Jackson, Joe / Fool
Album: Fool   Collection:General
Artist:Jackson, Joe   Added:Feb 2019
Label:Ear-Music  

A-File Activity
Add Date: 2019-02-14 Pull Date: 2019-04-18
Week Ending: Apr 14 Apr 7 Mar 31 Mar 24 Mar 17 Mar 10 Mar 3 Feb 24
Airplays: 1 2 1 2 1 1 2 3

Recent Airplay
1. Mar 22, 2022: Music Genealogy
Friend Better
4. Jul 04, 2021: KZSU Time Traveler (rebroadcast from Mar 1, 2019)
Friend Better
2. Oct 11, 2021: KZSU Time Traveler (rebroadcast from Mar 8, 2019)
Friend Better
5. Nov 22, 2019: KZSU Time Traveler
Friend Better
3. Sep 01, 2021: Hanging in the Bone Yard (rebroadcast from Mar 2, 2019)
Big Black Cloud
6. Apr 11, 2019: Drive Time
Friend Better

Album Review
Trish McBee
Reviewed 2019-02-15
Trish McBee
Reviewed 2/8/2019
FCCs: Track 6
IYL: Elvis Costello, XTC, Bowie, Ramones, Steely Dan, Big Audio Dynamite, Iggy Pop

Joe Jackson’s 20th studio album in his 40-year music career. Punky-pop to big band jazz/blues, classical, prog and even a swinging tribute to Duke Ellington. It’s a back to basics album with songs built around the concept of comedy and tragedy. In my opinion, this is his best music to come out post 2000. His unique powerful vocals, catchy songs, socially observant lyrics, wonderful piano playing, and red-hot band are back in full-form. His singing skills are incredible for his age.
“No fooling, Fool ranks among the best works of Jackson’s judicious career, and that’s a solid recommendation in itself.”

My favorite tracks: 5, 2, 4, 1

1. *Big Black Cloud (6:01). Rails against middle-class life. Intro sounds like a thunderstorm. The song then builds into Joe’s amazing piano.
2. ***Fabulously Absolute (4:14). Joe returns to his early post-punk roots, melding punching baselines with melodic breaks. Fast, upbeat. Driving drums, stinging guitar and irate words sung from the viewpoint of a bully who knows he doesn’t fit in with the rest of the world
3. *Dave (5:04). Bouncy with Joe's signature vocal and piano hooks.
4. **Strange land (5:42). Slow, thoughtful ballad. Beautiful piano. Marries jazz and classical with a pop melody. Another Joe classic.
5. ***Friend Better (4:51). Probably the hit off the album. Solid Joe. Sounds like something right off of Night and Day. Great lyrics and hook. Upbeat, bouncy. Steely Dan-ish.
6. (FCC: Fuck) Fool (4:59). Punkish with circus, exotic sounds. Changes to a samba beat toward the end. Hard stop.
7. 32 Kisses (4:28). Medium tempo. Nice melody. Ties in with the Dave track (2).
8. Alchemy (6:50). Slow and dreamy. Smooth flute throughout which floats to keyboards and slow electric guitar. Very melodic. Reminds me of something off “Night and Day”

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