On this day in music history: September 29, 1977 - The Stranger, the fifth album by Billy Joel is released. Produced by Phil Ramone, it is recorded at A&R Recording Studios in New York City from July - August 1977. After making significant headway with his second studio album Piano Man in 1973, Billy Joels next two albums Streetlife Serenade and Turnstiles will be critical favorites, but will only fare modestly commercial wise. For his next album, Joel will connect with producer and engineer Phil Ramone, who will prove to be great ally in the studio, marking the beginning of a nearly decade long run of major success. It features instrumental support from Joels touring band as well as guest musicians Hugh McCracken, Richard Tee, Hiram Bullock, Phil Woods, and Ralph MacDonald. Anchored by the singles Just The Way You Are (#3 Pop) and Movin Out (Anthonys Song) (#17 Pop), it will become Joels commercial breakthrough. In 2008, the album is reissued for its thirtieth anniversary as a 2CD + 1 DVD set, with the first CD featuring a remastered version of the original album, disc two containing a live concert recorded at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 3, 1977, previewing many of the albums songs before recording them in the studio. The DVD features live performance clips, a television appearance on the British music series The Old Grey Whistle Test from 1978, and a thirty minute long documentary on the making of the album. The Stranger will spend six weeks at number two on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 10x Platinum in the US by the RIAA, earning a Diamond Certification.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 22:00:16 +0000
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