WILLIAM “BILLY” JOEL THE PIANO MAN A look at his life, achievements, and music.
Dec 29, 2015
WILLIAM “BILLY” JOEL
THE PIANO MAN
A look at his life, achievements, and music.
History
Birth date: May 9, 1949 Parents: Howard and Rosalind Joel (later
divorced) Born in Bronx, New York Raised in Hicksville, New York on Long Island Started learning and playing music at a very
young age—mainly classical
Musical Influences
The Beatles Ray Charles Paul McCartney Rolling Stones
BIGGEST INFLUENCE WAS THE BEATLES
Personal Influences
Experiences with depression/suicide-attempted twice in his life
(age 20-25) Personal relationships
-married three times-Daughter Alexa Ray
His upbringing in Long Island, New York
-wrote many songs about the city and state
Albums Released
• Piano Man (1973)• Street Life Serenade (1974)• Turnstiles (1976)• The Stranger (1977)• 52nd Street (1978)• Glass Houses (1979)• Songs in the Attic-Live (1981)• The Nylon Curtain (1982)• An Innocent Man (1983) Cold
Spring Harbor-rerelease (1983)• Greatest Hits Volume I and II
(1983)
• The Bridge (1985)• Kohuept-Live Concert in
Russia (1987)• Storm Front (1988)• River of Dreams (1991)• Greatest Hits Volume III (1986)• Billy Joel 2000 years
Millennium Concert (1999)• Opus 1-10 Fantasies and
Delusions-Music for Solo Piano (2001)
• All My Life (2007)
Recorded/released 19 albums.
Recorded mainly with Columbia Records.
Innovative Albums
Top 10 on the Billboard Charts:-The Stranger -52nd Street-Glass Houses -Songs in the Attic-Nylon Curtain -An Innocent Man-River of Dreams
Number 1 position:-52nd Street -Glass Houses-River of Dreams
Kohuept, live album recorded in the Soviet Union Songs in the Attic and Nylon Curtain tie him with
The Beatles
Grammys:-Record of the Year-Album of the Year-Song of the Year-Best Male Vocalist (two times)-Grammy Legend Award
Cashbox:-Best New Male Vocalist
AMA:-Album of the Year
People’s Choice Award:-Favorite Male Pop Performer
Songwriters Hall of FameRock and Roll Hall of FameMusic Cares Person
Awards
Other Notable Accomplishments
•Performed with Artists:
•-Sting
•-Paul McCartney
•-Cindy Lauper
•-Steve Winwood
•-Ray Charles
•-Don Henley
•-Elton John
Produced Broadway Musical “Movin’ Out”
•Voice in and musical artist of Disney’s “Oliver and Company”
Composition History
In this presentation we will look at the history of the following works:
-Piano Man
-New York State of Mind
-Lullaby (Goodnight my Angel)
-You’re Only Human (Second Wind)
• It’s hard to just pick 15 minutes worth…• Joel has many
songs worth knowing!
•Influences: experiences working in a piano bar in L.A. •Album: Piano Man•Musicians: Joel and his band•Produced by: Columbia Records*First single to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Charts (1973)
Piano Man
Influence: love for his home state and cityAlbum: TurnstilesMusicians: Him and his bandProduced by: Columbia Records*Most known performances are those performed in New York.
New York State of Mind
Influences: Daughter Alexa RayAlbum: River of Dreams (1991)Produced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and band plus orchestra instruments*Wanted a song dedicated to her to help her through life when he isn’t there anymore
Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)
Influence: Personal struggles with depression and attempted suicide during his twentiesAlbum: Greatest Hits Volume I and IIProduced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and his band
You’re Only Human (Second Wind)
Listening Guide Section
In this presentation we will discuss the music of the following songs:
-Piano Man
-New York State of Mind
-Lullaby (Goodnight my Angel)
• We will focus on:• Form• Melody• Harmony• Rhythm• Dynamics• Timbre• Texture
Piano Man0:00—Song starts
-Texture: Piano and harmonica (very simple/bar-like)*Instruments also make up the melody, harmony, dynamics, rhythm, and timbre.
0:30—Verse 1 starts-Vocals join along with the bass, accordion, and drum set making up all attributes of musical form
1:26—Chorus begins1:56—Verse 2 starts (same as verse 1
except with different lyrics)2:43—Verse 3 starts (same as verse 1
and 2)3:26—Bridge/Piano Solo
-Instead of having lyrics in the bridge
like a lot of songs do, the bridge focuses on the piano.
3:41—Chorus4:11—Verse 4 starts
-Different dynamics than in previous verses
4:57—Chorus-Much bigger dynamics than previous-Texture becomes more simple towards the end when bass and drum leave and the piano, harmonica, and accordion take over the texture, timbre, melody, harmony, and rhythm.
5:38—Song ends
The form is in the classic form of most popular songs:-Introduction-Verses-Chorus -Bridge
New York State of Mind
0:00—Introduction begins: All aspects are made up just the piano (1 whole minute of piano)
0:56—Verse 1: Vocals come in taking over the melody
1:33—Verse 2: Violins and saxophone join in adding to the texture and timbre.
2:10—Bridge:Rhythm continues being sustained by the drum set.
2:43—Verse 3: Same as verse 1 and 2 (besides lyrics)
3:19—Instrumental: Melody is carried by the saxophone
3:54– Bridge (repeated): Melody carried by vocals changes slightly
4:30—Verse 4 (lyrics to verse 3): Changes are bigger emphasis on beats and vocal melody
5:06– Coda: Line from first verse “I’m just taking a greyhound…” is repeated bringing the listener back to the beginning—familiarity.
6:05—Song ends
Form is unique! Consists of:VersesBridgeInstrumentalNO CHORUS
Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)
• 0:00—Introduction: Texture consists of the violins and piano on the harmony with the piano playing the melody while keeping the rhythm *Very soothing (like a lullaby)
• 0:13 Verse 1 Begins: Piano and vocals make up the timbre.
• 1:01 Verse 2 Begins: “…like a boat out on the ocean…” includes the
French horn. Sounds like a boat horn
• 1:51—Bridge/Instrumental: the violins and horn play the harmony; piano plays most of the melody
• 2:17—Verse 3:Violins come in about half way through to add to the texture
• 2:56—Verse 3 add-on: Dynamics decrease as song gets closer to the end
• 3:33—Song Ends
Form is similar to New York State of Mind—This form, in my opinion, gives The song a more serious feeling (helps portray the message)
References/Bibiography
• BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES:• http://www.thevillager.com/villager_12/billyjoel.ht
ml• http://www.billyjoel.com/biography• http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Billy-Joel-B
iography/B5E6E558FEF8C8D1482568700013A7BC• http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005055/bio• http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Billy+Jo
el&searchtype=RhapAlbum&pagestart=25
• http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/joel_billy/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd
• Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume III The Video; Sony Music Film Studio
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11g5yyd7a7g