Joe Jackson's 1980 and 1983 (three separate concerts!) performances on German TV. The first "Rockpalast" performance in March 1980 features Jackson and band performing songs from his new wave punk era as well as hints of things to come. The 1983 shows focus on his classic album "Night and Day" and its jazz, pop sound as well as revisiting his previous hits. Top notch songwriting and performances.

After charging through "One More Time," "Wild West," and "You Can't Get What You Want (Until You Know What You Want)" at a punishing clip, one might expect the soft-spoken Joe Jackson to shift to a lower gear. Instead, the one-time musical prodigy, pub band pioneer, and now eclectic composer revisits one of his even faster, earlier hits, "On Your Radio." If most performers risk monotony with such a move, Jackson's quiet charisma in this 1986 performance encourages pleasurable surrender and, in his more mature material, careful attention to his uniquely marbled tones, rhythms, and colors. Steeped in the influences of swing, Latin music, classical composition, and melodic balladry, Jackson is full of mix-and-match surprises, such as a delicate re-imagining of "Steppin' Out" and a growling, funky "Soul Kiss." This is a pure delight, from start to finish. Special features could be more special, however: a Jackson discography would have made sense with such a far-reaching playlist

Joe Jackson celebrates a 40+-year career full of unlikely hits — “Is She Really Going Out with Him?” “Stepping Out,” and “Breaking Us in Two” among them — and marked by forays into new wave, jazz, pop, and swing, among other detours. This musical chameleon always makes a statement on his albums by combining influences such as punk, jazz, swing, pop, rock and New Wave with his wry, surreal and wickedly humorous lyrics. Jackson’s eclectic live concert will feature band members Graham Maby (Bass, Vocals), Teddy Kumpel (Guitar, Vocals) and Doug Yowell (Drums, Vocals, Electronics).