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I have always believed that Joe Jackson
is a true musical genius. The ma n has done everything-from
post punk to classical to big band to Latin in fluenced pop,
Jackson has mastered every style that he has ever practiced
2E His songwriting ability is top-notch, and his sense of
humor shines through at just the right times. Jackson has
already released one live p ackage (his masterful Live 1980/86
double disk set released in 1988,) but Summer In The City
is a different work all together. This time, we find Jackson
heading up a trio: longtime bassist Graham Maby and drummer
Gary Burke, who played on many of Jackson's records join the
fold. Not only do they give new interpretations of Jackson
tunes (as he always does,) th e band runs through some classic
material in a Jackson style. The result is another masterful
work from one Hell of a pianist/composer.
Recorded in August 1999 in New York City,
Jackson and company set the moo d with a cover of The Lovin'
Spoonful's classic "Summer In The City." Th e trio stabs along
with an easy tightness that exemplifies summer. Jacks on's
ebbing and flowing interpretation also echoes the ever-evolving
ener gy level that the summer often incites. Jackson then
wanders his way int o "Obvious Song" from his last pop record,
Laughter and Lust. Jackson's classic "Fools In Love" thrives
in the trio setting, and becomes entwined with The Yardbird's
"For Your Love." The band makes the transitions fla wlessly
and stealthily and without distraction. It's the perfect match.
Joe mixes the 1965 instrumental "The In Crowd" with his own
"Down To Lon don," again with great ease. I would have to
agree with Chadbo when we w ere talking about Joe's rendition
of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo." Cha dbo said, "I could
listen to Joe play Ellington for hours." I have to fu lly
agree. Joe understands Ellington, and it comes out in his
piano play ing. Joe's two "medleys" are quite diverse. The
first medley begins wit h a straight ahead, yet inspired,
rendition of The Beatles classic "Elea nor Rigby." It's just
Joe and Maby here, and they make it sound like a f ull band.
Both "Be My Number Two" and "Home Town" are just Joe and his
p iano. "Home Town" in this format is thoroughly stripped
down and only di splays the roots of the popular Jackson tune.
This dissolves into the cl assic "It's Different For Girls"
where the full band comes back in to giv e it a fairly straight-forward
reading. The second medley begins with th e Steely Dan classic
"King Of The World" (who really has the balls to cov er Steely
Dan but Joe?!) before yielding to the classic "You Can't Get
Wh at You Want." Also, you'll enjoy "Another World" from Night
and Day, w here Maby surprises Jackson with an unexpected
bass solo and "One More Ti me" from his first record, Look
Sharp.
Once again, Joe Jackson proves why he is
one of the finest musicians to e ver grace pop music. His
talent exceeds many others, and his songs trans cend time,
and that's important. To add to that, Jackson has always recr
uited the best musicians to help him out. It's good to see
him hook up w ith two of the best he's ever worked with. Summer
In The City is already looking good on the best of the year
standing, and with goods reason. T his record definitely feels
like summer, and is intelligent as well. Mak es you feel a
bit less guilty about loosening up and relaxing, huh?
-tom topkoff
Track Listing:
1. Summer In The City
2. Obvious Song
3. Another World
4. Fools In Love/For Your Love
5. Mood Indigo
6. The In Crowd/Down To London
Medley:
7. Eleanor Rigby
8. Be My Number Two
9. Home Town
10. It's Different For Girls
Medley:
11. King Of The World
12. You Can't Get What You Want
13. One More Time
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