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Topic History of: Joe Jackson......The most underrated British singer ever. Max. showing the last 5 posts - (Last post first)
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JK2006
Perhaps intentional MM - just listening to our UK Records collection, I'm delighted I never WANTED to be an "artiste" let alone a "star". My tracks - both hits and flops, cover an enormous area of music. Some are good, some not so good, some great. My version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Oklahoma song People Will Say We're In Love is extraordinary and my medley of Glenn Miller hits - six minutes of big band sound, which finishes the collection (Track 80) is absolutely terrific - mainly thanks to arranger Johnny Arthey. I remember that the musos on the session loved it so much they stood up and danced as they played. Fortunately our overhead mikes picked it all up.
Metal Mickey
For me, his best album is "Body & Soul", recorded in a Masonic hall in New York state, it's a rare record that really sounds like it was made in a room, as opposed to a studio, great songs, too...
As for his low-profile, he was the first to admit he wasn't a looker, which didn't help, but his endless flitting across styles (New wave! Big band! Classical! Soundtracks!) was probably fatal in trying to build up an audience, too.
Prunella Minge
Jumping Jive and Night and Day - a great period for him. Done over by management after that, alas, although he did himself no favours. Is he that underrated? Under-appreciated these days, certainly, but, as with Graham Parker, he's done his best to ensure that's the case.
andrew
People I know they say like Joe Jackson when I mention Look Sharp they look puzzled.
giles2008
Lovely arrangement of "Hometown" from his "Big World" live album.
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