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I’ve always loved the sophistication of Joe Jackson’s “Night & Day” (1982) album — “Cancer” seemed like an ’80s update of Steely Dan, and “Steppin’ Out” showed Joe learning some melodic Cole Porterisms. I still like both those songs a lot, but at the end of the day, the album as a whole just doesn’t provide the same kick in the gut of Joe Jackson’s first two LP’s — the minimalist (but also sophisticated) “Look Sharp!” and “I’m the Man“. That said, I consider Joe Jackson an awesomely talented artist who transcends the ’80s. Like Elvis Costello, he was versed in many genres and could do all of them credibly. However, that transcending may also be the reason he never achieved the commercial success and enduring respect he might have otherwise.
-Rich Horton
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