Look Sharp!

1. Look

2. Dressed for Success

3. Sleeping Single

4. Paint

5. Dance Away

6. Cry

7. Chances

8. Dangerous

9. Half a Woman, Half a Shadow

10. View from a Hill

11. (I Could Never) Give You Up

12. Shadow of a Doubt

13. Listen to Your Heart

Look Sharp!,Roxette,Capitol,Adult Contemporary,Dance Music,Euro-Pop,Pop,Pop/Rock,Popular Music,Sweden,Swedish Pop/Rock

Average customer rating:

Sound Quality not perfect on CD
Before Sondheim's COMPANY and after MAN OF LA MANCHA...
Overrated Tony Award Winner
Brilliant, Definitive and Remarkably Accurate!
Saw this on Broadway

1776 (1969 Original Broadway Cast)

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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1776 (Restored Director's Cut)
1776: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997)
1776: A Musical Play (Penguin Plays)
Shenandoah (1975 Original Broadway Cast)
Camelot (1960 Original Broadway Cast)

ASIN: B0000027WJ
Release Date: 1992-05-19

Tracks:

Overture - Orchestra
Sit Down, John
Piddle, Twiddle And Resolve/Till Then
The Lees Of Old Virginia
But, Mr. Adams
Yours, Yours, Yours
He Plays The Violin
Cool, Cool, Considerate Men
Momma Look Sharp
The Egg
Molasses To Rum
Is Anybody There
Finale

Amazon.com

Evidence that one can make a musical about anything, Exhibit A: 1776. As one might expect, the whole concept of making a musical about the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence was greeted in the late 1960s with, well, ridicule. The show debuted on Broadway in 1969, and three years later, when its run finally ended, it was its producers who had the last laugh. In addition, it toured for an additional two years and beat out Hair (in 1969 yet!) for a Tony Award. This recording, with the original Broadway cast, includes many of the same actors who went on to star in the film, the version with which most audiences today are probably familiar. One notable exception is Rex Everhart, who replaced Howard da Silva at some performances and on this recording. But there's still William Daniels as John Adams, though in some cases his performance is more subdued than it was on film. Musically, 1776 is an odd creation, considering when it came into being. As one might expect, there's a lot of fife and drum going on, especially in the opening number and during "The Lees of Old Virginia." For those less than familiar with the plot, it hinges on the idealism of Adams, who's trying his best to back up the American Revolution with some legislative action, and spends much of his time arguing with either the Continental Congress or God, as in "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve": "A second flood, a simple famine / Plagues of locusts everywhere / Or a cataclysmic earthquake / I'd accept with some despair / But no, you sent us Congress / Good God, sir, was that fair?" (One could argue that he gets further with God.) While not entirely historically accurate, and containing some rather peculiar numbers (Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams sitting around debating what their new country's national bird is going to be ranks among the oddest), there's no questioning 1776's staying power. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Sound Quality not perfect on CD.......2007-07-18

This is a new CD, overall quality and amazon procedure were excellent. The CD itself on a few songs fails to provide enough amplification to the background chorus or secondary singer, thus I must strain to actually hear both duet parts, with the latter almost inaudible. For example, Lee's of Old Virginia, Till Then, and Who will write our new declaration. It is not in my players, but within the CD. I actually ordered this because I wanted Violin by Betty Buckley and am satisfied with the reproduction overall, but it also has the audio problems with Adams and Franklins lines within the song

Before Sondheim's COMPANY and after MAN OF LA MANCHA..........2007-04-30

For me, 1776 is a great companion to MAN OF LA MANCHA as one of the most entertaining AND intellectually worthy amalgams of music, lyrics, book, theme, plot, characterizations and dialogue to ever come out of pre-1970's Broadway musical theatre. Each song is like a little gem, and displays the broad range of emotions and ideas with which 1776 brims. Satiric, romantic, hilarious, heartbreaking, disturbing, dark, inspiring, thoughtful, humane, and even a little bawdy, the songs glide and tromp all over the map, as does the show itself. As with LA MANCHA, 1776 broke open the Broadway musical, making it a pitch-perfect example of what can truly make a musical more than a toe-tapping time killer... while never becoming tedious, pompous, windy, or dull. If anything, it crackles with suspense.

