In
Manhattan, one of the streets intersecting
Broadway in the
theatre district.
In
Billy Joel's life, a
1979 album that followed up the
Grammy-winning record,
The Stranger. Released in the fall of
1978, it became Joel's first #1 album.
Producer Phil Ramone added more horns to this one for a more gritty, street-jazz sound. Among the noted jazz/fusion artists doing session work on this one were Mike Mainieri (of Steps Ahead), Ralph Peterson and the great Freddie Hubbard.
Joel's core band remained the same: Doug Stegmeyer (bass), Liberty DeVitto (drums), Richie Canata (sax, clarinet, organ) and "(Mr.) Steve Khan" (guitars).
Personnel: Joel (keyboards/vocals),
The Songs:
Lyrics to the title track, written by Billy Joel:
They say it takes a lot to keep a love alive
In every heart there pumps a different beat
But if we shift the rhythm into overdrive
We could generate a lot of heat
On 52nd Street
On 52nd Street
We’re gonna throw a little soul parade
Before they know the second bar was played
We’re gonna slip it to ‘em short and sweet on
52nd Street
On 52nd Street
Sources: 52nd Street album sleeve, © 1978 CBS Inc. / Album history from www.billyjoel.com.