william “billy” joel the piano man
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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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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WILLIAM “BILLY” JOEL
THE PIANO MAN
A look at his life, achievements, and music.
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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
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Musical Influences The Beatles Ray Charles Paul McCartney Rolling Stones
BIGGEST INFLUENCE WAS THE BEATLES
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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
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Albums Released
• 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)
Recorded/released 19 albums.
Recorded mainly with Columbia Records.
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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
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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 FameRock and Roll Hall of FameMusic Cares Person
Awards
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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”
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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!
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•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)
Piano Man
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Influence: love for his home state and cityAlbum: TurnstilesMusicians: Him and his bandProduced by: Columbia Records*Most known performances are those performed in New York.
New York State of Mind
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Influences: Daughter Alexa RayAlbum: River of Dreams (1991)Produced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and band plus orchestra instruments*Wanted a song dedicated to her to help her through life when he isn’t there anymore
Lullaby (Goodnight My Angel)
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Influence: Personal struggles with depression and attempted suicide during his twentiesAlbum: Greatest Hits Volume I and IIProduced by: Columbia RecordsMusicians: Joel and his band
You’re Only Human (Second Wind)
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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
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Piano Man0:00—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 begins1:56—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—Chorus4:11—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
The form is in the classic form of most popular songs:-Introduction-Verses-Chorus -Bridge
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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
Form is unique! Consists of:VersesBridgeInstrumentalNO CHORUS
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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
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)
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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-Bi
ography/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