Audio CD review:
Joe Jackson - Heaven & Hell

Joe Jackson - Heaven & Hell

Band: Joe Jackson Title: Heaven & Hell Rating: Release Date: 1997-09-02 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Prelude 2: Fugue 1/More Is More (Gluttony) 3: Angel (Lust) 4: Tuzla (Avarice) 5: Passacaglia/A Bud and a Slice (Sloth) 6: Right (Anger) 7: The Bridge (Envy) 8: Fugue 2/Song of Daedalus (Pride)

Joe Jackson's Masterpiece I purchased this CD in 1997, and I have listened to it repeatedly for over ten years. This write-up may represent one of the longest delays between a purchase and a review. The seven deadly sins have never been so perfectly portrayed as they are in this collection - Jackson borrows imagery from the Bible, Dante's Inferno, and Greek mythology -- crafting lyrics and music to evoke each of the sins. Jackson wisely uses his guest vocalists to heighten the effect of the musical mood: Suzanne Vega and Dawn Upshaw on "Angel (Lust)" contribute lovely and contrasting vocals and come-ons, while Brad Roberts (you may remember him from Crash Test Dummies) intones a wonderfully lugubrious baritone on "Passacaglia - A Bud and A Slice (Sloth). " The music here balances upon the precise intersection of classical and alt-rock music, and may appeal to fans of both genres. And while little seems to connect the stories on the individual tracks together, (apart from the over-arching theme and the musical arrangement), the album works best when listened to as a whole -- which, if you're like me, you'll want to do over and over again. Would make a good companion piece to The Juliet Letters by Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartet. . difficult to find by artist OR title I like the disc, but the search could have been easier!. I had no idea it was in the classical category. Classic"al" Joe Don't listen to this CD casually though. This is an incredible CD, and should be in every serious music lovers collection. Give this CD the listen it deserves - put the headphones on, close your eyes, turn out the lights, and be prepared to be blown away. Take a good listen to Passacaglia / A Bud and A Slice. When was the last time you heard two bassoons on a rock icons CD (and hauntingly beautiful Bassoons at that)?. For rock and classical fans alike But a friend whose judgment I trust praised it so I took the plunge and bought it. I'm over 65 and listen primarily to classical music and, to tell the truth, had never even heard of Joe Jackson. I have to say that it knocked my socks off. I was expecting something pretentious and amateurish - as pop musicians' forays into classical music often are (remember Barbra Streisand's classical album?) - but it is a thoughtful, inventive, moving work. The classical musicians who participate clearly give their serious attention to the project, and for good reason: this is substantial music-making. Joe Jackson apparently had classical training and it shows. I have recommended it to several friends and they have all been impressed. If you are a pop/rock/jazz lover wanting to broaden your tastes or if you are a classical lover wanting to try new things, this is for you. You'll find yourself reaching for it often. Great cd The songs all work together to create one great cd, and should not be listened to seperately. This cd, goes thru each sin. You can see a complete list of all Joe Jackson discography, or go back to the Joe Jackson tabs