Look Sharp, Is She Really Going out with Him, I’m The Man… Forty years later, these hits still sound just as modern. The brilliant pianist and composer, who quickly stood out from the 80’s punk scene, by combining jazzy pop melodies with raw energy, proved it to us on July 12 at Pleyel. His appearances in Paris being more and more rare, we took advantage of it.
In the packed room, it’s been full for months, the atmosphere is as warm as good-natured. At 8:30 p.m., Pleyel is plunged into darkness when the sound system plays “Sing Your Sinners” by Jack Purvis. The musicians arrive one by one on the stage, applauded by the public. When the first piano chords resound the spectators recognize the attack of “One More Time”. The smile of an eternal teenager, Joe Jackson shines behind his piano, dressed in a very smart blue suit and yellow shirt. Around him three distinguished musicians: the incredible Graham Maby, his historic bassist, a six-string virtuoso, Teddy Kumpel and Doug Yowell, whose drums are perched in the middle of the stage. No more needed. Joe Jackson and his band have years of craftsmanship behind them and it shows immediately. The quartet plays together, with vigor, and already attacks “Big Black Cloud” from the last “Fool” (2020) immediately followed by “Sunday Papers”, another extract from the mythical “Look Sharp” (1979) revisited this evening in a funk spirit. torrid. Joe Jackson thus reviews three excerpts from his very first album and three others from the latest. As if to better mark his 40 years on the stage, the singer-pianist addresses the public: “I am very happy to be here in Paris. We played three songs from Look Sharp, my debut album and three songs from The Fool, the latest (2019).” The circle is complete.
But the artist is not there to make long speeches. Make way for music and hits with a particularly muscular version of “Fabulously Absolute”, a tad punk (it almost sounds like Weezer!), before plunging back into the beginning of his career with several tracks performed, just piano voice. Starting with “Solo (So Low)” from Rain which above all allows us to assert his immense talent as a songwriter. “Real Men” and “Love at First Light” are played in a very modest way. Executed soberly on the piano, without superfluous arrangements, they bring out all the artist’s sensitivity. Especially when comes Abba’s sublime cover “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, which talks about a broken relationship. Joe Jackson says that if he doesn’t like the Swedes too much (amused laughter from the audience!), Joe Jackson “finds something interesting” in this song. Long ovation, it’s the return of the whole band. If “Nineteen Forever”, “Blaze of Glory” and “Fool” allow the group to show all its ability to shine, it is on “Sing You Sinners”, “Is She Really Going Out With Him” and “It’s Different for Girls” that Joe Jackson decides to highlight his accomplices, in particular, Doug Yowell. As during their last visit to La Cigale in 2019, the percussionist pulls out all the stops in the middle of his drums. The man is a show all to himself, resonating his swinging cymbals, skimming the air brilliantly. The public gives him a fervent ovation. But Joe Jackson does not allow himself to be upstaged and immediately continues with an “I’m the Man” under high electrical tension.
This masterfully executed title is already ringing the hour for the encores. No sooner has he introduced the musicians once again than he launches into a glamorous finale, delicately linking “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)” followed by a “Steppin’ Out” gently which signals the end of the set. A masterful show full of finesse and musicality that will have lasted nearly two hours. Total happiness.
Titles played:
One More Time
Big Black Cloud
Sunday Papers
Dave
Look Sharp!
Fabulously Absolute
Solo (So Low)
Real Men
Knowing Me, Knowing You
(Abba cover)
Love at First Light
The Blue Time
Nineteen Forever
Blaze of Glory
Fool
Sing You Sinners
(Tony Bennett cover)
Is She Really Going Out With Him ?
It’s Different for Girls
I’m the Man
Reminders:
You Can’t Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
Steppin’ Out
Visual : JCM