MONTHLY MUSIC PICK

Introducing the monthly music pick. Unlike it's quiet little cousin "Feature of the Month" which is as a rule always an Indie artist, the monthly music pick will be a major artist of random choosing. Here is the first so lets kick this mother off with a bang!

William Martin "Billy" Joel, born May 9, 1949 (62 years old). Billy Joel is a classical composer, songwriter, singer, and pianist of the pop/rock persuasion quite high in caliber. I know, I know. Referring to an individual in the pop genre as being not only capable but deeply gifted in the realm of playing an instrument? Crazy you say? Yes, I must admit I would usually concur. It is a fact that you cannot deny. Pop artists, even those in the sub-genres such as pop/rock are in alien territory when it comes to using anything aside from a microphone and even then sometimes they're on shaky ground. And no children, Avril Lavigne playing a few chords on the guitar DOES NOT count just so we're clear. Getting back to the point, Billy Joel is one the those rare, to-be-treasured exceptions. If you're one of those weirdos that doesn't rock out to Joel, Oh! poor shame. You have no idea what you have been missing. Spanning several musical styles within pop/rock and utilizing many different breeds of lyrical expression I can say to you all with full confidence of conviction that Billy Joel is one of the greatest singers/songwriters in history. With a career spanning approximately forty years and countless successes, if you are still uncertain, allow me to enlighten you dear reader.

Ever since his first hit "Piano Man" in 1973 this man has been rolling out the gold or platinum to be more accurate. When it comes to music he is truly a master of his craft, a musical force to be reckoned with, selling a total of 150 million records worldwide. Billy Joel is a 23-time Grammy nominee and a 6-time Grammy Award winner. He was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1992 along with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 among other prestigious recognitions. Joel has released 13 studio albums, 5 live albums, 11 compilation albums, and 59 singles accumulating to the staggering figure of 88. Whew. All songs written and composed by Billy Joel with the exception of just a hand full of co-credited tracks along with some cover songs. Co-authors include artists such as Cyndi Lauper and credits to Ludwig Van Beethoven's music while covers range from rock hits such as The Beetles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." to more mellow sounds like his rendition of Bob Dylan's "Times They Are A-Changing". He has had continuous Top 40 hits throughout the first three decades of his career being the 1970's, 80's and 90's, 33 of these in the United States alone. Joel is also recognized as the 6th best-selling artist in the U.S. according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Studio Albums Discography:
1971- Cold Spring Harbor
1973- Piano Man
1974- Streetlife Serenade
1976- The Turnstiles
1977- The Stranger
1978- 52ns Street
1980- Glass Houses
1982- The Nylon Curtain
1983- An Innocent Man
1986- The Bridge
1989- Storm Front
1993- River of Dreams
2001- Fantasies & Delusions

OFFICIAL  WEBSITE:
www.billyjoel.com

Other sites:
http://www.last.fm/music/Billy+Joel
www.youtube.com/user/billyjoel
www.myspace.com/billyjoel
http://www.allmusic.com/arist/billy-joel-p4615

Additional biographical information, albums, mp3’s and vinyl records are available for purchase. Videos and tracks are also available for your listening pleasure.
Check out Vienna, one of my top 5 all-time-favorites songs coming off his album “The Stranger” *GREAT LISTEN*

And the most shocking bit of all? I've barely even scratched the surface. I know, blows your mind doesn't it?
Thanks for tuning in!

~C