Best Michael Grosvenor Podcasts (2024)

1
EP 126 - Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 3 1:17:36

3h ago1:17:36

1:17:36

The third disc of Billy Joel's My Lives Box Set reveals an aspect of his performances that the previous tracks only hinted at: His ability to channel other artists. The first two discs of the four-CD/one-DVD set focuses on unreleased songs, alternate versions of well-known tracks, and compositions that evolved into songs that Billy eventually relea…

1
EP 125 - Video Retrospective: Billy Joel Tonight - December 5 & 6, 1976 1:26:19

2d ago1:26:19

1:26:19

In April of 1976, Billy Joel hit the road with the first incarnation of the now-legendary Lords of 52nd Street lineup. The band toured in support of the album Turnstiles, the first official audio document of this group. And, late that year, they recorded the first concert home video of Billy’s career. That program, entitled “Billy Joel Tonight,” wa…

1
EP 124 - Concert Classics: Syracuse, NY - February 2, 1990 1:04:54

28d ago1:04:54

1:04:54

A storm arrived in Syracuse, NY in February of 1990 — two of them, actually. The region was hit by a major storm, dumping more than eight inches of snow. At the same time, Billy Joel brought his Storm Front tour to the Carrier Dome. This show was about two months into a string of dates that ended a two-year touring hiatus. And, it featured a lineup…

1
EP 123 - Album Retrospective: Storm Front 1:54:20

1M ago1:54:20

1:54:20

1989’s Storm Front album found Billy Joel charting a new course for his career. Gone were longtime collaborators, including producer Phil Ramone and key band members Russell Javors and Doug Stegmeyer. Behind the scenes, Billy was embroiled in a lawsuit with his former manager as tens of millions of dollars hung in the balance. And, at least one son…

1
EP 122 - Year In Review: 1974 1:07:27

2M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

Depending on the time of year, 1974 is either a period of uncertainty in Billy Joel’s career, or the first signposts of the superstardom to come. He begins the year touring behind the Piano Man record, which ultimately falls off the charts. Record label execs then hurry Billy into the studio to record what he regards as its lackluster follow-up Str…

1
EP 121 - Side Quests #1 - Michael chats with Clint Wells (Metal Up Your Podcast & Morgan Wade Band) 1:16:39

2M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

Fall of 2024 is upon us! What is typically time for our next playlist installment, we're adjusting the title and format of the series slightly and are happy to announce the Glass Houses Side Quests. Expanding the concept of the playlists, the options are limitless from more music concepts to long form conversations with friends, musicians, and othe…

1
S5 E4 National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Donnie Piercey 30:17

3M ago30:17

30:17

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their s…

1
S5 E3 National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Ali Pressel 34:12

3M ago34:12

34:12

Ali Pressel is a science communicator and environmental educator with over 20 years of experience working in secondary sciences education. Her background is in environmental sciences and she holds a Bachelor degree from Rutgers University and a Master degree from the University of Maryland. Ali has spent the past 17 years of her professional career…

1
S5 E2 National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Ben Walker 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their s…

1
S5 E1 National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Kim Young 40:01

3M ago40:01

40:01

Season 5 of Change the Narrative is a series of conversations with Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows. These teachers from across North America went on expedition to places like Antarctica, Galapagos, the Arctic and others, to learn about the natural world and bring back inspirational learning experiences for their s…

1
EP 120 - Exploring More 1970s Billy Joel Cover Songs with John Jackson 1:19:00

3M ago1:19:00

1:19:00

There's an often-overlooked part of Billy Joel's rise to fame as a recording artist: His track record as a songwriter for others. Before he was a superstar, Billy's songs were covered by dozens of performers from around the world. The trend arguably peaked in the late 70s with multiple renditions of his now-classic songs New York State of Mind and …