And as to the reviewer who was shocked that it would win out over HAIR? Listen to "Mamma Look Sharp" or "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" to hear exactly the play's political and often-unflattering ideological landscape. This was definitely a Vietnam-era play whose content was as disturbingly pertinent, then, as it is, now. And, despite all of this, the score and play never become leaden or preachy. On the contrary, each performance is a gem, and each character is witty and unique. Who knew that history could be a passionate and fun adventure?

Overrated Tony Award Winner.......2006-06-16

How could this musical win the Tony award having as a competitor a play like HAIR which - for many people - stands as an emblematic theatre piece of the 60's? Who remembers a tune out of this musical? On the contrary, "Aquarius", "I Got Life" or "Walking in Space" are still popular and they play all over the world. Even ZORBA and PROMISES PROMISES - both candidates for the award in the same year - have songs that are still remembered. 1776 may wake up patriotic feelings to American listeners which is quite understandable but the music and songs are old-fashioned, overrated and awfully boring.

Brilliant, Definitive and Remarkably Accurate!.......2005-12-18

1776 has become an institution, thanks to the motion picture which was made of this original Broadway show, and which starred most of the cast from the theatrical production. It gets rerun every July 4th week on some movie channel or local station!

William Daniels IS John Adams to many people, and even though the story of the birth of the United States probably wasn't this lyrical and lively, Composer Sherman Edwards was historically accurate in the facts of the tale.

In addition to learning about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this is also love story... in fact two love stories, with John Adams and his wife Abigail, separated by circumstance and interacting only in his mind, and Thomas Jefferson and his wife, Martha, here, played by the big throated (and now legendary) Betty Buckley.

There is also a sense of fraternity, with the members of the Continental Congress grappling with the concept of breaking away from a tyranical ruler. And even though you know the outcome, the story is still filled with tension and excitement in the mechanics of it. Just how DID this country get formed?

The disc's liner notes explain the show's libretto and give you some rare behind-the-scenes info about the creation of the musical, the challenges it faced before becoming the standard that it now is, and a bit about the amazing Mr. Edwards, which is a story worthy of being told as well.

It's an Independence Day must!

Saw this on Broadway .......2005-11-12

Saw this show, with original cast, on Broadway in '69 and it has stayed with me ever since then. Every time I listen to these songs, I laugh. The historical figures (done with some tongue-in-cheek) are highly entertaining and even better if you see the movie. I would recommend the dvd for a great, lighthearted evening, and good family entertainment. You can't miss with this one! A winner on all fronts.

Average customer rating:

You tell 'em, Joe
Awesome reminder of good times
gets better & better each year
as good as it ever was
A classic of the new wave era

Look Sharp!
Joe Jackson
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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I'm the Man
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Beat Crazy

ASIN: B00005N8Y9
Release Date: 2001-08-14

Tracks:

One More Time
Sunday Papers
Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Happy Loving Couples
Throw It Away
Baby Stick Around
Look Sharp!
Fools In Love
(Do The) Instant Mash
Pretty Girls
Got The Time
Don't Ask Me
You Got The Fever

Customer Reviews:

You tell 'em, Joe.......2007-03-09

Down with chicks! Down with love! Down with Beaver Cleaver! Down with all of that gushy stuff! Up with whatever!

Awesome reminder of good times.......2006-11-03

This album is great from end to end.
Every bit as sharp and cool as the day it was released.
A hidden gem in every respect.

gets better & better each year.......2006-10-08

This is a terrific cd for many reasons;

1) The songs are top notch. This is a perfect power pop album. The songs are laden with irresistable hooks, hummable melodies, will make you bounce up and down and really rock.

2) The production is great. It is really sparce with lots of room and space around the instruments. You will hear the snares vibrating, bass thumping and each string on the guitar twanging.

