Bim Bam - Jive Romeros

Advantages: Unique and promising
Disadvantages: Never followed through

...Joe Jackson’s fourth album turned out to even less predictable than Beat Crazy; Jumpin’ Jive, released in the summer of 1981, was a collection of Forties swing standards and although Jackson could not hope to capture the spontaneity and virtuosity of Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and other hep cats, the album displayed his piano skills to good advantage and showed a rich eclecticism of musical interests. The album was a surprise hit in the UK, reaching number 14. He just about managed to pull off the feat of updating an outdated style and it seemed for a time at least that Jackson might finally have found his true genre and if he had stuck at it may have turned it into a new craze. It’s an interesting project, but, like a lot of Jackson’s stuff, fades from memory in the end.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: An album that lifted the spirits and warmed up our cold weather!
Disadvantages: A flat track here and there...

...lines, synths and funky percussion quips. We dreamed about how it would be nice to be unemployed and actually not worry about having no money or no conscience for that matter. You'll find yourself studying the lyrics on the inside cover for just the thrill of singing along. For anyone over the age of thirty, you will know these lyrics off by heart whether you actually liked the band or not. We revel in such charismatic words as ..'..if you a club, or a pub man, maybe a jet black guy with a hip hi fi. A white cool cat with a trilby hat, maybe leather and studs is where you're at. Make the most of everyday, don't let hard times stand in your way, give a wham, give a bam but don't give a damn 'cos the benefit gang are gonna pay!' They then chant repeatedly 'enjoy what you do..' to the fade out. Good advice for anyone wishing... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: a classic
Disadvantages: none

...section and a chorus of voices carry the song into a higher gear as Ronsons guitar finally comes into play, and then the song just seems to fall apart and its back to the drum beat. Soul Love has a warmer sound, acoustic guitar and bass shuffling through a calypso rythymn and taking it through into a more recognisable Bowie rock song complete with the man himself on Saxaphone, his original instrument. The guitar kicks in leaving spaces for the typically obscure lyrics of Moonage Daydream, a re-working of an earlier Bowie number Starman, well what can you say about Starman that hasnt already been said. If you know only one Bowie song, its probably this one. Building slowly through guitar and a downbeat vocal style until you hit that "crazy cosmic jive" and the keyboards kick in sounding like start of news at ten into the chorus... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful