Billy Joel was unavoidable in the ‘70s- Piano Man and The Stranger were hugely popular in the era, and many of the tracks were (and remain) soft radio staples. Although Joels’ first album, Cold Spring Harbor, contained some eventual hits as well (“She’s Got a Way”), that album was sonically compromised and did not enjoy the commercial success of his later work.
This album more than makes up for that- a live performance of some songs from “Harbor” album, along with other early, classic Billy Joel tracks performed by Joel’s then-regular touring band and recorded with astounding clarity and punch (and nary a trace of digititis) under the stewardship of the late, great Phil Ramone. I never owned this album until my friend Max not only insisted that I listen to it, but bought me a copy.
It is an impressive listen, with a great roster of songs- the kind of songs that seem to draw people into my listening room from other areas of the house when this record gets played. I can think of a live few albums that better their studio counterparts, and this may be one of them. Piano is notorious hard to record, even in the best conditions. Here you get the weight of the instrument and the decay of the harmonics; not only that, the instrument doesn’t sound unnaturally large or “zoomed in” because of too-close miking or an overly emphatic mix. The drums, and bass are impressive too- and Joel’s performance, that of the whole ensemble really, seems charged as only happens in a live performance in front of an audience. These guys are pros- the guitar sings, stings and fades with just the right tone and crunch.
Elliot Scheiner is credited for the remix along with Ramone, and the original pressings on Columbia were mastered by Sterling. Great songs, great performances, excellent recording; one that gets you into “audiophile demo” territory at used bin prices. (There is a recent MoFi re-do that I haven’t heard, but if my experience is any measure, there is so little wrong with the original, standard issue pressings, I’d save your money for another MoFi record). Although I’m not big on schmaltz[1], the song “She’s Got A Way” is worth the price of admission. Recommended.
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[1] “Schmaltz” (def): from Yiddish, shmalts, meaning rendered (melted) animal fat; usually chicken fat. Schmaltz is used to make matzo balls.
Figuratively: a work of art that is excessively sentimental, sappy or cheesy.
From the Urban Dictionary