The Piano Man, the Angry Young Man and the Entertainer. Billy Joel is another artist that has changed the way I feel about music, courtesy of my Dad. This post is another beginners guide to becoming another Gen Y convertee like myself. Billy Joel has some great songs and albums, but to catch the Billy bug the following three are the ones to choose(btw, I have avoided the radio favourites, which are still great, but the hardcore fans choose the following):
1. The Stranger: a great album, that has some great songs including "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant", "Only the Good Die Young" and "The Stranger". "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" is an epic hit with great sounds and a few fun lyrics. "The Stranger" is a beautiful and poetic melody about how "we all have a face that we hide away forever" and how "we may never understand how the stranger is inspired". This combined with some old fashioned piano sounds and perfectly pitched whistling make it great. "Only the Good Die Young" is an upbeat anthem that is the tune of choice for the bad girl (or guy!) in all of us. The Stranger is truly one of Billy Joel's best. Other great hits include" Movin Out (Anthony's Song)" and "Everybody has a Dream".
2. Turnstiles: an album marking Billy's change from L.A to New York and contains some great songs like "New York State of Mind", "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" and "Say Goodbye to Hollywood". These are classic Billy and are great for getting into his music. "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" is a song about Billy's change of scene and is a favourite of mine. "Miami 2017" is a bit of an end-of-the-world song that shares some New York scenery with the listener. Forget 2012, Billy's betting on 2017. "New York State of Mind" shares Billy's fondness for the city and once again describes some famous NY scenery. Other notable tracks include "James" and "Summer Highland Falls".
3. The River of Dreams: the cover artwork is painted by Joel's then-wife, the songs are catchy and cool, and the album is one of Billy's most recognizable. "The Great Wall of China" is another autobiographical track about professional troubles and "It's All About Soul" is a great track. "It's all about faith in a deeper devotion, the woman's got soul"; I don't know why, but it's just so cool. The title track "River of Dreams" is a catchy, cool hit that will suck you into the Billy vortex. Another notable favourite is "No Man's Land" which is a quirky song that appears to be a metaphor for consumerism and new century life, e.g "Give us this day our daily discount outlet merchandise, raise up a multiplex and we will make a sacrifice". Nice.
Another notable album is Glass Houses and Piano Man is also a memorable song. Billy Joel has a vast range of music that you will want to devour once your into it. Most played songs on my iPod: "All for Leyna" from Glass Houses and "Only the Good Die Young" from The Stranger. Hope you guys enjoy the music.
Dannielle
xoxo
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Introduction to The Boss
The Boss: a.k.a Bruce Springsteen. Bruce Springsteen is one of the most influential musicians ever to arrive on the U.S music scene in 1973 and continues to make outstanding music today. Consider this a page from the music bible for those of you looking to convert to acceptance of the "Old" era. The Boss has made some albums that cannot be described in one sentence. That single sentence would not do them justice. Those of you who are short on time, begin your conversion with these four albums:
1. Greetings from Asbury Park New Jersey- the first album from Bruce, before he was The Boss. Some truly wonderful songs, such as "Mary Queen of Arkansas", "Growin' Up" and "Does this Bus Stop at 82nd street?" were used to introduce the world to Springsteen. The quirky lyrics of "82nd Street" and "Blinded by the Light" will have you desperate to learn them in no time, then try to slip them into conversations. Ooh, tricky. Let me know if you succeed!
2. Darkness on The Edge of Town- another album filled with classic Springsteen. Highlight songs include "The Promised Land", "Racing in the Street" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town". "Darkness on the Edge of Town" has poetic lyrics fitted with fierce drum beats and beautiful piano. " Till' someday, they just cut it loose, they cut it loose and let it drag em down. Where no-one asks any questions or looks too long in your face, in the darkness on the edge of town." is a favourite quote of mine, where Springsteen talks about people having secrets their whole life until one day they let it loose and it drags them down. Truly poetic. "Racing in the Street" has some jargon for the car lovers and a melancholy piano melody that makes it a classic Bruce song.
"The Promised Land" starts with gorgeous harmonica tune and lyrics that give the impression of the all-American boy "workin' all day in his Daddy's garage and drivin' all night". Must listen for the convertee
3, Born to Run- the album you must listen to in order to fully appreciate the music of Bruce Springsteen. The two epic songs: "Backstreets" and "Jungleland". The devotee's anthem: "Born to Run". The great song, often overlooked: "She's the One". These songs make this my favourite Bruce album. The piano and lyrics in "Backstreets" will make you cry with and I guarantee you will never say "no way, that's old music" ever again. "Jungleland" has an epic saxophone solo that is indescribable. "Born to Run" is one of Bruce's most famous hits (along with "Born in the USA") and seeing it live is a dream of mine. My father has had the pleasure of singing along live with Bruce towards the end (the true right of any fan). "She's the One" has something about it that just makes you fall in love with it. Must be heard to believe it!
