Set for release on Record Store Day (April 22nd) is Billy Joel – Live At The Great American Music Hall – 1975. The album was originally issued back in 2021 as part of the multi-disc Billy Joel – The Vinyl Collection, Vol.1, with the new issue marking its first standalone release.
According to the original press release, “(The show) was recorded at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, June 1975. The live gig from the Streetlife Serenade tour introduces the earliest available recordings of future Turnstiles classics 'James' and 'New York State Of Mind' into Billy’s catalog, and includes examples of Billy’s loving imitations of Joe Cocker, Elton John and Leon Russell — a staple of his early concerts.”
Back in 1976, Billy Joel spoke frankly about his life as a working songwriter and musician: “I always have a good time. I've been a musician since I was four. I've been a professional musician since I was 14. I'm lucky, I always knew what I wanted to do, I made a living on it and I always have a good time. But, I think people might have an opinion of me from 'Piano Man' that I'm this sensitive, suffering, songwriter-type — and I'm not. This is my gig, this is what I do for a living.”
Billy Joel next performs on February 25th in Niagara Falls, Ontario at Fallsview Casino .