1
EP 119 - Madison Square Garden Part 6 - Behind The 100th with Steve Cohen + The Hall Of Fame Exhibit 1:28:30

3M ago1:28:30

1:28:30

Billy Joel's 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden is now in the past. But its legacy has been preserved for the public to enjoy. In fact, the same can be said for his entire career. In this last installment of our series covering Billy at the Garden, we sit down for a lengthy interview with Steve Cohen. As Billy's lighting director fo…

1
EP 118 - Madison Square Garden Part 5 - The Final Show Of Billy Joel's MSG Residency 1:30:28

4M ago1:30:28

1:30:28

The opening strains of Miami 2017 took on a new meaning on July 25, 2024. It was the final show of Billy Joel’s 10-year monthly residency at Madison Square Garden, and the classic opener kicked off the night. Suddenly, the song’s theme about thousands of people hunkering down to hear these songs for maybe the last time felt almost too real. While t…

1
EP 117 - Madison Square Garden Part 4 - Billy Joel at The Garden Through The Years (2006-2024) 58:02

4M ago58:02

58:02

Starting in the mid-2000s, BIlly Joel cemented his Madison Square Garden legacy with two unprecedented engagements. The first was a dozen shows spread over 4 months in 2006. The setlists were filled with songs that were rarely, if ever performed live, and The recordings from these dates made up his live album 12 Gardens Live, released later the sam…

1
EP 116 - Madison Square Garden Part 3 - Billy Joel at The Garden Through The Years (1978-2002) 50:24

5M ago50:24

50:24

When BIlly Joel plays his final show at Madison Square Garden on July 25, 2024, he’ll be closing out a nearly 50-year run of shows. And, in this episode, we’re diving deep into the first half of that legacy. Starting in December 1978, Billy has played multiple nights at the Garden on all but one album tour. His engagements also included Face to Fac…

1
EP 115 - Madison Square Garden Part 2 - The 100th show of the residency (TV Special) 59:49

5M ago59:49

59:49

Billy Joel’s groundbreaking 100th Madison Square Garden Residency Show was commemorated with an edited version of the concert airing on network television. The special entitled “The 100th: Billy Joel At Madison Square Garden” was broadcast in prime time on April 14, 2024 on CBS. For fans, this was a step up in production from even the official conc…

1
EP 114 - Madison Square Garden Part 1 - The First MSG Show (December 14, 1978) 56:31

6M ago56:31

56:31

Thanks to a recently-unearthed audience recording, fans can now hear Billy Joel's first performance at the legendary Madison Square Garden. The performance took place on December 14, 1978, more than a decade after Billy first took to a stage as a professional musician. Listening to it in 2024, perhaps the most interesting aspect about Billy headlin…

1
EP 113 - Evolution Of A Song - ”The Ballad Of Billy The Kid” 1:01:02

6M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

In the last installment of our Evolution of a Song series, we explored an older song that sported a studio arrangement that couldn’t be replicated live. The same can be said of "The Ballad Of Billy The Kid," the subject of this episode. While the live version on Songs in the Attic became the definitive one for many fans, the Ballad of Billy the Kid…

1
EP 112 - Billy Joel Album B-Sides Ranked 1:16:42

7M ago1:16:42

1:16:42

With few exceptions, Billy Joel’s albums were sequenced with two sides in mind. It’s a phenomenon that’s come back to the forefront with the resurgence of vinyl records: The act of listening to half an album, then flipping the platter to hear the rest. It’s a different experience than listening to the songs all the way through on CD or a streaming …

1
EP 111 - Evolution Of A Song - ”The Entertainer” 51:37

7M ago51:37

51:37

The beauty of live music is that a song never sounds the same twice. Billy Joel’s no exception to this rule. And, with some songs nearly 50 years old by now, many of his older numbers have seen drastic changes over the years. In the first installment of our Evolution of a Song series, we tracked how "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" and "Everybody Loves Y…

1
EP 110 - Tour Retrospective: Storm Front Tour 1989-1991 1:06:23

7M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

Billy Joel’s world tour supporting the Storm Front album was a huge success by all metrics. But behind it was a story almost as tumultuous as the album title and front cover portrayed. The tour was a necessity to earn back millions of dollars that Billy’s former manager, Frank Weber, had stolen from him over the previous few years. It also featured…

