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[bryant]

Guilty pleasure: Billy Joel. I suspect this New York Times article is morosely grim even if you're not a big fan, though. Or maybe it's just pathetic. The man is certainly whining -- but if he was more credible, wouldn't there be something worthy about a guy who weighs the value of love so high against the rewards of fame? Instead, it's just the Piano Man, and he's hard to respect.

Comments

[bryant]

I suspect I phrased my post poorly. I think it was a very tragic, very sad article; I respect the guy quite a bit, even as a musician. I was kind of wondering out loud why something this poignant hasn't gotten more notice in the weblog circles I frequent. I think it's just because he isn't considered cool... but I think that's a lousy reason to write his emotions off in the way I've seen some do.

For me, he doesn't need to be cool. He's an amazing songwriter. I can still sing pretty much all of Glass Houses by heart, and I'm glad of it.

[rfrancis]

I'd agree, although I find even as a musician odd. His ability as a vocalist is somewhat in doubt, but his musical chops in general are almost unbeatable in the pop music biz (which is why nowadays he makes most of his money composing more classically-styled stuff, I guess). As you say, he's an amazing songwriter.

I guess my point is that I respect him mostly as a musician if not entirely. :)