Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by mark winstanley, Mar 13, 2019.

  1. "No Pasaran" does not go on too long for these ears. It's one of my favorite JJ instrumental tracks.

    I think the song succeeds because of the minimalist addition of color as it builds. There is some really nice orchestration on it. Lovely parts.

    The blasts are so dramatic, as you stated, Mark. The rapid fire succession is very aggressive, but I don't think there was much more to add in the orchestral part. The coda offers a nice quick exit.

    I think like most, I jumped out of my seat with the first orchestral blast. I still do, actually ("Stop This Game" by Cheap Trick also makes me jump still).
     
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  2. Disagree with the first statement, I hear this as modern classical.
    Agree that it is really for completists, yes.
     
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  3. NorthNY Mark

    NorthNY Mark Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canton, NY, USA
    I think it's probably the best, or, at least, the most recognizably Joe-like track on the album in its particular blending of different styles/genres. The closest thing to it I've heard elsewhere is probably Gil Evans's "La Nevada," though that arguably is even closer to "Heart of Ice." In any event, it has a peculiar feel that I could best describe as retro-modernism. That could mean different things in different contexts, but in this case I mean it to suggest the kind of music that represented images of technologically optimistic future back in the 50s. I wouldn't call it modern classical, as it's too jazzy and even poppy for that--it strikes me more like something that would have been recorded for a corporation's exhibition of their new technology in a world's fair, or even Disneyland, back in the '50s. Joe would explore this realm more explicitly on some upcoming albums (I'm thinking of "Tomorrow's World" and "Only the Future" in particular).

    I like it a lot, but I can't entirely disagree with Mark W's criticisms (that the tension-building feels a bit too long for the climax, and the orchestra hits get annoying, especially in the part where they repeat). I think the album might have been more interesting to me if he had continued in this "Cold War optimist" vein throughout.
     
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  4. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    I did an Inter-Library Loan request through my library for this album a few months back, and instead of receiving the CD, they mistakingly sent the LP, so I was able to hear it on vinyl! I knew this would be all-classical, so I was prepared -- and ended up liking it very much! Once I get my own copy, it won't be something I'll play all the time, but it'll be a welcome respite from pop and rock when I'm in the mood.

    As for the end of Joe's career as a "pop star," this album was surely the fatal blow. After alienating casual fans somewhat with Jumpin' Jive and Big World, an album of classical music definitely signaled the end. Listeners who knew him only from "Is She Really..." and "Steppin' Out" were not coming within a mile of this LP. Yet, in a way, it gave Joe the freedom after this to follow his muse wherever it took him. As for this album, it's worth a listen with an open mind...
     
  5. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    Interesting you mention this, NY Mark. I recall in the album's liner notes that the recording was split over a year from early-1986 to early-'87, so it appears Joe was piecing the LP together. That early-'86 time period is telling, since that's when he was, no doubt, heavily into the production and recording of Big World. Perhaps he had extra studio time during rehearsals and figured this was a good chance to try recording some classical compositions that he'd been working on?
     
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  6. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    I'm positive I hear a few quotes of "Heart of Ice" throughout as well...
     
  7. Max Florian

    Max Florian Forum Resident

    backtracking just a bit, here you can listen (and download) the lone single from the 1985 'Shijin no Ie'/'House of the Poet' Japanese OST - this particular track has Joe as arranger only:

    Heisei Era's Jun Togawa
     
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  8. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Solitude
    We start off ever so gently here, and instantly the title is given due respect via the music that is attached to it. The music comes across like a new flower gently opening its eyes to the sun. Then we have it fully open up and the music quotes Not Here Not Now, but it is definitely in a different form than the Body and Soul song. It is somewhat of a rewrite of the vocal song, and the musical phrasing has a little more air around it.
    There is a palpable melancholy that floats through this track. Joe has managed to capture the meaning of the title in the arrangement and the melodic structure. It is like the music is ever so gently reaching for a hand to pull it out of its solitude.
    There are actually some vocals in this track, I can't discern lyrics, but they are sweet and grasping like the music itself.
    We come to a point where the music opens right up at approximately the six minute mark and it almost sounds like desperation. The string line is fantastic.
    This rolls into a horn line and then we subside, back to our room, back to our solitude. We then get another quote from Not Here Not Now.
    I actually really like this, just sitting listening to it, instead of having on whilst fighting traffic, makes a big difference in my interpretation of it.
    It helps that there is a familiar theme, but it is actually constructed very well.
    Excellent piece.
     
