenes from an Italian Restaurant"
"The Downeaster 'Alexa'"
"The Stranger"
"Uptown Girl"
"The Entertainer"
"Piano Man" (awesome song, no matter how many times I hear it)
"New York State of Mind"

Great list, no doubt, but for me "Good Night Saigon" has to make the cut.  I guess I would eliminate...well, I don't know.

I also am a sucker for "She's Got A Way."

[ZBomber]

My top 10...
1. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
2. Captain Jack
3. Miami 2017
4. The Ballad of Billy the Kid
5. The Great Suburban Showdown
6. Vienna
7. Stiletto
8. Movin Out
9. Shes Got A Way
10. Angry Young Man

[Samsara]

(I still have vague memories of being in elementary school when "We Didn't Start the Fire" came out

Man, now I feel really old. 

FYI - I'm a couple of months away from 28.

That's how long ago "We Didn't Start the Fire" came out.

I can always count on you to make me feel better, Zepp. 

Not sure I could do a numbered order of favorite Billy songs, but here are a few:

Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)
Downeaster Alexa
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
Angry Young Man
She's Got a Way
Vienna
Captain Jack
Goodnight Saigon
Piano Man
New York State of Mind
A Matter of Trust
You May Be Right
Don't Ask Me Why
An Innocent Man
Allentown
All About Soul
The Ballad of Billy the Kid
Summer Highland Falls
Say Goodbye to Hollywood
I've Loved These Days
State of Grace
Lenningrad

A little more than 20. That's from a casual look at all the albums (I have all the CDs [and most of the LPs] - and have them also on the iPod). A few other favorites too, but these were the ones that stood out.

[bosk1]

I couldn't possibly do a top 10.  Too many good tunes.  Which reminds me, the Billy Joel section of my CD collection is sorely lacking.  I need to correct this situation in the not-too-distant future.

I think my favorite album has to be Glass Houses.  Yes, it is among the most commercial.  But the songs on it are just so good.

[Samsara]

I couldn't possibly do a top 10.  Too many good tunes.  Which reminds me, the Billy Joel section of my CD collection is sorely lacking.  I need to correct this situation in the not-too-distant future.

I think my favorite album has to be Glass Houses.  Yes, it is among the most commercial.  But the songs on it are just so good.

That's twice today I will say you needs to be flogged.

I detect a used CD run in our future. Time to get you caught up.

[bosk1]

Yeah.  You know, I had a few albums on cassette way back when, but never got around to replacing them on CD.  The only thing I've currently got is the greatest hits set.

[ZeppelinDT]

Downeaster Alexa

One of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

[veronica]

Huh, I never liked that song that much. My BJ collection is also sorely lacking, I only have Glass Houses on LP!  My ex got me "into" him but husband doesn't really like him...I'm gonna buy a dvd with one of his awesome live shows and see if that doesn't rectify that!

[Samsara]

Oh, and like bosk1 and ShadowWalker, I have seen "Movin' Out" as well. Not really my thing, musicals like that. But the band playing the songs...just WOW.

[ytserush]

I couldn't possibly do a top 10.  Too many good tunes.  Which reminds me, the Billy Joel section of my CD collection is sorely lacking.  I need to correct this situation in the not-too-distant future.

I think my favorite album has to be Glass Houses.  Yes, it is among the most commercial.  But the songs on it are just so good.

I need to do a CD upgrade on Glass House myself. I've been babying my vinyl copy for a while now.

[masterthes]

Speaking about "Movin' Out" (the song), I personally think it's probably my least favorite of his "best" songs

[ShadowWalker]

I couldn't possibly do a top 10.  Too many good tunes.  Which reminds me, the Billy Joel section of my CD collection is sorely lacking.  I need to correct this situation in the not-too-distant future.

I think my favorite album has to be Glass Houses.  Yes, it is among the most commercial.  But the songs on it are just so good.

