Live 1980/86

This double live album displays both Joe Jackson's eclecticism and his knack for reinventing his own material in new contexts. Touring the final album of his guitar-bass-drums new wave period, he unleashed furious, punky energy on "I'm the Man" and "Got the Time." After ditching his guitarist and adding two keyboardists and Latin percussion, he not only delivered new tunes like the salsa-spiced "Cancer" but completely revamped rockers like "Look Sharp" and "On Your Radio." Later years found Jackson delivering everything from a doo-wop version of "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" to an aqueous, jazz fusion–flavored take on "Steppin' Out."