Billy Joel - Turnstiles [Enhanced Version]

On this 1976 classic, Billy Joel tempers his anger a bit, adding dashes of hope and even sentimentality. In fact, he seems to address this fresh outlook on the scathing "Angry Young Man" and defiant "Say Goodbye to Hollywood." Still, his ballads here mark some of his finest work, from the Ray Charles-influenced "New York State of Mind" to the introspective "Summer, Highland Falls" to the celebratory "I've Loved These Days." Lyrically, "Miami 2017" owes as much to folk as it does to rock. These eight songs seem as if they're therapeutic for Joel: they display a new comfort and satisfaction as he digs deeper within himself to find lyrical themes. --Marc Greilsamer Amazon.com

the album will even take place in the hearts of angry young men

Luis Mejia (son)- Although past Joel's works are great, this is the first one that it could be said with all security that it's a masterpiece. Not as good as The stranger, but gets very close. Joel brought the theme of this album celebrating his return to New York after being in California. The sound is magnificent, the composition is delicate, all the tracks fit together in perfect harmony, and is maybe the greatest use of piano Joel has applied. It can be defined as a classic album, with the perfect piano ballad style seen in Say Goodbye To Hollywood, I've Loved This Days and James. The fast and catchy style of Prelude/Angry Young Man, which I consider a funny song, All You Wanna Do Is Dance and Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway), anf of course how to forget the blues-like song New York State Of Mind. This album is enjoyable for all ages and for everyone, The best one for starting to hear Billy Joel!
June 17, 2007

awesome melodies

I forgot how much I love this record until I picked up a copy of "Songs in the Attic" the other day and heard those incredible intro measures on "Summer Highland Falls." There is such fire and grace in the songs here, and cascades of brilliant melody flying off the keys. A lot of different musical styles and feels, here. Good lyrics, too; gritty at times, more so than most his records. I would put this one up there as my personal fav along with "The Stranger." I did catch him live in 1979, it was my first "big artist" concert, and they played a lot of the tunes off this one as I recall. March 16, 2007

A strong, melodic album of sentimental songwriting and performance

Tonight marks the date of the Superbowl event between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. One year ago minus one day, at last year's Superbowl event at Dolphin Stadium, Billy Joel opened the festivities with a rousing rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," while rain poured down on him and the piano keys. Just as the song ended, a configuration of four Air Force fighter jets soared past the top of Dolphin Stadium in perfect timing.

Tonight's performance makes me harken back to the days when I began listening to Billy Joel's individual albums, not just his greatest hits. The greatest hits had helped me decide to check out the individual albums. 'Turnstiles' was one of the albums I decided to pick up. "Say Goodbye To Hollywood," "New York State Of Mind" and "Prelude/Angry Young Man" were the only songs I already knew that stuck out from the track listings. Then, I popped the CD into the player and found out that there would be even more to like about 'Turnstiles.'

The all-or-nothing, overflowing sentimentality of "Summer, Highland Falls" is both catchy and slightly moving. "James" is a sentimental letter to an old high school friend who has drifted apart. "I've Loved These Days" is one of Joel's great melodic ballads. "Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Go Out On Broadway)" is also one of Joel's catchier ballads that has stood the test of time and remains popular today.

'Turnstiles' contains several memorable songs, but the album is full of sentimentality. Joel uses his understanding of sentimentality to write and sell songs. This is apparent on songs from 'Turnstiles' such as "Summer, Highland Falls", "Angry Young Man," and "I've Loved These Days," and it was apparent tonight at his Super Bowl performance of the United States national anthem. Billy Joel is a sentimental and unique showbiz character, and his sentimental spin on music makes him unique. He's got a great list of songs from "Piano Man" to "The Entertainer" to "Only the Good Die Young" to "Uptown Girl", and this album offers some of his lesser known hits. February 5, 2007

At the Core of a singer-songwriter

This album finds Billy Joel at the dawn of the superstardom to come. There are a number of songs that could very well have been hits had this album been released after he had been internationally established with The Stranger and 42nd St. Notably - Miami 2017, Summer Highland Falls, and New York State of Mind are album-cut classics and are as good as anything he had written before or since. For those fans who were introduced to Billy Joel through Just The Way You Are, and the rest of The Stranger album, Turnstiles is well worth the purchase to discover a prior album of equal weight and substance. December 22, 2006

A CLASSIC

I really LOVE one song on this album-it's
"Prelude/Angry Young Man".
If THAT tune won't get you tapping your fingers & toes, you may not have a pulse!! December 22, 2006

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