River of Dreams

by Billy Joel

Overview

Billy Joel had never taken as much time to record an album as he did with River of Dreams, and its troubled birth is clear upon the first listen. Never before had he recorded an album that sounded so labored, as if it was a struggle for him to write and record the songs. With River of Dreams, he's surrounded himself with ace studio musicians and star producer Danny Kortchmar, all of whom have the effect of deadening an already self-consciously serious set of songs. There are no light moments on the album, either lyrically or musically -- all the songs are filled with middle-age dread, even the two best moments, the gospel-inflected title track and his song to his daughter, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)." Those two songs have the strongest melodies, but they're not as natural as his best material. Everywhere he tries too hard -- the metaphors of "The Great Wall of China," the bizarre vocal intro to "Shades of Grey," minor-key melodies all over the place. He may be trying different things, but he doesn't sound comfortable with his detours, and by the end of the record, he sounds as exhausted as the listener feels. By that point, the closing track, "Famous Last Words," seems prophetic -- River of Dreams feels like a sad close to an otherwise strong career, and from all indications he's given in the press, Joel claims it is indeed the last pop album he'll ever make. It's an unworthy way to depart. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/01/2008
Label:	Columbia / Sbme Special Mkts.
UPC:	0886972388021
Rank:	56209

Tracks

1. No Man's Land
2. The Great Wall of China
3. Blonde Over Blue
4. A Minor Variation
5. Shades of Grey
6. All About Soul
7. Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
8. The River of Dreams
9. Two Thousand Years
10. Famous Last Words

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Joel   Primary Artist,Organ,Piano,Vocals,Clavinet,Keyboards,Synthesizer,Organ (Hammond),Vocals (Background)
Leslie West   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Will Downing   Guest Artist,Choir/Chorus
Color Me Badd   Vocals,Guest Artist
Devora Johnson   Choir/Chorus
Jeff Jacobs   Drums,Synthesizer
B. David Witworth   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Jeff Jordan   Drums
Stephanie James   Choir/Chorus
Lonnie Hillyer   Bass
Wrecia Ford   Vocals
Laurence Etkin   Trumpet
Phillip Ballou   Choir/Chorus
Carliss Stafford   Choir/Chorus
Arno Hecht   Sax (Baritone)
Osvaldo Melindez   Trombone
Curtis Rance King, Jr.   Conductor,Choir Conductor
Steve Jordan   Drums
Mike Tyler   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
Dennis Collins   Choir/Chorus
T.M. Stevens   Bass
Liberty DeVitto   Drums
Andy Kravitz   Percussion
Chuck Treece   Bass
Crystal Taliefero   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Frank Simms   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Zachary Alford   Drums
Jef Lee Johnson   Bass
Schuyler Deale   Bass
Frank Floyd   Choir/Chorus
Marlon Saunders   Vocals,Choir/Chorus
Katreese Barnes   Choir/Chorus
George Simms   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Richie Cannata   Sax (Tenor)
Diane Garisto   Choir/Chorus
Tommy Byrnes   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic)
James Saporito   Percussion
Danny Kortchmar   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Brenda White-King   Choir/Chorus

Technical Credits

Jeff Jacobs   Programming
Andrew Baker   Technical Support
Dave Wilkerson   Engineer
Joe Nocolo   Engineer,Producer
Glen Erler   Photography
Christopher Austopchuk   Art Direction
Doug Kleeger   Technical Support
Sara Rotman   Design
Art Smith   Technical Support
Bill Zampino   Production Coordination
Bob Thrasher   Engineer
John Naatjes   Tape Research
Patrick Demarchelier   Photography
Curtis Rance King, Jr.   Choir Contractor
Jeff Schock   Artwork,Art Direction
Ted Jensen   Mastering,Remastering,Digital Remastering
David Thoener   Producer,Mixing
Ira Newborn   Orchestration
Billy Joel   Composer,Producer
Crystal Taliefero   Vocal Arrangement
Carl Glanville   Engineer
Dirk Grobelny   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Don DeVito   A&R
Joe Nicolo   Mixing,Engineer,Producer
Lew Del Gatto   Orchestra Manager
Phil Nicolo   Mixing,Engineer
Niko Bolas   Mixing,Engineer
Bradshaw Leigh   Engineer
James Saporito   Engineer
Dan Hetzel   Assistant Engineer
Danny Kortchmar   Producer
Jay Healy   Engineer
Brian Vibberts   Assistant Engineer