3) The musicianship is great. These are no Yes/Led Zeppelin compositions but the bass is way up front and often acting as the melody or counter melody to what the guitar is doing. The drumming is very explosive and each chord and note truly counts. It is similar to the energy and dynamics of Elvis Costello and the Attractions.

Many metal,punk, jazz artists etc have done covers of these wonderful songs. The album has all great songs, with varying paces yet rocking just as hard as anything out there.

"Is she really going out with him", "Sunday papers", "Got the time", "fools in love", "happy loving couples" and "baby stick around" are standouts however there is no filler and the cd blazes away at a quick pace.

This is a high energy, fast paced cd. When it first came out it did not get the full accolades that it deserved. Joe Jackson was a serious, diversified artist and tried different forms of music but I think he came out of the gates with this, his hardest rocking, most fluid record.

I am not a Joe Jackson fan. "I'm the Man" is okay and the rest of his stuff does nothing for me. I am not a Joe Jackson fan raving about anything he does. It is just this particluar cd is really, really good and deserves attention.

I cannot say enough praise for this and I appreciate it more as it ages. It has withstood the test of time and is a certifiable classic. You can get this cd used for probably less than $8 delivered and therefore owning this is a no brainer.

as good as it ever was.......2006-09-14

this album stands as stong as it ever did the original joe jackson band was far more tallented than they ever got credit for.but here it is One More Time,Is She Really Going Out With Him and the great Sunday Papers .yes they maybe a little dated but these were great times.you can hear it in the music.

A classic of the new wave era.......2006-09-10

Look Sharp! is the debut release of singer/songwriter Joe Jackson, who along with Elvis Costello and Graham Parker, is considered in the Big Three of the great songwriters of the new wave era. Like his counterparts, Joe Jackson combined the energy of punk rock with his witty and creative lyrics. And like Costello and Parker, Jackson had a killer band, whom despite their low profile, were very important to his sound. Although he seldom gets the credit that the popular Costello or the critically acclaimed Parker receives, Look Sharp! is an undeniable influence on what would become punk pop and emo in the 90's.

Right from the opening chords of the spirited "One More Time", Look Sharp! plays like a greatest hits album. Quite simply, there's not a bad or even mediocre track in the bunch. Tunes like "Throw It Away" and "Got the Time" combine a strong sense of melody with the manic energy of punk while "Baby Stick Around", "Happy Loving Couples", and "Pretty Girls" recall early-60's music without sounding nostalgic. As stated earlier, the musicians backing Jackson are top notch as Gary Sanford's melodic guitar lines and Graham Mary's counter bass lines highlight tunes like "(Do The) Instant Mash" and the excellent title track. Other great songs include the reggae influenced "Fools in Love" and the mid-tempo "You Got the Fever." Finally, you have two of the best late-70's songs ever with the tabloid attack that is "Sunday Papers" and the bitter yet super catchy "Is She Really Going out with Him?", a track that has become his signature song. All told, Look Sharp! stands right beside the Pretenders' self-titled debut and Costello's Armed Forces as must have albums from the new wave era.

1776: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997)

Average customer rating:

From someone who despises American musical theater
A Mans Show
Who knew Mr. Data had it in him?
I Love It!
SURPRISINGLY TERRIFIC

1776: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997)

Manufacturer: Tvt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000GU0
Release Date: 1997-12-16

Tracks:

ACT I: Sit Down, John - Brent Spiner/Michael X. Martin/Richard Poe/Tom Aldredge/John Herrera/Tom Riis Farrell...
ACT I: Piddle, Twidle and Resolve - Brent Spiner/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: Till Then - Brent Spiner & Linda Emond/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: The Lees of Old Virginia - Merwin Foard/Pat Hingle & Brent Spiner/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: But Mr. Adams - Brent Spiner/Pat Hingle/Paul Micheal Valley/John Herrara & Daniel Marcus/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: Yours, Yours, Yours - Brent Spiner & Linda Emond/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: He Plays The Violin - Lauren Ward/Pat Hingle & Brent Spiner/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: Cool, Cool, Considerate Man - Michael Cumptsy/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT I: Momma Look Sharp - Erik J. McCormack/Macintyre Dixon & Joseph Cassidy/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT II: The Egg - Pat Hingle/Brent Spiner & Paul Michael Valley/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT II: Molasses to Rum - Gregg Edelman/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT II: Compliments - Linda Emond/Orch/Mark Mitchell
ACT II: Is Anybody There? - Brent Spiner/Orch/Mark Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

