River of Dreams

Template:About Template:Use mdy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |{{#if: Template:Start date | Template:Short description}}}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Souvenir: The Ultimate Collection1990Greatest Hits Volume III1997studioRiver of DreamsBilly Joel - River of Dreams.jpgBilly JoelTemplate:Start dateThe Boathouse at the Island Boatyard, Shelter Island
Cove City Sound Studios, Glen Cove, New York
The Hit Factory, New York CityPop<ref name="amg"/>49:10ColumbiaBilly Joel, Danny Kortchmar, Joe Nicolo, David Thoenerx|2=</?t[drh][ >]|nomatch=}}|Template:Main other}}Template:Main other}} Template:Music ratings River of Dreams is the twelfth studio album by American singer-songwriter Billy Joel, released on August 10, 1993. River of Dreams presented a more serious tone than found in Joel's previous albums, dealing with issues such as trust and long-lasting love. It was rumored that the themes of trust and betrayal, particularly certain lyrics from the songs "A Minor Variation" and "The Great Wall of China", stem from Joel's legal disputes with his former manager and ex-brother-in-law, Frank Weber, who reportedly embezzled millions of dollars from Joel and used dubious accounting practices to cover it up.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was Joel's fourth and last album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart, a position it held for three consecutive weeks.

River of Dreams is the last rock album Joel has released to date, as his next album, Fantasies & Delusions (2001), features classical compositions with solo piano performed by Hyung-ki "Richard" Joo. Since River of Dreams, Joel has recorded occasional pop/rock singles and continues to play live.

The album cover was a painting by Joel's then-wife, Christie Brinkley. In 1993, Rolling Stone gave her the Top Picks award for "The Best Album Cover of the Year".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, in 2024, Rolling Stone listed it last as one of "The 50 Worst Album Covers of All Time".<ref>The 50 Worst Album Covers of All Time, by Gavin Edwards, Rolling Stone, July 19, 2024</ref>

Background

In the summer of 1992, Billy Joel held a series of writing and recording sessions on Shelter Island, New York;<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> these sessions eventually produced seven tracks,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> self-produced by Joel.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>

Joel was dissatisfied with the results, and so, on the recommendation of Don Henley, he brought in session guitarist Danny Kortchmar for another take on the songs. Kortchmar agreed to produce, provided he be allowed to use session musicians on the recordings, to which Joel agreed. Only one song from the Shelter Island sessions, "Shades of Grey", would make the final album in its original produced form.<ref name=":0" />

In a 2018 interview with Vulture, Joel expressed disappointment that the album did not yield any hit singles beyond the title track. He further attributed his decision to stop releasing pop albums to the lack of airplay. "The thing was, I put a lot of work into River of Dreams and it was as if the business had left me behind because there are substantial songs on that album that never went anywhere. So I said, 'What's the point of putting myself through writing and recording if it doesn't mean what it's supposed to mean out there in the world?'"<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Track listing

All songs were written and composed by Billy Joel.

1. "No Man's Land" – 4:48
2. "The Great Wall of China" – 5:45
3. "Blonde Over Blue" – 4:55
4. "A Minor Variation" – 5:36
5. "Shades of Grey" – 4:10
6. "All About Soul" – 6:01
7. "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" – 3:32
8. "The River of Dreams" – 4:05
9. "Two Thousand Years" – 5:19
10. "Famous Last Words" – 5:01

A Voyage on the River of Dreams

A Voyage on the River of Dreams is an Australian 3-CD box set released in 1994, which includes the studio album, River of Dreams, along with a 6-track live CD from the '93–'94 River of Dreams Tour, plus a Questions & Answers CD recorded at Princeton University.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This box set made the charts in Australia (No. 33) and New Zealand (No. 47), the only places besides Japan where the set was officially released.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Disc one (River of Dreams – Studio album) – as per original album

Disc two (Billy Joel Live) All songs written and composed by Billy Joel, except where noted

1. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (Elton John/Bernie Taupin) – 5:08
2. "No Man's Land" – 5:44
3. "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" – 5:52
4. "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" – 3:40
5. "The River of Dreams" – 5:28
6. "A Hard Day's Night" (Lennon–McCartney) – 3:20

Disc three (Questions & Answers Disc)

1. "Q & A recorded at Princeton University"

Personnel

• Billy Joel – lead vocals, clavinet (1, 4), Hammond organ (1, 4, 6, 8, 10), acoustic piano (2, 6–10), organ (2, 9), backing vocals (2), synthesizers (3, 8), keyboards (5)
• Jeff Jacobs – synthesizers (2), additional programming (8)

Corrado sgandurra – guitars (1, 2)

