Glass Houses [Enhanced]

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Billy Joel has always wanted to be a rocker. That he made his name on piano ballads and was relegated to soft rock radio even disturbs him, if recent interviews are to be believed. For 1980's Glass Houses, Joel opted to take on the new wave with his usual arsenal of classic rock poses. With his knack for melody in place, he connected immediately with a string of hits he never surpassed. "You May Be Right," "Sometimes a Fantasy," "It's Still Rock n' Roll to Me" and "Sleeping with the Television On" are as powerful and succinct as Joel gets. --Rob O'Connor

Glass Houses,Billy Joel,Sony,Album Rock,Hard Rock,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Singer/Songwriter,Soft Rock

Average customer rating: Shattering Expectations The Spirit Of Radio Billy Joel Rocks For The First Time Pretty Forgettable Billy Joel Learns to Rock

Glass Houses Billy Joel Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Similar Items: 52nd Street The Stranger Turnstiles [Enhanced Version] The Nylon Curtain An Innocent Man ASIN: B00000DDMH Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

1. You May Be Right
2. Sometimes A Fantasy
3. Don't Ask Me Why
4. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me
5. All For Leyna
6. I Don't Want To Be Alone
7. Sleeping With The Television On
8. C'etait Toi (You Were The One)
9. Close To The Borderline
10. Through The Long Night

Amazon.com

Billy Joel has always wanted to be a rocker. That he made his name on piano ballads and was relegated to soft rock radio even disturbs him, if recent interviews are to be believed. For 1980's Glass Houses, Joel opted to take on the new wave with his usual arsenal of classic rock poses. With his knack for melody in place, he connected immediately with a string of hits he never surpassed. "You May Be Right," "Sometimes a Fantasy," "It's Still Rock n' Roll to Me" and "Sleeping with the Television On" are as powerful and succinct as Joel gets. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Shattering Expectations.......2007-06-07

Billy Joel has always been a contentious kind of guy...he was known for being brash and sometimes arrogant, to the point where he'd trash rock critics from stage. One those persistent criticisms was that Joel was a lightweight, and little more than a faux-troubadour. "Glass Houses" is a huge extension of the Piano Man's middle finger to those who pelted him with taunts of "you're not a rocker."

From the moment that the sound of breaking glass kicks off "You May Be Right" to the number one hit "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," Joel cranked up the guitars and embraced the burgeoning new wave. One quickly notices the conspicuous absence of Joel's trademark piano riffing; not till "Don't Ask Me Why" does a traditional piano make an appearance. The lyrics were also tougher than usual, with "Sometimes A Fantasy" and "All For Leyna" being darker than their polished sheen made them out to be.

Polish is part of the reason "Glass Houses" would never have been mistaken for a Rolling Stones album. Joel's biggest strength has always been his strong melodicism, and that helped make songs like "Still Rock and Roll," "Sleeping With The Television On" or "Don't Ask Me Why" so darn easy to love. As hard as he may have tried to rock out, those catchy hooks came along with the package. It made "Glass Houses" a treat for radio and record fans...all the energy of new wave minus the threat and served up with a gallon of showmanship.

It also marks the point where Joel began to really ditch public expectations of his work. Both the upcoming Beatlesque Song Cycle "The Nylon Curtain" and the doo-wop heavy "An Innocent Man" were as far away from "Piano Man" as he could get, and Joel obviously wanted to keep up with the times. (Linda Ronstadt did the same thing at roughly the same time with "Mad Love" and her covers of Elvis Costello.) While Joel may have trying to make a record that sounded in time with 1980, in "Glass Houses" he made a pop album that stood the test of time.

The Spirit Of Radio.......2007-03-08

Why does music always have to be serious? Does anyone listen to music to have a good time? When this album was out, Rolling Stone and other mags just ripped it for its commerciality. In retrospect, it's one of the best albums of the 80s, with songs that have stood the test of time. (Find me a bar, anywhere, where You May Be Right or Still R&R To Me doesn't go over). True, no one can accuse the songs on this album of being introspective and portentious. But they are all excellent songs. Not exactly groundbreaking, well in the style of previous artists, but you could say the same about a lot of good music (like most of glam). Still Rock and Roll To Me says it all, you can analyze, classify, crap or love this song, but it's just rock and roll, it's not meant to be brain surgery. Sometimes A Fantasy is funny and racy as hell 25 years later, with its panting-for-lust break. Don't Ask Me Why is vintage fake-Paul Simon, catchy melodies, nice production. All For Leyna is vintage fake-Paul McCartney, nice keyboard solos at the end. I Don't Want To Be Alone is a good catchy song along the lines of the 50s doo-wop he'd be doing in 5 years. Sleeping With The Television On is one of the best songs, with an energetic keyboard solo and good R&B feel, like the Rolling Stones only tighter. The song with french lyrics is a bit over the top, but has a nice inoffensive European melody, I think he wanted to write another 'Michelle'. Close To The Borderline is plain rock and roll, and Through The Long Night is along the lines of the french song, but better. Most of these songs feature the whole band playing and are not as piano based as his previous songs. The arrangements are simple and well thought out. This is the album where he made his 'statement' and that statement was 'chill out and enjoy the tunes'. This album cemented his superstar status, but he would find it difficult to top it. Also, after he went all out, what else was there to do? He had a life to live as well.

