Customer Reviews

Live: Afterlife

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This CD starts out with Joe Jackson performing "Steppin' Out" as a slow ballad, with only his piano for musical accompaniment. However, this is no unplugged concert. The band joins in for a scorching version of the next song, "One More Time," sounding as solid as they did back in the seventies. "Awkward Age," with its unusual melody and syncopation, fares the best of all the new songs in this concert. "Look Sharp!" and "Beat Crazy" feature strong playing by Gary Sanford (lead guitar), Graham Maby (bass guitar) and Dave Houghton (drums). "Down To London" is a melodic masterpiece, featuring Joe's keyboards and British sensibilities. The subject matter of "Sunday Papers" doesn't sound dated at all, and neither does the band, especially when they speed up the song for its frenzied ending. They barely slow down for a powerful rendition of "Don't Wanna Be Like That." The band warp into overdrive for the final song, "Got The Time," before crashing in a blaze of glory and feedback. The clarity of this live recording is remarkable. Be careful you don't blow out your speakers when you crank this album up, which is the only way to listen to it!

I actually got this CD over a month ago from Joe's website and it hasn't left my CD player. The highlights for me are "Look Sharp" and "Don't Wanna Be Like That". I know you'll say that you've heard them before but trust me these versions are amazing.
The live versions of the songs from the "Volume 4" CD surpass the studio versions by far.
My only complaint is that the CD is only 58 minutes long. I thought that if it were longer it would better represent an actual live Joe concert.
I guess you can't have everything!!!
Since buying this CD I have found that the version released in the Netherlands has a 78 minute bonus disc of a live show in the Netherlands. SEARCH A LITTLE AND BUY THIS VERSION!!!!!

I've seen almost all of Joe's concert tours over the years, and this album is the result of the tour that was the happiest, liveliest and purest of all. The great sound and great vibes come through loud and clear on this album. Essential for all of us devotees. Congrats to Joe and the guys. Can't wait for the next album/tour.

I saw this tour when it hit St. Louis just a few weeks before these recordings were made. It was was a terrific show and like the other reviewer said, I haven't pulled this from my CD player since I bought it (yes, okay, I also purchased it from the artist's web site...) Anyway the versions here are great. Check out "Fools In Love" and dig how it breaks into the old Zombies tune(I think) "For Your Love". Rock out to "Got the Time". Go nuts over "Beat Crazy". It's all here. And every song builds upon the last for an experience that is over way, way too soon.

Fantastic comeback by the boys who get it done. Meticulous, well thought out and played magnificently. Looking sharp as usual, Joe and company roll out the hits (new and old). If ya wanna look sharp, get this CD. You will not be disappointed. "Beat crazy" "fools in love" and "fairy dust" are worth the price of admission alone. Operators are standing by.

i saw this tour twice and loved the show both times the performance is energenic and bright .the last time i saw this show the song selection was far better than the first.and this was a short tour so they should have waited to include more classic jj like SLOW SONG and HOME TOWN.But overall this is a pretty good taste of what the shortly reunited original JOE JACKSON BAND sounded like live.

Trust me, this is the band at it's absolute best!
They were on fire and it shows on the album.
Truly one of the greatest artists of our generation.

Every live album of JJ must be compared with the early 1981-86 live album. So... the old album is better in every aspect. The band brings us the same old punk music from the late 70's, that seems today old and almost boring. I have dusty vynil copies of all their old albums, and that CD won't change my mind, that JJ made the right desicion to leave the band behind, and to strart his solo career. By the way, don't offer me the band's new studio album.