It’s been well over 30 plus years and maybe even close to 35 in some reports the last time Joe Jackson has played the Western New York area. This past Friday, an eager and appreciative crowd filled the U. B. Center for the Arts to see the man they have missed all of these years.
Jackson was a bit delayed taking the stage and when he did he played the first 5 tracks on his own. He appropriately warmed up the crowd by spanning his career right off the bat. He opened up with “It’s Different for Girls” off of 1979’s “I’m the Man” album. He then went right up to the present moment with the title tracks form his latest offering “Fast Forward.” He also threw in a Joni Mitchell cover to mix it up before his band accompanied him for the rest of the evening’s performance.
Even though Jackson had the audience’s attention and was delivering on his own, when his band took the stage the show went to an entirely different level. It consists of longtime bassist Graham Maby along with Teddy Kumpel on guitar and Doug Yowell on drums.
They were locked and loaded right from the get go. Yowel’s drumming style and performance was eye opening. He was able to pound the drums while dialing it back at times when certain tracks called for it. This was the first time I have seen him play and am eager to do so again. Maby and Kumpel provided a lush vocal background which really gave the songs a full sound. Their playing was also just as solid as Yowell’s. I was glad to see Jackson let his players shine throughout and was not at all ego driven. “You Can’t Get What You Want” showcased the band at their finest. Every member delivered and Yowell was especially on fire. “Another World” was a close second on the highlight reel.
The only disappointment I had with the show was the song that first turned me onto Jackson. “Steppin’ out” was played in a different tone and melody. I was hoping to hear it the way it was meant to be played but it wasn’t the case.
He played an astonishing 7 tracks off his latest effort “Fast Forward.” The tracks were filled with insightful lyrics and some off candid humor. It flowed seamlessly with the other songs he played for the UB crowd. It was one of the hidden gems of the year (sans “Steppin’ Out!”)
Setlist:
It’s Different for Girls (solo)
Home Town
Be My Number Two (solo)
Big Yellow Taxi (Jodi Mitchell cover – solo)
Fast Forward (solo)
Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Real Men
You Can’t Get What You Want (till You Know What You Want)
A Little Smile
Kings of the City
Neon Rain
Another World
The Other Me
Night by Night (Steely Dan cover)
Sunday Papers
Keep on Dreaming
Ode to Joy
Steppin’ Out
Encore:
See No Evil
One More Time
Slow Song
We would like to thank Dave Wedekindt for the credentials to review the show.
