Joe Jackson- I’m the Man
On this week's episode, we jump into Joe Jackson's fantastic sophomore LP, 1979's I'm the Man.
When Joe Jackson's hit the airwaves in fall of 1978, critics labeled him as one of the new "angry young men" on British music, the other two significant members of that group being Elvis Costello and Graham Parker. This was lyrically mature music that owed a debt to the early 70's UK Pub Rock scene, but played with the aggressive attitude of Punk. Jackson's debut Look Sharp was released in January of 1979 and went top 40 in the UK and the US. After the success of Jackson's , many wondered what he would do as a follow up. Thankfully, its more of the same.
Released a mere 10 months later, I'm the Man didn't stray too far from the debut's formula, but to see it as simply Look Sharp Pt 2 does the album a significant disservice. This time, Jackson and his amazing band ups the energy on the simple instrumentation and well-crafted melodies he introduced on Look Sharp. The band is tight, the songs are crisp, and the music immediate resulting in an album that full of accessible pop tunes, clever and sardonic lyrics, and post-punk aggression.
THINGS WE DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE
the Joe Jackson Band circa 1979. Pictured (L to R): Graham Maby, Gary Sanford, Joe Jackson, and Dave Houghton.
In 1974 Joe Jackson joined a local Portsmouth band called Edward Bear.
Edward Bear (L to R): Graham Maby, Mark Andrews, Joe Jackson,Dave Cairns, Clive Bates.
In 1975 when Edward Bear went into the studio to record some singles, they changed their name to Arms & Legs because there was already a Canadian band called Edward Bear. Here a publicity photo(with arms and legs in tow) for the “new” band.
After the demise of Arms and Legs, Jackson worked as the pianist and musical director for Koffee 'n' Kreme (Lance Ellington and Bet Hannah) a Portsmouth duo who won the TV talent show "New Faces" in November of 1977.
Here is Jackson performing “It’s Different for Girls” and “I’m the Man” in 1980 on Rock Goes to College, a BBC series that showcased a variety of up-coming bands playing live at small venues around the country.
Here’s the video for “I’m the Man” with Jackson in full on Spiv attire. It was the first video he and the band ever shot.
