Joe Jackson in Concert: Still a Moving Musical Medley After 40+ Years

Joe Jackson is another one of those artists that unbeknownst to many has continued making music over his 40+ year career. The English musician/songwriter that exploded onto the scene in 1979 with the hit single “Is She Really Going Out with Him” released his 20th album in 2019. That first album Look Sharp grouped him with Elvis Costello and Graham Parker in the “Angry Young Men” school. His third album, Beat Crazy, moved away from new wave and introduced some reggae and ska beats. Next, he put out a swing and blues album (Jumpin’ Jive). Jazz-inflected pop would become a cornerstone of his style (Night and Day). Salsa, tango, and even classical would add to the potpourri. In short, timeless world music. I was one of those who had no idea about the recent release until I purchased my concert ticket and looked into his career again. It’s a must see when an artist of his stature comes to your town, especially if you’ve never seen him before.

Before we get to the concert, let’s take a brief trip through Joe Jackson’s career. As usual, I’ll center it on the albums that I have, starting with Beat Crazy. (I never picked up the first two albums, the second being I’m the Man with its title song hit and It’s Different for Girls.) Beat Crazy was a disappointment commercially after the success of the first two albums. It’s an idiosyncratic collection of tunes without any standout tracks. The title song, “Mad at You,” and “In Every Deam Home (A Nightmare)” showcase the ska influence, as well as the keys and piano foundation.

Night and Day was recently highlighted in the “Ten Albums from 1982” post – Ten Albums from 1982 That Still Sound Good 40 Years Later

Big World (1986) and Blaze of Glory (1989) are noteworthy albums in his portfolio. The Big World LP is unusual in two ways. First, it’s a live album performed before a silent NYC audience. The crowd was asked to abstain from making noise. It plays like a studio album fortified by a live performance with no additional mixing or overdubs. Secondly, it’s a double album with three sides of music and the fourth side left intentionally blank. It’s an overlooked album with international and WWII themes. Fast rockers, piano ballads, and world music are all represented. “Wild West,” “Survival,” and “Right and Wrong” are a few showcase songs. His 10th album, Blaze of Glory, is a power pop deluxe. “Tomorrow’s World” expresses doubt for our future, “Evil Empire” remembers the Cold War, while “Nineteen Forever” is for all the aging rockers out there. It’s an outstanding and also slighted record.

Fool is a notable addition to his catalog. It channels Shakespeare in its interplay of comedy and tragedy. Opener “Big Black Cloud” is a hard-hitting piano powerhouse, “no lunch, no money, no sex, no fun.” “Fabulously Absolute” shines with discordant guitar and rousing piano. “Friend Better” is a sing-along chorus with snarly vocals, “Listen what the wise man said, love good, friend better.” “Strange Land” blends his classical/jazz aspirations with pop melody, “Am I out of time or out of place, Is this a strange land or am I the stranger.” The closing track “Alchemy” is reminiscent of Night and Day with its jazzy piano and flute. I always make a point of buying the latest album from the artist I’m about to see in concert. Fool grew on me after a few listens. Since he hadn’t been able to tour with this material I was expecting the newest album to be highlighted, and it was.

Joe Jackson, Live at the Fremont Theater, San Luis Obispo, CA, June 7, 2022

He started off with a block of six songs, three from Look Sharp and three from Fool to celebrate the “40 fuckin’ years” between the albums: “One More Time,” “Sunday Papers,” and “Look Sharp” from 1979 and “Big Black Cloud,” “Dave,” and “Fabulously Absolute” from 2019. As can be expected, the earlier songs received more acknowledgement, but unlike some shows I’ve seen where the new material gets shunned, the crowd loved the Fool numbers, too. I had listened to it a few times, so I had some recognition of the songs, and really enjoyed them. “Dave” and his cycle of life – “Dave lives in a cave, Dave watches the waves, Dave lies in a grave” – was a vocal and piano gem.

Then the band then left the stage for a four-song piano solo set from the main man. Two songs were from the 2008 Rain album which I was completely unfamiliar with. He said they’d done one cover song every show for years and we heard the Beatles song, “Girl.” The pinnacle of the solo set was “Real Men” from Night and Day. Beautiful and powerful. A standing ovation.

He engaged the audience upon the band’s return and like many performers who come to my town had never heard of this San Luis Obispo before now. He didn’t butcher the pronunciation which is always appreciated here. “Fool” was a “musical carnival” with its “long live the jester” refrain. “Is She Really Going Out with Him” was shaken up with an audience-involved a cappella. “It’s Different for Girls” and “I’m the Man” closed out the set in a rousing, dancing fashion.

He introduced the band when he came back out for the encore. The same excellent band he’s had for years: Graham Maby (bass), Teddy Kumpel (guitar), and Doug Yowell (drums). After “You Can’t Get What You Want” the show closed with his biggest hit, “Steppin’ Out.” Not surprising, but it turned out to be. While I may have preferred the uplifting original song, I had to admire his willingness to give some old songs a new spin. This version was unrecognizable at first. Stripped down and slowed down. The gradually unfolding unmistakable words and piano enveloped us in a new wave of appreciation. Joe Jackson’s tour moves eastward across the country in June and then to Europe for multiple dates in July. if you can, check them out. It’s still well worth it.

Trivia: Joe Jackson has campaigned for years against what form of governmental restrictions?

Answer: Smoking bans. He has composed a song, written an essay, and published a pamphlet against such laws. And despite his years of cigarette smoking his voice sounded pretty good!