Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast

The third disc of Billy Joel's My Lives Box Set reveals an aspect of his performances that the previous tracks only hinted at: His ability to channel other artists.  The first two discs of the four-CD/one-DVD set focuses on unreleased songs, alternate versions of well-known tracks, and compositions that evolved into songs that Billy eventually released.  Moments on those tracks hint at Billy's ability to mimic other singers. And the fact that his first drafts of songs are often written with different artists in mind.  These points come to the forefront on Disc Three, which spotlights cover songs that BIlly released in the 90s. They include cuts for movie soundtracks and additional tracks for his Greatest Hits Volume III release.  These previously-rare tracks offer a glimpse into how Billy could approach someone else's work. And, perhaps, an alternate version of where his career could have gone after River of Dreams.  Join us as we dig deep into My Lives: Disc Three ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April of 1976, Billy Joel hit the road with the first incarnation of the now-legendary Lords of 52nd Street lineup. The band toured in support of the album Turnstiles, the first official audio document of this group. And, late that year, they recorded the first concert home video of Billy’s career.  That program, entitled “Billy Joel Tonight,” was filmed over two nights at the Palmer Auditorium in December. This band was already a cohesive unit when the tour began. But, after 8 months and dozens of shows, they were a unified force to be reckoned with for this recording.  The video was available only through Time Life, and has been out of print for decades. The closest official digital release are the individual songs on Billy’s YouTube channel. Still, it ranks with Live From Long Island and CW Post as a seminal live document.  For this episode, we’re listening along to the unedited, uninterrupted original video. It includes stage banter not on the YouTube videos.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel Tonight: Live at Palmer Auditorium in New London, CT - December 5th and 6th, 1976. WATCH BILLY JOEL TONIGHT ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://x.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A storm arrived in Syracuse, NY in February of 1990 — two of them, actually.  The region was hit by a major storm, dumping more than eight inches of snow. At the same time, Billy Joel brought his Storm Front tour to the Carrier Dome.  This show was about two months into a string of dates that ended a two-year touring hiatus. And, it featured a lineup that was drastically different from his touring bands over the previous 14 years.  Taking place just a few months before the well-documented Yankee Stadium performances, the Syracuse show is a glimpse into a typical night on this tour. It’s also a snapshot of a short-lived lineup that also helped revamp Billy’s sound.  Join us as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s performance at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY, on February 2, 1990. WATCH THE BILLY JOEL SYRACUSE 1990 CONCERT HERE ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1989’s Storm Front album found Billy Joel charting a new course for his career. Gone were longtime collaborators, including producer Phil Ramone and key band members Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer.  Behind the scenes, Billy was embroiled in a lawsuit with his former manager as tens of millions of dollars hung in the balance. And, at least one song may allude to his marriage to Christie Brinkley already showing signs of strain.  Despite these shakeups and unforeseen challenges, Billy delivered yet another multi-platinum album that earned him a new generation of fans.  Co-produced by Billy and Mick Jones of the band Foreigner, the guitar-driven album was yet another abrupt stylistic turn in the 80s. And, listening to it 35 years later, it’s much more apparent that Storm Front was something of a high-wire act.  Surrounded by a different creative team in a quickly-changing musical landscape, Billy managed to update his sound without coming off as an old head trying to sound young. And, he notched another bona fide timeless classic in “We Didn't’ Start the Fire,” a song that still lives in pop culture today.  Alongside that single’s massive success are a handful of songs that in turn betray familiar themes, commentaries on then-current events, and a few fan favorites.  Join us, as we dig deep into Billy Joel’s 1989 album Storm Front. ------   Email us: [email protected]   Glass Houses - A Billy Joel Podcast on the web / social media: Website: https://www.glasshousespod.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glasshousespodcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glasshousespod/ Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/glasshousespod  Discord: https://discord.gg/6G6cMRFu7T   Support the podcast: Paypal: https://paypal.me/glasshousespod Venmo: @MGrosvenor   Produced by Michael Grosvenor & Jack Firneno for Glass Houses Media, LLC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices