“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.
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)
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.