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Cold Spring Harbor (1971)
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 Original front cover LP (1971) 
Original back cover LP (1971)
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In the early 1970s, sensitive singer-songwriters were all the rage in the music industry. Particularly after the release of Carole King's iconic album Tapestry, the singer-songwriter era was launched. At the time, Billy was just trying to get his songs heard and become a songwriter. He was told that in order to become a songwriter, he needed to record an album to make his songs more available. (See this 2013 interview on YouTube). So when Billy signed with Artie Ripp's Family Productions, his management and producers sought to turn him into a singer-songwriter balladeer to capitalize on the industry trend. This was very different than the blue-eyed soul and rock of Billy's former group, The Hassles, and the psychedelic heavy metal of his short-lived duo, Attila.
Billy was now the sensitive singer-songwriter, though that was always part of his repertoire. The songs on Cold Spring Harbor (named after a small hamlet on Long Island near where Billy grew up) reflect this as they are mostly mellow and introspective. "She's Got A Way" and "Everybody Loves You Now" are the standouts, and were later re-recorded live for 1981's Songs In The Attic. The rest of Cold Spring Harbor features introspective and mellow singer-songwriter songs like "Tomorrow Is Today," Why Judy Why" and the appropriate finale, "Got To Begin Again." One wonders why "Oyster Bay," later released on Billy's 2005 collection My Lives, did not make the album as it seems to fit into the overall theme of the album. |
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Unfortunately, a major error occurred during the recording process. The master was speeded up, so Billy's voice sounded unusually high. This enraged Billy, of course, and he left Family Productions and Artie Ripp after a grueling promotional tour for the album. Years later, after Billy became a major star in the late 1970s, Cold Spring Harbor became a collector's item and Ripp re-released the album (in conjunction with Columbia Records) in slightly different form in 1983, altering several songs including trimming one song, "You Can Make Me Free" by two minutes. Nonetheless, the 1983 re-release of this "forgotten" album made these songs widely available to Billy Joel fans for the first time. The 1983 version of the album is still available, but the original 1971 vinyl record is rare. The 1983 album was re-mastered in 1998 along with the rest of the Billy Joel catalog. To hear the 1971 edition remastered at the correct speed, see the video below.
While Cold Spring Harbor was a commercial flop, due in large part to the botched recording, Billy's musicianship and the earnestness of his lyrics are undeniable. Just 22 years old at the time of the album's release, Billy showed the potential that would be fulfilled over the course of the next five decades. Well so here I am at the end of the road After the release of the original album in 1971, Billy went on the road to promote it. He recorded a live mini-concert on November 9, 1971 at Hempstead's Ultrasonic Studios just eight days after the release of the album. Click here to listen to the concert. Later, on April 2, 1972 Billy played at the Mar Y Sol Festival in Puerto Rico and brought the house down with a three-encore performance that included a cover of the Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and Joe Cocker's "The Letter." Billy's performance at the Mar Y Sol Festival is chronicled here. Click here to listen to his performance.
Two weeks later on April 15, 1972, he did a mini-concert at Sigma Sound Studios that was broadcast by WMMR (Philadelphia) and which included some new songs that would appear later on Piano Man, including a live version of "Captain Jack" that DJ Ed Sciaky played again and again. It became an FM hit. This Live on WMMR mini-concert was finally released on CD in 2011 as the second disc in the special Legacy Edition of Piano Man. Vertical Divider
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Netherlands single cover for "She's Got A Way." From www.45cat.com.
Photo from concert program
Billy at the Mar Y Sol Festival. Courtesy: MarYSolFestival.com.
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Songlist (click on song to go to song page)
1. She's Got A Way (2:51)
2. You Can Make Me Free (2:56) 3. Everybody Loves You Now (2:48) 4. Why Judy Why (2:56) 5. Falling of the Rain (2:38) 6. Turn Around (3:04) 7. You Look So Good To Me (2:27) 8. Tomorrow Is Today (4:40) 9. Nocturne (2:46) 10. Got To Begin Again (2:49) Vertical Divider
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Songs
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The first three covers and "Nocturne" are real covers, the rest are fictional. Painting on "Falling of the Rain" is Andrew Wyeth's well-known "Christina's World." Art for "Tomorrow Is Today" from "The Harbor Sessions" CD.
