newcritics - Latest Comments in Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

Re: Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

Mark J. McPherson — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:56:47 -0000

Joe Jackson, Coffee Achiever. But thanks for the post on a great too often forgotten artist. The post-punk, pre-grunge era seems to get gobbled up in a synthetic drum machine, new wave empty buzz, but Joe Jackson sounded niche-defying even then, when you were hearing him for the first time. "Sunday Papers", "Cancer", "Steppin' Out". . . . A few years ago William Shatner put out an album with Ben Fold which had a fabulous cover of Pulp's "Common People". Believe it our not, it worked, and was helped along by Joe Jackson singing the chorus.

Re: Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

Viscount LaCarte — Sun, 04 May 2008 20:17:54 -0000

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m not exactly Steve MillerÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s biggest fan either, but Ã¢â‚¬Å“inane derivative tripeÃ¢â‚¬Â seems a bit harsh. As if (repetitive + radio friendly) = bad. I would argue that that equation does not necessarily always hold true.

I would agree. We were harsh on him then.

As far as It's Different For Girls I love the song, but hard has I try, I just can't make sense of the lyrics.

Re: Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

Botch Rutner — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:33:00 -0000

I'm not sure I see why you think "Different for Girls" is lyrically ill-conceived.

Nevertheless, beyond the amusing anecdote of your brother mistaking a new Joe Jackson song for Steve Miller, your disparaging remarks about Mr. Miller add nothing to an otherwise interesting and adequate review. I'm not exactly Steve Miller's biggest fan either, but "inane derivative tripe" seems a bit harsh. As if (repetitive + radio friendly) = bad. I would argue that that equation does not necessarily always hold true.

Re: Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

viscountess — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:02:12 -0000

Two things about the concert last Saturday night which I attended with the Viscount:

1) the way that Joe and that piano FILLED the hall with music. It was thrilling. Such a big sound, such a refined touch, such musicianship... I wish I could replay it, over and over, as I heard it that night.
2) The enthusiasm with which he played "Is she really going out with him?". He played the new stuff with the enthusiasm, the inspiration, that an artist usually has for "the new stuff". Throughout the show, I was imagining that if he played "Is she really" at all, it would be rather lacking, rather dull for him. After all, how many times can you play THE SAME SONG without learning to despise it? I would have forgiven him. It would be understandable. He's moved on as an artist, etc, and these old songs might seem kind of silly now. Imagine Donald Fagan playing "Do it again". Hey, I understand.

WELL. That isn't what happened. He played it during the encore, and the audience loved it. I loved it too. Mostly because he seemed to have a genuine affection for the song. It was great fun, a remarkable, unforgettable moment. I really appreciated that. It brought a new dimension to the old song for me. Heck, those of us who were contemporary with the song are kind of "old" now ourselves. But it brought something back to me, a memory, an idea, that still breathes. It was so much fun.

And one last thing. The sweet, endearing manor of his final bow. Maybe it was actually practiced, but the practice made perfect, for me. Thank you, Joe.

Re: Can’t Stop Joe Jackson

Maud Newton — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:46:08 -0000

Joe Jackson! Thank you for writing about him. My favorites have always been "Hometown," "Slow Song," and "It's Different for Girls," but Look Sharp is a great album. Surely he's due for a revival?