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  9. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Tomorrow I won't be posting any songs.
    I want to try something a little new on Sunday mornings. I am going to try a thread "Surrounded on Sunday" where I look at some surround sound albums.
    I suppose it's a little selfish, but I rarely get time to sit and listen to my 5.1 albums, and Sunday morning is my spare couple of hours to do so.
    I figure that it would be nice to try and communicate what any given 5.1/Quad album's mix is like for those apprehensive of what they may be getting with these types of albums.
    I'm not sure if it will be at all successful, nor if there will be any interest, but I like to take a punt every now and again.

    If there ends up being any interest, I'll keep doing that on Sunday mornings. In a lot of ways that will probably be good for some folks who have gotten behind on the thread, giving them a chance to catch up without more stuff being compounded.

    Anyhow, I hope that isn't going to annoy anybody. I certainly haven't lost interest in the thread. Like I say, I just want to try something to add a little variety to my schedule.

    Cheers guys
     
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  10. Checking the Canadian album RPM chart, Will Power spent a month on the chart peaking at #78.
     
  11. Go for it, Mark! I have no idea how you keep up your threads, in all honestly. You do a marvelously thorough job, too.
     
  12. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Glad you like them mate. It gives me pleasure to do these
     
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  13. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    Amazing it charted at all...
     
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  14. I checked up on the next few years, and I am surprised about some upcoming chart activity. That will follow, if I don't forget, when we look at those albums & singles.
     
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  15. team2

    team2 Forum Resident

    Location:
    TN (By Way of NY)
    Looking forward to it...
     
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  16. "Solitude" is a particularly pensive track; nice reflection, Mark, and I don't know what I might add to it. I think "Solitude" could have fit quite nicely in Night Music (perhaps the boy's vocals are reminding me too much of "Ever After", idk?).

    Unlike classical music, JJ features a guitar and a saxophone.

    Here are the google-selected lyrics - not really uplifting (only the first 2 verses being sung):

    In my solitude
    You haunt me
    With dreadful ease
    Of days gone by

    In my solitude
    You taunt me
    With memories
    That never die

    I sit in my chair
    And filled with despair
    There's no one could be so sad
    With gloom everywhere
    I sit and I stare
    I know that I'll soon go mad

    In my solitude
    I'm afraid
    Dear Lord above
    Send back my love

    I sit in my chair
    Filled with despair
    There's no…

    Here is another version from the interwebs:

    In my solitude you haunt me
    With reveries of days gone by

    In my solitude you touch me
    With memories that never die
     
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  17. NorthNY Mark

    NorthNY Mark Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canton, NY, USA
    Playing "Solitude" right now, and really enjoying it. I agree with Geee! that it sounds like it would fit right in with Night Music--and, in fact, I think it might work better than some of the instrumental interludes he actually used on that album. This is more organic and haunting sounding (and more in keeping with the mood of that album's vocal songs) than most of those. I wonder whether this track might have inspired that album? In any case, I especially love the woodwind sonorities on this track.
     
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  18. Paul King

    Paul King Spy In The Wires

    Location:
    Massillon, Ohio
    I would disagree just a little. I will delve deeper when we get to "Night Music" but two elements are missing here that exclude it from working.

    First, is that there is a lack of modern instrumentation blended in. "Will Power", to me, really is more of a classical work that is referenced in "Night Music" rather than a sister album.

    Second, "Night Music" is an autobiographical concept album. "Will Power" is a weigh station instead of a landmark.

    Of course, I still really like it, as with all JJ's stuff. "Will Power" is just a face and a candle:

    "Through the rain, I can keep a candle burning under the skin of the world" - Sea Of Secrets
    "these monsters here are only faces I don't wear by day" - Sea Of Secrets
     
  19. NorthNY Mark

    NorthNY Mark Forum Resident

    Location:
    Canton, NY, USA
    Good points, though the reason I think it might work better is precisely because of its lack of modern instrumentation. While I absolutely love the vocal songs on Night Music, I wish he left out (at least some of) the synths from (at least some of) the instrumental tracks, which sometimes make them sound too new-agey to me. The electric guitars, on the other hand, blend a little more naturally with the mood, IMHO.