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She's Got A Way [song page]
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her
She's got a way of pleasin'
I don't know what it is
But there doesn't have to be a reason anywhere
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way of talkin'
I don't know why it is
But it lifts me up when we are walkin' anywhere
She comes to me when I'm feeling down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me and I get turned around
She's got a way of showin'
How I make her feel
And I find the strength to keep on goin'
She's got a light around her
And everywhere she goes
A million dreams of love surround her everywhere
She comes to me when I'm feelin' down
Inspires me without a sound
She touches me, and I get turned around oh oh oh
She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about her
I don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her any way
You Can Make Me Free [song page]
You can make me free
You can make me smile
You can make me be
Like a little child
You can melt the ice that chills my body
You can dry my every tear
You make the lonely hours disappear
You can make me free
You can make me rise
You can make me see
So open up my eyes
Don't you know my only real moments
Are the ones I spend with you
How I long to drink some wine again with you
I can take to the skies
I can soar like a bird with its heart full of song
Won't you color my eyes
I've been waiting so long
You can make me free
You can make me cry
You can make it so much better
If you would only try
And if I must wait a lonely lifetime
Until I am with you, my love
I will wait but you'll be what I'm dreamin' of
I can take to the skies
I can soar like a bird with his heart full of song
Won't you cover my eyes
I've been waiting so long
You can make me free
You can make me cry
You can make it so much better
If you would only try
And if I must wait a lonely lifetime
Until I am with you, my love
I will wait but you'll be what I'm dreamin' of
I can take to the skies
I can soar like a bird with his heart full of song
Won't you cover my eyes
I've been waiting so long
You can make me free
You can make me cry
You can make it so much better
If you would only try
And if I must wait a lonely lifetime
Until I am with you, my love
I will wait but you'll be what I'm dreamin' of
You can make me free
You can make me cry
You can make it so much better
If you would only try
Everybody Loves You Now [song page]
Baby all the lights are turned on you
Now you're in the center of the stage
Everything revolves on what you do
Ah, you are in your prime; you've come of age
And you can always have your way somehow
But everybody loves you now
You can walk away from your mistakes
You can turn your back on what you do
Just a little smile is all it takes
Yeah, you can have your cake and eat it too
Loneliness will get to you somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, they all want your white body
And they await your reply
Ah, but between you and me and the Staten Island ferry . . .
so do I
All the people want to know your name
Soon there will be lines outside your door
Feelings do not matter in your game
Yeah, 'cause nothing's gonna touch you anymore
So your life is only living anyhow
And everybody loves you now
Close your eyes when you don't want to see
Stay at home when you don't want to go
Only speak to those who will agree
Yeah, and close your mind when you don't want to know
You have lost you innocence somehow
But everybody loves you now
Ah, you know that nothing lasts forever
And it's all been done before
Ah, but you ain't got the time to go to Cold Spring Harbor . . . no more
See how all the people gather 'round
Hey, isn't it a thrill to see them crawl?
Keep your eyes ahead and don't look down
Yeah, and lock yourself inside your sacred wall
This is what you wanted; ain't you proud?
'Cause everybody loves you now.
Why Judy Why [song page]
Of all the people in the world that I know
You're the best place to go
When I cry, when I cry
I never asked for much before, not before
Things are changed; I need more
Tell me why Judy why?
I never thought that she would say
Say goodbye; but she did
And now I wanna die. I wanna die
I never thought that I would need, need a friend
But I did, in the end
Tell me why Judy why?
Oh, what a scene
It's wrong for her to hang me up this way
Oh, where you been?
'Cause it's so hard to make it through the day
A man my age is very young, so I'm told
Why do I feel so old?
Tell me why Judy why?
Oh, what a scene
It's wrong for her to hang me up this way
Oh, where you been?
'Cause it's so hard to make it through the day
There's no tomorrow 'cause my dreams did not last
So I live in the past
Tell me why Judy why?
Falling Of The Rain [song page]
Once upon a time in the land of misty satin dreams
There stood a house and a man who painted nature scenes
He painted trees and fields and animals and streams and he stayed
And he did not hear the falling of the rain
Ah, no he did not hear the falling of the rain
In the forest green lived a girl who put her hair in braids
And she sang as she walked all about the wooded glades
She was glad when the rain came falling on her face and she sang
'Cause she did not mind the falling of the rain
Ah, no she did not mind the falling of the rain
Will it always be the same as we recall?
Does it touch you when the rain begins to fall?
Ah, but I don't want to know and I don't want to see
Another rainy day without you lying next to me, ah
High upon a hill far away from all the dusty crowd is a boy
With his eyes on the ground; his head is bowed; he is a fool
And his mind is filled with hopeless dreams and he waits
But he will not see the falling of the rain
Ah, no he will not see the falling of the rain
Will it always be the same as we recall?
Does it touch you when the rain begins to fall?
