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WILLIAM “Billy” Joel the piano man

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

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WILLIAM “Billy” Joel the piano man

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  1. WILLIAM “Billy” Joelthe piano man A look at his life, achievements, and music.

  2. 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

  3. Musical Influences • The Beatles • Ray Charles • Paul McCartney • Rolling Stones • BIGGEST INFLUENCE WAS THE BEATLES

  4. 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

  5. Albums Released Recorded/released 19 albums. Recorded mainly with Columbia Records. • 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)

  6. 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

  7. Awards 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 Fame Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Cares Person

  8. 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”

  9. 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!

  10. Piano Man 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)

  11. New York State of Mind Influence: love for his home state and city Album: Turnstiles Musicians: Him and his band Produced by: Columbia Records *Most known performances are those performed in New York.

  12. Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel) Influences: Daughter Alexa Ray Album: River of Dreams (1991) Produced by: Columbia Records Musicians: Joel and band plus orchestra instruments *Wanted a song dedicated to her to help her through life when he isn’t there anymore

  13. You’re Only Human (Second Wind) Influence: Personal struggles with depression and attempted suicide during his twenties Album: Greatest Hits Volume I and II Produced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and his band

  14. 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

  15. The form is in the classic form of most popular songs: -Introduction -Verses -Chorus -Bridge Piano Man 0:00—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 begins 1:56—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—Chorus 4:11—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

  16. Form is unique! Consists of:VersesBridgeInstrumental NO CHORUS 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

  17. 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) 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

  18. References/Bibiography • BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES: • http://www.thevillager.com/villager_12/billyjoel.html • http://www.billyjoel.com/biography • http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Billy-Joel-Biography/B5E6E558FEF8C8D1482568700013A7BC • http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005055/bio • http://www.rhapsody.com/-search?query=Billy+Joel&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

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