Billy Joel - 52nd Street

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