Piano Man

Billy Joel | Format: MP3 Music

Product Details

• Original Release Date: October 20, 1998
• Label: Columbia
• Copyright: 1973 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
• Record Company Required Metadata: Music file metadata contains unique purchase identifier. Learn more.
• Total Length: 43:15
• Genres:
  • Rock
• ASIN: B00136NWLE
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,823 Paid in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 Paid in MP3 Albums)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the price for the sonic upgrade to the WMMR show... November 9, 2011

By D. J. Krug

Format:Audio CD

First, if you have never heard the Sigma Sound/WMMR concert before, stop reading and order this. If you have heard it, stop reading and order this. The sonic upgrade is stunning.

Let me qualify my 5 Star rating now. FOR WHAT YOU GET, the material is 5 stars. The album remaster, while not perfect, is much better than earlier Columbia versions. My number one frustration with Billy Joel is the lack of new material for the last 20 years. My number two frustration is Columbia's management of his catalog. (There have been bright spots, like the Stranger 30th Anniversary Set.) But, the Sigma show should not be the second disc of a Piano Man Legacy Edition, it should be the second disc of a newly mixed and mastered Cold Spring Harbor Legacy Edition. And where are the bonus tracks? And lastly, what a gigantic let down when you open this package and see the reproduction of a Columbia Records invitation to a November 1973 Troubador Show to hype the Piano Man album. Where is THAT show (or one like it)?

Billy, give us some new music. And Columbia, give us comprehensive archival releases that befit one of the greatest singer-songwriters of the 1970s (and early 1980s, for that matter).

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong debut that showcases Joel's influences; terrific sounding SACD from Mofi April 19, 2011

By Wayne Klein HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Sometimes you DO get what you pay for. If you have an SACD player or even if you don't this CD/SACD disc features probably the best transfer I've heard of "Piano Man" in the digital realm. Joel's second album also generated a minor hit with the title track "Piano Man" but what it is most noticeable for is how it was influenced by The Band and Elton John--the latter's "Tumbleweed Connection" (itself influenced by The Band)clearly informed Joel's songwriting here whether it be about Billy the Kid with it's Aaron Copeland influenced string arrangement (that also at times recalls western scores like those from "The Big Country" and of composer Elmer Bernstein who wrote the score for the seminal western "The Magnficent Seven")or the epic commentary track "Captain Jack" about a suburban teenager's life including drug use to take the edge off his boredom. Each track has its own unique character and Joel manages to embrace a variety of styles from lounge singer to social commentator.

Lyrically this isn't Joel's best album with some lyrics a bit clumsy compared to his later work but the ambition and talent are both on display.

The CD layer sounds terrific and for those who have an SACD player, again, we get additional depth, warmth and a superior soundstage. The SACD layer IS NOT in 5.1 I should note as there are those that might wonder about that. Nevertheless, it sounds warm and captures little details that probably haven't been noticed since the album was first mastered.

Recommended.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been waiting for this record since 1972! December 21, 2011

By Dennis Wilen

Format:Audio CD

As Music Director of WMMR in 1972, I booked, produced and mixed this Billy Joel Sigma Sound Show. I was pretty sure "Captain Jack" was a hit the night of live broadcast.

I became convinced when my mother, who was listening at home, called to say she didn't like that song about the suburban kids, especially the masturbate part and the mother makes your bed part.

BINGO! SUBURBAN TEENAGE ANGST!

The fixed drum flub is actually a relief to me -- it's been driving me crazy ever since then.

I am sad old friend Ed Sciaky, the WMMR DJ extraordinaire who announced the show, did not live to see this concert released officially. And I wish my mother was around to finally know this epic musical evening has reached the public, and I was at last credited by Sony/Columbia/Legacy.

Thanks to Jon Takiff for the great notes.

-- Dennis Wilen