1
EP 109 - Year In Review: 2014 1:01:44

8M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

2014 was a renaissance for Billy Joel. It’s almost hard to believe, given all the time he’s spent in the spotlight a decade later. But, he’d been relatively quiet in the late aughts and early 2010s. That made the flurry of activity this year all the more surprising. Billy kicked off his Madison Square Garden residency in January of 2014, which he s…

1
EP 108 - Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Live Through The Years - Japan Edition 1:11:39

8M ago1:11:39

1:11:39

What the new compilation Billy Joel Live Through the Years - Japan Edition lacks in new material, it more than makes up for in providing context to 40-plus years of music. The double-disc set, only released in Japan, features 32 live tracks recorded between 1972 and 2008. Starting with the Sigma Sound radio broadcast and culminating with a limited-…

1
EP 107 - Back down the River of Dreams with Zachary Alford 1:15:45

9M ago1:15:45

1:15:45

The River of Dreams album was Billy Joel’s introduction to a new generation of fans in the early 90s. With chart-topping songs, a notorious Grammy appearance, and an extensive world tour, it was a landmark in Billy’s career. But for drummer Zachary Alford, it was one of his first experiences in a major label session, and another step in his quickly…

1
EP 106 - Album Retrospective: The Hassles First Album 1:26:59

9M ago1:26:59

1:26:59

Before Billy Joel was a household name, and before he was even a solo recording artist or known as a piano player, he released his first album on United Artists Records in 1967. That album was The Hassles, by the band of the same name. Billy, still a teenager, wasn’t in the spotlight. Rather, he was the organ player who contributed a few original s…

1
EP 105 - Billy Joel Love Songs + Turn The Lights Back On & Grammy Performance 1:39:31

10M ago1:39:31

1:39:31

It’s easy to write off the lyrical content of love songs. They’re often fairly simple, and are more emotional than thought-provoking. But a good love song, like any song, reveals something about the writer, and, often, the listener. For our Valentine’s Day episode, we’re discussing our favorite Billy Joel love songs. But, we ended up doing more tha…

1
EP 104 - Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 2 + New Billy Joel Single Announcement 1:38:59

10M ago1:38:59

1:38:59

Although Disc Two of My Lives kicks off with a live version of a classic 70s song, the rest of the track list features Billy Joel B-Sides and early versions of songs from the 80s along with a few album tracks. While it seems random initially, there’s a light narrative running through the selections. Here, you can compare work-in-progress tracks to …

1
EP 103 - Concert Classics: Live At The Spectrum, Philadelphia - 1986 1:03:01

11M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Since his days playing clubs and theaters in the early 70s, Billy Joel was always known for his passionate, high-energy concerts. That reputation only grew, literally and figuratively, as he graduated into arenas and stadiums after 1977’s The Stranger. That makes his stop at the Spectrum in Philadelphia on The Bridge tour a unique evening. Billy an…

1
EP 102 - Year In Review: 1993 58:21

11M ago58:21

58:21

1993 was both the kickoff to a new album cycle and the end of an era for Billy Joel. River of Dreams came out in August, and was certified three times platinum by the end of the year. It was preceded by what was now a well-oiled publicity machine, and followed immediately by a world tour. But, the album was his last release of new pop songs. As suc…

1
EP 101 - 2023 Odds & Ends (with Edward Odowd) 1:12:20

12M ago1:12:20

1:12:20

With 2023 coming to a close, we’re taking a look back at our year of podcasting and what’s happened in the world of Billy Joel. As always for our last episode of the year, we’re bringing some leftovers to the table: Odds and ends that didn’t quite make it into other episodes. Don’t worry, they’re just as tasty as our main courses. And you don’t eve…

