“Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street . . . ”
Now, has there ever been a more compelling and stunningly accurate opening line to a song (and career) in the annals of songwriting? Me thinks . . . not.
From that opening salvo, Joe Jackson became a fixture in my record collection. From snide new wave/punker, detached groover, big band leader, instrumentalist, world music aficionado, pop star, recording innovator, film arranger—the ebb and flow of his muse has schooled me and brought to bear a perspective and worldliness I may not have achieved otherwise.
To hit the point home, TVD HQ is in possession of every Joe Jackson LP, including a factory sealed, file copy for at least the initial 8 or 9 releases in his catalog. Joe’s autobiography, A Cure for Gravity (ours is autographed, natch) is one hell of a read as well.
Joe’s back with The Duke a (hornless!) tribute to the late, great Mr. Duke Ellington, and a tour in support of the release wends its way to the Duke’s hometown, Washington, DC. (OK, right – he’s playing at the Strathmore just outside of DC and sure, sure – this writer thinks The Howard would have been a better venue . . . )
Nitpicks aside, we have a pair of tickets to award to one of you!
Enter to win a pair of tickets for Saturday night’s (9/15) show at the Music Centre at Strathmore by sharing in the comments below the band or artist who has had a singular influence on your tastes and/or record collection.
The one winner who puts my Joe Jackson obsessiveness to shame wins the pair of tickets. We’ll chsoose our winner at noon on Friday, 9/14!