From someone who despises American musical theater.......2007-06-04

Okay... wow.

In the Brent Spiner Fangirl Legal Contract, it specifies that said fangirl must purchase any and all vocal recordings containing said Brent Spiner (and that she will not, in any way or at any time, mention how much he sounds like Judy Garland on steroids). Which is why I purchased this CD.

He... ripped... into... this... part. That's the only way I can put it. I was floored from start to finish.

The work, as a whole, is something of a consuming thing. Be prepared to sit in silence for a few minutes after you're done with this one, because after hearing the whole thing, silence will be the only followup that does it justice.

A Mans Show.......2006-07-24

For anyone looking for male songs, or a male show to put on, this is the soundtrack for you. It has great ballads as well as big chorus numbers for the male sex. However the subject matter just didnt grab me by the throat and make me love it. History isnt my thing. That being said, the music and lyrics are great, and worth the money. This is a good one to get if your interested in broadway, but not the Rodgers and Hamerstein style. My favorite songs are "Molasses to Rum" and "Momma Look Sharp."

Who knew Mr. Data had it in him?.......2006-07-05

I saw this musical in NYC and have never been so moved by a Broadway show before. Brent Spiner has a lovely yet commanding voice that makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck in parts - you so believe in the rightness of his convictions as Adams. All the performances are first rate, but Spiner really shines.

The argument can be made that this musical was "of its time" meaning the 1960's, but I think the songs still hold up as they entertain as well as educate us. Much of the lyrics and dialogue are authentic.

Highly recommended.

I Love It!.......2006-02-27

The soundtrack will make you laugh, cry and sing along. You'll have goosebumps as you hear the songs of the men and women involved in the creation of our country.

SURPRISINGLY TERRIFIC.......2006-02-23

As a PURIST fan of ORIGINAL musicals, and not one who enjoys all the revivals (which indicates a lack of current writers...no surprise), I was AMAZED at how GOOD this revival is on recording. I am sorry I missed the show in New York.

Average customer rating:

Sweden's best export since ABBA
A great rock album
This is the One
It all has to start somewhere.
This is why it took me so long to discover Roxette

Look Sharp!
Roxette
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002UTT
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

The Look
Dressed For Success
Sleeping Single
Paint
Dance Away
Cry
Chances
Dangerous
Half A Woman, Half A Shadow
View From A Hill
(I Could Never) Give You Up
Shadow Of A Doubt
Listen To Your Heart

Customer Reviews:

Sweden's best export since ABBA.......2007-07-23

This is maybe the best pop record from the late 80s, containing a whole bunch of hits. Per and Gisele both have good vocals and wrote most all of the lyrics and music. This is very much their work. They do the high-energy pop/rock stuff [my favs] with a lot of vigor and can do slower/ballad stuff with feeling. One of my favorite CDs. The really good songs:

The Look
Dressed for Sucess
Sleeping Single
Paint
Dangerous
I Could Never Give You Up
Listen to Your Heart

A great rock album.......2007-05-04

This has been one of my favorites & was very glad to purchase on CD. The music is timeless & is now favorite to another generation of kids. Wonderful.

This is the One.......2007-03-26

I grew up in the 80's and 90's when Ace of Base, Snap!, Michael Jackson, Cranberries, Bon Jovi, Roxette and various others were huge.
Back then you couldn't survive as an artist unless you had some real quality music to offer, which today seems somewhat rare.

