Live Music (Europe 2010)

Joe Jackson left the new-wave world behind and eventually the pop world for forays into classical music. However, since 2003’s Volume 4 he’s been rekindling his relationship with his old Joe Jackson band. This live album recorded during the tour for their Rain album features more than half of his 1982 album Night and Day, perversely leaving off “Breaking Us In Two,” though including a percussion heavy “Steppin’ Out,” an improved version of “Chinatown,” and a less stressful version of “Cancer.” The real joys here are the covers. The Beatles’ “Girl” done as a piano exposition, David Bowie’s “Scary Monsters” done as a film-noir lounge act with bassist Graham Maby holding things together, and Ian Dury’s “Inbetweenies” played closer than expected to the original. Jackson stubbornly sticks to his own script, choosing the songs he wants to play the way he wishes to play them. This will likely satisfy fans who have enjoyed Jackson’s unorthodox moves and frustrate those who remember him for the pointed assault of his first two albums.