
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Billy Joel’s second solo album included his most iconic song. And the one that provided his breakthrough success and pointed the way for his post-West Coast work. But surrounding the title track and "Captain Jack" are the sounds of a songwriter still finding his way. Fortunately for us, that path is still pretty exciting.
Released in 1973, Piano Man lays much of the blueprint for the hits to come. We hear great melodies, virtuosic piano playing, and a variety of styles. There’s also that flair for theatrical drama that earned him just as many comparisons to Great American Songbook-style writing as it did to rock and roll.
But, there are also country and gospel elements that Joel would soon abandon. And, the lyrical and songwriting skills that would provide him with dozens of hit records later were still developing here.
In fact, as we’ll learn, it was once slated to be his last album for a major label instead of the start of his ascent to global superstardom.
Despite all this, Piano Man is a record filled with big hits, classic songs, and fan favorites. And, it was an important step toward the turns Billy’s career would take in just a few short years.
Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s major-label solo debut, Piano Man.
-----
Email us: [email protected]
Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media:
Support the podcast:
Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Groove Music Marketing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
By Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno4.9
7373 ratings
Billy Joel’s second solo album included his most iconic song. And the one that provided his breakthrough success and pointed the way for his post-West Coast work. But surrounding the title track and "Captain Jack" are the sounds of a songwriter still finding his way. Fortunately for us, that path is still pretty exciting.
Released in 1973, Piano Man lays much of the blueprint for the hits to come. We hear great melodies, virtuosic piano playing, and a variety of styles. There’s also that flair for theatrical drama that earned him just as many comparisons to Great American Songbook-style writing as it did to rock and roll.
But, there are also country and gospel elements that Joel would soon abandon. And, the lyrical and songwriting skills that would provide him with dozens of hit records later were still developing here.
In fact, as we’ll learn, it was once slated to be his last album for a major label instead of the start of his ascent to global superstardom.
Despite all this, Piano Man is a record filled with big hits, classic songs, and fan favorites. And, it was an important step toward the turns Billy’s career would take in just a few short years.
Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s major-label solo debut, Piano Man.
-----
Email us: [email protected]
Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media:
Support the podcast:
Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Groove Music Marketing
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30,023 Listeners

8,118 Listeners

8,337 Listeners

10,382 Listeners

4,135 Listeners

19,025 Listeners

59,319 Listeners

1,014 Listeners

373 Listeners

58,219 Listeners

2,190 Listeners

10,886 Listeners

12,841 Listeners

3,593 Listeners

4,524 Listeners