Billy Joel Rocks For The First Time.......2007-01-01

GLASS HOUSES is Billy Joel's first pure rock & roll album, and it's also, along with TURNSTILES and SONGS IN THE ATTIC, one of his three best albums, which is easy to forget, because it WAS such a big hit. The hit singles, just as much as the rest of the album, in many cases sound like a guy dissing his woman for planning a Bali honeymoon, which isn't surprising, and which can be tolerated by even the most egalitarian people out there, because of Joel's belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia since 2005 for drug-smuggling was unjustly convicted. This comes to the fore on "You May Be Right", "Sometimes A Fantasy", "Don't Ask Me Why", and "Sleeping With The Television On", while "It's Still Rock And Roll To Me" could be seen, given his stance on Indonesia, as an indictment of people who buy clothing made there and in other countries that regularly convict young foreign tourists on trumped-up charges, just to look "cool." Joel's stance on the current situation involving Indonesia pervades his attacks on consumerism throughout GLASS HOUSES, making it an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

Pretty Forgettable.......2006-11-07

There's nothing unpleasant about this album. There's just nothing memorable about it either. It has the usual number of hit singles, and most of the songs are solid. However, this album hasn't stood the test of time the way The Stranger, 52nd Street and The Nylon Curtain have.

Billy Joel Learns to Rock.......2006-06-10

Before the release of "Glass Houses", Billy Joel hadn't really cut loose with an all rock-and-roll album, but that quickly changed, as this great album is loaded with unforgettable rock-and-roll songs.

The album starts out with "You May Be Right", a fun-loving song about partying and the weekend. Next up comes "Sometimes A Fantasy", perhaps my favorite song on the disc. "Don't Ask Me Why" slows the pace a little, but its still a very good song. Next is one of Billy's most memorable songs; "Its Still Rock and Roll to Me". This song is a tribute to the days of rock and roll, as well as new wave and dance music (which didn't last very long).

Unfortunately, the remainder of the album loses some of its energy, but "Sleeping With the Television On" is very good.

I give this CD my highest recommendation. The songs are vintage Joel, with his wide vocal range and top-notch piano. His back-up band has always been very good, and they stay true to form on this CD. Listen to "Glass Houses" and hear Billy Joel rock out for the first time.

Average customer rating:

John Philip Sousa: On Stage Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: On Wings of Lightning Sousa: At the Symphony, Vol. 2 John Philip Sousa: Music for Wind Band, Vol. 3 Sousa: Music for Wind Band, Vol. 1 John Philip Sousa: Music for Wind Band, Vol. 2 ASIN: B00000DHTC Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

1. The Bride Elect: Waltzes
2. The Bride Elect: Tarantella: The Dancing Girl (Ballet: People Who Live In Glass Houses)
3. The Bride Elect: The Champagnes
4. The Bride Elect: The Rhine Wines
5. The Bride Elect: White Rock And Psyches
6. The Bride Elect: The Whiskies -- Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, And Rye
7. The Bride Elect: Convention Of The Cordial, Wines, And Whiskies
8. The Bride Elect: March
9. El Capitan: Selections
10. El Capitan: O Warrior Grim
11. El Capitan: Waltzes
12. El Capitan: March
13. Our Flirtations: Overture
14. Our Flirtations: March

Amazon.com

Just for fun, try playing this CD as a quiz for a musically knowledgeable friend. You can give one hint: the composer is well known. As the suite from the operetta The Bride Elect proceeds, you'll probably get guesses like Johann Strauss (during the opening waltz), Offenbach, or Victor Herbert. But when the concluding number, a march, arrives, the composer will be obvious. Sousa's operettas, if one judges from these orchestral selections, aren't highly original or even outstandingly tuneful. But they are good light entertainment, especially as played by this crack group of Slovak players under the direction of Sousa expert Keith Brion. Naxos's recording is as crisp and clear as the orchestral playing. Nice design, helpful program notes. --Leslie Gerber

Average customer rating:

Glass Houses Manufacturer: Columbia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000QV72UY

Product Description

Track listing: 1. You May Be Right 2. Sometimes A Fantasy 3. Don't Ask Me Why 4. It's Still Rock And Roll To Me 5. All For Leyna 6. I Don't Want To Be Alone 7. Sleeping With The Television On 8. C'etait Toi (You Were The One) 9. Close To The Borderline 10. Through The Long Night. Original issue. No enhanced section.

Average customer rating:

We All Live in Glass Houses Yullick Manufacturer: Spres ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music ASIN: B00004NKTX Release Date: 2000-02-24

Tracks:

1. Le Martin
2. V.I.P.
3. Sale Temps
4. Casablanca
5. La Vie En Boucle
6. Manipulating
7. Le Serpent
8. Inside Out
9. Not On Your Files
10. Super Ego
11. Glasshouses

Album Details

Taking their Cue from Detroit Techno,they Produce a Sound that is as Suitable for the Dance Floor as it is for Home.

