Billy Joel Stranger Vinyl LP Columbia 34987 Just Way You Are 1st Press w/ Shrink
Billy Joel The Stranger Vinyl LP - Columbia 34987 VG++/NM First Pressing (1977) with Shrink wrap, Hype Sticker, and Inner Sleeve w/ Lyrics "Just the Way You Are," "Movin' Out," and "Only the Good Die Young"
Condition: VG++ Vinyl and Near Mint Cover. Vinyl was play-tested on both sides and plays beautifully. Includes original inner sleeve with lyrics, cover still has shrink wrap and hype sticker.
Matrix / Runout (A Side): AL 34987 3AJ STERLING Matrix / Runout (B Side): BL 34987 4BF STERLING
The Stranger is the fifth studio album by Billy Joel, released in September 1977 by Columbia Records. It was the first of Joel's albums to be produced by Phil Ramone, with whom he would work for five subsequent albums.
The Stranger was released a year following Joel's previous studio effort, Turnstiles, which had sold modestly and peaked low on the US charts, prompting Columbia to consider dropping Joel if his next release did not sell well. Joel wanted the album to feature his newly formed touring band that had formed during the production of Turnstiles, which consisted of drummer Liberty DeVitto, bassist Doug Stegmeyer, and multi-instrumentalist saxophonist/organist Richie Cannata. Seeking out a new producer, he first turned to veteran Beatles producer George Martin before coming across and settling on Ramone, whose name he had seen on albums by other artists such as Paul Simon. Recording took place across the span of three weeks, with DeVitto, Stegmeyer and Cannata being featured in addition to other studio musicians filling in as guitarists on various songs.
Spending six weeks at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200, The Stranger is considered Joel's critical and commercial breakthrough. Four singles were released in the US, all of which became top-40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 charts: "Just the Way You Are" (No. 3), "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)", "She's Always a Woman" (both No. 17), and "Only the Good Die Young" (No. 24). Other songs, such as "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" and "Vienna", have become staples of his career and are frequently performed in his live shows. The album won two awards at the 1978 Grammy Awards, winning Record of the Year as well as Song of the Year for "Just the Way You Are". It remains his best-selling non-compilation album to date, and surpassed Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge over Troubled Water to become Columbia's best-selling album release, with more than 10 million units sold worldwide. Rolling Stone later named it one of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Track listing
Side one 1. "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" 3:30 2. "The Stranger" 5:10 3. "Just the Way You Are" 4:52 4. "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" 7:37
Side two 5. "Vienna" 3:34 6. "Only the Good Die Young" 3:55 7. "She's Always a Woman" 3:21 8. "Get It Right the First Time" 3:57 9. "Everybody Has a Dream" (LP includes a reprise of "The Stranger") 6:38
Personnel Accordion – Dominic Cortese (A4) Acoustic Guitar – Hugh McCracken (A3, A4, B3 to B5), Steve Burgh (A3, B3) Alto Saxophone – Phil Woods (tracks: A3) Backing Vocals – Gwen Guthrie (B5), Lani Groves (B5), Patti Austin (B5), Phoebe Snow (B5) Bass – Doug Stegmeyer Drums – Liberty Devitto Electric Guitar – Hiram Bullock Electric Guitar, Twelve-String Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Guitar – Mr. Steve Khan* Music By, Lyrics By – Billy Joel Organ – Richard Tee (B5) Percussion – Ralph MacDonald (A2, A3, B4, B5) Piano [Acoustic], Vocals, Keyboards [Electric], Synthesizer – Billy Joel Producer – Phil Ramone Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Organ – Richie Cannata
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I use the Goldmine Grading System, and play-test all records. I note any differences between vinyl and cover, and make note of any inserts, special sleeves, or potential defects.
MINT (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Most often this is a still sealed record, records that have been opened are rarely if ever marked as Mint.
NEAR MINT (NM) - A good description is that it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time. In other words, it?s nearly perfect, with no visible defects.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) - Except for a couple minor things, this could be Near Mint. Most collectors will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if on the high end (VG++). VG+ records may show slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Covers should have only minor wear.
VERY GOOD (VG) - VG records are among the biggest bargains, and for many, will be worth the money. They can lack the original gloss, may have surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages. But the noise will not overpower the music. VG covers will have signs of handling, and may have minor splits.
GOOD PLUS (G+) - Good+ does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, but it has significant surface noise and groove wear. Cover may have significant ring wear, noticeable writing, or obvious damage.
GOOD (G) - Record may have some skipping, but is otherwise listenable. I generally avoid selling Good (G) rated records unless they are highly collectible or desirable, in order to enjoy until something better comes along. Cover has major wear or seam splits that need repair, or heavy writing like radio station call letters to prevent theft.
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