Songs in the Attic

Infobox Album |
Name = Songs in the Attic
Type = Live album
Artist = Billy Joel


Released = September 10, 1981
Recorded = June - July 1980
Genre = Rock
Length = 47:58
Label = Columbia
Producer = Phil Ramone
Reviews =
* Allmusic rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:z6se4j470way link]
* Rolling Stone Album Guide, 3rd Edition rating|2.5|5
Last album = "Glass Houses"
(1980)
This album = "Songs in the Attic"
(1981)
Next album = "The Nylon Curtain"
(1982)

"Songs in the Attic" is the first live album by Billy Joel, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music).

At the time of its release, it was unique as being the first widely available appearance of music from his first album, "Cold Spring Harbor" from 1971.

This album was released in 1981 to introduce Billy Joel's early work to fans who had come to know him after "The Stranger", according to liner notes written by Joel. In his earlier work, most of the instruments were played by session musicians, but by the late 1970s, Joel had a fairly consistent touring group, and so wanted to showcase the songs with this band: "...'Captain Jack' plays with much more power and conviction when a roaring Philadelphia audience sets off a kind of internal explosion and the adrenaline screams through our veins..." wrote Joel.

Two songs from the album, "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" and "She's Got a Way," were released as singles, both making the top 25.

Track listing

All songs written by Billy Joel.

#"Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" – 5:05 Performed June 1980 at Madison Square Garden, New York, NY.]
#"Summer, Highland Falls" – 3:03 Performed July 1980 at Bayou, Washington, D.C..]
#"Streetlife Serenader" – 5:17 Performed July 1980 at St. Paul Civic Center, St. Paul, MN.]
#"Los Angelenos" – 3:48 Performed July 1980 at Toad's Place, New Haven, CT.]
#"She's Got a Way" – 3:10
#"Everybody Loves You Now" - 3:08 Performance details unknown.]
#"Say Goodbye to Hollywood" – 4:25 Performed June 1980 at Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, WI.]
#"Captain Jack" – 7:16 Performed July 1980 at Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA.]
#"You're My Home" – 3:07
#"The Ballad of Billy the Kid" – 5:28
#"I've Loved These Days" – 4:35 Performed July 1980 at Horizon, Chicago, IL.]

Charts

Singles

References

Personnel

*Billy Joel – vocals, piano, synthesizer, harmonica
*David Brown – electric guitar (lead), acoustic guitar (lead)
*Richie Cannata – saxophones, flute, organ
*Liberty DeVitto – drums, percussion
*Russell Javors – electric guitar (rhythm), acoustic guitar (rhythm)
*Doug Stegmeyer – bass guitar