After the Roxette hype was over I kept listening to Roxette tapes on and off for the next decade or so- until I realized, and I remember being so amazed that almost every song I had on these tapes was a Masterpiece and instead of getting bored from repeated listening I started to love these songs more and more.
So I decided to buy their albums on CDs and have been a fan ever since.

I think all of these songs deserve more then 5 stars, all of them are brilliant!
Just to name a few: "Paint" one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard, "Chances" this is Roxette's fastest song and at the same time I would say one of their top 10, considering that they made way over 100 exceptional songs this is brilliant, "Dance Away" really gets into your head, sexy how Marie sings it, "Shadow Of A Doubt" a prime example of why people love Maries voice!

In my opinion it doesn't come better then Look Sharp!
If I had to choose just one album in the world this would be the One.
Nough said.

It all has to start somewhere........2006-10-21

I'm a longtime Roxette fan (had Joyride when I was 10 and wore the tape down to tatters) and then again with Have A Nice Day, which made me a permanent fan and made me look into their full catalogue. This features such classics as - besides the above mentionent imminent Joyride and Have A Nice Day - Crash! Boom! Bang! (excellent), Room Service (very good) and Tourism (excellent), not to mention a number of fantastic compilation CDs. Latest, I turned to this, their first proper album (not counting Pearls Of Passion), and as I expected, this album showed to be below par with their later albums.

The album is very divided actually, between some *really* good songs, and then some *really* bad songs. The good ones include classics The Look, Dressed For Success, Dangerous, and Listen To Your Heart, but also less known tracks like the ballad Cry, and the uptempo Sleeping Single and (I Could Never) Give You Up, that all stand the test of time and still stand out as keepers. Paint is not a brilliant track, but it has qualities that justifies its inclusion on the album.

The rest of the tracks all sound terribly much like dated 80's songs. Shadow Of A Doubt is probably the best of the bunch, but it's not very good, and Dance Away, Chances (this was actually first single!), Half A Woman, Half A Shadow and View From A Hill are either so horrible or so forgettable that they should never have made it anywhere near an album.

So, if you're a completist, you should get this album, and if you only have the compilation Cds, you will even find a couple of good tracks here you probably didn't know. But the album itself is not really good, and if you only go for the good stuff, it's pretty much all included on the recent Roxbox (unfortunately not counting (I Could Never) Give You Up). So no, I won't recommend this CD.

This is why it took me so long to discover Roxette.......2006-10-03

It was this CD that was released back in the late 1980's. Sure, there a couple of catchy tunes on this disc that were big hits, but to me it sounds like it was all done on a single keyboard. I guess I just don't get into the all-synth sound.

So, imagine my surprise when I discovered that Roxette continued to exist and to grow from this point and to turn out some genuinely brilliant power-pop music with guitars and the whole shootin' match! The more obscure the Roxette CD is, it seems the better it is, culminating in "Have a Nice Day" which is virtually unknown in the US and has to be purchased as an expensive import.

So, I'm not trying to "diss" Roxette here, I'm just saying that if you think that Roxette was a one-hit-wonder and this was it, you couldn't be much further away from the truth. Look and listen to the later Roxette releases and they may just blow you away.

And, since you can get this used for less than a buck plus shipping, why not get it too?

Average customer rating:

You Gotta Look Sharp!
Joe's electrifying debut--brilliant songwriting that beats Costello at his own game
you can't beat this for a buck...
rocked me like a hurricane
Belongs in every home

Look Sharp!
Joe Jackson
Manufacturer: A&M
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

I'm the Man
Jumpin' Jive
Summer in the City: Live in New York
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ASIN: B000002GAL
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

One More Time
Sunday Papers
Is She Really Going Out With Him?
Happy Loving Couples
Throw It Away
Baby Stick Around
Look Sharp!
Fools In Love
(Do The) Instant Mash
Pretty Girls
Got The Time

