Billy Joel reissues a classic
“The Stranger” is more than simply one of Billy Joel’s hit records. Arriving in 1977 during the Summer of Sam, the Yankees and Reggie Jackson, Billy Joel placed himself among those iconic New York figures for this album.
Known for crafting dozens of hits, not to mention being another Christie Brinkley ex, the album from beginning to end alone would have landed Joel in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
The CD begins with the classic “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” a staple of rock radio. Next up, track two: “The Stranger,” Joel’s seminal “gotcha” song aimed directly at his wife at the time, not Brinkley, who Joel was at the beginning stages of divorcing. “Watch the stranger kick you right between the eyes,” he sings at one point. Pointed, yes. Powerful, absolutely. Time transcendent and worth a reissue? Absolutely!
Billy Joel’s hit parade on “The Stranger” continues from there with his all time prom, wedding or any special event love song, “Just the Way You Are.” Can you imagine a more thoughtful love song?
The fourth track is legendary all on its own as well, “Scenes from an Italian Wedding,” the song that perfectly captures summer in the city and what it is like to grow up in the New York metropolitan area. It is a pure classic of all time. The song should be put in a time machine for future species to discover!
Then, from “Vienna” to “Only the Good Die Young” Joel proved this album was one for the ages and here in 2008, it is a welcomed arrival in the summer.
The remastered album is terrific and the best part of the entire package is the bonus DVD featuring the Piano Man himself performing the album’s tracks, and a few others, live at Carnegie Hall during the summer of 1977.
Donna Summer brings back the beat
Speaking of classics singers, Donna Summer decided to go the new music route in May. She hit the dance floors once again and quite successfully proved that with a sensational voice and an inescapable beat, age is merely a number.
“Crayons” found her on the “American Idol” stage during their finale week performing her hit “Stamp Your Feet,” which we’re still hearing on the club dance floors.
SheKnows loves Miri Ben-Ari, the hip-hop violinist, who is inescapable on “Stamp Your Feet.”
Interesting note is the Queen of dance music returns for her first album in 17 years and behind the producing desk on several tracks is the son of Neil Bogart, the legend who set Donna on her meteoric rise to fame in the ’70s, Evan Bogart.
Paddy Casey is Addicted to Company
Listeners will certainly be addicted to Paddy Casey’s brand of pop rock. Casey released his latest album this summer and the Sony BMG upstart is making waves. The first track, the acoustically tinged catchy “Sound Barrier,” immediately asks “Are you Listening,” and audiences better be ready to just that.
Casey is a force to be reckoned with as his “Addicted to Company” is one of the summer CDs you need to get.
The singer songwriter is emerging from the ‘new millennium folk boy’ scene with the Jon Mayers out there, and is eclipsing his colleagues in many ways. His beautiful crafted production has us “Addicted to Company” as well.
Of particular power, a must iTunes download, is “Refugee.” A deep and moving track, Casey’s words showcase an artist who is one step ahead of public consciousness.
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