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Solo Arrangements of
Billy Joel
Awards
1979 - Grammy Winner - Record of the Year
1979 - Grammy Winner - Song Of The Year
Joel recorded many popular hit songs and albums from 1973 (beginning with the single "Piano Man") to his retirement from recording pop music in 1993. He is one of the very few rock or even pop artists to have Top 10 hits in the '70s, '80s, and '90s. A six-time Grammy Award winner, he has sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide and is the sixth best selling artist in the United States, according to the RIAA. Joel's induction into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame (Class of 1992), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Class of 1999), and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame (Class of 2006) has further solidified his status as one of America's leading music icons. He has continued to tour occasionally (sometimes with Elton John) in addition to writing and recording classical music.
From an early age Joel had an intense interest in music; especially classical music. He began piano lessons at an early age, and his interest in music instead of sports was the source for much teasing and bullying in his early years. As a teenager, Joel took up boxing so that he would be able to defend himself. He boxed successfully on the amateur Golden Gloves circuit for a short time, but abandoned the sport shortly after having his nose broken in a boxing match.
Joel attended Hicksville High School, and was to have graduated in 1967. However, he was one English credit short of the graduation requirement; he overslept on the day of an important exam due to his late-night musician's lifestyle. Faced with a summer in school to complete this requirement, he decided not to continue. He left high school without a diploma to begin a career in music. In 1992, the English credit requirement was waived by the Hicksville School Board and he received his diploma at Hicksville High's graduation ceremony 25 years after he left the school.
At the age of 14 Joel joined his first band, The Echoes (which later became The Lost Souls). According to producer Shadow Morton, Joel was also the pianist on the Shangri-Las hit "Remember (Walking In The Sand)". In 1966, he joined The Hassles, a Long Island band that had some local success ("Every Step I Take," "You Got Me Hummin'"). The Hassles released two albums The Hassles (1967) and Hour of the Wolf (1968) on the United Artists record label. Following The Hassles' demise in 1969, he formed the pop rock duo Attila with Hassles drummer Jon Small. Attila released their eponymous debut album in July 1970 and disbanded the following October.
Joel's lyrics have made many references to locations in the New York City metropolitan area, particularly Long Island. For example, the "Miracle Mile" line in 1980's "It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" refers to the affluent shopping district located on Northern Boulevard in the community of Manhasset and 1980's "You May Be Right" references walking through the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn alone as proof of craziness. In his 1973 song "The Ballad of Billy the Kid," he describes a certain "Billy" as being from the town of Oyster Bay, the municipality in which the hamlet of Hicksville is located. He has since stated, in the liner notes from his album Songs in the Attic, that this "Billy" is not himself, but rather an Oyster Bay bartender.
Several of Joel's songs have grown out of specific personal experiences, including "Piano Man," which he wrote describing his regular job playing at a Los Angeles piano bar in the early 1970s, and "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant," purportedly written about either the Syosset mainstay Christiano's or a similar eatery in New York City's Little Italy. His song "Vienna" was supposedly written about a visit to his father in Europe, while "Big Shot" was based on a bad date with Mick Jagger's ex-wife Bianca.
His music reflects influences from many different genres including European classical composers, Aaron Copland, 1950s doo wop, Broadway/Tin Pan Alley, jazz, blues, punk, ska, gospel, pop, and even Russian folk songs, to straight-up rock & roll. This has, in part, led to his broad success over a long period of time, but made him difficult to categorize in popular music today.
Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media
Displaying 1-13 of 13 items.
Billy Joel : Pro Vocal for Singers  Whether you're a karaoke singer or preparing for an audition, the Pro Vocal series is for you. The book contains the lyrics, melody, and chord symbols for eight hit songs. The CD contains demos for listening and separate backing tracks so you can sing along. The CD is playable on any CD, but it is also enhanced for PC and Mac computer users so you can adjust the recording to any pitch without changing the tempo! Perfect for home rehearsal, parties, auditions, corporate events, and gigs without a backup band. Songlist: All My Life, Big Man on Mulberry Street, Just the Way You Are, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Only The Good Die Young, Piano Man, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, She's Always A Woman 
Billy Joel : 52nd Street All 9 songs from the iconic 1978 album by the Piano Man, arranged for piano, voice and guitar by David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director. He has combined the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Guitar chord frames are also included. Includes black and white photos and a foreword by Rosenthal. Includes: Big Shot - 52nd Street - Half a Mile Away - Honesty - My Life - Rosalinda's Eyes - Stiletto - Until the Night - Zanzibar.
Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Greatest Hits, Volume I & II Billy Joel's keyboardist and musical director David Rosenthal has carefully arranged all the tracks from the Piano Man's iconic Greatest Hits Volume I & II, combining the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. All 26 hit songs from the double album are in this collection, including: Allentown - Big Shot - The Entertainer - Honesty - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Just the Way You Are - The Longest Time - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - New York State of Mind - Only the Good Die Young - Piano Man - She's Always a Woman - Tell Her About It - Uptown Girl - You May Be Right - and more. This souvenir folio also includes a foreword by Rosenthal plus great photos of Billy.
Billy Joel : The Nylon Curtain Billy Joel's keyboardist and Music Director David Rosenthal has attentively arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1982 album to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. It also includes a foreword by David Rosenthal as well as great photos of Billy throughout. Joel called this album the recording he's most proud of and it includes the big hits Allentown and Pressure and seven others: Goodnight Saigon - Laura - A Room of Our Own - Scandinavian Skies - She's Right on Time - Surprises - Where's the Orchestra?