Amazon.com

Before Jackson decided he was an artiste and began experimenting with big-band swing and classical music, he was a snotty punk who looked at other people's relationships with a jaundiced eye. His 1979 debut contains several of his best-known hits--"Sunday Papers," "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" and "Fools in Love," plus under-recognized classics like "Baby Stick Around." The simple four-man rock & roll sound suits Jackson's young voice perfectly, and the songs have a pop snap that Jackson unfortunately abandoned as his career progressed. --Steve Knopper

Customer Reviews:

You Gotta Look Sharp!.......2005-03-18

It's easy for many -- especially music industry writers -- to dismiss Joe Jackson as a pop musician who possessed nothing more than delusions of grandeur, due to his forays into jazz and classical shortly after his first two smash albums. A pompous musician, or a true artist? Regardless of what side you're on, there's one thing you can't deny: Joe Jackson was/is one crafty, talented S.O.B., and I feel he's a force to be reckoned with.

_Look Sharp!_ is a smash album with ridiculously catchy tunes, infectious melodies, cynical and ambivalent lyrics, and snappy rhythms that'll be impossible *not* to bop your head to. There is literally not one boring, unlistenable tune to be found here: every track is jam-packed with energy, taste and charisma. While the lyrics are quite sarcastic (and hilarious in spots), the music is impossibly upbeat, and refrains from depressing wallowing: leave it to wisecracking Joe to turn something so self-deprecating and sarcastic into something peppy and upbeat -- it almost makes you wonder if Joe is celebrating his own dissatisfactions with love and life. Either way, infectiousness and intelligence are so rare to come by in one package. But Joe Jackson delivers big-time in this department. "One More Time" is a perfect example of how Joe makes something miserable sound so peppy and fun: listen to those ironic, almost masochistic lyrics. Yet the music is so driving, tasty and energetic. Of course, many already know "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" featuring those semi-hilarious, yet reflective lyrics, and the muted riff on the verses. "Throw It Away" is a fast-paced, energetic rocker, with Joe howling in certain parts of the track. The title track many may have heard as well: a snappy, tasty number exhibiting excellent musicianship. Listen to the sophisticated arrangement in the vocal harmonies during the closing parts of the chorus. "Fools In Love" is a reggae-rock number that pretty much speaks for itself, title-wise: the lyrics and Joe's vocal delivery crack me up hysterically. Hilarious stuff. And later, to close out the album, "Got The Time" is a fast-paced, energetic rocker in the style of "Throw It Away."

Want something ludicrously catchy and snappy? Want something subtly sarcastic and sneering, but at the same time, utterly reflective, moving and funny? Want some upbeat music good for cruising with your girlfriend, or otherwise? Pick this album up, along with _I'm The Man_. Both are essential Joe Jackson albums.

Joe's electrifying debut--brilliant songwriting that beats Costello at his own game.......2005-01-01

Joe Jackson's debut album "Look Sharp!" was recorded in 1978 & originally released in January of 1979, & what a superb debut it is. Yes, the similarity between Jackson and Elvis Costello (the latter of whom already had two albums out prior to 1979) are inevitable, but Joe simply had Elvis beat in terms of both vocal power and sheer songwriting ability.

