Joe Jackson - Live 1980/86 (1988)

One of the best rock musicians, and one of the most underestimated. Jackson can do any music style he wants, and do it good. Listen to the 3 versions of "Is she really going out with him" - there's a good demonstration to that. This dbl. CD album takes us to his best years, 1980-86, from the beginning in England to the breakthrough in America. From his days of punk rock to the acoustic-jazz oriented music. This album is better than "Summer in the city" (although Summer is a-5 star album too), and much more richer, and I wish I could have more of JJ live, cause the man doesn't stop to surprise me. Anyway, this is the time to mention 2 more great albums of his, besides the well known "Night and Day" and "Look sharp!": try "Big world" and the soundtrack of "Tucker" (don't try the soundtrack of "Mike's murder" that sounds like the weakest side of "Night and Day"). If you are bored by the uninspired musicians today, try JJ. You won't be sorry.

cd1:
The Beat Crazy Tour (1980)
01. One To One (3:41)
02. I'm The Man (4:18)
03. Beat Crazy (3:59)
04. Is She Really Going Out With Him? (3:49)
05. Don't Wanna Be Like That (4:07)
06. Got The Time (4:28)
Joe Jackson: voice, piano & vox continental organ
Gary sandford: guitar & vocals
Graham Maby: bass & vocals
Dave Houghton: drums & vocals

The Night And Day Tour (1982-3)
07. On The Radio (4:56)
08. Fools In Love (7:14)
09. Cancer (7:31)
10. Is She Really Going Out With Him? (A Capella) (4:07)
11. Look sharp (4:17)
Joe Jackson: voice & piano (on Cancer)
Graham Maby: bass & vocals
Joey Askew & Ed Rothesdal: keyboards & percussion
Larry Tolfree: drums & percussion
Sue Hadjopoulos: percussion & vocal

cd2:
The Body And Soul Tour (1984)
01. Sunday Papers (4:56)
02. Real Men (4:51)
03. Is She Really Going Out With Him? (Acoustic) (3:49)
04. Memphis (5:13)
05. A Slow Song (7:45)
Joe Jackson: voice, alto sax & piano (on Real Men)
Vinnie Zummo: guitar & accordeon
Grahalolihael Morreale: trumpet
Gary Burke: drums

The Big World Tour (1986)
06. Be My Number Two (2:43)
07. BreakingUs InTwo (4:05)
08. It's Different For Girls (3:21)
09. You Can't Get What You Want (5:32)
10. Jumpin' Jive (2:28)
11. Stepin' Out (5:30)
Joe Jackson: voice, piano & synth
Vinnie Zummo & Tom Teeley: guitar & vocal
Rick Ford: bass & vocals
Gary Burke: drums