Blaze of Glory (Joe Jackson album)

Blaze of Glory
Studio album by Joe Jackson
Released	April 1989[1]
Recorded	November–December 1988 Bearsville Studios, New York State
Genre	Rock
Length	57:10
Label	A&M
Producer	Joe Jackson
Joe Jackson chronology
Tucker (1988) Blaze of Glory (1989) Laughter & Lust (1991)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]
Q	[3]
Rolling Stone	[4]

Blaze of Glory is an 1989 album by Joe Jackson.^[1] Blaze of Glory was a modest seller, although the resultant single, "Nineteen Forever", reached #4 in the U.S. Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.^[5] Jackson felt the album was one of his best efforts and toured to support it with an eleven piece band in the U.S. and Europe from June to November 1989, and was disappointed with both the commercial reaction and his record label's lack of support.^[5] Part of the problem may have been that Jackson insisted on playing the new album in its entirety at the start of each performance, at times requesting to the audience to be quiet and pay attention.

The songs therein were an examination of his generation as the 1980s were ending, ranging from the optimism of the 1950s ("Tomorrow's World") to the politics of terrorism ("Rant and Rave") and the Cold War ("Evil Empire"), to yuppies ("Discipline") and rockers who are well past their prime ("Nineteen Forever").^[6] The title track compares the legacy of a classic rock musician who died young ("...went out in a blaze of glory") with the current wannabes ("They're just cartoons" who "think they're Superman" but "can't even fly").

Track listing

All songs composed by Jackson

1. "Tomorrow's World" – 4:30
2. "Me and You (Against the World)" – 4:14
3. "Down to London" – 4:14
4. "Sentimental Thing" – 6:09
5. "Acropolis Now" – 4:21
6. "Blaze of Glory" – 6:02
7. "Rant and Rave" – 4:45
8. "Nineteen Forever" – 5:48
9. "The Best I Can Do" – 3:10
10. "Evil Empire" – 3:45
11. "Discipline" – 5:01
12. "The Human Touch" – 5:11

^[1]

Personnel

• Joe Jackson: Producer, lead and backing vocals, organ, piano, synthesizers.
• Ed Roynesdal: Co-producer, synthesizer, samples, Kurzweil K250 sequencer, vibraphone, Hammond organ, violin.
• Graham Maby: Bass guitar, backing vocals.
• Rick Ford: Bass guitar, fretless bass guitar.
• Tom Teeley: Electric and acoustic 6-string guitars, backing vocals.
• Vinnie Zummo: Electric, acoustic and nylon 6 and 12-string guitars, electric sitar.
• Gary Burke: Drums.
• Sue Hadjopoulos: Congas.
• Joy Askew: Lead and backing vocals.
• Drew Barfield: Lead and backing vocals.
• Chris Hunter: Alto saxophone.
• Tony Aiello: Tenor saxophone.
• Steve Elson: Baritone saxophone.
• Michael Morreale: Trumpet.
• Tony Barrero: Trumpet.
• Charlie Gordon: Trombone.
• Glenn Dicterow: Violin.
• Anthony Cox: Acoustic bass.
• Charles McCracken: Cello.
• Gene Orloff: Orchestra conductor.

Charts

UK Albums Chart[7]	U.S. Billboard 200 Chart[8]
#36	#61

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 485–486. ISBN 1-84195-017-3. 
2. ^ Allmusic review
3. ^ Beattie, Rob. "Refreshed" [Blaze of Glory review]. Q. May 1989.
4. ^ Rolling Stone review
5. ^ ^{a b} "Biography by William Ruhlmann". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4574/biography. Retrieved 4 May 2009. 
6. ^ Hochman, Steve (30 August 1989). "Pop Music Reviews". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1989-08-30/entertainment/ca-1174_1_joe-jackson. 
7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 274. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
8. ^ "Allmusic ((( Joe Jackson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4574/charts-awards.