Ah, but I don't want to know and I don't want to see
Another rainy day without you lying next to me
So now the boy becomes the man who sits and paints all day
But the girl with the braids in her hair has gone away
And it seems that time has brought things to an end; nothing's changed
'Cause you can't stop the falling of the rain.
Turn Around [song page]
Oh, sweet lady, runnin' like a stream
You don't look back because you know your hands are clean
You make believe that the past was just a dream
You make believe the past was just a dream
Turn around, turn around
And I will sing for you a song
I don't know where you been
But you've been gone too long
Oh Eliza, you must begin again
And all the roads that you have walked are comin' to an end
I was your lover but I thought I was your friend
I loved you but I thought I was your friend
So turn around, oh turn around
And I will sing for you a song
I don't know where you been
But you've been gone too long
Oh, sweet lady, stand beside the sea
Maybe you will find a little time to think of me
Won't you please remember what I tried so hard to be
Yeah, remember what I tried so hard to be
So turn around, turn around
And I will sing for you a song
And I don't know where you been
But you've been gone too long
You Look So Good To Me [song page]
Ah, you look so good to me
With my eyes open wide, I can see
Ah, you feel so good to me
And it's so good when you're here 'cause I'm free
Feelin' the glory from that smile upon your face
You're liftin' me high above my ordinary place
And I am so happy when I'm in your warm embrace
Ah, you look so good to me
With my eyes open wide, I can see
Ah, you feel so good to me
And who knows what your next move will be?
Ah, you look so good to me
With my eyes open wide, I can see
Ah, you feel so good to me
And it's so good when you're here 'cause I'm free
Tomorrow Is Today [song page]
I've been livin' for the moment
But I just can't have my way
And I'm afraid to go to sleep
'Cause tomorrow is today
People tell me life is sweeter
But I don't hear what they say
Nothing comes to change my life
So tomorrow is today
I don't care to know the hour
'Cause it's passing anyway
I don't have to see tomorrow
'Cause I saw it yesterday
So I listen for an answer
But the feeling seems to stay
And what's the use of always dreaming
When tomorrow is today
Still I'm waiting for the morning
But it feels so far away
And you don't need the love I'm giving
So tomorrow is today
Oh my, goin' to the river
Gonna take a ride and the Lord will deliver me
Made my bed, I'm gonna lie in it
If you don't come, I'm sure gonna die in it
Too late, too much given
I've seen a lot of life and I'm damn sick of livin' it
I keep hopin' that you will pass my way
And some day if your dreams are leavin' you
I'll still believe in you
I don't care to know the hour
'Cause it's passing anyway
I don't have to see tomorrow
'Cause I saw it yesterday
Though I'm living and I'm singing
And although my hands still play
Soon enough it will all be over
'Cause tomorrow is today
Nocturne [song page]
(Note: "Nocturne" is an instrumental. It is not clear if the lyrics below were actually written by Billy Joel).
When it rains
I watch the window
Golden dreams
Wash down the willow
Where are my Mardi Gras memories?
Under silver seas
Long cold nights
Change my reflection
Unsung songs
Show my direction
Where are my make believe victories?
Under silver seas
Ships pass over my head
Purple and blue, yellow and red
White sails catching the breeze
Sailing on silver seas
Once I lived
You might remember
Born in May
Died in September
Where are my carousel fantasies?
Under silver seas
Got To Begin Again [song page]
Well so here I am at the end of the road
Where do I go from here?
I always figured it would be like this
Still nothing seems to be quite clear
All the words have been spoken and the prophecy fulfilled
But I just can't decide where to go
Yes, it's been quite a day and I should go to sleep
But tomorrow I will wake up and I'll know
That I've got to begin again
Though I don't know how start
Yes, I've got to begin again
And it's hard
Well it's been quite a while since I lifted my head
And I'm sure the light will hurt my eyes
I see the way that I've been spendin' my days
And reality has caught me by surprise
I was dreamin' of tomorrow so I sacrificed today
And it sure was a grand waste of time
And despite all the truth that's been thrown in my face
I just can't get you out of my mind
And I've got to begin again
Though I don't know how start
Yes I've got to begin again
And it's hard
Yes it's hard
Full Album - Cold Spring Harbor
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Click on song to go to song page.
1. She's Got A Way (2:51)
2. You Can Make Me Free (2:56) 3. Everybody Loves You Now (2:48) 4. Why Judy Why (2:56) 5. Falling of the Rain (2:38) 6. Turn Around (3:04) 7. You Look So Good To Me (2:27) 8. Tomorrow Is Today (4:40) 9. Nocturne (2:46) 10. Got To Begin Again (2:49) |
Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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Full Album (Corrected Speed). Here is the entire 1971 vinyl edition of "Cold Spring Harbor" remastered at the correct speed (audio only). It has complete versions of "You Can Make Me Free" and "Turn Around" (with pedal steel guitar) unlike the 1983 re-issue.
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Interviews & Features - Cold Spring Harbor
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1. Billy briefly discusses Cold Spring Harbor from The Complete Albums collection (2011)
2. Billy on the recording problem in Cold Spring Harbor (1996) 3. Billy on "She's Got A Way" (1996) 4. Billy on Cold Spring Harbor from SiriusXM (2016) |
Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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Live Performance - Cold Spring Harbor
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Live on The Session - Televised mini-concert on The Session from February 1972 on the Cold Spring Harbor tour. List also includes promotion video for "Everybody Loves You Now."
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Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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Live Mini-Concerts (audio) - Three radio concerts from the Cold Spring Harbor tour.
1. Live at Ultrasonic Studio (Nov. 9, 1971) 2. Live at The Boarding House (SF) (Jan. 2s, 1972) 3. May Y Sol Festival (April 2, 1972) |
Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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Live on WMMR (audio) - This is the famous mini-concert on WMMR radio from April 15, 1972. Billy's performance of "Captain Jack" from this concert became an underground hit two years before it was officially released on "Piano Man." Read more here.
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Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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Demos & Outtakes - Cold Spring Harbor
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This playlist is comprised of songs from the early 1970s that did not end up on Cold Spring Harbor or Piano Man (though "Silver Seas" became "Nocturne" on Cold Spring Harbor). Some were eventually released on the My Lives collection in 2005. This playlist also includes demo versions of early songs that did end up on these or other albums. Finally, the last clip is the "Lost LA Tapes," a session recorded at Paramount's LA studios shortly after the famous WMMR radio concert in 1972. It features Billy's early band: Larry Russell, Rhys Clark, and Al Hertzberg.
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Click on icon in upper left of video for playlist.
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AllMusic Ultimate Classic Rock The Giving Tree Band (great overview, reviews each song and explains difference between 1971 original and 1983 remaster) |
"Cold Spring Harbor provides valuable insight into the tortured mind and the budding songwriting talent of a young Billy Joel. The oddities surrounding its release and subsequent re-release make it even more interesting of a listen. " |
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The record was uneven but very charming, boasting two of his finest songs -- the lovely "She's Got a Way" and the bitterly cynical "Everybody Loves You Now" -- and a score of flawed but nicely crafted songs that illustrated Joel's gift for melody, as well as his pretensions . . . In its own way, Cold Spring Harbor was a minor gem of the sensitive singer/songwriter era; Joel may have been in his formative stages as a craftsman, but his talents are apparent, and he never made an album as intimate and vulnerable ever again. AllMusic
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Basics
Released: November 1, 1971 Recorded: July 1971, Record Plant Studios, Los Angeles, California Genre: Pop/Rock Length: 33:07 (orig)/29:35 (reissue) Label: Family Productions (Columbia for 1983 reissue) Producer: Artie Ripp All Songs written by Billy Joel Thanks to Chuck Arnold, Bob Romaine, and Josephine. |
Personnel
Billy Joel – Piano, Hammond organ, harpsichord, harmonica,vocals Richard Bennett – guitar Rhys Clark – Drums on "She's Got a Way", "Everybody Loves You Now," "Falling of the Rain", "Turn Around," and "Tomorrow Is Today" (1971) Sal De Troia – Guitar Don Evans – Guitar Jimmie Haskell – Arranger, Conductor Sneaky Pete Kleinow – Pedal steel guitar on "Turn Around" Larry Knechtel – Bass Joe Osborn – Bass Denny Seiwell – Drums on "You Can Make Me Free" and "You Look So Good to Me" Mike McGee – Drums on "Everybody Loves You Now" and "Turn Around" (1983 remixes) |
Al Campbell – Keyboards on "Turn Around" (1983 remix) L. D. Dixon – Fender Rhodes Piano on "Turn Around" (1983 remix) Artie Ripp – Producer, Engineer, Remixing, Editing, Director Irwin Mazur – Executive Producer, Art Direction Larry Elliott – Engineer, Remixing, Editing John Bradley – Engineer Michael Stone – Second Engineer Gordon Watanabe – Assistant Engineer Bob Huges – Mastering (LP) Doug Sax – Mastering (1998 CD) Joseph Palmaccio – Remastering (2008 CD) Ted Jensen – Remastering (2011 CD) |
