Joe Jackson

I’ve been listening to Joe Jackson since he first made his presence felt on the post-punk scene in the late '70’s and I have enjoyed all the changes and peaks in his career since then. He has been quiet since the last release in 2003 but now he is back together with two of the original band members – Graham Maby (Bass/vox) & Dave Houghton (Drums/vox) – and they sound as though they never left.

At his best Jackson is as good a songwriter as Elvis Costello or Difford/Tillbrook and this album features some of his best songs since his peak days on A&M.

The songs on the album are, well, simple. Just Piano, Bass, Drums and vocals, there isn’t a great deal of 'production’ which allows the songs words to shine through and Jackson’s voice full rein to soar. There is some loneliness here, some melancholy and some smiles to be had along with some balls-out rocking and the trip is one that pulls you along with it – once the first track, 'Invisible Man’, kicks in you are hooked.

Jackson was always a fine pianist and his work here is very tasty; having the lead to itself seems to bring the best out of his playing and for once the production is so sparse that the instrument just seems sometimes to hang there, suspended, waiting for the vocal to give it some location.

You may have guessed by now that I really like this album. Between 'Citizen Sane’, 'King Pleasure Time’, 'Solo(So Low)’, 'Good Bad Boy’ and 'A Place In The Rain’ this is the best selection I have enjoyed in a while.

My copy of the album came with a bonus DVD with live versions of tracks from the album as well as an interview with the man himself and 'Joe Jackson’s tour of Berlin' – well worth having.

Joe Jackson back to his best and all is well with the world.