Billy Joel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-03-2007, 11:59 PM

Anybody a fan of his music? I never was, until recently. I went on this huge Billy Joel kick and my wife bought me a couple of his cd's for Christmas. I think he is an amazing muscian!

Janice · 01-04-2007, 12:06 AM

He was a hit machine back in the day. An ex-boyfriend dedicated, "Just The Way You Are" to me years ago. His "Piano Man" is a classic. His songs have always been heavy on the lyrics. He's very talented. From all I've seen and read on him over the years, he seems like a really nice guy too.

Brian Damage · 01-04-2007, 12:10 AM

Piano Man is great, but I have to say that "Pressure" is my favorite right now.

Janice · 01-04-2007, 12:13 AM

'You May Be Right' was fun. 'Uptown Girl' was for his then wife, Christie Brinkley. 'We Didn't Start The Fire' and 'Allentown' are good too.

Brian Damage · 01-04-2007, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

'You May Be Right' was fun. 'Uptown Girl' was for his then wife, Christie Brinkley.

"For the Longest Time" was another good song. Billy Joel changed things up and had more of a "Doo Wop" sound to his music.

Janice · 01-04-2007, 12:23 AM

I recall something about his former brother-in-law....years ago, his wife before Christie...that wife's brother. He was Joel's manager. Turns out he stole a huge amount of money from Joel. It went to court. I'm fuzzy on the details, but I think I've got that right.

Brian Damage · 01-04-2007, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I recall something about his former brother-in-law....years ago, his wife before Christie...that wife's brother. He was Joel's manager. Turns out he stole a huge amount of money from Joel. It went to court. I'm fuzzy on the details, but I think I've got that right.

Interesting, I never heard that story.

JO jr · 01-04-2007, 12:27 AM

SAW HIM IN CONCERT HERE IN CHICAGO IN THE 90'S. I THINK IT WAS 2 1/2 OR 3 HOURS LONG. IT WAS GREAT.

HOPE HE GETS HIS DRINKING UNDER CONTROL THOUGH. IT AIN'T TRUE THAT "ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG".

Brian Damage · 01-04-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO jr

SAW HIM IN CONCERT HERE IN CHICAGO IN THE 90'S. I THINK IT WAS 2 1/2 OR 3 HOURS LONG. IT WAS GREAT.

HOPE HE GETS HIS DRINKING UNDER CONTROL THOUGH. IT AIN'T TRUE THAT "ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG".

Welcome back!

I agree, he did have a drinking problem. I am not 100% sure he kicked the habit though.

Janice · 01-04-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JO jr

SAW HIM IN CONCERT HERE IN CHICAGO IN THE 90'S. I THINK IT WAS 2 1/2 OR 3 HOURS LONG. IT WAS GREAT.

HOPE HE GETS HIS DRINKING UNDER CONTROL THOUGH. IT AIN'T TRUE THAT "ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG".

I hope so too. He's got the monkey on his back.

Nice to see you JO.

AKA · 01-04-2007, 02:43 AM

Having grown up with his music all over my house (my parents had a lot of his records), I'm a big fan.

I have every album he ever did (I'm kind of obsessed), if you need help navigating around the catalog. Since you didn't ask, here's how I'd rank his studio albums, in order from best to worst:

1.) The Nylon Curtain (1982)
2.) 52nd Street (1978)
3.) The Stranger (1977)
4.) Glass Houses (1980)
5.) Turnstiles (1976)
6.) Streetlife Serenade (1974)
7.) River Of Dreams (1993)
8.) Piano Man (1973)
9.) Storm Front (1986)
10.) The Bridge (1986)
11.) An Innocent Man (1983)
12.) Cold Spring Harbor (1971)

He also has four live albums, two of which that are worth getting (1981's Songs In The Attic and 2006's 12 Gardens Live).

AKA · 01-04-2007, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

"For the Longest Time" was another good song. Billy Joel changed things up and had more of a "Doo Wop" sound to his music.

FUN FACT: Although it would appear otherwise from the music video, "The Longest Time" features no other voice than that of Billy Joel. He recorded his own voice - lead vocals, harmony vocals; etc. - and tracked it up to fifteen times.

The song is part of the album An Innocent Man, which, while it has its moments, hasn't really aged well with me (although I haven't played it in over five years, so I might give it another chance; maybe I'll load it onto my iPod).

