Billy Joel – Piano Man

Album Info

Artist: Billy Joel

Title: Piano Man

Year: 1973

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Tracklist

  • 1. Travelin' Prayer (4:16)
  • 2. Piano Man (5:39)
  • 3. Ain't No Crime (3:19)
  • 4. You're My Home (3:13)
  • 5. The Ballad of Billy the Kid (5:43)
  • 6. Worse Comes to Worst (3:15)
  • 7. Stop in Nevada (3:55)
  • 8. If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) (3:34)
  • 9. Somewhere Along the Line (3:20)
  • 10. Captain Jack (7:18)
  • 1. Introduction by Ed Sciaky - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (0:28)
  • 2. Falling - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (2:33)
  • 3. Intro to Travelin' Prayer - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (0:17)
  • 4. Travelin' Prayer - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (3:11)
  • 5. Intro to Billy the Kid - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (0:49)
  • 6. The Ballad of Billy the Kid - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (5:35)
  • 7. Intro to She's Got a Way - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:03)
  • 8. She's Got a Way - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (3:07)
  • 9. Intro to Everybody Love You Now - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:18)
  • 10. Everybody Loves You Now - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (2:56)
  • 11. Intro to Nocturne - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (0:59)
  • 12. Nocturne - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (2:46)
  • 13. Station ID and Intro to Turnaround - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:30)
  • 14. Turnaround - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (3:25)
  • 15. Intro to Long, Long Time - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:18)
  • 16. Long, Long Time - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (4:46)
  • 17. Intro to Captain Jack - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:18)
  • 18. Captain Jack - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (6:55)
  • 19. Intro to Josephine - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (1:40)
  • 20. Josephine - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (3:22)
  • 21. Intro to Rosalinda - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (0:32)
  • 22. Rosalinda - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (3:03)
  • 23. Tomorrow Is Today - Live April 1972 At Sigma Sound Studios, WMMR Radio, Philadelphia, PA (5:10)

Review

'Piano Man' isn't just the title track of Billy Joel's 1973 album; it's a window into the soul of a struggling artist. I remember the first time I heard it, sitting in my car, rain pattering on the windshield. The way Joel paints pictures of the bar's patrons - the real estate novelist, the waitress practicing politics - it's like he's whispering their stories directly into your ear.

But this album is so much more than its famous title track. 'Travelin' Prayer' and 'Worse Comes to Worst' both found their way onto the Billboard Hot 100, and for good reason. There's a raw energy to these tracks that makes you want to hit the open road, windows down, singing at the top of your lungs. And then there's 'Captain Jack' - a song that hits you with its unflinching portrayal of suburban ennui and addiction.

What really gets me about 'Piano Man' is how it showcases Joel's versatility as a musician. The accordion work by Michael Omartian adds this beautiful, wistful quality to the songs, while the guitar contributions from Richard Bennett and Larry Carlton give the album a real depth. It's no wonder Rolling Stone praised Joel's new seriousness and flexibility. This album feels like the moment Billy Joel truly found his voice, despite the legal battles that were raging behind the scenes. It's a testament to the power of music to rise above life's struggles and touch people's hearts. - Raine