Word: albums
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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However, the two slow ballads from 52nd Street point up the peculiar failing of this album. Both songs work from the success of "Just the Way You Are," but neither is as sincere. "Honesty" is innocent enough, a sweet, simple melody which allows Joel to experiment with a soft vocal. But the song smacks of Elton John's "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word," and falls flat into a canned, pop sound...
...Rosalinda's Eyes," in contrast, is probably the album's most interesting musical conglomeration. Tying together a bouncy Latin percussion section with a smooth nylon string guitar part and an innovative soprano recorder solo, Joel cooks up a tonal recipe that would delight even the gourmet. But the song of the "crazy Latin" never fulfills the mood, wandering off into ineffective rhyme. With a cute Fender Rhodes carrying the tune, there are reminders of "James," but none of its lyric depth...
...fine music. The former mixes bold, upbeat instrumentals with creative back-up vocals from Chicago's Peter Cetera and Donnie Decus. The latter experiments with some faint Latin rhythm and a few typical Steely Dan cliches, mixing in a fine jazz trumpet solo by Freddie Hubbard. It is the album's best mood piece, and possibly the most creative work on 52nd Street...
...album's anchor, "Until the Night," encompasses all the shortcomings of this latest Billy Joel effort. The cut begins with a lackadaisical vocal set to a Phil Spector beat that suits Johnny Mathis more than Billy Joel. Though the song builds to a contrasting bridge and powerful crescendo, Joel is lost in the music, overshadowed by the mystery vocalist who solos the first two verses and dominates the choruses. The album lists no vocal credit. The listener leaves the song wondering where Billy Joel is hidden...
...SPUNK of the quick parting shot, "52nd Street," confirms that Billy Joel is still full of life; but it is an unsatisfying end to an unsatisfying album. Joel said he wouldn't stagnate with the sound of The Stranger, and this latest album certainly represents a departure. But there is a loss of verve and expression here which disturbs the long-time Billy Joel fan. It's good music, but not up to Billy Joel quality. His success lies in the character that has pervaded his music, and on 52nd Street, we get it only in fleeting moments...