1
EP 100 - Liberty DeVitto’s Greatest Hits 1:07:35

12M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

If you had to explain why Liberty DeVitto is a great drummer to someone who’d never heard a BIlly Joel record, how would you do it? That’s the question we’re exploring in our 100th episode. It’s a somewhat tricky proposition. Liberty’s a well-regarded drummer who’s played on dozens of Top 20 records and toured with some of the biggest acts in the w…

1
EP 099 - Playlist #8 - Telling Stories About Telling Stories 1:15:27

1y ago1:15:27

1:15:27

Every two weeks, Michael and I release a podcast episode where we tell someone else’s stories. Except that’s not quite true. As we discuss every note on an album, or labor over every second of a concert recording, we also talk about ourselves. It’s one way music becomes more than just art. Billy Joel’s story becomes part of our stories, which becom…

1
EP 098 - Billy Joel - The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 (with John Jackson & Edward Odowd) 1:17:31

1y ago1:17:31

1:17:31

To paraphrase another famous rock band, Billy Joel’s The Vinyl Collection, Vol. 2 goes to 11. The box set treats fans to 21 years of classic songs with just shy of a dozen records. That’s including an album never released on vinyl before, and a long-awaited expanded version of a fan favorite. Released November 3, 2023, the collection includes every…

1
EP 097 - Album Retrospective: My Lives Disc 1 1:31:34

1y ago1:31:34

1:31:34

The My Lives box set is a curious addition to the Billy Joel discography. The four-CD / one-DVD set, released in 2005, is a mix of unreleased demos, alternate takes, live recordings, cover songs, and a handful of album tracks. At the time, it was the first glimpse many fans got at unreleased material and songs-in-progress. The first disc, in partic…

1
EP 096 - Concert Classics: Live At Sigma Sound Studios, Philadelphia - 1972 1:23:32

1y ago1:23:32

1:23:32

Unreleased for decades, Billy Joel’s 1972 Sigma Sound Studios concert was arguably the kick-start to his career. With a flop record in Cold Spring Harbor under his belt. Billy and his then-backing band performed live on the air for WMMR in Philadelphia. The session yielded a version of “Captain Jack” that became the station’s most-requested song fo…

1
The Responsibility Of Noticing: How Beauty Can Save Us (S4 E5) 15:42

1y ago15:42

15:42

Facts and statistics have so far failed to get humans to change our behavior to address the climate crisis. But can beauty? In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with marine biologist Jonny Reid about the importance of noticing, and how the beauty of the world may just save us–if we make time and space to do so. This episode was produced as…

1
The Possibility Of Perspective (S4 E4) 15:46

1y ago15:46

15:46

Maybe you’ve tried (and failed) to take photos–of a concert, a skyscraper, or the Grand Canyon–that truly captures the immensity of the object or experience. In this episode, host Michael Hernandez talks with National Geographic photographer Susan Seubert about the limits of photography, especially when trying to convey something as vast as Antarct…

1
EP 095 - Concert Classics: Live At The Bottom Line 1976 + Vinyl Box Set Announcement 1:02:06

1y ago1:02:06

1:02:06

With a new album out and a New York-based band in place, Billy Joel was starting to heat up in 1976. His show at the Bottom Line in Manhattan on June 10th of that year is the proof. The album, Turnstiles, had just come out a few weeks prior. And the orchestra, as Billy was now calling the band, had been on the road for just over two months. The per…

1
Job At The Bottom Of The World (S4 E3) 15:05

1y ago15:05

15:05

While we often assume that Antarctica is an untouched, pristine continent, there is actually a long history of exploration and research–and yes, exploitation–of Antarctica. On an expedition to the Great White Continent, host Michael Hernandez visits the British research station at Port Lockroy, now operated by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust, which…

1
The Climate For Change (S4 E2) 17:42

1y ago17:42

17:42

Wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts caused by climate change are finally starting to get our attention in mainstream media and the public consciousness. But these changes in climate are even more extreme in Antarctica, a fragile and diverse ecosystem that the entire planet relies upon, even more than the Amazon rainforests. But what can we DO about…

