Hope And Fury. Joe Jackson

It is a lifetime ago that Joe Jackson with his Band entered my life. His single 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' made an immediate impression on me and that was the start of a relationship that is still there in 2026. Sure, I skipped a few albums here and there, especially when Jackson went off in directions that are more or less beyond me. Recently, especially two records from the zeros landed really well with me. You can find them on this blog. If there's anything beyond 'The Fool', I've missed that.

His latest record is called Hope And Fury. For starters, no, I do not think it is as good as 'Fast Forward' and 'The Fool', but things are relative in the world of Joe Jackson. At age 71 he releases an album that sounds urgent, is very varied in genres and an amalgam of the rock, latin and pop mixes he is renowned for and extremely good at. Expect touches of the Joe Jackson Band, 'Night and Day' and 'Body and Soul'. It all comes by on Hope And Fury. The album most likely is titled this way because of the similarities with the two albums mentioned, and the style he calls "his own mainstream".

Every Joe Jackson fan will welcome Hope And Fury as Joe Jackson is presenting his music in his best form. The bio even claims that this album could be "his best yet". Should he gain young followers with this album, that may just be true. Everything that came before has to compete then with the first impression. For me that is competing with 'Look Sharp', 'Night and Day' and 'Body and Soul'. Undoable.

That said, with each spin this new album is growing on me. Hope and Fury will effortlessly wind up among my favourite Joe Jackson (Band) albums. Jackson worked again with his new band, Graham Maby, who else, on bass, guitarist Teddy Kumpel, and drummer Doug Yowell. Added to the band is Peruvian percussionist Paulo Stagnaro, whose distinct contribution gives some of the songs a Santana flavour and brings Sue Hadjopoulos of old to mind. It is a very strong team, on record as well as live. They come over here late November and early December.

The album starts of with an odd-sounding song, for Joe Jackson, but after that it is all smooth sailing, to end with a smooth ballad, 'See You In September'. Something Jackson is good at as well. His voice is still in great from, although the first signs of a little wear is noticeable in a few spots. Nothing to worry about, as his voice sounds great and so recognisable.

48 Years after 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' Joe Jackson still pleases me no little. Hope And Fury is a great album and I have no doubt that it will grow on me even more, so that perhaps I will have to re-view my opening paragraph soon.

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