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Language available : english
Billy Joel had never taken as much time to record an album as he did with River of Dreams, and its troubled birth is clear upon the first listen. Never before had he recorded an album that sounded so labored, as if it was a struggle for him to write and record the songs. With River of Dreams, he's surrounded himself with ace studio musicians and star producer Danny Kortchmar, all of whom have the effect of deadening an already self-consciously serious set of songs. There are no light moments on the album, either lyrically or musically -- all the songs are filled with middle-age dread, even the two best moments, the gospel-inflected title track and his song to his daughter, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)." Those two songs have the strongest melodies, but they're not as natural as his best material. Everywhere he tries too hard -- the metaphors of "The Great Wall of China," the bizarre vocal intro to "Shades of Grey," minor-key melodies all over the place. He may be trying different things, but he doesn't sound comfortable with his detours, and by the end of the record, he sounds as exhausted as the listener feels. By that point, the closing track, "Famous Last Words," seems prophetic -- River of Dreams feels like a sad close to an otherwise strong career, and from all indications he's given in the press, Joel claims it is indeed the last pop album he'll ever make. It's an unworthy way to depart.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Dave Thoener, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Producer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen, Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Joe Nicolo, Co-Producer - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen, Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Billy Joel, Composer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Dan Hetzel, 2nd Engineer - B. David Whitworth, Vocal - Danny Kortchmar, Producer - Danny Kortchmar, Guitar - Corliss Stafford, Performer - Bob Thrasher, Engineer - Dave Wilkerson, Engineer - Ira Newborn, Orchestrator - Tommy Byrnes, Guitar - Niko Bolas, Recording Engineer - Brenda White-King, Performer - Billy Joel, Vocal - Billy Joel, Composer - Billy Joel, Lyricist - Billy Joel, Piano - Billy Joel, Performer - Andrew Baker, Coordinator - Lester Baylinson, Coordinator - Howie Mendelson, Guitar - Bradshaw Leigh, Engineer - Zachary Alford, Drums - Devora Johnson, Performer - Doug Kleeger, Arranger - T.M. Stevens, Bass - Will Downing, Performer - Wrecia Ford, Vocal - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal Arranger - Crystal Taliefero, Vocal - Ted Jensen, Re-Mastering Engineer - Stephanie James, Performer - Curtis King Jr., Conductor - Frank Floyd, Performer - Diane Garisto, Performer - Color Me Badd, Performer - Carl Glanville, Engineer - Katreese Barnes, Performer - Marlon Saunders, Vocal - Marlon Saunders, Performer - Phillip Ballou, Performer - Dave Hofbauer, Guitar - Brian Vibbertsa, 2nd Engineer - Jay Healy, Engineer - Bob Jones, Guitar - Dennis Collins, Performer
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
Albumbeschreibung
Billy Joel had never taken as much time to record an album as he did with River of Dreams, and its troubled birth is clear upon the first listen. Never before had he recorded an album that sounded so labored, as if it was a struggle for him to write and record the songs. With River of Dreams, he's surrounded himself with ace studio musicians and star producer Danny Kortchmar, all of whom have the effect of deadening an already self-consciously serious set of songs. There are no light moments on the album, either lyrically or musically -- all the songs are filled with middle-age dread, even the two best moments, the gospel-inflected title track and his song to his daughter, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)." Those two songs have the strongest melodies, but they're not as natural as his best material. Everywhere he tries too hard -- the metaphors of "The Great Wall of China," the bizarre vocal intro to "Shades of Grey," minor-key melodies all over the place. He may be trying different things, but he doesn't sound comfortable with his detours, and by the end of the record, he sounds as exhausted as the listener feels. By that point, the closing track, "Famous Last Words," seems prophetic -- River of Dreams feels like a sad close to an otherwise strong career, and from all indications he's given in the press, Joel claims it is indeed the last pop album he'll ever make. It's an unworthy way to depart.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 10 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:12
- Main artists: Billy Joel
- Composer: Billy Joel
- Label: Columbia
- Genre: Pop/Rock
(P) 1993 Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
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