Joe Jackson – Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion – What a Racket!
Beginning a career when punk & new wave music was in vogue Joe Jackson has morphed into many musical identities remarkably well. My favorite album was “Body & Soul” with the beautiful instrumental “Loisaida,” & the melancholy yet optimistic “Be My Number 2.” But that was 1984 – a long, long time ago. But it’s nice to know Mr. Jackson hasn’t lost any of his musical cleverness & oeuvre.
This CD is Joe’s 21st LP & features a small 12-piece orchestra showcasing 11 songs on Mr. Joe Jackson Presents Max Champion – What a Racket! (Dropped Nov 24–earMusic). Though the character of the LP is fiction (well, so was Sgt. Pepper) all songs are credited to Mr. Champion. It tells the story of how much of his music fell into obscurity after WWI & the sheet music was rediscovered. Genre-wise the melodies are derived from early 20th Century music hall. Popular in England at the time. Much the same as Gilbert & Sullivan’s music & intricate lyrical wordplay (“Think of the Show A Thespian’s Lament”).
There’s rousing piano & over-the-top vocals in the style of the era with alcohol-fueled sing-a-longs & colorful language. This is quite a reach for Joe, but he succeeds. It’s entertaining. None of the performances are slapdash or novelty. It’s done with expertise & respect for the musical forte of that era.
Produced by Jackson with Patrick Dillett, it’s like all good music hall productions. The CD opens with a slick overture as a musical extravaganza stage show. Pop this into your player & be prepared to be entertained — the old-fashioned way…because they all played it.
There’s a depth of English-flavored Brecht-Weil (Three Penny Opera type showcase) rather than Gilbert & Sullivan on some. An influence not an imitation. One has an “oom-pah-pah” beat but is done with precision. The “Overture – Why, Why, Why?” would make Tom Waits envious. The orchestration & arrangements are superb.
“The Sporting Life,” & “Health & Safety” have the enthusiastic energetic English-accent heavy drive & humor of Stackridge on (“Happy In the Lord,” & “The Volunteer”) from 1975. There’s also a dip into Frank Tovey Grand Union territory for Tovey’s “Bethnal Green Tube Disaster,” & “Liberty Tree.” And that’s a compliment.
This is more of a skillful performance than merely a good recording. Love it!
Highlights – “Overture – Why, Why, Why,” “The Sporting Life,” “Think of the Show A Thespian’s Lament,” “Health & Safety” & “Worse Things Happen At Sea.”
Musicians – Max Champion (baritone voice/arrangements), Albert Bonehill (first violin), Bessie MacDermott (second violin), Henry Penrose (viola), Hetty Leno (violoncello), Eugene Robey (contrabass), Jack Chevalier (drums/cymbals/pots & pans/Maltese gong), Vesta Merson (flute/piccolo), Dan Fyffe (clarinet/bass clarinet), Gus Leybourne (trumpet), George Tilley (trombone) & B. Waldorf (pianoforte).
Sepia photo courtesy Joe Jackson’s website. CD @ http://joejackson.com/tour + Amazon & https://www.ear-music.net/news/joe-jackson-releases-new-album-what-a-racket/