Turnstiles

"Turnstiles," released in 1976, is a pivotal album by Billy Joel that marks his return to New York from California. This transition back to his roots had a significant influence on the album's themes and sound. Joel himself produced the album, which was a bold move after three previous albums with Columbia Records, signaling his growing confidence and artistic control.

One interesting fact about "Turnstiles" is that the initial recordings were laid down in Caribou Ranch, Colorado, with a different set of musicians and producer, which Joel ultimately scrapped. Dissatisfied with the initial sessions, he went back to New York and re-recorded the entire album with a new band that would become the core of his future albums.

The album is rich with New York imagery and sentiment, encapsulated in tracks like "New York State of Mind," which has since become an enduring anthem for the city. Written on the Hudson River Line of New York's Metro-North railroad, it paints a vivid picture of Joel’s affection for the city.

Additionally, the song "James" harks back to one of Joel’s childhood friends, providing a nostalgic slice of his past life, while "Prelude/Angry Young Man" showcases his virtuosic piano skills and introduces a unique energetic style that would become a signature in his live shows.

The album cover itself is loaded with symbolism, featuring Joel among an eclectic mix of people at a subway turnstile — a metaphor for both the diversity of urban life and the crossroads he found himself at in his career. This album cemented Joel's identity as a quintessential New York artist and set the stage for the massive success he would achieve in the late 1970s and early 1980s.