The Billy Joel channel is temporarily back on SiriusXM on channel 79. In addition to all the great Joel songs, there are various specials, including Around the World, on which Joel talks about touring the world.

Even a casual Joel fan knows “New York State of Mind,” but he has several travel-related deep cuts, like “Scandinavian Skies” and “Miami 2017.” On Around the World, Joel delves into these songs and many others, discussing how travel inspired him.

Wanting to remember his amazing experience in Paris, Joel wrote “Somewhere Along the Line.” The album Turnstiles celebrates his return to his native New York, with three tunes referencing various parts of the journey. “Scandinavian Skies” captures his time in that and other European countries.

Joel has a deep affection for harbor towns, listing Copenhagen, Stockholm and Hamburg among his favorites. Of course, Long Island is his beloved harbor area, which is immortalized in “The Downeaster Alexa.”

Joel gives short lists, such as the Irish and English being the best sing-along audiences. Along that topic, he cites music as breaking through cultural and language barriers. “Music is kind of a Rosetta Stone for English,” he states.

Even a longtime fan of Joel’s like me can learn a lot from Around the World. More relative to Global Traveler, his many thoughts on locations will be of interest to travel enthusiasts.

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— John Wroblewski, online writer