Title: 52nd Street Artist: Billy Joel Release Date: 10/1978 Label: Columbia, Sony, Sony Japan, Sony Mid-Price, Sony/Columbia Duration: 40:26 Album Type(s): lyrics/libretto UPCs: 074643560924, 074646938522, 4562109408966, 074643560948, 074645285825, 074646441220, 4547366000221, 4988009453422, 5099708318123, 5099749118522, 828768674727, 456210940896 Genre: Rock Styles: Soft Rock, Pop/Rock, Album Rock Moods: Amiable/Good-Natured, Autumnal, Nostalgic, Refined/Mannered, Acerbic, Bittersweet, Brash, Cynical/Sarcastic, Earnest, Energetic, Passionate, Playful, Rollicking, Rousing, Searching, Sentimental, Soothing, Yearning, Bravado, Exuberant, Melancholy, Poignant, Reflective, Restrained, Romantic, Bitter, Laid-Back/Mellow, Sweet, Warm, Angst-Ridden, Organic, Sophisticated Total Copies: 1 Number of Discs/SwapaCD Credits: 1

1. Big Shot
2. Honesty
3. My Life
4. Zanzibar
5. Stiletto
6. Rosalinda's Eyes
7. Half a Mile Away
8. Until the Night
9. 52nd Street
10. [Untitled] [CD-ROM Track]

Year Type Label Catalog # 2006 CD Sony/Columbia 82876867472 2005 CD Sony Japan 464 2002 CD Sony 4534 2002 CD Sony 1 1998 CD Sony Mid-Price 4911852 1998 CD Sony Mid-Price 83181 1998 CD Sony 69385 1998 CD Columbia 69385 1994 CD Sony 64412 1992 CD Sony 52858 1990 CD Sony 35609 ------ CD Columbia CK-35609 ------ CD Columbia 52858

No other editions were found for this album.

Once The Stranger became a hit, Billy Joel quickly re-entered the studio with producer Phil Ramone to record the follow-up, 52nd Street. Instead of breaking from the sound of The Stranger, Joel chose to expand it, making it more sophisticated and somewhat jazzy. Often, his moves sounded as if they were responses to Steely Dan -- indeed, his phrasing and melody for "Zanzibar" is a direct homage to Donald Fagen circa The Royal Scam, and it also boasts a solo from jazz great Freddie Hubbard à la Steely Dan -- but since Joel is a working-class populist, not an elitist college boy, he never shies away from big gestures and melodies. Consequently, 52nd Street unintentionally embellishes the Broadway overtones of its predecessor, not only on a centerpiece like "Stiletto," but when he's rocking out on "Big Shot." That isn't necessarily bad, since Joel's strong suit turns out to be showmanship -- he dazzles with his melodic skills and his enthusiastic performances. He also knows how to make a record. Song for song, 52nd Street might not be as strong as The Stranger, but there are no weak songs -- indeed, "Honesty," "My Life," "Until the Night," and the three mentioned above are among his best -- and they all flow together smoothly, thanks to Ramone's seamless production and Joel's melodic craftsmanship. It's remarkable to think that in a matter of three records, Joel had hit upon a workable, marketable formula -- one that not only made him one of the biggest-selling artists of his era, but one of the most enjoyable mainstream hitmakers. 52nd Street is a testament to that achievement. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Babi Floyd Vocals, Vocals (Background) Billy Joel Producer, Harmonica, Composer, Vocals, Main Performer, Piano, Keyboards Carol Peters Associate Producer Dave Brown Guitar Dave Grusin Orchestration, ?, Horn Arrangements Dave Martone Assistant Engineer David Friedman Percussion, Orchestral Chimes, Chimes David Nadien Concert Master David Spinozza Guitar, Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric) Don DeVito Reissue Producer Donnie Dacus Vocals, Vocals (Background) Doug Stegmeyer Bass, Vocals (Background), Guitar (Bass) Eric Gale Guitar (Electric), Guitar Frank Floyd Vocals (Background), Vocals Freddie Hubbard Trumpet George Marge Recorder (Soprano), Sopranino, Sopranino Recorder, Recorder Hugh McCracken Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Nylon String), Guitar Jim Boyer Engineer, Remixing Jim Houghton Photography John Berg Design, Cover Design John Naatjes Tape Research Kathy Kurs Associate Producer Liberty DeVitto Percussion, Drums Mike Mainieri Percussion, Vibraphone, Marimba Milt Grayson Vocals, Vocals (Background) Peter Cetera Vocals, Vocals (Background) Phil Ramone Producer, Remixing Ralph MacDonald Percussion Ray Simpson Vocals, Vocals (Background) Richie Cannata Saxophone, Organ, Keyboards, Wind, Clarinet Robert Freedman Orchestration, String Arrangements, Horn, Horn Arrangements Russell Javors Guitar Stephen Saper Engineer Steve Khan Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric), Guitar Ted Jensen Mastering, Digital Remastering, Remastering Zachary Sanders Vocals, Vocals (Background)