Billy Joel : Billy Joel Complete - Volume 1 Over 50 songs from Joel's first 5 albums now revised to include all the songs from Cold Spring Harbor. Songs include: The Entertainer - Honesty - Just The Way You Are - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - Say Goodbye To Hollywood - The Stranger - Vienna - and more.
Billy Joel : Billy Joel Complete - Volume 2 Revised to include all the songs from the album Stormfront. 59 songs, including: Allentown - It's Still Rock and Roll To Me - Keeping The Faith - The Longest Time - Tell Her About It - Uptown Girl - We Didn't Start The Fire - and more.
Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Turnstiles David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's classic 1976 release to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. This book features eight classic songs: All You Wanna Do Is Dance - I've Loved These Days - James - Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway) - New York State of Mind - Prelude/Angry Young Man - Say Goodbye to Hollywood - Summer, Highland Falls. Includes a foreword by David Rosenthal. Songlist: Prelude, All You Wanna Do Is Dance, James, Angry Young Man, I've Loved These Days, Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway), New York State Of Mind, Say Goodbye To Hollywood, Summer, Highland Falls
Billy Joel : An Innocent Man David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1983 release, combining the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Guitar chord frames are also included. This great souvenir collection even includes several pages of photos and Billy Joel's original hand written lyrics. It includes ten classic songs, including: Careless Talk - Christie Lee - Easy Money - An Innocent Man - Keeping the Faith - Leave a Tender Moment Alone - The Longest Time - Tell Her About It - This Night - Uptown Girl. Songlist: Easy Money, Careless Talk, Christie Lee, This Night, An Innocent Man, Keeping The Faith, Leave A Tender Moment Alone, The Longest Time, Tell Her About It, Uptown Girl
Billy Joel : Greatest Hits, Volume 3 17 Smash hits from this pop superstar's latest albums which include INNOCENT MAN, RIVER OF DREAMS, THE BRIDGE and STORMFRONT. As a bonus, this book includes three new songs: 'To Make You Feel My Love' (which was written by Bob Dylan), 'Hey, Girl' and 'Light as a Breeze.' Songlist: All About Soul, Hey, Girl, To Make You Feel My Love, Light As The Breeze, Shameless, And So It Goes, Baby Grand, Leningrad, The Downeaster 'Alexa', I Go To Extremes, An Innocent Man, Keeping The Faith, Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), A Matter Of Trust, The River Of Dreams, This Is The Time, We Didn't Start The Fire
Billy Joel : The Stranger Our new folio matches the 30th anniversary reissue of Billy Joel's classic album. Features all nine songs, including new arrangements approved by Billy himself! Songs: Everybody Has a Dream - Get It Right the First Time - Just the Way You Are - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) - Only the Good Die Young - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant - She's Always a Woman - The Stranger - Vienna. Songlist: The Stranger, Vienna, Just The Way You Are, Everybody Has A Dream, Get It Right The First Time, Movin' Out (Anthony's Song), Only The Good Die Young, Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, She's Always A Woman
Billy Joel : Billy Joel - Piano Man David Rosenthal, Billy's keyboardist and Music Director, has carefully arranged all the tracks from Joel's classic 1973 release to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements while transcribing those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. This book features the iconic title track and nine others: Ain't No Crime - (The) Ballad of Billy the Kid - Captain Jack - If I Only Had the Words (To Tell You) - Somewhere Along the Line - Stop in Nevada - Travelin' Prayer - Worse Comes to Worst - You're My Home. Also includes a foreword by David Rosenthal. Songlist: Ain't No Crime, (The) Ballad Of Billy The Kid, Captain Jack, Piano Man, If I Only Had The Words (To Tell You), Somewhere Along The Line, Stop In Nevada, Travelin' Prayer, Worse Comes To Worst, You're My Home
Billy Joel : Storm Front Billy Joel's keyboardist and Music Director David Rosenthal has attentively arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1989 album to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. The huge hit We Didn't Start the Fire is included along with 9 other classics: And So It Goes - The Downeaster Alexa - I Go to Extremes - Leningrad - Shameless - State of Grace - Storm Front - That's Not Her Style - When in Rome. Includes a foreword by David Rosenthal as well as great photos of Billy throughout as well as copies of his handwritten lyrics. Songlist: Shameless, And So It Goes, Leningrad, When In Rome, State Of Grace, The Downeaster 'Alexa', I Go To Extremes, Storm Front, That's Not Her Style, We Didn't Start The Fire
Billy Joel : Glass Houses Billy Joel's keyboardist and Music Director David Rosenthal has attentively arranged all the tracks from Joel's 1980 album to combine the piano parts and vocal melodies into playable arrangements with accurate transcriptions of those classic piano parts that are integral to each song. Includes all ten songs, including: All for Leyna - C'etait Toi (You Were the One) - Close to the Borderline - Don't Ask Me Why - I Don't Want to Be Alone - It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Sleeping with the Television On - Sometimes a Fantasy - Through the Long Night - You May Be Right. Also includes a foreword by David Rosenthal as well as great photos of Billy throughout and copies of his handwritten lyrics. Songlist: All For Leyna, Don't Ask Me Why, C'etait Toi (You Were The One), Close To The Borderline, I Don't Want To Be Alone, It's Still Rock And Roll To Me, Sleeping With The Television On, Sometimes A Fantasy, Through The Long Night, You May Be Right |
Billy Joel Harmony Arrangements
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