Elly Roberts reviews
Joe Jackson: Rain
Distributed by
Ryko
Rain (CD+DVD): 
Very Best Of:
- January 2008
- Rating: 6/10
- Format: CD + DVD
Joe steps out again, despite all the rain in Berlin.,
Written and produced by Joe Jackson, he’s joined by drummer Dave Houghton
and bassist Graham Maby from his Joe Jackson Band.
Now a Berlin resident, the Don’t You Know Its Different For Girls star
has clearly influenced singer-songwriters like American Ben Folds. Jackson has
consistently rolled out material with a distinct jazz flavour, so nothing’s
changed. As you’d expect it’s quite meticulous in every department, simply
because he’s playing with a couple of old hands: he knows how to get the best
out of them.
Having given it a good check out, it’s nothing more than your usual JJ album
without, surprisingly, a really good single opportunity in sight, like Steppin’ Out
or Is She Really Going Out With Him.
All the songs run seamlessly to
together and it’s a pretty good listen though there’s nothing special about it
really, maybe because he’s elected to do a stripped back sound, and unless the
song writing is exceptional, which it isn’t, then it does have its limitations
using just a trio.
It does have its moments. Solo (So Low) is beautifully tender with the
focus on Jackson’s mastery of the ivories, boosted by his yearning vocals, whereas
Good Bad Boy a frenetic blast is its poorest. The Ramsey Lewis-like
Uptown Train is a tight urban jazz slice, making the best of the threesome's
skills topped by Jackson’s attempt at falsetto, even if it’s a bit thin.
It’s the best song on Rain by far.
The DVD features over 40 minutes of live performance, interviews and behind-the-scenes
footage.
File under: A bit disappointing.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
