Out of all the songwriters in the history of pop music, few have been able to hound down on what makes people people. When it comes down to writing stories, making them rhyme, and putting melody into them (a.k.a. songwriting), Billy Joel is at the top of my, and should be in everyone else’s, list.
Whether it be writing about being a piano man trying to entertain a host of different people at a bar, being an entertainer telling us what it is like to be a famous rock star playing all around the world, or giving us a history lesson covering the second half of the 20th century and telling us that they didn’t start the fire, Billy Joel is as solid a storyteller as few have ever been in the pop industry.
If you want reasons to buy this box set, I’ve got some for you. If you’re in the mood for love songs, you got ‘em. Just The Way You Are, She’s Always A Woman, and She’s Got A Way will melt your heart from the get go. If rocking out is what you’re after (this being The Rock Gazette, after all) look no further because this box set includes such hits as Only The Good Die Young, You May Be Right, and It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me. If you’re an aspiring songwriter and are looking for a lesson in the craft, Billy teaches you with the lyrics to The Entertainer, New York State Of Mind, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, and Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song). This does not mean that the rest of this magnificent box set is left behind songwritingwise, but these four songs are definite standouts.
But Columbia Records doesn’t only give us three CD’s worth of greatest hits. They have also added a fourth CD compiled from a small tour of colleges that Billy Joel did some years ago entitled “An Evening Of Questions & Answers… & A Little Music”. In this last CD, Joel speaks about his career, the way he writes songs, his influences, etc., everything sprinkled generously with his sense of humor and food analogies (when you listen to it, you’ll understand).
Reasons to shell out for this expensive treat:
1) Almost all the biggest hits of an impressive hit-maker (although who know why they decided not to include Honesty here).
2) A great little booklet to illustrate your listening pleasure.
3) If you're a songwriter, it's a great lesson on how to write lyrics and construct songs.
A box set worth having? Yes. Some of the best songs to ever come out of a songwriter's pen? Yes. A definite must buy and something you’ll cherish forever.
Next up: Are obstacles getting in the way of our future rock stars? Well, they're supposed to.
Whether it be writing about being a piano man trying to entertain a host of different people at a bar, being an entertainer telling us what it is like to be a famous rock star playing all around the world, or giving us a history lesson covering the second half of the 20th century and telling us that they didn’t start the fire, Billy Joel is as solid a storyteller as few have ever been in the pop industry.
If you want reasons to buy this box set, I’ve got some for you. If you’re in the mood for love songs, you got ‘em. Just The Way You Are, She’s Always A Woman, and She’s Got A Way will melt your heart from the get go. If rocking out is what you’re after (this being The Rock Gazette, after all) look no further because this box set includes such hits as Only The Good Die Young, You May Be Right, and It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me. If you’re an aspiring songwriter and are looking for a lesson in the craft, Billy teaches you with the lyrics to The Entertainer, New York State Of Mind, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, and Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song). This does not mean that the rest of this magnificent box set is left behind songwritingwise, but these four songs are definite standouts.
But Columbia Records doesn’t only give us three CD’s worth of greatest hits. They have also added a fourth CD compiled from a small tour of colleges that Billy Joel did some years ago entitled “An Evening Of Questions & Answers… & A Little Music”. In this last CD, Joel speaks about his career, the way he writes songs, his influences, etc., everything sprinkled generously with his sense of humor and food analogies (when you listen to it, you’ll understand).
Reasons to shell out for this expensive treat:
1) Almost all the biggest hits of an impressive hit-maker (although who know why they decided not to include Honesty here).
2) A great little booklet to illustrate your listening pleasure.
3) If you're a songwriter, it's a great lesson on how to write lyrics and construct songs.
A box set worth having? Yes. Some of the best songs to ever come out of a songwriter's pen? Yes. A definite must buy and something you’ll cherish forever.
Next up: Are obstacles getting in the way of our future rock stars? Well, they're supposed to.
No comments:
Post a Comment