Billy Joel • Piano Man
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab/Columbia MFSL 1-349
33-RPM 180 g LP
The first time I played this album I thought I’d accidentally left my turntable on 45-RPM because the up-tempo bass and drum at the beginning of the opening track, Travelin’ Prayer, wasn’t what I’d expect from a Billy Joel record! When Joel started singing and sounded like himself rather than a chipmunk, I realised my mistake and settled down to listen. I enjoyed the music on the album, which contains one my favourite Billy Joel tracks, the titular Piano Man.
The sound quality is very good, especially considering this is a regular studio pop recording from 1973. The record is flat with quiet surfaces, and the heavy duty cardboard packaging is up to MFSL’s usual high standards.