Sold Date: November 5, 2024
Start Date: October 10, 2024
Final Price: $16.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 3787
Buyer Feedback: 0

Billy Joel The Stranger Vinyl LP - Columbia 34987 (1977) First Pressing includes Inner Sleeve w/ Lyrics Just the Way You Are, Movin' Out, and Only the Good Die Young
Condition: VG+ Vinyl and VG+ Cover. Vinyl was play-tested on both sides and plays very well throughout with good fidelity. Cover is fully intact with light wear, no splits or writing. Includes original inner sleeve lyrics.
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.
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
A1Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)3:30 A2The Stranger   5:08 A3Just The Way You Are   4:50 A4Scenes From An Italian Restaurant   7:35
B1Vienna   3:32 B2Only The Good Die Young3:54 B3She's Always A Woman   3:19 B4Get It Right The First Time   3:54 B5Everybody Has A Dream   4:35 B6Untitled1:57
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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Shipping: Calculated domestic shipping via Media Mail or Priority Mail. Will ship internationally at FLAT RATES.  Records mailed in a proper cardboard LP mailer. All records cleaned prior to shipment.
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Return Policy: I do accept returns for up to 30 days. Please let me know if you have questions about this item or any others I have for sale before you bid or purchase.  If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me immediately and I will do whatever I can to resolve. This may be a replacement, a credit, or a full or partial refund depending on the circumstances.
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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.

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions.