Also available in a 3-pack with STORM FRONT and THE NYLON CURTAIN.
This edition of THE BRIDGE is an Enhanced CD containing both a full audio program as well as video clips for the songs "A Matter Of Trust" and "Baby Grand."
Personnel: Billy Joel (vocals, harmonica, keyboards); Russell Javors, John McCurry, Dean Parks, David Brown (guitar); Donnie Brooks, Dave Brooks (harmonica); Mark Rivera (alto & tenor saxophones); Eddie Daniels (alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Marvin Stamm, Alan Rubin (trumpet); Dave Bargeron (trombone); Steve Winwood (organ, keyboards); Neil Jason, Doug Stegmeyer, Neil Stubenhaus, Ron Carter (bass); Liberty DeVito (drums, percussion); Vince Calaiuta (drums); Jimmy Bralower (percussion); Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, Pete Hewlitt (background vocals).
Digitally remastered by Ted Jensen (Sterling Sound, New York, New York).
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Personnel: Billy Joel (vocals, harmonica, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Ray Charles (vocals, piano); Pete Hewlett (vocals, background vocals); Cyndi Lauper (vocals); Dave Brown (guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar); Dean Parks, John McCurry, Russell Javors (guitar); Don Brooks, Dave Brooks (harmonica); Michael Brecker (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (saxophone, baritone saxophone); Mark Rivera (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Eddie Daniels (alto saxophone, wind); Alan Rubin, Marvin Stamm (trumpet); Dave Bargeron (trombone); Steve Winwood (organ, keyboards); Jeff Bova, Rob Mounsey (synthesizer); Ron Carter (acoustic bass); Liberty DeVitto (drums, percussion); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Jimmy Bralower (percussion); Peter Hewlitt (background vocals).
Recording information: Chelsea Sound; Evergreen Studios, Burbank, CA; Power Station; RCA Recording Studios, New York, NY.
Photographers: Patrick Demarchelier; Charles Reilly; Sam Emerson; Larry Busacca; Phil Ramone.
Arranger: Patrick Williams.
Riding high on the blockbuster An Innocent Man and with a new jet-setting bride at his side, Billy Joel took full advantage of the high life, as is clear from The Bridge, an album that unwittingly celebrates the excesses of the Reagan years. While he hasn't quite settled into middle age, Joel is ready to take advantage of his wealth and status, recruiting a hero (Ray Charles) and a new wave kid (Cyndi Lauper) for duets, turning to Sting for inspiration ("Running on Ice"), fronting a big band ("Big Man on Mulberry Street"), writing a song for a movie ("Modern Woman"), and picking up the guitar ("A Matter of Trust"), just for the hell of it. You could say that it's eclectic, but it's scattershot, because it's just Joel showing off his musical skills. He's done this before, to great effect on Turnstiles, but this is all about hubris and, as such, it sounds exactly like its time. From its processed, distorted guitars to its hollow synthesizers, The Bridge sounds dated and it's his most uneven since Streetlife Serenade. Even on the hits, he sounds as if he's stretching -- "This Is the Time" is labored compared to "Just the Way You Are" (not to mention considerably more vulgar); "A Matter of Trust" never hits upon a solid riff like "Sometimes a Fantasy"; "Modern Woman" is catchy but fluffy; "Baby Grand" is weighed down by Joel's vocal affectations. In context of the album, they're fairly enjoyable, but they hint at the dry spell that was just around the corner. Nevertheless, Joel still has enough panache and is riding on so much exuberance that The Bridge remains an entertaining listen, especially if it's viewed as a Reagan-era artifact. It just doesn't compare to what came before. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Billy Joel is a man of varied career stages--the piano man, the angry young man, the finger-poppin' Tin Pan Alley songwriter, the serious composer. But one thing has remained true throughout his nearly-thirty year career: he can always pen a perfect pop song. And with THE BRIDGE acting as a "bridge" between Joel's Tin Pan Alley style and his more contemporary sound, one of this 1986 album's main charms is the pop craft that brought us such gems as "A Matter Of Trust," "This Is The Time," "Modern Woman" and "Baby Grand," a delectable duet with Ray Charles. Unmistakably mature and containing some of his best songs to date, THE BRIDGE brings together a batch of songs that truly mark Joel's growth as a songwriter and forges a solid footing for the several releases that followed. minimize