Last night I was cleaning my CD rack and I tried to rearrange my CD's. I noticed this 52nd Street album of Billy Joel. I realized that I haven't played it for such a long time. As this album is one of my favorites, I played it and I was again mesmerized by most of the songs.

Tracks Listing

1. Big Shot 4:05
2. Honesty 3:53
3. My Life 4:44
4. Zanzibar 5:10
5. Stiletto 4;44
6. Rosalinda's Eyes 4:40
7. Half A Mile 4:09
8. Until The Night 6:36
9. 52nd Street 2:26

About Each Track

Big Shot
Because you had to be a big shot, didn't you?
You had to open up your mouth
You had to be a big shot, didn't you?
This track has a Billy Joel trademark with overpowering exhibition of guitars. I always love it when he sings the line 'big shot' with great enthusiasm. This song never bores me. Billy sings this song with full energy.

Honesty
Honesty is such a lonely word
Everyone is so untrue
Honesty is hardly ever heard
This is one of Billy Joel's most famous songs that is still played on the radio till now. I think this is a powerful ballad with noticeable soft piano accompaniment. If one would listen closely, some crashing cymbals are played in the later part of the song. It sounds unusual, but the combination of good vocals, soft piano and powerful percussion blend well in this song. I consider this song timeless.

My Life
I don't need you to worry for me 'cause I'm alright
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore this is my life
Piano is the most dominant instrument of this track which is backed up by good guitar rendition. This was the theme song of the old 'Bosom Buddies' TV sitcom wherein Tom Hanks appeared in lady's dress in TV. Billy Joel did an excellent job on this song and added by the awesome back-up vocals of Peter Cetera, the 'Chicago' band vocalist himself. I really love this song - a lot! When I get annoyed by people around me who seem to tell me what to do and what no to do, I sing this song in my mind.

Zanzibar

I've got the old man's car
I've got a jazz guitar
I've got a tab at Zanzibar
This track begins with a fast-paced song, then an awesome interlude follows. Both are sung in a switching mode. This sounds like music in a New York bar which I saw in old movies. This track has a good beat with the piano as its main instrument. I like the changing of mood of this song from fast to soft.

Stilleto

You've been bought, you've been sold
You've been locked outside the door
But you stand there pleadin'
I think this track is maybe the weakest in the album. It has never gained fame. However, since I am comparing this to other excellent songs in the album, this song is still good to listen to. It has Billy Joel's good piano works. This is a nice track and I still find this song entertaining.

Rozalinda's Eyes

When she smiles, she gives everything to me
When she's all alone she cries
And I'd do anything to take away her tears
This track has Latin influence in it. Billy tries to sing with the Latin feel in this song and he sounds really good. I love the Latin beat of this song and it is so touching.

Half A Mile Away

I've given everybody so much time
Now I need a moment that's mine
Oh, my other world is just a half a mile away
I like the harmony of vocals, piano, guitar and horns in this track. Billy Joel's heavy accent makes this song even more worth listening to. He sings with utmost energy in this track and I like how sings with emphasis.

Until The Night

I'll have my fears like every man
You'll have your tears like every woman
Today we'll be unsure, is this what we believe in
I guess this is another weak song in the album. It has the sound of 50's or 60's. Billy Joel sings with low and big voice in this track, and it seems to be not like him. This is a good ballad but with faster beat than 'Honesty'. I just have to give the credit for the lyrics as they are so touching and warm.

52nd Street

We're gonna throw a little soul parade
Before they know the second bar was played
We're gonna slip it to 'em short and sweet
This track is jazzy. This song shows that Billy Joel has enormous talent in doing the jazz. I like this song. This is a very nice music that I prefer to play when driving around a long highway. The lyrics of this track only consist of two sets of 4-line verses and the rest of the lyrics are the repetitive '52nd street, yeah'. But this is still a very awesome song.

THE ALBUM

The 52nd Street Billy Joel original album was released on October 13, 1978 and has playing length of 40:26. This was the first album that was released on Compact Disc type in 1982 by the Sony Music Entertainment. The album was included in the list of '500 greatest albums of all time' on rolling Stone magazine. It contains 9 tracks.

On February 11, 1998, almost 20 years later, this remastered version was released. This contains the same songs on the original album but have been enhanced in full audio program.

I love this album a lot. I like how Billy Joel puts enough energy and enthusiasm in each of his songs. I find 'Stiletto' and 'Under The Night' tracks weak in this album but they are not bad. The other tracks are excellent. I admire the harmony of Billy Joel's great vocals, piano, guitar, horns and percussion in most of his songs.

(also posted on dooyoo)