My name is Tom Whitehorse Dunstan. I played banjo and pedal steel guitar on many of the songs in the Streetlife Serenade album. This one has a very special meaning to me and I'll tell you why. Although I didn't play on this cut, I was there in the studio when the drummer, Ron Tutt, was recording "The Mexican Connection". I remember that as the recording session was beginning, a telephone call was patched through to the control room. The call was for Ron Tutt. We were all stunned when Ron told us that he was being informed that his mother had just passed away. Of course Billy, and the producer Michael Stewart understandably told Ron that the session would then be shut down. Even though Ron was obviously deeply shaken, he asked that the session continue. He said that he could do it. My sense was that he felt it was important for him to do it. Here, as I listen to this magnificent recording, I'm reminded of the power of music as Ron said goodbye to someone that he profoundly loved in a way that words can't begin to express. And as bittersweet as it is, this will always be my favorite Billy Joel song.
This is an underrated song, being that is from a less popular album and that is just a instrumental, but I find it very calming to listen to. Billy's other instrumental, also on this album, is Root Beer Rag, and that song is a Scott Joplin-style masterpiece. Streetlife Serenade is a very underrated album in my opinion.
That is so amazing that you got to work with a legendary artist. Love every single thing he’s ever done. Especially the older unknown stuff that others have not had the pleasure of listening to and should
"The Mexican Connection" is an amazing instrumental song. It's one of the only two instrumental songs composed by Billy Joel (the other one, as far as I remember, being "Root Beer Rag", from the same _Streetlife Serenade_ album).
You can hear touches of "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "Don't Ask Me Why" in this song. His style is truly interesting and unique. The critics may have had a rough time with his stuff, but audiences have Billy's music as the soundtrack of their childhood.
It's one of two instrumentals on this album, the other being Root Beer Rag. Billy writes the music first and then adds lyrics but he was being put under pressure (no pun intended) to put out another album and that might explain the instrumentals on this one.
Billy's first concerts in Australia were at the remarkable Sydney Opera House in mid 1976, not long after it opened in 1973. He had two successful albums at the time and performed many of the tracks from Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade. The instrumentals from the latter were both performed.
A great Billy Joel instrumental, the Mexican Connection, Root Beer Rag & Los Angelenos from the Billy Joel Streetlife Serenade album reminds me of my Navy day & home in San Diego & later in Long Beach in 1975. 1975 was my favorite year of the 1970's, I met my late wife of 31 years in the Philippines, bought my very first brand new car, got my drivers license and was a California resident 1 year. I spent half of my life in California which is the very best state that I have lived & worked in, I presently live in Arizona because of the military base closures in California during the Clinton years in the damned 1870's Barbarian Sh@thole Loser City Tucson Metropolitian area in the very worst state that I have lived & worked in, I'm selling everything and once that's done, I'll be going back to the Philippines for good and live out my life there as my heart is there.
It's alright, but you can kinda tell it was a song waiting for lyrics. I think that Billy would've made this a much finer tune if he had the time, but he said he was so busy touring as opening act for bands like the Beach Boys, so he couldn't focus on this album as much as he would've liked.
i disagree. this song is perfect the way it is. and what it grew to be, the atmosphere setting song for his live performances, in the peak days of his career. (imo) it truly set what felt like magic into the air.
ua-cam.com/video/IKnVopmm2Q4/v-deo.html for reference. it's just wonderful. i can feel the magic in the air, like stepping in a time machine. literally gives me chills
My name is Tom Whitehorse Dunstan. I played banjo and pedal steel guitar on many of the songs in the Streetlife Serenade album. This one has a very special meaning to me and I'll tell you why. Although I didn't play on this cut, I was there in the studio when the drummer, Ron Tutt, was recording "The Mexican Connection". I remember that as the recording session was beginning, a telephone call was patched through to the control room. The call was for Ron Tutt. We were all stunned when Ron told us that he was being informed that his mother had just passed away. Of course Billy, and the producer Michael Stewart understandably told Ron that the session would then be shut down. Even though Ron was obviously deeply shaken, he asked that the session continue. He said that he could do it. My sense was that he felt it was important for him to do it. Here, as I listen to this magnificent recording, I'm reminded of the power of music as Ron said goodbye to someone that he profoundly loved in a way that words can't begin to express. And as bittersweet as it is, this will always be my favorite Billy Joel song.
this song ..and it is a national treasure...makes me think of a campfire, steaks, cigarettes, the open range and horses.
This record meant a lot to me as a Temple U. student early 90's.
This is an underrated song, being that is from a less popular album and that is just a instrumental, but I find it very calming to listen to. Billy's other instrumental, also on this album, is Root Beer Rag, and that song is a Scott Joplin-style masterpiece. Streetlife Serenade is a very underrated album in my opinion.
Such an underrated song. one of my favorite instrumentals and so fun to play, as well!
This whole album is underrated tbh
Gotta agree - this album is vastly underrated! Details from when he went to L.A. to try and 'make it'.
That is so amazing that you got to work with a legendary artist. Love every single thing he’s ever done. Especially the older unknown stuff that others have not had the pleasure of listening to and should
I love listening to this while doing homework :)
+Partially Pink its a good homework song
Great Great song!
