Yes, you are the man Mr. Jackson. I have posted a number of your records already, with more to come. You also had a lot of hair back in 1979 when “I’m the Man” was released as this seven inch vinyl single. This is a great original song. On the flip is spunky, nay, punky I say, live cover of Chuck Berry’s “Come On.”

P.S. I think the button on your lapel says “I LOVE TO BOOGIE.”

• Artist: Joe Jackson Band
• Title: Mad at You
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 7 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1985 ? – Tower in the District of Columbia
• Keeper: Yes

Joe Jackson is the man. He even wrote a song about it. But that’s another record. On this one he’s mad, “Mad at You” to be specific. This single is from the album Beat Crazy and the flipside is an outtake from the album called “Enough is Enough.” I love ‘em both. That’s all I’m saying for this one.

• Artist: Joe Jackson
• Title: Breaking Us in Two
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: She doesn’t know.

Smooth jazz, less talk… Stay tuned to FM 1-0-whatever…

Just kidding. But this 12 inch single of “Breaking Us in Two” is a smooth ballad sort of thing. I do like it, despite the odds. The flip has “El Blanco” and “T.V. Age.” “Breaking” was on the “Night and Day” album and “El Blanco” is the Spanish version of the original album track “Target.” The last song is extended version of “T.V. Age”, also from the same album.

You can do your own fact checking at The Joe Jackson Archive.

• Artist: Joe Jackson
• Title: Blaze of Glory
• Year: 1989
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1989 – Our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

Joe Jackon’s “Blaze of Glory” is very much an “adult” album. And I’m not usually in a very adult mood. The first time I played this the other day I was distracted, but also stunned by what I initially perceived as over-production and even some… cheesiness. At first I didn’t get it at all, despite being an adult, sorta. After a couple more proper listens it’s starting to make sense. This is a very complex, some might say “concept”, album. There are few if any audible gaps between the songs, and the lyrics move from youth to the reality beyond it. It feels almost like a musical.

It seems the single “Nineteen Forever” made it up the charts, but I don’t remember hearing it on the radio.

“This album is dedicated to my generation.” — Joe Jackson (from the liner notes)

• Artist: Joe Jackson
• Title: Will Power
• Year: 1987
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1987 – Promo Mary got when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
• Keeper: Yes

The first time I played Joe Jackson’s instrumental album “Will Power” the other day I didn’t quite get it. And I couldn’t help thinking it was going to take some will power to play it again. Since then I’ve played it a number of times and like most good, but challenging, music it has grown on me. I don’t know if I’m sophisticated enough to describe it accurately. This isn’t The Joe Jackson Band; he’s working with a full orchestra here. Let’s call it “symphonic.”

I think the original album artwork was just the pattern of red and blue circles on fabric, but at some point the label must have insisted on that circular sticker with his name on it. Or, maybe it’s just that way on the promo since they don’t usually come with shrink wrap.

More about Joe Jackson at Wikipedia.