1. MOVIN’ OUT (ANTHONY’S SONG) 2. THE STRANGER 3. JUST THE WAY YOU ARE 4. SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT 5. VIENNA 6. ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG 7. SHE’S ALWAYS A WOMAN 8. GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME 9. EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM This is the VINYL version of this album

Billy Joel had tasted some success before the release of “The Stranger,” with the hit single, “Piano Man,” but this is the album that made him a superstar. Though is is not a breakthrough album in terms of content (the earlier “Turnstiles” is also good), it's just that this NEW vinyl LP (which has been remastered) is a virutal “greatest hits” record with most of the nine songs being instantly recognizable. It is very well recorded and, though it’s been reissued numerous times in the digital era (CD, downloads, et al), the vinyl is a nice item to own.

Though Mr. Joel (like Paul Simon), probably resents being told by fans that an earlier album remains a fan favorite — since he has graduated from musician to artist and would prefer that his fans share and appreciate his development and evolution — the listener to this LP is not burdened by the pains of artistic growth. Rather, the music that you heard at a certain time in your life remains frozen in time and memory. Chances are it’s been a long time since you sat down and listened to this entire album, and have forgotten how good it is. Every song works.

“Just The Way You Are” is one of the most intelligent love songs ever (supposedly written for his first wife). At the other end of the spectrum, “Moving Out” (which opens the album), is a catchy but cynical song about characters like Anthony and Sgt. O’Leary who just can't seem to “get a life.”

The title track starts out with a slow piano shuffle and a melancholy whistle, then breaks out in a funky guitar lick. This is a song about all of us: “We all have a face...some are satin, some are steel...they’re the faces of the stranger, but we love to try them all.”

“Vienna” is a winsome ballad (with its European sounding accordion). “Only The Good Die Young” is also a shuffle, that makes fun of religious hypocrisy. “She’s Always A Woman” is one of the most cynical love songs every written. “Get It Right the First Time,” with its Latin flavor and positive lyrics, changes the mood to being hopeful.

“Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” has a slow introduction and conclusion which capture the restaurant mood perfectly. (You'd have to have eaten in an Italian restaurant in New York to know what we’re talking about). Then after the saxophone riff, the mood picks up as Billy reminisces about the old days and shares in the small talk about Brenda and Eddie, two high school lovebirds, with the singalong chorus: “Whoa-oh!’

The final track, “Everybody Has A Dream,” is one of Billy's “older” compositions, dating back to six yars before the album’s release.

This LP ought to be part of every decent rock collection. It is true that for decades the songs on “The Stranger” were played so often ont he radio that one hardly needed to own it. But with radio having undergone a drastic transformation to restricted playlists,  now is the right time to get it on keepsake vinyl.

To sample some of the tracks, click the speaker icon below to hear them. Then scroll down the page to order today!

 

Order Now! Vinyl LP Only $24.95 (plus shipping: $3.95 U.S; $6 worldwide; buy more than 1 CD and get shipping discounts)

 

 

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