    By the way, I think "Sea of Secrets" is absolute genius. I don't think he's quite matched it since.
     
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  20. Paul King

    Paul King Spy In The Wires

    Location:
    Massillon, Ohio
    It is really tough to wait it out until Mark gets to "Night Music" before I go nuts on why I love it so. I will say this: the synths and modern instrumentation are a reference to "Night & Day", "Body and Soul", "Blaze Of Glory", and "Laughter & Lust". The lyrics also have specific referential significance.

    We are in agreement on "Sea Of Secrets". My second most favorite JJ song after "Home Town".
     
  21. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Easy Reference Guide

    Joe Jackson talks about his music 1989
    - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Arms and Legs - She'll Surprise You Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Is She Really Going Out With Him/You Got The Fever 1978- Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Look Sharp 1979 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 One More Time Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Sunday Papers Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Is She Really Going Out With Him Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 Happy Loving Couples Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Throw It Away Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Baby Stick Around Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Look Sharp Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Fools In Love Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Do The Instant Mash Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 10 Pretty Girls Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 11 Got The Time Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    b-side Don't Ask Me Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    I'm The Man Oct 1979 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 On Your Radio Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Geraldine And John Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Kinda Cute Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 It's Different For Girls Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 I'm The Man Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 The Band Blue Shirts Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Don't Wanna Be Like That Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Amateur Hour Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Get That Girl Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 10 Friday Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    b-side Come On Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    The Harder They Come EP 1980 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 The Harder They Come Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Out Of Style Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Tilt Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Beat Crazy 1980 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 Beat Crazy Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 One To One Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 In Every Dream Home ... Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 Evil Eye Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Mad At you Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Crime Don't Pay Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Someone up there Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Battleground Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Biology Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 10 Pretty Boys Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 11 Fit Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    b-side Enough Is Not Enough Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Jumpin' Jive 1981 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 Jumpin' With Symphony Sid Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Jack You're Dead Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 We The Cats (shall hep ya) Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 San Francisco Fan Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Five Guys Named Moe Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Jumpin' Jive Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 You Run your Mouth Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 What's The Use Of Getting Sober Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 10 You're My Meat Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 11 Tuxedo Junction Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 12 How Long Must I Wait for You Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Night And Day 1982 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 Another World Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Chinatown Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 TV Age Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 Target Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Steppin' Out Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Breaking Us In Two Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Cancer Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Real Men Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Slow Song Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Mikes Murder (Soundtrack) 1983 Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 Cosmopolitan Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 1-2-3 Go Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Laundromat Monday Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 Memphis Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Moonlight Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Zemio Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Breakdown Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Moonlight Theme Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Body And Soul 1984 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 The Verdict Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Cha Cha Loco Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 Not Here Not Now Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 You Can't Get What You Want Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Go For It Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Loisaida Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Happy Ending Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 Be My Number Two Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Heart Of Ice Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Round Midnight 1984 Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Big World 1986 - Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 Wild West Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Right And Wrong Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 3 (it's a) Big World Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 4 Precious Time Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 5 Tonight And Forever Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 6 Shanghai Sky Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 7 Fifty dollar Love Affair Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 8 We Can't Live together Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 9 Forty years Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 10 Survival Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 11 Soul Kiss Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 12 Jet Set Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 13 Tango Atlantico Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 14 Hometown Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 15 Man In The Street Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Left Of Centre (Suzanne Vega) 1986 Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *

    Will Power 1987 Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 1 No Parasan Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
    track 2 Solitude Joe Jackson - Album by Album thread *
     
  22. timind

    timind phorum rezident

    I don't own this album, but I'm going to get a copy. I'm not a completist by any stretch, but I love Night Music, and Symphony No.1.
    My life was in turmoil in the mid 80s, moving back to the states after a few years in Europe, getting divorced, getting remarried, having kids. Joe Jackson, along with a few others got lost. Will Power sounds like one I would enjoy.
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
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  23. ytserush

    ytserush Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northeast US

    Know the song. It was played quite a bit back then, but must have missed the fact that Joe played on it.
     
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  24. mark winstanley

    mark winstanley Certified dinosaur, who likes physical product Thread Starter

    Yea, i did too. Quite surprised me actually
     
  25. ytserush

    ytserush Forum Resident

    Location:
    Northeast US

    Exactly what happened to me. Thought I'd blown my speakers at first. I jumped for the volume knob that first time in '87.
     

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