Joe Jackson Makes A New York City Homecoming At Beacon Theatre Show
Joe Jackson.
credit: provided by Big Hassle
Although he is originally from Portsmouth, England, Joe Jackson can justifiably lay claim to being a New Yorker, too. In addition to paying homage to New York City on his 1982 classic album Night and Day, which yielded the hit single “Steppin’ Out,” the veteran singer-songwriter was a longtime resident of the Big Apple who absorbed the city’s musical and cultural influences.
Given that, it was quite fitting that Jackson and his superb band — including longtime bassist Graham Maby, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, drummer Doug Yowell and percussionist Felipe Fournier – concluded the North American leg of the Hope and Fury tour (named after Jackson’s latest album) at New York City’s Beacon Theatre Saturday evening. For nearly two hours, the show was a neat and compact overview of Jackson’s pointed and poignant music from his almost 50-year recording career.
On the keyboards, Jackson began the show with a nostalgic visit to his New Wave past, first with a solo performance of the jaded “Is She Going Out With Him?”, one of his popular hits from his New Wave phase. He followed that up with another favorite from the period, “It’s Different for Girls,” accompanied by Maby.
Then, with the full band behind him, Jackson performed several songs from the new album Hope and Fury. Described as Jackson’s return to rock and pop, Hope and Fury featured England prominently in some of the songs —including “Welcome to Burning-by-Sea” and “End of the Pier,” the latter of which compared British society from 100 years ago to today. Other standouts from the record were also performed during this show, including “After All This Time,” “The Face” and “I’m Not Sorry.”
The new tracks were woven into the setlist with the old favorites from Jackson’s repertoire such as the jaunty “Sunday Papers” and “Look Sharp!”; the lovely “Be My Number Two”; and the thought-provoking “Real Men.” Jackson also threw in some deep cuts such as “My House” from 1991’s Laughter and Lust, and “Strange Land” off of 2019’s Fool. Quite cleverly, the main set concluded with the Latin-influenced “Target” before segueing into the signature “Steppin’ Out” – in the same manner as on the New York-centric Night and Day album.
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For the encore, Jackson and the band returned to pay tribute to David Bowie, another British music legend and one-time New York resident, with an urgent cover of “Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps).” That was followed by the jazzy “You Can’t Get What You Want (Till What You Know Want)," and Jackson concluded the night alone on stage with a soulful and heartfelt performance of “Home Town.”
Whether conveyed through the new songs or the old favorites, the show’s combination of sophisticated jazz, pop, New Wave and Latin styles all had a distinct New York City flavor, which has been a continuous thread of Jackson’s diverse music. Along with the main star, who was in fine voice and displayed some dazzling work on the keys (such as on “Fool”), each of the band members shone during their instrumental showcases.
Saturday’s show made it evident that at this stage of his career, Jackson still has something to say in his lyrics and remains stubbornly devoted to pursuing what strikes his musical fancy rather than trends.
Joe Jackson’s Hope and Fury tour will continue in the U.K. and Ireland later this fall.
Is She Really Going Out With Him?
It's Different for Girls
Welcome to Burning‐by‐Sea
I’m Not Sorry
Another World
After All This Time
My House
Fool
Sunday Papers
The Face
Strange Land
Be My Number Two
Real Men
End of the Pier
Look Sharp!
Target
Steppin' Out
Encore:
Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)
You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)
Home Town