Streetlife Serenade
Streetlife Serenade | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | October 11, 1974 | |||
Recorded | 1974 | |||
Studio | Devonshire, Los Angeles, California | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 37:41 | |||
Michael Stewart | ||||
Billy Joel chronology | ||||
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Singles from Streetlife Serenade | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Christgau's Record Guide | C[3] |
Rolling Stone | Unfavorable[4] |
Streetlife Serenade is the third studio album by American recording artist Billy Joel, released on October 11, 1974, by Columbia Records.
The album peaked at No. 35 on the US album charts, eventually selling more than one million copies. Joel's live shows in the 1970s frequently featured the instrumental "Root Beer Rag" and the short song "Souvenir", which was often used as the final encore. Live versions of "Streetlife Serenader" and "Los Angelenos" appeared on Joel's first live album, Songs in the Attic (1981). A live version of "The Entertainer" appeared on Joel's 2006 album 12 Gardens Live.
Background
It was recorded mostly with session musicians—the last such release until 1993's River of Dreams. Joel sang and played piano and other keyboards, including his first work with the Moog synthesizer. Backing musicians included guitarists Don Evans and Al Hertzberg and banjo/pedal steel guitarist Tom Whitehorse.
Joel said that he had been touring in clubs and theatres and opening for big acts such as
In a retrospective interview, Joel said of the album: "Interesting musical ideas, but nothing to say lyrically. I was trying to be Debussy in the title track — it didn’t work."[7]
Release history
In addition to the usual two-channel
Track listing
All tracks written and composed by Billy Joel.
One side (Side one)
- "Streetlife Serenader" – 5:17
- "Los Angelenos" – 3:41
- "The Great Suburban Showdown" – 3:44
- "Root Beer Rag" (Instrumental) – 2:59
- "Roberta" – 4:32
Another side (Side two)
- "The Entertainer" – 3:48
- "Last of the Big Time Spenders" – 4:34
- "Weekend Song" – 3:29
- "Souvenir" – 2:00
- "The Mexican Connection" (Instrumental) – 3:37
Personnel
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Production
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Certifications
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References
- ^ "Great Rock Discography". p. 436.
- AllMusic
- ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 27, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (December 5, 1974). "Billy Joel Streetlife Serenade > Album Review". Rolling Stone. No. 175. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
- ^ "Billy Joel - Billy Joel on STREETLIFE SERENADE - from THE COMPLETE ALBUMS COLLECTION". Retrieved 2 January 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Musical Maps". Musicalmaps.com.au. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "Billy Joel critiques himself". Ew.com. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs – Volume 22, No. 22, January 25, 1975". RPM. 1978-04-08. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
- ^ "allmusic ((( Streetlife Serenade > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". allmusic.com. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
- ^ "American album certifications – Billy Joel – Streetlife Serenade". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 25 July 2012.