The whole idea behind the album was Billy playing tribute to a bygone era of music - the '50s and '60s. It yielded a buttload of hits ("Tell Her About It," "Uptown Girl," "Keeping The Faith" and the afforementioned "The Longest Time"), but for me, the best moments of that disc are the ones that were never released as singles.

The first track on the album, "Easy Money," which is an obvious tribute to James Brown, is a standout for me, as is "Leave A Tender Moment Alone," featuring a gorgeous harmonica by Belgian jazz great "Toots" Thielemans.

Chelsea · 01-04-2007, 02:57 AM

I just got 12 Gardens Live a little while back. Awesome stuff.

THIS, my friends, is music - not 3/4 the crap you hear on Top 40 stations nowadays.

TJL · 01-04-2007, 05:58 AM

Big fan. I've seen him perform a number of times, and have a large collection of his music, from cassettes to CDs.
I agreee with AKA, Nylon Curtain is his best album.

I read in the paper the other day he recently recorded a new song. As a gift for his wife. I do believe it will be released eventually. It will be his first song in 13 years.

AKA · 01-04-2007, 09:31 AM

Has anyone seen Billy and Christie Brinkley's daughter lately? She's a budding musician in her own right, and she's kind of a fox (although in some shots, she does creepily resemble her father in the face).

http://www.alexarayjoel.com/

01-03-2007, 11:59 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Billy Joel Anybody a fan of his music? I never was, until recently. I went on this huge Billy Joel kick and my wife bought me a couple of his cd's for Christmas. I think he is an amazing muscian!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-04-2007, 02:57 AM	#13
Chelsea Semi-retired Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Washington Posts: 5,727	I just got 12 Gardens Live a little while back. Awesome stuff. THIS, my friends, is music - not 3/4 the crap you hear on Top 40 stations nowadays.
	__________________ Chelsea Former Administrator, 2005-2012 Former Member, DVD Review Team, 2004-2010.

01-04-2007, 05:58 AM	#14
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Big fan. I've seen him perform a number of times, and have a large collection of his music, from cassettes to CDs. I agreee with AKA, Nylon Curtain is his best album. I read in the paper the other day he recently recorded a new song. As a gift for his wife. I do believe it will be released eventually. It will be his first song in 13 years.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

01-04-2007, 12:06 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	He was a hit machine back in the day. An ex-boyfriend dedicated, "Just The Way You Are" to me years ago. His "Piano Man" is a classic. His songs have always been heavy on the lyrics. He's very talented. From all I've seen and read on him over the years, he seems like a really nice guy too.

01-04-2007, 12:10 AM	#3
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Piano Man is great, but I have to say that "Pressure" is my favorite right now.

01-04-2007, 12:13 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	'You May Be Right' was fun. 'Uptown Girl' was for his then wife, Christie Brinkley. 'We Didn't Start The Fire' and 'Allentown' are good too.

01-04-2007, 12:23 AM	#6
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I recall something about his former brother-in-law....years ago, his wife before Christie...that wife's brother. He was Joel's manager. Turns out he stole a huge amount of money from Joel. It went to court. I'm fuzzy on the details, but I think I've got that right.

01-04-2007, 12:27 AM	#8
JO jr Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 1,249	SAW HIM IN CONCERT HERE IN CHICAGO IN THE 90'S. I THINK IT WAS 2 1/2 OR 3 HOURS LONG. IT WAS GREAT. HOPE HE GETS HIS DRINKING UNDER CONTROL THOUGH. IT AIN'T TRUE THAT "ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG".

01-04-2007, 02:43 AM	#11
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Having grown up with his music all over my house (my parents had a lot of his records), I'm a big fan. I have every album he ever did (I'm kind of obsessed), if you need help navigating around the catalog. Since you didn't ask, here's how I'd rank his studio albums, in order from best to worst: 1.) The Nylon Curtain (1982) 2.) 52nd Street (1978) 3.) The Stranger (1977) 4.) Glass Houses (1980) 5.) Turnstiles (1976) 6.) Streetlife Serenade (1974) 7.) River Of Dreams (1993) 8.) Piano Man (1973) 9.) Storm Front (1986) 10.) The Bridge (1986) 11.) An Innocent Man (1983) 12.) Cold Spring Harbor (1971) He also has four live albums, two of which that are worth getting (1981's Songs In The Attic and 2006's 12 Gardens Live).

01-04-2007, 09:31 AM	#15
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Has anyone seen Billy and Christie Brinkley's daughter lately? She's a budding musician in her own right, and she's kind of a fox (although in some shots, she does creepily resemble her father in the face). http://www.alexarayjoel.com/