Note: the CD I listened to was not the 2011 "Legacy edition" reissue.
Trying something different today: even though I consider myself to be a big Billy Joel fan from 1977 on, I've never heard this particular album complete. So when I recently saw this CD in the clearance bin for $3, I couldn't pass up the opportunity, despite the frightening cover art. Admittedly, I'm familiar with a few tunes from their inclusion on Songs in the Attic, and the title track (#25 pop, #4 AC) is an Irish bar singalong waltz classic, but I'm counting 6 of the 10 tracks that might be new to me. On first blush:
- Travelin' Prayer (pop #77) ✘
- Ain't No Crime
- Worse Comes to Worst (pop #80) - music isn't bad, but the lyrics may be Joel's worst, pun intended
- Stop in Nevada ✔
- If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) ✔
- Somewhere Along the Line ✘
Initial take: the sound of a songwriter still finding his style. He picked the correct songs for inclusion on Songs In The Attic. No liner notes included, so how am I to know that Larry Carlton played on this?
Press of the time:
- Rolling Stone: "his ten new tunes also introduce a more mature, less frantic musician."
- Robert Christgau (C): "he poses as the Irving Berlin of narcissistic alienation, puffing up and condescending to the fantasies of fans who spend their lives by the stereo feeling sensitive."
- Billboard: "Joel has a fine shot at establishing himself as consistent quality AM artist"
- CashBox: "Billy's piano playing has never been better"
- Record World: "should become a major act on the strength of his first Columbia album"
Album chart peaks:
- US Billboard 200: #27
- CashBox: #33
Tracks: see above
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, obviously
Previously revisited for the blog:
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