Product Description

When Joe Jackson went into a Berlin studio with the rhythm section that
had accompanied him off and on for nearly three decades (and helped
make the classics Look Sharp, I'm the Man and Beat Crazy) he had the
most strikingly simple line-up in mind: just piano, bass, drums and his
own unmistakable, eternally yearning voice.

With its adventurous spirit and piano-based sound, Rain boasts plenty
of humor, swing and sophistication among barbed social commentary
and even some punk-like rocking out.

Deluxe CD digipack includes 40-min DVD of live performances, interview and a rare look behind-the-scenes.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Invisible Man
2. Too Tough
3. Citizen Sane
4. Wasted Time
5. The Uptown Train
6. King Pleasure Time
7. Solo (So Low)
8. Rush Across The Road
9. Good Bad Boy
10. A Place In The Rain

Disc 2:

1. Invisible Man (Live From Islington Academy, London)
2. Wasted Time (Live From Islington Academy, London)
3. Good Bad Boy (Live From Islington Academy, London)
4. Making The Record - Rain
5. Interview - Joe Jackson and Alan Bangs
6. Joe's Guide To Berlin
7. Interview with Dave and Graham in Berlin

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #62090 in Music
• Brand: JACKSON,JOE
• Released on: 2008-01-29
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .28 pounds

Customer Reviews

A little bit of the best of 30 years of Joe
This album showcases Joe Jackson the pop songwriter, which he's returned to after his symphonic efforts of the mid to late 90s. What I find refreshing is that the band here is only a trio, so it's a new sound for Jackson (we don't get guitar, persussion, horns, and other production elements, but each song is unique and the album definitely does not get monotonous). There are hard-driving songs (Good Bad Boy, Citizen Sane), beautiful ballads (Solo, Wasted Time), and lots of mid tempo.

What's cool is that there's something that represents nearly every era of Joe Jackson style, not entirely suprising since long-time bassist Graham Maby is here along with David Houghton, Joe's original drummer. I felt that "Volume 4", featuring Joe's original band, was a little boring in places, but that's not the case here. Some songs sound like "I'm the Man" or "Look Sharp" songs, without the guitar; some recall "Night and Day", and a lot is similar to "Laughter and Lust". The song "The Uptown Train" is a near-instrumental ditty rooted in Gershwin and similar to Joe's "Tucker" soundtrack work, or a less-swinging "Jumpin' Jive." And not all the songs are cynical, some are even a little bit hopeful.

So I'm very impressed with this release and think it's Jackson's best since Laughter and Lust.

Limitless talent. Beautiful music.
Any fan of Joe Jackson doesn't really need to read a review of the latest release. He or she knows it's going to be great. Joe just keeps writing and performing beautiful songs that never fit into any one genre neatly. Somehow, his style of being all over the place, taking from every musical culture, has become a style of its own. With each song, he gives back more than he has ever borrowed.

This release contains 10 gems that are each as good as anything he has done before. Previous reviews have mentioned various songs as highlights. I really like them all, but I must declare there are three songs that I find to be Joe at his absolute best- The Uptown Train, Invisible Man, and the incredible Rush Across The Road.

The cd could only be better if it had more songs on it! These wonderful ten songs left me yearning for more. I almost felt disappointed when the last song finished. Then I hit the repeat button.

The bonus dvd, while not bursting with content, is a worthy companion to the cd.

A Return to Form, A New Chapter
In Los Angeles, it has been cloudy, with rain showers. Joe Jackson's new album has been the perfect complement to the weather. As an admirer of his since "Look Sharp", I am glad to see he still has his teeth. From "Invisible Man", which talks about the fleet feet of fame, to real talk about relationships, "Too Tough", "Wasted Time", and "Rush Across the Road", then a real beaut to move to "The Uptown Train", every song is a gem, beautiful to hear with lyrics that put other singer/songwriters to shame. Yes, some themes are reminiscent of other JJ masterworks, still they are good to hear again. The best song on the album for me is "A Place in the Rain", its cadence and feeling evocative of rain falling. Buy it and enjoy. Peace to all.