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Live reviews
Joe Jackson was great last night, even more enjoyable to see a show with my old friend, Matt Garrett with whom I've seen some legendary concerts. Joe and his touring band: Graham Maby (bass), Teddy Kumpel (guitar), and Doug Yowell (drums) were fantastic and capable of covering a broad range of Joe's catalog and covers (Scary Monsters!) with their freakish musicianship and solid vocal skills as well.
Joe (and his fans) aren't getting any younger, but for most of the gig you could close your eyes and it would be 1986 all over again. His piano playing has always been stellar and that combined with his beautiful grand piano and the always great sound at The Majestic Theatre made it sublime. We suffered a slight embarrassment of riches in that we were so close to the stage and had a bit of a proximity imbalance with the mix. Doug Yowell's deceptively diminutive frame belied a powerhouse player who literally beat the skins off his kit. That's not to say he wasn't subtle and nuanced when needed. Doug and the band join a long roster of amazing musicians that Joe seems to attract magnetically.
Graham Maby doesn't need my description or endorsement. He's a legend in the Joe canon, and deservedly so. Teddy Kumpel was a previously unknown player to me but he adeptly covered a broad range of not only guitar tones but several other instruments during the performance (often covering brass, string and even vocal parts). Joe's set progressed in an additive fashion, with just Joe on piano and vocals for the first few songs and Graham joining for "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" followed by Doug Yowell, and finally Teddy Kumpel. They ended the set the same way, which is such a Joe thing to do. He's always had the aesthetic symmetry to his art, demonstrated in the global resonance of Big World, recently mirrored in the four "City" EPs that make the new album. The devil is always in the details and Joe's music has always had multiple layers to discover over progressive listenings. Supposedly some private New York gigs were recorded for television, hopefully these will surface at some point.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Maby
http://www.teddyjam.com
http://www.guitarmoderne.com/artists/spotlight-teddy-kumpel…
http://fret-king.com/black-label/elise.html#.VhpfYBNVhHx
https://dougyowell.wordpress.com/
darren-hightower
In 1979 I bought a music sampler issued in a tin can (some joke about KY rations). Among songs by unknown bands like The Police was a track called "Got the Time" by Joe Jackson. I then purchased a sampler LP which had "Sunday Papers" and I immediately knew I liked this guy. Over the years he grew and matured producing such songs as "Steppin' Out", "Breaking Us in Two" and whatever.
The show was more 'Joe Jackson' the jazz keyboardist than 'Joe Jackson' the Punk/New Waver' but he still did "Sunday Papers", "Is She Really Going Out with Him" and he opened with "It's Different for Girls" (2nd album 2001).
The crowd was my age (50's) but I was pleasantly admonished for using my phone as I turned it on to write down the setlist being told it was 'distracting'. I happily pocketed my phone and enjoyed the rest of the show. If only more people would tell the folks in front of them to turn that shit off. For the record I wanted to record the setlist to upload to setlist.fm since it had made me happy filling in memory blanks.
He also had his new album on vinyl at the merch booth so I had more money to give him.
Did I mention ample free parking?
If it wasn't for 11PM Bay Bridge traffic being so bad that we bailed at 5th st., drove to the San Mateo Bridge and made it to the East Bay faster than if we stuck it out it would have been the perfect night.
If he comes back we will go see him and you should too.
magpie13
So, first time seeing Joe Jackson for just over 20 years, at London Palladium. Curiously, it was marketed that he would be the 'support act' too, doing a solo (i.e. sans band) set. If this was the case, then both this (20 mins) and the main set (90 mins) were very short indeed.
However, I think you can reasonably say this was one gig, without support, but even then, at 1hr 50 mins, it was still at least 10 minutes too short, especially for someone with Joe's catalogue, and when three of the songs were covers!
Anyway, aside from the short length of the concert, it was excellent. He remains in great voice, and the band (with long-time bassist Graham Maby) were great, with a new guitar chorus part instead of the vocal (which would probably be difficult for Joe to reach these days) on 'Real Men' a welcome addition. That song was the highlight, alongside 'Another World', new song 'A Little Smile' and 'One More Time' in the encore. 'Steppin Out' was slowed up so much that it lost it's magic. In the solo set, 'It's Different For Girls' was fabulous.
All up a good gig, but too short and too many covers!
james-hemingway
My dad is a Joe Jackson fan, so he decided to take me to see a show. Honestly, I thought it was going to be so lame - but man was I wrong! I fell in absolute love with his performance.
His warm personality really shines through not only in his lyrics, but his smile and how he interacts with the crowd. He is able to switch between different genres, covering some jazz pop, new wave, classical and more!
Such a phenomenal performer. The crowd was awesome, the whole vibe of the show was amazing. Even as an 18 year old girl with her dad, I still had a great time, that obviously says a lot!! I cannot pick just one favorite song, but I really enjoyed "Inbetweenies" and "Steppin Out". Just incredible!
We were very lucky to be able to meet him briefly after the show, and his personality is just as good as his music. After the show I bought his CD I was that impressed.
If you haven't seen him in person yet, you need to. And if you've already seen him, go again! You won't forget this experience!
Great concert, with a nice mix of old and new songs: the new songs, from the Fast Forward album, were rockers reminiscent of Volume 4; the classics were pretty much what a fan would expect--Is She Really Going Out With Him?, You Can't Get What You Want, Different For Girls, One More Time, Real Men, etc.--and performed with energy and joy. It's great that Joe Jackson has a rich back catalog to draw on that he's not afraid to exploit, and that he's also moving ahead with great new music.
His band--bassist Graham Maby, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell--were exceptional musicians, with great solo turns and solid arrangements.
michael-hartford
Joe Jackson put on a special show in a great venue. The show began with Joe alone at his piano, and the band joined him one at a time; then left one at a time, leaving Joe spotlighted at the piano during the last song. In between, he touched old and new, fast and slow with his wonderful piano playing, exhibiting his legendary songwriting and throwing in covers from Steely Dan and Television. He played for 2 hours and it was well worth the $64!
ericreinke
It had been 20 years since my last JJ show. The Roxy, big band and a baby grand. It was magical. But things change in 20. Orpheum show was a dissapointment. JJ was stripped down for the road as a 4 piece and no piano, an electric piano (cheesey). Without a big band his best stuff is not playable. I don't get it, The Roxy is a third of the size of The Orpheum and he packed a small stage w/everything but the kitchen sink.
ernesto1217
Joe Jackson totally exceeded my expectations. He began his set with just him and his piano and played a few tunes before bringing out his fantastic band.
He went through plenty of the hits and some of the newest batch of songs from the album Fast Forward. Even the new songs were tremendous... well written and played. He is in fine voice, amazing piano chops, and his band is top notch. A show not to miss!
adam-perlstein
This was my 14 or 15th JJ concert and he always delivers a great mixture of fresh versions of all time favorites, a touch on the new and a couple of right in the pocket standards. He was in a great mood very talkative and seemed to enjoy himself as much as the audience. I just never know when it will be the last time for any of my really great top performers - so I enjoy every moment very much - way to go Joe
KingElvis
