Billy Joel - "Souvenir" - (The 1977 Promotional Album) (Re-worked version)

“Sourvenir” was a promotional-only release by Columbia Records in the summer 1977 to promote Billy's pre-The Stranger songs. However none of the tracks from this new studio work were included in this limited compilation, because the tunes selected cames from three previous albums, excluding the 1971 record “Cold Spring Harbor” with which Billy Joel made himself known to the public.
Although the lp was very well received It was never included in Billy Joel's catalago, so it's one of his most sought-after jobs.It is estimated that they were not actually more than 100 copies.

“The stranger” lp was released in September 29 1977 produced by Phil Ramone and it was recorded at A&R Recording, Inc, New York City between July and August that same year, with “Movin´Out (Anthony Song) ” as a first single on US and “She´s always a woman” in Europe.

“Souvenir” promo-lp were distributed mainly to radio stations, clubs, and fan clubs in the US and were were not sold in stores. Pressed on Columbia's white promo labels, which state "Demonstration - Not For Sale" at the bottom, as well as on the front jacket.  bit.ly/BY77Ps1 The most interesting thing about this compilation was the inclusion of a live side, for to date Billy Joel had not released live recordings and did not officially do so until 1981 with “Toys in the attic” recorded between june and July 1980 during “Glass Houses Tour”, producer by Phil Ramone too.

Here, you got the re-worked version inspired on the unreleased original version, with two alternate edit versions on side A and new and reconstructed live side with improved sound compared to the original mix. The distributed line-up placed the A side on B and viceversa; but I think this one I´m bringing you, it´s much better.

Side 1: (22:35)

1. The Entertainer (from the Columbia Lp, "Streetlife Serenade" PC 33146).
2.  I' ve Loved These Days (from the Columbia Lp, "Turnstiles" PC 33848).
3. Captain Jack (from the Columbia Lp, "Piano Man" PC 32544).
4. Los Angelenos (edit) (original vrsion on Columbia Lp, "Streetlife Serenade" PC 33146).
5. Say Goodbye to Hollywood (edit) (original versión on Columbia Lp, "Turnstiles" PC 33848).

Side 2: (22:44)

1. The Ballad Of Billy The Kid (live). (5:07)

2. Summer, Highland Falls (live). (3:02)

3. New York State Of Mine (live). (9:03)

4. Souvenir (live). (1:44)

5. Interview. (3:47) (*)

These selections were recorded live December 5th and 6th, 1976 at Palmer Auditorium, University of Connecticut at New London during the live video taping of "Billy Joel Tonight." 

(*) Bonus track: interview taken during the soundcheck before 1st show.

Original Cover Illustration – Ron Levine.

Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman.

Manufactured By – Columbia Records.

Record Company – CBS Inc. 

Additional album information:

Columbia ‎– AS 326, Family Productions ‎– AS 326

Matrix / Runout (Matrix A, on label): XSM 130937

Matrix / Runout (Matrix B, on label): XSM 160938

Matrix / Runout (Run-out Side A, stamped): P XSM160937-1B

Matrix / Runout (Run-out Side B, stamped): P XSM160938-1A B

In January 1990 Columbia released on ly in Australia: Souvenir: The Ultimate Collection is a Billy Joel album box-set, with theses CD´s:

Disc one: Live at Yankee Stadium: Disc two: Greatest Hits 1; Disc three:  Greatest Hits 2; Disc four: Storm Front: Disc five: Interviews alongside the title track "Souvenir" (from his 1974 album Streetlife Serenade).

Ok!.., that´s all my friends. See you soon with more and better.