This used to open his live shows like the theme from "The Natural" does now. At the end of this song, the lights came up.
"The Mexican Connection" is an amazing instrumental song. It's one of the only two instrumental songs composed by Billy Joel (the other one, as far as I remember, being "Root Beer Rag", from the same _Streetlife Serenade_ album).
He has another one - Nocturne, on the tail end of Cold Spring Harbor.
he has a whole album composed of solely piano instrumentals actually!
Thank you for the answers, everybody. Nice to be aware of those other instrumental records, as well.
You can hear touches of "Scenes From an Italian Restaurant" and "Don't Ask Me Why" in this song. His style is truly interesting and unique. The critics may have had a rough time with his stuff, but audiences have Billy's music as the soundtrack of their childhood.
I can hear "The Night is Still Young" in this for sure, with the D F# A B A in this vs. G G B B D E D in "The Night is Still Young's" chorus
All you want to do is dance
I'm hearing And So It Goes in this.
Mexican Connection...released Oct 1974...Streetlife Serenade
Scenes.......released Sept 1977...The Stranger
Don't ask me.....released March 1980...Glass Houses.
@@Lightning_Lance that's unfortunate.
I caught the ending on the Billy Joel channel on Sirius XM and had to check this out. I’ve been a fan for 40 years and have never heard this before.
It's one of two instrumentals on this album, the other being Root Beer Rag.
Billy writes the music first and then adds lyrics but he was being put under pressure (no pun intended) to put out another album and that might explain the instrumentals on this one.
Same!
The album has , IMO, one of his best in-your-face pieces, The Entertainer.
what is not to love about you billy? u brought us thru a time when we didn't know what to think and you gave us words..thanks..we love ya!!
meesh but this song has no words
do you think billy joel effectively utilized 'girl power' by funneling money to illegal paramilitary death squads in northern ireland?
This music it´s just perfect!!
Fue genial su concierto en México 2020💓 ¡Billy!
I love how this sounds like the music behind a PBS "thanking the viewers" segment
Lol😅
My step-father had this song on his jukebox shortly after it came out. This was on the opposite side of the song Honesty
Saw him 3x in Buffalo...utterly amazing
Love, love, love this instrumental. Always have!
+Gail S. me to
Love love this song
Billy is a genius
Magnifico
drove from los alamos to santa fe listening to this. heaven
Excellent song
This song is my wake-up call.🌈
I Feel Good 😊
Billy's first concerts in Australia were at the remarkable Sydney Opera House in mid 1976, not long after it opened in 1973.
He had two successful albums at the time and performed many of the tracks from Piano Man and Streetlife Serenade. The instrumentals from the latter were both performed.
I just saw that someone has uploaded the full version of the 1976 concert. It's amazing
Turnstiles had also been released at that time which was very successful in Australia.
I love the low piano bit.
Love this song. And as a Mexican I can´t do nothing but double love it
Such joy...
A great Billy Joel instrumental, the Mexican Connection, Root Beer Rag & Los Angelenos from the Billy Joel Streetlife Serenade album reminds me of my Navy day & home in San Diego & later in Long Beach in 1975. 1975 was my favorite year of the 1970's, I met my late wife of 31 years in the Philippines, bought my very first brand new car, got my drivers license and was a California resident 1 year. I spent half of my life in California which is the very best state that I have lived & worked in, I presently live in Arizona because of the military base closures in California during the Clinton years in the damned 1870's Barbarian Sh@thole Loser City Tucson Metropolitian area in the very worst state that I have lived & worked in, I'm selling everything and once that's done, I'll be going back to the Philippines for good and live out my life there as my heart is there.
Reminding me of another gem from thhis album...Great suburban showdown in the Philippines...
They used to play this on Tom Snyder's Tomorrow Show before going to a commercial.
I love the song as is, yet it would be interesting to hear what lyrics Billy Joel would have added to it.
Best vibe song ever
What a nice mix …
Amazing
1:58-2:44 Best Part
聴けてよかったです！ありがとうございます
Does anyone else think Billy reworked this into Rosalinda's Eyes?
It definitely has that similar format
I like how the section at 1:19 feels like a callback to the instrumental break in Los Angelinos
god this song kicks fucking ass
0:55
The 8 dislikes are the Elton John fans 😂
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Jk jk Elton
Maestro!
I can hear some of the later years influence of Pink Floyd, specifically from The Division Bell, and I am all for it
This is an opus
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Chulada :o
Keith jarrett influence
I think this song would be perfect for a chase scene with a dog, his four meddling kids and a monster.
The french connection
Am i the only idiot who’s getting Scooby-Doo vibes from listening to this?
Yes.
Probably
It's alright, but you can kinda tell it was a song waiting for lyrics. I think that Billy would've made this a much finer tune if he had the time, but he said he was so busy touring as opening act for bands like the Beach Boys, so he couldn't focus on this album as much as he would've liked.
i disagree. this song is perfect the way it is. and what it grew to be, the atmosphere setting song for his live performances, in the peak days of his career. (imo) it truly set what felt like magic into the air.
ua-cam.com/video/IKnVopmm2Q4/v-deo.html for reference. it's just wonderful. i can feel the magic in the air, like stepping in a time machine. literally gives me chills