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52nd Street | 
 enlarge | Artist: Billy Joel
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $4.84
You Save: $7.14 (60%)
New (43) Used (18) Collectible (1) from $3.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  69 reviews
Sales Rank: 5301
Format: Enhanced, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 4.8 x 0.4
MPN: 69385
UPC: 074646938522
EAN: 0074646938522
ASIN: B00000DCHD
Release Date: October 20, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Tracks:
| • | Big Shot | | • | Honesty | | • | My Life | | • | Zanzibar | | • | Stiletto | | • | Rosalinda's Eyes | | • | Half a Mile Away | | • | Until the Night | | • | 52nd Street |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Following up his 1977 breakthrough smash The Stranger was no easy task for Billy Joel; 52nd Street shows he wasn't quite up to the challenge, though it sold similarly well and kept the momentum for his fast- track career until the more impressive Glass Houses appeared in 1980. 52nd Street isn't without its moments: "My Life" remains one of Joel's most memorable hit singles, "Half a Mile Away" is a wonderful slice of infectiously upbeat pop, and "Rosalinda's Eyes" sways to an alluringly airy Latin feel. But macho poseur numbers such as "Big Shot" and "Stiletto" are embarrassingly overwrought, while the arty "Zanzibar" ultimately comes across more as pretentious than adventurous. The closing title track fails to convince anyone Joel is a cool blues hound. --Peter Blackstock
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| Customer Reviews: Read 64 more reviews...
 Another fantastic addition to your Joel collection to treasure- from 1978 November 1, 2008
Another fantastic Billy Joel album-- with Joel continuing his rocking of the world in 1978.
He added a jazzy feel to his classic rock in this one which features such classics as the lively "Big Shot", the heartfelt "Honesty", and the assertive teenage statement of youth "My Life".
Another fantastic addition to your Joel collection to treasure.
 Good, but one of Joel's top two records? October 26, 2008
Joel has a fair number of albums, yet 52nd Street and The Stranger are the two Billy Joels which Rolling Stone chose to include in their list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. I can't argue with The Stranger--certainly Joel's greatest album--but 52nd Street? It does include some essential American pop songs (Big Shot, My Life), and my one of my personal favorites (Zanzibar with its rollicking instrumental solo and catchy chorus). Furthermore, it is a coherent album (jazzy and cool and full of New York City) something that Joel sometimes has trouble putting together. However, if you're buying classic Billy Joel, I feel like 1) Glass Houses or 2) Piano Man are the better albums. Certainly, both have a greater range of musical styles than 52nd street, but ultimately, is musical coherency everything?
One of Billy Joel's Best October 17, 2008
This album, along with The Stranger, is in my opinion, Billy Joel's best work. When I first purchased it in the 70s, I was in high school, and liked it because it was "New York" music. My favorites are the beautiful "Until the Night", and "Rosalinda's Eyes".
If you are a fan of Billy Joel, or if you just like well composed music, you should own this.
A Solid, Cohesive Follow-Up To "The Stranger." July 29, 2008
After over 10 years of struggling to hit it big, Billy Joel suddenly became an overnight sensation with his 1977 release "The Stranger," a timeless pop masterpiece that sold over seven million copies and generated four Top 40 hits as well as won Joel a few Grammys for his mantle. With his star suddenly burning, Joel was quick to come up with a followup to match the unprecedented success of his breakthrough album. The result was "52nd Street," which managed to match its predecessor in terms of sales as well as quality.
The album begins with its three big hit singles. First up is the crunchy in-your-face rocker "Big Shot," a stinging damnation of fame and the arrogance that comes with its first taste. With its bombastic riff and biting Billy vocal, "Big Shot" is an absolutely Joel classic, and remains a thrill in concert.
Next up is the Sinatra-esque ballad "Honesty," in which Billy openly and sincerely expresses his most important value in a relationship. With its passionate vocal and thoughtful lyrics, "Honesty" will get under your skin with its haunting beauty.
Next up is the album's biggest hit of the three, "My Life," a chugging declaration of youthful independence with some of Joel's most intricate keyboard fills and a punchy in your face rhythm underscored by its obnoxious (in a good way) chorus. Another Joel classic that remains a concert highlight.
With the hits out of the way, we dig into the lesser known album cuts, which begin with the zesty jazz opus "Zanzibar." A classic Joel portrayal of New York nightlife, many label this track is overindulgent and pretentious, but I'm of the opposite opinion. While it doesn't match the previous album's epic number ("Scenes From An Italian Restaurant"), "Zanzibar" carries a zest and flavor all its own that makes a landmark Joel track. The horn solo that closes out the track is incredible.
Next comes my favorite non-album track. "Stiletto" starts of with a dark, ominous sax solo before a few finger snaps underscored by a thumping bass line lead into Joel's hellraising piano stacattos, rivaling "Angry Young Man" and "Root Beer Rag" as the prime example of Joel's unbeatable keyboard prowess.
The mood changes once more with the mellow, Latin tanged "Rosalinda's Eyes," a tender love song reminscent of Elton John's "Tiny Dancer." It's a great song and one I wish Billy would dust off in concert.
Next comes another New York centered rocker, the thrilling "Half A Mile Away." With is opening horn roars and Billy's gritty vocals, this is one of the album's highlights and one of his best songs.
"Until The Night" is an epic ballad, and one of his all time bests. A big fave among die hard fans, it's a little lengthy, but Billy keeps it fresh and honest, and the result is an honest, passionate love song.
The album's brief title track closes thigns off. It's nice, but easily the most disposable track on the album. Fortunately, with the advent of cd burners and stop buttons, you can easily end the album with "Until The Night" and let it go out on a high note.
"52nd Street" is another pop masteriece by one of the genre's most talented and influential individuals. Buy it immediately if not already owned.
urban music June 14, 2008
This is the original urban sound of New York.
Billy Joel interjects Rock, Soul, Latin, Jazz, Italian pop and at the same time funking it to various rhythms in this wonderful album of the urban Latin-Italian experience in New York or any other major North American city.
52nd Street is conceptualized like a musical and Billy's vocals have the characterizations of a young urban Latino. The infectious melodic passages with their rhythmic variations and precise lyrics make you feel and live the life on 52nd street; visiting bars, hanging around rooftops, cruising waitresses, complaining about loudmouth girlfriends at fancy parties, claiming your independence, drinking with friends and falling in love.
The second to last song culminates in a big passionate number, like you would hear in a musical and the title song only comes in at the end after a long silent pause and is a short jazzy number like the closing credits of a show.
One of my favourite albums.
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