Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 07/03/2004
Ever since
Joe Jackson's debut album,
Look Sharp, yielded his first single in
"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" in July of 1979, which peaked at number 21 on
Billboard (the album hit number 20), his career has seen him investigate a multitude of musical styles with clean-cut charm and poise.
Jackson has dabbled in everything from
reggae,
disco, and
soul to
power pop,
jazz, and even
big band.
Stepping Out covers 15 of his biggest singles, including his highest chart-topper,
"Stepping Out," which hit number six on
Billboard's Top 40, from the suave sounding
Night and Day album. The downhearted appeal of
"Breaking Us in Two" appears here as well, along with the
salsa- flavored
"You Can't Get What You Want (Till You Know What You Want)," which reached number 15 and was the strongest track from 1984's
Body and Soul album. Outside of his chart appearances, the rest of this hits collection holds up well.
Jackson's voice is heard in wispy detail on
"Fools in Love," while his humor and wit explode on
"I'm the Man" from the album of the same name. The live release entitled
Big World from 1986 is spoken for with both
"Right and Wrong" and the candid allure of
"Hometown." This quick overview of
Joe Jackson's most lucrative singles not only bookmarks each of his experiments in different musical varieties, but also proves that few artists can accomplish such a feat with unblemished dexterity.
~Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide