Blaze of Glory (Joe Jackson album)

Blaze of Glory is the tenth studio album by English rock and roll singer Joe Jackson, released in 1989.[1] Jackson has stated that the album and the songs themselves 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").[5] 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").

Blaze of Glory
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 1989[1]
RecordedNovember–December 1988
StudioBearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York
GenreRock
Length57:10
LabelA&M
ProducerJoe Jackson
Joe Jackson chronology
Tucker
(1988)
Blaze of Glory
(1989)
Stepping Out: The Very Best of Joe Jackson
(1990)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Q[3]
Rolling Stone[4]

Although Blaze of Glory was a modest seller, the resultant single "Nineteen Forever" reached No. 4 in the US Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.[6] Jackson felt the album was one of his best efforts and toured to perform and support it with an eleven piece band in the U.S. and Europe from June to November 1989, and was disappointed with both the critical and commercial reaction as well as his record label's lack of support.[6]

Track listing

All songs written, arranged and produced by Joe Jackson.[1]

No.TitleLength
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"4:32
12."The Human Touch"5:11

Personnel

Musicians
  • Joe Jackson – lead and backing vocals, organ, piano, synthesizers
  • Ed Roynesdal – synthesizer, 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
Production

Charts

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

References

  1. 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". Archived from the original on 2 June 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  5. Hochman, Steve (30 August 1989). "Pop Music Reviews". Los Angeles Times.
  6. "Biography by William Ruhlmann". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 May 2009.
  7. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 274. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. "Allmusic ((( Joe Jackson > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))".
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