Don't feel too bad. My collection is probably just as lacking as far as studio releases go. But I probably make up for it by owning three box sets -- The Stranger anniversary release (Best Buy version with bonus CD), My Lives and the 4CD greatest hits collection -- as well as all official live releases on CD...

[bosk1]

Yeah, you've probably got the vast majority of it covered, I'd say.  I also just realized this morning that I have River of Dreams as well.  Funny thing is, I don't recall a single song from it, and I have no idea where or when I got it. 

[ShadowWalker]

Downeaster Alexa

One of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

Agree. I used to have a live version that came from a promo CD. My cassette copy of that CD was stolen   I have never been able to find that version anywhere, which is a shame because it was even more emotionally powerful than the original studio track...

[PlaysLikeMyung]

Downeaster Alexa

One of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

Definitely. I was so stoked to see it live when I saw him in 2006

[Samsara]

Downeaster Alexa

One of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

Definitely. I was so stoked to see it live when I saw him in 2006

Agreed, and if you are from Long Island with any friends or family that are in the business, the lyrical content really hits home.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

bump because i really fucking love Billy Joel right now

[contest_sanity]

Agreed.  Billy Joel is awesome!  And he's second on my Last.fm with 1,222 plays.

[carl320]

Downeaster Alexa

One of my all-time favorite songs by any artist.

Definitely. I was so stoked to see it live when I saw him in 2006

Agreed, and if you are from Long Island with any friends or family that are in the business, the lyrical content really hits home.

This song is a very powerful song.  I don't live anywhere near Long Island, but just listening to the song leaves a strong impression of what it must be like.

[Orbert]

I grew up with the old Billy Joel 70's albums, and they were amazing.  The Stranger, 52nd Street, Piano Man, etc.

What astounds me is how many hits he's had, and how many albums he's had over the years, but when you dig into the albums, you still find the gems.  30something years and hundreds of quality songs.  The guy's a genius.

[ZeppelinDT]

So I just recently found out that one of my good friends is the daughter of the "Mr. Cacciatore" referenced in "Movin' Out".  Her last name is Cacciatore, and it always made me think of the song, but I had never actually mentioned it to her because I just assumed it was a coincidence.  But apparently he went to high school with BJ and used to be a bartender at one of the bars he regularly played at back in the day, which is how he ended up in the song.

Must be pretty cool to hear your name in such a huge song...

[Orbert]

That's pretty sweet.

Also: is she hot?

[Samsara]

*appreciates and hails*

As a Long Islander, you can't help but run into Billy here and there. I have seen him perform live...four or five times now, always a treat. But the coolest time I saw him was on the street.

I was working for my buddy one summer at his liquor store in the West Hampton Beach. Was out on a delivery for one of the house down on the water, and low and behold I run into him and his daughter (this was when she was young) walking down the street to the car. I say hello, wish him the best and tell him to have a great day. Just real relaxed. Nice guy having an ice cream cone with his kid.

ANyway, the last time I saw him live was a couple of years ago. First time outside of New York. So as I am singing the tunes, where he typically changes the lyrics to Long Island landmarks, he instead sang the regular version, so I felt like an ass. ha ha ha ha. But good fun.

The most intimate show I saw him at was at a high school auditorium for an environmental benefit in the Hamptons. It was him, his piano, an literally a high school auditorium filled with various folks. Very low key and cool. Christie Brinkley was there, as was Chevy Chase. I sat a row away from Chevy. Just beyond cool.

Billy has said he's done mostly writing lyrics, but I hope one day he does another traditional rock album. Been WAY too long.

[Orbert]

His "modern classical" piano album isn't too bad.  I listen to it sometimes.

[KevShmev]

Favorite video? 

Gotta be "Uptown Girl" for me.  Featuring the lovely Christie Brinkley , it is just a fun video to watch.

[ZeppelinDT]

Also: is she hot?

Yessir indeed. 

[Orbert]

Good to know.  I'll never meet her, and would never have a chance, but somehow it's comforting to know that there's one more Italian babe out there who's indeed hot.

[PlaysLikeMyung]

I wish I knew some famous people