Glass Houses (180 Gram Vinyl) (Ltd. Edition Gatefold Cover) [Limited Edition]

Billy Joel | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (March 16, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Friday Music
• ASIN: B0031Y4A6C
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,764 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. You May Be Right

2. Sometimes a Fantasy

3. Don't Ask Me Why

4. It's Still Rock and Roll To Me

5. All For Leyna

6. I Don't Want To Be Alone

7. Sleeping With the Television On

8. C'Etait Toi (You Were the One)

9. Close To the Borderline

10. Through the Long Night

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joel "shatters" preconceptions--AF Gold release one of the best version of this album out there, September 16, 2010

By 

WTDK "If at first the idea is not absurd, the... (My Little Blue Window, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Glass Houses (Audio CD)

Never exactly a critics darling, Billy Joel consistently produced a series of strong albums throughout his career. "Glass Houses" which many thought was created under the influence of "New Wave" (and also pokes fun at it as well)proved to be an enduring classic. Although it may lack the jazz accented and larger-than-life Phil Spector like production of songs like "Until the Night", "Glass Houses" made its reputation on pure rock 'n' roll energy.

Featuring Joel's long time touring band including drummer Liberty DeVito, Doug Stemeyer, Richie Cannata and new (at the time) players David Brown and Russell Javers (both on guitar), "Glass Houses" opens with one of Joel's best rip-roaring rock tunes "You May Be Right".

The ironically titled album which refers to Joel's critics and, perhaps, indirectly to Joel himself, was always an underrated gem in Joel's catalog. It stands up with the best work he did during this period and while it may lack the serious themes of "The Nylon Curtain" or the jazzy touch of "52nd Street", it more than makes up it with melodic, well crafted songs with some witty lyrics as well.

Audio Fidelity has had a mixed batting average of late; "The Pretenders" and "The Soft Parade" were both peak limited something that should never happen to a audiophile CD. Likewise, "Morrison Hotel" and another title or two had some issues that occurred during the manufacturing phase so clearly quality control was an issue with those releases.

This release at first glance might appear also have problems--"Compact Disc" is misspelled on the gold disc as "Compack"--not a promising sign. Luckily, the mastering by Steve Hoffman associate Kevin Gray is superb. Hoffman can be a polarizing figure--there are those who love his approach to mastering and those that feel he is full of hot air. Gray does a terrific job of bringing out the subtle touches on the mastertape he is working from. He's on with "Glass Houses" which sounds marvelous. There's plenty of rich detail and a warm, rich analog sound and no sign of peak limiting on this release.

My only complaint is that like a lot of AF releases the artwork while decent, isn't as top notch as I'd like to see even compared to the original CD booklet for the album. Still, it does include all the lyrics as well as the photos that were on the original inner sleeve for the vinyl so that's a big plus.

A less than perfect booklet and misspelling aside what matters here is how this sounds and it sounds terrific.

I'd highly recommend this release for Joel fans as it is superior to just about every version released of this album on CD.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars AF Should Be Ashamed, September 2, 2011

By 

YChilds "ychilds" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glass Houses (Audio CD)

I just don't get it? Let's take a tape from the 80s and send it through completely flat to a new gold CD. Bad decision. This CD just plain sounds horrible. There is not passion, there is no life, there is no excitement here. This release sounds completely sterile and analytical. Do I sound disappointed? Yes I am very disappointed. Mobile Fidelity and other audiophile labels are using tools at their disposal to do classy remasterings of old classics. Why can't AF?

I'm starting to feel burned and let down by AF. Or, I just have to make sure any AF I get is mastered by Steve Hoffman and no other.

Beware, stick with the original or Ted Jensen remastered CD of this. Don't waste your money on this one.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Remastered Gold HD CD, October 17, 2010

By 

Mr. Brown - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glass Houses (Audio CD)

Audio Fidelity has remastered Billy Joel: Glass Houses in 20bit HD. This has full dynamic range, it has not been volume leveled like past remasters. Audio Fidelity has made this a Limited Numbered Edition so only a limited pressing will be done, AF will stop making this 24 karat Gold CD.

If your a collector of rare CDs this will end up being a collectors item in the near future so, get it now!

I would 100% recommend this CD.

About: It not saying "From the Original Master Tapes" see important comment.