• Tommy Byrnes – guitars (1, 3, 5, 6)
• Danny Kortchmar – guitars (1–4, 6, 8–10)
• Leslie West – guitars (1, 2, 4)
• Mike Tyler – guitars (8)
• T.M. Stevens – bass (1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 10)
• Lonnie Hillyer – bass (3, 8)
• Schuyler Deale – bass (5)
• Jeff Lee Johnson – bass (8)
• Chuck Treece – bass (8)
• Zachary Alford – drums (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8)
• Liberty DeVitto – drums (5)
• Steve Jordan – drums (9, 10)
• Jim Saporito – percussion (2)
• Andy Kravitz – percussion (8)
• Arno Hecht – baritone saxophone (4)
• Richie Cannata – tenor saxophone (4)
• Osvaldo Melindez – trombone (4)
• Laurence Etkin – trumpet (4)
• Ira Newborn – orchestrations (2, 6–8)
• Lewis Del Gatto – orchestra manager (2, 6–8)
• Frank Simms – backing vocals (1, 2, 8)
• George Simms – backing vocals (1, 2, 8)
• Color Me Badd – guest vocals (6)
• Wrecia Ford – backing vocals (6, 8)
• Marlon Saunders – backing vocals (6, 8)
• Crystal Taliefero – backing vocals (6, 8), vocal arrangement (6, 8)
• B. David Witworth – backing vocals (6, 8)
• Curtis Rance King Jr. – choir conductor and contractor (6)
• 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

Production

• Producers – Danny Kortchmar (Tracks 1–4 & 6–10); Billy Joel (Track 5).
• Associate Producer on Track 5 – David Thoener
• Co-Producer on Track 8 – Joe Nicolo
• A&R – Don DeVito
• Production Coordinator – Bill Zampino
• Engineers – Carl Glanville (Tracks 1–7, 9 & 10); Joe Nicolo and Phil Nicolo (Track 8).
• Assistant Engineers – Dan Hetzel and Brian Vibberts (Tracks 1–7, 9 & 10); Dick Grobelny (Track 8).
• Recorded by Jay Healy, Bradshaw Leigh, Bob Thrasher and Dave Wilkerson.
• Mixing – Niko Bolas (Tracks 1–4, 6, 7, 9, 10); David Thoener (Track 5); Joe Nicolo and Phil Nicolo (Track 8).
• Assistant Mixing on Track 8 – Dick Grobelny
• Mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
• Technical Support – Andrew Baker*, Lester Baylinson, Steve Bramberg, Laura Delia, Jon "J.D." Dworkow*, Greg Garland, Peter Goodrich, David Hewitt, Dave Hofbauer, Doug Kleeger, Howie Mendelson, Larry DeMarco, Artie Smith and Courtney Spencer.
• Art and Commerce – Jeff Schock
• Art Direction – Christopher Austopchuk
• Cover Artwork – Christie Brinkley
• Design – Sara Rotman
• Photography – Glen Erler

Aftermath

River of Dreams stands as Billy Joel's most recent studio album of original material in the pop/rock genre. Joel has often stated that the album was designed to stand as his final record and that while he still composes music, he no longer writes within the pop/rock music vein and has no more interest in the recording industry.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Joel's succeeding studio album Fantasies & Delusions, released in 2001, was an instrumental album of classical piano pieces containing no pop songs whatsoever.

Accolades

Grammy Awards

Template:Awards table |- | width="35" align="center" rowspan="4"|1994 || River of Dreams || Album of the Year<ref name="36GN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> || Template:Nom |- |rowspan=3|"The River of Dreams" || Song of the Year<ref name="36GN" /> || Template:Nom |- | Record of the Year<ref name="36GN" /> || Template:Nom |- | Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male<ref name="36GN" /> || Template:Nom

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Charts

Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance for River of Dreams

Chart (1993–94)	Peak position
Danish Albums (IFPI)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	8
European Albums (European Top 100 Albums)<ref name = "Europe"/>	6
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref name="FINchart">Template:Cite book</ref>	21
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	33
Icelandic Albums (Tónlist)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref>	4
Irish Albums (IRMA)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	8
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Billy Joel".</ref>	17
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="Jachart">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	3
Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	6
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	19
Zimbabwean Albums (ZIMA)<ref>* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: albums chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000</ref>	3

Year-end charts

1993 year-end chart performance for River of Dreams

Chart (1993)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref name="AUYearend93">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	7
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	14
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)<ref name="CAYearend93">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	27
Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	89
European Albums (European Top 100 Albums)<ref name = "Europe">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	27
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	21
Japanese Albums (Oricon)<ref name="JPYearend93">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	79
New Zealand Albums (RIANZ)<ref name="NZ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	18
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	17
UK Albums (OCC)<ref name="UKYearend87">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	43
US Billboard 200<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	23

1994 year-end chart performance for River of Dreams

Chart (1994)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref name="AUYearend94">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	26
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	93
US Billboard 200<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	34