4. The Rising- a more modern Bruce album from 2002 has some fresh, upbeat sounds as well as some slow and melancholy tunes to define Bruce in the modern era. "Lonesome Day", "The Rising" and "Mary's Place" are some highlights. I'm a fan of "Your Missing", a slower and deeper song. Extra awesome: hit up you tube and search Bruce Springsteen at the Kennedy Centre honours for Sting's cover of "the Rising". Check out President Obama and Michelle Obama next to Bruce attempting to "groove".
Enjoy your Bruce journey, because it's all good as far as I'm concerned. Listen to these and tell me whether you are also a convert. If you are already a Bruce fan, share your favourite albums with me. Next blog: The Piano Man- Your Guide to the essential Billy Joel.
Danni xoxo
1. Greetings from Asbury Park New Jersey- the first album from Bruce, before he was The Boss. Some truly wonderful songs, such as "Mary Queen of Arkansas", "Growin' Up" and "Does this Bus Stop at 82nd street?" were used to introduce the world to Springsteen. The quirky lyrics of "82nd Street" and "Blinded by the Light" will have you desperate to learn them in no time, then try to slip them into conversations. Ooh, tricky. Let me know if you succeed!
2. Darkness on The Edge of Town- another album filled with classic Springsteen. Highlight songs include "The Promised Land", "Racing in the Street" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town". "Darkness on the Edge of Town" has poetic lyrics fitted with fierce drum beats and beautiful piano. " Till' someday, they just cut it loose, they cut it loose and let it drag em down. Where no-one asks any questions or looks too long in your face, in the darkness on the edge of town." is a favourite quote of mine, where Springsteen talks about people having secrets their whole life until one day they let it loose and it drags them down. Truly poetic. "Racing in the Street" has some jargon for the car lovers and a melancholy piano melody that makes it a classic Bruce song.
"The Promised Land" starts with gorgeous harmonica tune and lyrics that give the impression of the all-American boy "workin' all day in his Daddy's garage and drivin' all night". Must listen for the convertee
3, Born to Run- the album you must listen to in order to fully appreciate the music of Bruce Springsteen. The two epic songs: "Backstreets" and "Jungleland". The devotee's anthem: "Born to Run". The great song, often overlooked: "She's the One". These songs make this my favourite Bruce album. The piano and lyrics in "Backstreets" will make you cry with and I guarantee you will never say "no way, that's old music" ever again. "Jungleland" has an epic saxophone solo that is indescribable. "Born to Run" is one of Bruce's most famous hits (along with "Born in the USA") and seeing it live is a dream of mine. My father has had the pleasure of singing along live with Bruce towards the end (the true right of any fan). "She's the One" has something about it that just makes you fall in love with it. Must be heard to believe it!
4. The Rising- a more modern Bruce album from 2002 has some fresh, upbeat sounds as well as some slow and melancholy tunes to define Bruce in the modern era. "Lonesome Day", "The Rising" and "Mary's Place" are some highlights. I'm a fan of "Your Missing", a slower and deeper song. Extra awesome: hit up you tube and search Bruce Springsteen at the Kennedy Centre honours for Sting's cover of "the Rising". Check out President Obama and Michelle Obama next to Bruce attempting to "groove".
Enjoy your Bruce journey, because it's all good as far as I'm concerned. Listen to these and tell me whether you are also a convert. If you are already a Bruce fan, share your favourite albums with me. Next blog: The Piano Man- Your Guide to the essential Billy Joel.
Danni xoxo
Welcome From the Gen Y Convertee
Hello,
You are reading the first of maany posts from the Gen Y Convertee. My name is Dannielle and my posts will feature reviews on my favourite music, new music and miscellaneous music as well as sharing my "conversion" to the music of my Dad's era. The Boss (Bruce Springsteen), the Piano Man (Billy Joel) and the Gen Y Convertee (Me) is all about music for this generation with inspiration from the older ones.
Enjoy!
Danni
You are reading the first of maany posts from the Gen Y Convertee. My name is Dannielle and my posts will feature reviews on my favourite music, new music and miscellaneous music as well as sharing my "conversion" to the music of my Dad's era. The Boss (Bruce Springsteen), the Piano Man (Billy Joel) and the Gen Y Convertee (Me) is all about music for this generation with inspiration from the older ones.
Enjoy!
Danni
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