Average customer rating:

Glass Houses ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000EGCZT4 Release Date: 2006-04-25

Average customer rating:

Glass Houses Billy Joel Manufacturer: Sony Japan ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0002ZEZB8 Release Date: 2004-11-15

Tracks:

1. You May Be Right
2. Sometimes a Fantasy
3. Don't Ask Me Why
4. It's Still Rock & Roll to Me
5. All for Leyna
6. I Don't Want to Be Alone
7. Sleeping With the Television On
8. C'Etait Toi (You Were the One)
9. Close to the Borderline
10. Through the Long Night

Album Description

Japanese remastered reissue of 1980 album packaged in a limited edition miniature LP sleeve. CBS. 2004.

Album Details

Special Japanese Limited Edition in an LP Sleeve Replica with the Original Artwork.

Average customer rating:

Glass Houses Billy Joel Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Pop | Styles | Music Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B000024BW8 Release Date: 1999-08-18

Tracks:

1. You May Be Right
2. Sometimes a Fantasy
3. Don't Ask Me Why
4. It's Still Rock & Roll to Me
5. All for Leyna
6. I Don't Want to Be Alone
7. Sleeping With the Television On
8. C'Etait Toi (You Were the One)
9. Close to the Borderline
10. Through the Long Night

Average customer rating: RE: the composition "Webster's Spin, for orchestra"

Southam: Glass Houses Manufacturer: Cbc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000JIZV Release Date: 1999-07-13

Tracks:

1. Webster's Spin - Composers' Orch & Str Qt/Gary Kulesha
2. Song Of The Varied Thrush - Composers' Orch & Str Qt/Gary Kulesha
3. Qnt - Stephen Clarke
4. In A Measure Of Time - Stephen Clarke/Eve Egoyan
5. Remembering Schubert - Stephen Clarke
6. Glass Houses No.9 - Stephen Clarke

Customer Reviews:

RE: the composition "Webster's Spin, for orchestra".......2001-08-28

I won't be able to review the entire album, but "Webster's Spin, for orchestra," the first track on the album, was just now broadcast on WNYC-FM in NYC, and I very, very much enjoyed it. I am not a classical music afficionado, so perhaps this is not music for those for whom the grandness of Beethoven's Fifth epitomizes all that is good about music. For those of you remaining, the composition is largely a beautiful counterpoint for strings. It evoked, to my ears, elements of (Asian) Indian classical violin and Phillip Glass at his prettiest, and (struggling to describe the quality of the counterpoint) sounded like what I imagine the music a composer might write to express the experience of an Impressionist painting painted to express the experience of hearing a Bach Invention wafting over a riverbank might sound like. (A run-on sentence, but it will have to do.) Someday I hope to hear the rest of the album.

Average customer rating:

[3 CD PACK] the Beatles in their own words A ROCKUMENTARY "Paul McCartney - Beyond The Myth / Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [DELUXE EDITION] / Yellow Submarine (Songtrack) [Original recording reissued] [Original recording remastered] {{{see details below}}} The Beatles ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000JVD32M

Product Description

TRACK LISTINGS: A Rockumentary - Beyond the Myth... 1. Introduction By The Author 2. Paul's Younger Brother, Mike McCartney 3. Mike McCartney 4. Paul McCartney 5. Cavern Club compere, Bob Wooler 6. Beatles personal assistant, Alistair Taylor 7. Early Beatles Compere, 'Father' Tom McKenzie 8. Mike McCartney 9. Cavern Club Doorman, Paddy Delaney 10. Paul McCartney 11. Paul McCartney 12. Apple Executive Peter Brown 13. Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band Member, Roger Ruskin Spear 14. Bonzo Dog Man Neil Innes 15. Roger Ruskin Spear 16. Neil Innes 17. Bonzo Dog Drummer, 'Legs' Larry Smith 18. Paul McCartney 19. Mike McCartney 20. Denny Laine 21. Denny Laine 22. Steve Holly 23. Mike McCartney 24. Denny Laine 25. Paul McCartney 26. George Harrison 27. Paul McCartney 28. Paul McCartney 29. BONUS TRACK: MORE EXCLUSIVE REMINISCENCES FROM PAUL MCCARTNEY AND JULIA BAIRD / Yellow Submarine ... 1. Yellow Submarine 2. Hey Bulldog 3. Eleanor Rigby 4. Love You To 5. All Together Now 6. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds 7. Think for Yourself 8. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 9. With a Little Help from My Friends 10. Baby You're a Rich Man 11. Only a Northern Song 12. All You Need Is Love 13. When I'm Sixty-Four 14. Nowhere Man 15. It's All Too Much / Sgt. Pepper's ... 1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 2. With A Little Help From My Friends 3. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds 4. Getting Better 5. Fixing A Hole 6. She's Leaving Home 7. Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! 8. Within You Without You 9. When I'm Sixty-Four 10. Lovely Rita 11. Good Morning Good Morning 12. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) 13. A Day In The Life

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