Billy Joel – River of Dreams (Translucent Red Vinyl)
Billy Joel – lead vocals, clavinet (A1, A4), Hammond organ (A1, A4, B1, B3, B5), acoustic piano (A2, B1-5), organ (A2, B4), backing vocals (A2), synthesizers (A3, B3), keyboards (A5) [click here to see more vinyl featuring Billy Joel]
Jeff Jacobs – synthesizers (A2), additional programming (B3)
Tommy Byrnes – guitar (A1, A3, A5, B1)
Danny Kortchmar – guitar (A1–4, B1, B3–5)
Leslie West – guitar (A1-2, A4)
Mike Tyler – guitar (B3)
T.M. Stevens – bass (A1-2, A4, B1, B4-5)
Lonnie Hillyer – bass (A3, B3)
Schuyler Deale – bass (A5)
Jeff Lee Johnson – bass (B3)
Chuck Treece – bass (B3)
Zachary Alford – drums (A1-2, A3-4, B1, B3)
Liberty DeVitto – drums (A5)
Steve Jordan – drums (B4, B5)
Jim Saporito – percussion (A2)
Andy Kravitz – percussion (B3)
Arno Hecht – baritone saxophone (A4)
Richie Cannata – tenor saxophone (A4)
Osvaldo Melindez – trombone (A4)
Laurence Etkin – trumpet (A4)
Ira Newborn – orchestration (A2, B1-3)
Lewis Del Gatto – orchestra manager (A2, B1-3)
Frank Simms – backing vocals (A1, A2, B3)
George Simms – backing vocals (A1, A2, B3)
Color Me Badd – guest vocals (B1)
Wrecia Ford – backing vocals (B1, B3)
Marlon Saunders – backing vocals (B1, B3)
Crystal Taliefero – backing vocals (B1, B3), vocal arrangement (B1, B3)
David Withworth - backing vocals (B1, B3)
Curtis Rance King, Jr. – choir conductor (B1)
Choir on "All About Soul" – Phillip Ballou, Katreese Barnes, Dennis Collins, Will Downing, Frank Floyd, Diane Garisto, Stephanie James, Devora Johnson, Marlon Saunders and Corliss Stafford
1LP, Gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : Translucent Red
Speed : 33 RPM
Size : 12'’
Stereo
Studio
Record Press : RTI
Label : Friday Music
Original Label : Columbia
Recorded September 1992 – May 1993 at The Boathouse Studio, Boatyard Island, Shelter Island ; Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York ; The Hit Factory, New York City
Recorded by Jay Healy, Bradshaw Leigh, Bob Thrasher and Dave Wilkerson.
Engineered by Carl Glanville (A1–B2, B4-5), Joe Nicolo and Phil Nicolo (B3).
Mixing – Niko Bolas (A1–4, B1, B2, B4-5), David Thoener (A5), Joe Nicolo and Phil Nicolo (B3)
Produced by Danny Kortchmar (A1–4, B1-5), Billy Joel (A5), Joe Nicolo (B3)
Remastered by Joe Reagoso at Capitol Mastering
Originally released in 1993
Reissued in 2019
Tracks:
Side A:
- No Man's Land
- The Great Wall Of China
- Blonde Over Blue
- A Minor Variation
- Shades Of Grey
Side B:
- All About Soul
- Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)
- The River Of Dreams
- Two Thousand Years
- Famous Last Words
Reviews:
“Whether fair or not, Billy Joel's career persona has typically cast him as a happy-go-lucky troubadour with a glint in his eye and his heart on his sleeve. But it's possible for even the Piano Man to get pissed off, and 'River of Dreams' is an unexpectedly strong kissoff album, full of bile and fury. The angry young man is speaking now from decades of experience and settling his grudges while keeping every ounce of his gift for melody and instrumental flourish. As a result, the album lands most of its punches, and its occasional glimmers of blue-eyed hope ("All About Soul," "Two Thousand Years," the title cut) temper the record's confrontational tone. There's always something special about a final record where the artist knows they're saying farewell (see the Beatles' 'Abbey Road,' R.E.M.'s 'Collapse Into Now'), and this is a fine final effort.” Jeff Giles, Ultimate Classic Rock, August 2015
“Billy Joel had never taken as much time to record an album as he did with River of Dreams, and its troubled birth is clear upon the first listen. Never before had he recorded an album that sounded so labored, as if it was a struggle for him to write and record the songs. With River of Dreams, he's surrounded himself with ace studio musicians and star producer Danny Kortchmar, all of whom have the effect of deadening an already self-consciously serious set of songs. There are no light moments on the album, either lyrically or musically -- all the songs are filled with middle-age dread, even the two best moments, the gospel-inflected title track and his song to his daughter, "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)." Those two songs have the strongest melodies, but they're not as natural as his best material. Everywhere he tries too hard -- the metaphors of "The Great Wall of China," the bizarre vocal intro to "Shades of Grey," minor-key melodies all over the place. He may be trying different things, but he doesn't sound comfortable with his detours, and by the end of the record, he sounds as exhausted as the listener feels. By that point, the closing track, "Famous Last Words," seems prophetic -- River of Dreams feels like a sad close to an otherwise strong career, and from all indications he's given in the press, Joel claims it is indeed the last pop album he'll ever make. It's an unworthy way to depart.” Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Ratings :
AllMusic : 2 / 5 ; Discogs : 4.03 / 5