1
The Right War (S4 E1) 12:55

1y ago12:55

12:55

Each of us has to decide which battles are worth fighting. After speaking with Chilean journalist and naturalist while on expedition to Antarctica, host Michael Hernandez discovers what it means to defend--rather than "protect"--Antarctica, and by extension, the rest of the planet. This episode was produced as part of Michael's Lindblad Expeditions…

1
EP 094 - Year In Review: 2015 1:06:55

1y ago1:06:55

1:06:55

In 2015, Billy Joel wasn't just selling out shows. He was making headlines across the nation. His songwriting was praised by everyone from George Gershwin to Snoop Dogg. He made an unexpected festival appearance, and journalists were diving into his history, introducing him to a brand new generation of fans. It's almost hard to believe that just a …

1
Season 4 Trailer: The Great White Continent 2:56

1+ y ago2:56

2:56

Join host Michael Hernandez as he kicks off Season 4 to get a glimpse of life at the bottom of the world, and insights about his expedition to Antarctica as part of his Lindblad Expeditions/National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship. See episode notes and resources at www.changethenarrative.net…

1
EP 093 - Tour Retrospective: From A Piano Man To An Innocent Man Tour 1984 1:12:14

1+ y ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Billy Joel’s An Innocent Man album earned him a new generation of fans upon its release in 1983. But the accompanying tour didn’t kick off until the next calendar year. Dubbed “From A Piano Man to An Innocent Man,” the shows were unlike any other Billy had mounted until this point. The core band was augmented with backup singers and a horn section.…

1
EP 092 - Album Retrospective: An Innocent Man 1:24:21

1+ y ago1:24:21

1:24:21

With An Innocent Man, Billy Joel took an important step forward by taking a big leap backward. Released August 8, 1983, the ten-song album sold a million copies within two months of its release and four million just a year later. And, it boasts a Number One single with two more hitting the Top Ten. The album, famously, is an homage to the pre-Briti…

1
EP 091 - Video Retrospective: A Matter Of Trust (1991 Documentary) 1:07:20

1+ y ago1:07:20

1:07:20

In 1987, Billy Joel and his band embarked on an unprecedented tour of the Soviet Union. And, when the original documentary “A Matter of Trust” came out, fans got a behind-the-scenes look at what turned out to be a controversial career move. At the time, the country was still under Communist rule, shrouded in secrecy, and, to put it mildly, deeply m…

1
EP 090 - Billy Joel Album Closers Ranked 55:46

1+ y ago55:46

55:46

The first song on an album sets the stage for the record, but what about the closer? Should the last song act as a grand finale, leave you wanting more, or exist somewhere in between? In this episode, we’re finding out what worked best for Billy Joel. We’re ranking the closing songs on his 12 studio albums, plus the live Songs in the Attic, from ou…

1
EP 089 - Playlist #7 - Songs That Inspired ’An Innocent Man’ 45:26

1+ y ago45:26

45:26

Summer is upon us and this summer, we are entering the season of celebrating Billy Joel's An Innocent Man. In celebration of the album's 40th anniversary, I (Michael) wanted to kick things off with this playlist episode. I'm celebrating that songs that inspired An Innocent Man. Some are obvious and some are more subtle but these next songs are clas…

1
EP 088 - Concert Classics: Frankfurt, Germany - June 18, 1994 57:55

1+ y ago57:55

57:55

Live in Frankfurt is probably the closest BIlly Joel got to being in a Spinal Tap sequel. The show, recorded on June 18, 1994, is just as notable for its mishaps as it is the band’s solid performance. The show captures the band on the River of Dreams tour, and the full video gives a warts-and-all look at what can go wrong at a concert: We watch as …

1
EP 087 - Album Retrospective: Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume III 52:52

1+ y ago52:52

52:52

Greatest Hits Volume III had a lot to live up to. Volumes one and two documented Billy on a hot streak, releasing hit after hit and album after album. Those compilation records, released in one double package, became an iconic, best-selling release all its own. By contrast, Greatest Hits Volume III came out a few years after what became Billy’s fin…

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