[2019-01-18] Joe Jackson "Fool" (EarMusic)

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Description
Following the 2015 release of the critically acclaimed “Fast Forward”, legendary songwriter Joe Jackson has announced the release of his new studio album “Fool”. The record, which is the 20th studio album of Jackson’s career, was the fulfilment of a career-long dream: to finish a tour and head straight into the studio with the band firing on all cylinders. So, on July 29th, Joe wrapped up his 2018 summer tour at The Eqyptian Theater in Boise, Idaho – and the following day set up shop at Tonic Room Studios in town.

When asked to reflect on the recording Jackson had this to offer: “When it looked like I'd be recording in late July and mixing around my birthday, in August, it struck me that the only other occasion that had happened was while making my first album. It still took a while for it to sink in: this would be 40 years on… The road to this album is littered with the wrecks of songs and half-songs that didn't make the grade. There are eight survivors, which I think is enough. How significant the resurgence of vinyl is, I'm not sure, but I did think of this as an album, with two complementary sides of about 20 minutes each…

“I never have an overall theme in mind when I start trying to write songs for an album, but sometimes one will develop. In this case it's Comedy and Tragedy, and the way they're intertwined in all our lives. The songs are about fear and anger and alienation and loss, but also about the things that still make life worth living: friendship, laughter, and music, or art, itself. I couldn't have done this in 1979. I just hadn't lived enough.”

The album was co-produced by Jackson and producer Pat Dillett (David Byrne, Sufjan Stevens, Glen Hansard, etc.) The band in question was the same group that Jackson has played live with ever since the release of “Fast Forward”: Teddy Kumpel on guitar, Doug Yowell on drums, and long-time collaborator Graham Maby on bass (Maby was on that first recording session 40 years ago as well). The Fast Forward Tour took on a life of its own and enjoyed several encores over the last 3 years – with the band ultimately playing 103 shows together during that time span.

Starting February 2019, Jackson and the band will embark on a new world tour, playing shows throughout the US and Europe.

In his own words: “So, here comes a big tour. We want to celebrate the fact that this is happening after 40 years – anything else, would be like sulking in a room by yourself on your own birthday party. Looking for some way to organize a show out of 40 years' worth of material, I decided to draw on five albums, each representing a decade: “Look Sharp (1979)”, “Night And Day (1982)”, “Laughter And Lust (1991)”, “Rain (2008)” and “Fool (2019)”. We'll also throw in a couple of songs from other albums and some new covers. I can't wait. Let's party.”

Tracklist
1. Big Black Cloud
2. Fabulously Absolute
3. Dave
4. Strange Land
5. Friend Better
6. Fool
7. 32 Kisses
8. Alchemy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JVF7LVD/?tag=imwan-20

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

There are few musical things that get me more excited than new music from Joe Jackson. The information in the first post was just made public today, along with the video for the song "Fabulously Absolute." Enjoy.

RoyalScam · 04 Oct 2006

Was not in love with Fast Forward. This, however, has me pumped!

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

RoyalScam wrote:

Was not in love with Fast Forward. This, however, has me pumped!

I really liked Fast Forward, although it took a few listens for me to start appreciating it. His band on that tour, which I didn't see but watched a full concert on YouTube, is tremendous, so I'm glad they're playing on the new album.

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

JJ has always been hit or miss with me... hoping for the former, but sounds like I'll be out of luck.
I'd say the new track (posted above in this thread) is "absolutely not-so fab."
please feel free to differ with that opinion - I seriously do value what many think here in this WANderland.

Larry · **Joined:** 10 Feb 2008 **Posts:** 5099

Thanks Rich. Looking forward to this.

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Oct 09, 2018 11:27 pm

Bump: Added the cover image, tracklist and pre-order link to the first post.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

It's on my radar. I somewhat agree with hit or miss; I'm catalog, but there's some I suspect I won't be playing again.

Invisible Pedestrian · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 26163

Joe is hit or miss, but this song was awesome.

Raw, rockin' and free-wheelin' with great synth work and drumming.

Dug the backing vocals as well.

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

i bailed on joe jackson about 5 albums ago.......i guess i want more 'night and day' and less clash.

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

Renny wrote:

i bailed on joe jackson about 5 albums ago.......i guess i want more 'night and day' and less clash.

very similar to what I keep hoping for - and to be honest, I think I'll get another album by JJ in that vein at some point.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

RackleNut wrote:

Renny wrote:

i bailed on joe jackson about 5 albums ago.......i guess i want more 'night and day' and less clash.

very similar to what I keep hoping for - and to be honest, I think I'll get another album by JJ in that vein at some point.

I highly recommend his last two albums of original material, 2008's Rain and 2015's Fast Forward. They may not sound like Night And Day but there are a lot of jazzy & Latin-tinged songs on both albums. They're also closer to Night And Day than Night And Day II, which I loved but it didn't really re-capture the vibe of the original.

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

I'm a completist with JJ - sometimes I wonder why - but it's a habit I'm confident will continue to pay dividends again... at some point.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

RackleNut wrote:

I'm a completist with JJ - sometimes I wonder why - but it's a habit I'm confident will continue to pay dividends again... at some point.

That's kind of how I feel!

Hank · 01 Dec 2004

I definitely prefer Punk Joe over Jazzy Joe. The shared track has me excited.

RoyalScam · 04 Oct 2006

I love Joe Jackson Band-era Joe Jackson.

I REALLY love Night and Day/Mike's Murder/Body and Soul-era Joe Jackson.

The trio format captured on Summer In The City was EXCELLENT, and wish he did more of that especially in the studio.

I find something redeeming on pretty much every release, and every iteration.

CO kid · 05 Jan 2007

RoyalScam wrote:

I love Joe Jackson Band-era Joe Jackson.

I REALLY love Night and Day/Mike's Murder/Body and Soul-era Joe Jackson.

The trio format captured on Summer In The City was EXCELLENT, and wish he did more of that especially in the studio.

I find something redeeming on pretty much every release, and every iteration.

+1 on everything stated here, ...and... Big World and Night and Day II are among his best, IMHO.

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

There's a limited edition vinyl version of this album that includes a 7" single with two exclusive tracks, "Night By Night" and "Peter Gunn." As far as I can tell it's only available via the EarMusic website but I've reached out to them to find out if it will be sold through retail channels. Here's a link to the page at their website, and they're offering 10% off with the code DISCOVER. Not sure if it applies to preorders but wanted to provide this info for anyone who's interested. Will update this post if they tell me it will also be available elsewhere.

https://ear-music.shop/cart/product.php?id=40190

Linda · **Posted:** Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:44 pm

That's not an exclusive. The same limited vinyl edition will be in general release:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KLFJDK5/?tag=imwan-20

richman666 · 15 Nov 2006

Thanks, Linda. Didn't see that because it's separate from the main listing with CD and standard vinyl. I will definitely pre-order it today via AmazWAN. You rock.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I wish there was a cd or digital version of the bonus tracks. The new Juliana Hatfield is apparently going to have the same vinyl only bonus track issue.

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

there is a limited edition Japanese release with an entire bonus cd (8 tracks) - but I can't translate the information to tell you more.

[2019-01-18] Joe Jackson "Fool" (EarMusic)

Who is WANline