Clearly this album was a cathartic experience for Joe--track upon track shows him letting off a ton of steam, & when you match this with the consistently deathless hooks, & punchy performances from the original Joe Jackson Band, the result is an album that is simply electrifying. This is one of those albums where the big hit is merely the tip of the iceberg--"Is She Really Going Out With Him?" is certainly a good tune, but it's kind of thin and annoyingly in-your-face--it makes perfect sense that Joe has come up with various different reworkings of this song over the years for live performance, seemingly as a compromise--this way the fans can't accuse him of totally avoiding this signature tune, yet it also gives Joe the satisfaction of knowing he's not merely pandering to his audience. "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" gets totally blown away by most of the rest of the songs on this album. In general, he sticks with hyperactive "New Wave"-ish rock & roll throughout the album, and it really feels like one of those albums that gets knocked out very quickly, which it was. That's not to say though that there's no variety--he gets in a strong dose of reggae on the sarcastic media slam "Sunday Papers" and on the mellow "Fools In Love", and there's also a funkiness to the ultra-catchy "(Do The) Instant Mash" which has incredibly witty & highly amusing lyrics, as well as an infectious, bluesy guitar lick. "Pretty Girls" is a blast--it starts off humorously similar to Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy", & the song is about guys being utterly powerless when it comes to living in a world full of beautiful girls, & expresses a desperate desire for it to be otherwise with some truly mind-blowing lyrics. Each 'side' (in vinyl terms) ends with a thrilling fast-paced gem--"Throw It Away" is a cathartic rant, & the uncanny "Got the Time" is about the frantic rush people find themselves in to get things done. The uptempo, pleading album opener "One More Time", the bouncy feel-good pop of "Baby Stick Around", & the strutting title track are all gems as well. As much credit as Joe deserves, you've really got to hand it to Graham Maby (bass guitar), Gary Sanford (guitar), and Dave Houghton (drums)--their performances on this album are incredible. Few artists in music history have been as tirelessly determined to show their versatility & to make 'Big Statements' as Joe Jackson has--the result has been a career with considerable ups and downs, however, this debut album left no doubt about Joe's songwriting genius. To put it a certain way, this is where it all began for Joe--"Look Sharp!" is, without question, a must-have album. This standard CD version is perfectly fine, & it's certainly not a bad deal if you see it dirt cheap, however in 2001, this album was re-released with 2 bonus tracks, & that version is unquestionably preferrable to this older one and is worth paying a bit more for.

you can't beat this for a buck..........2004-09-29

I've really gotten my money's worth from Joe Jackson. I obtained my first copy of 'Look Sharp!' in 1979 when a local FM radio station aired the disc seamlessly as their feature album one Sunday evening. My cassette recorder happened to be running at the time. I was quite surprised at the sustained appeal and energy that flowed from the recording. Now I've pick up the same excellent set of tracks for a buck plus delivery fees. Sorry, Joe. If it makes you feel better, I plunked down real cash for a vinyl of your second release 'I'm the Man'. If you're not familiar with the 'Look Sharp!', don't let the marked-down price deceive you... it's quality exceeds that of CD's selling for ten times the price.

This album strikes me as 'Meet the Beatles' in 'post-punk', New Wave guise, albeit with some cussing and a more blatant use of sexual imagery. The chord progressions are simplistic and catchy, and the lyrical content, while at times quite witty, is also quite elementary. Nothing wrong with that. It renders this a Friday afternoon album... no deep thinking required.

Jackson is at his best when he rocks his hardest, and this quick collection (the entire disc tallies just under 37 minutes) of 11 tracks doesn't disappoint in that regard. Leading the way is the brisk opener, 'One More Time', with its crisp guitar riff, complements of Gary Sanford. The tempo retreats just a bit for the next two numbers, but pleasantly so as 'Sunday Papers' and the only charting song from the disc, 'Is She Really Going Out With Him' (topping out at number 21 in 1979) establish that the band can wing a waltz as well as wail. 'Happy Loving Couples' builds up steam for the locomotive that breaks loose in the blistering 'Throw It Away', the boppin' 'Baby Stick Around' with its '50ish chorus, and the edgy title-track.

The weakest track in the set, 'Fools In Love' sets up the hard-charging three song finale, 'Instant Mash', the do-do-wop strains of 'Pretty Girls', and the unforgiving closer, 'Got the Time'. Crossing do-wop choruses and melodies with sharp New Wave guitar chops and pulsing percussion is an intoxicating blend that infuses the album with infectious energy. Graham Maby's bass and Dave Houghton's percussion supplies a sturdy, robust rhythm to back up Sanford's bold licks, and Jackson's angry-boy vocals. The back-up vocals are few, which makes them seem even more pronounced when they do appear. The few there are aren't added pointlessly, and are used to great effect.

Although 'I'm the Man' would follow up 'Look Sharp!' with a similar urgency, Jackson's later works would prove too high-brow and laid-back for my own tastes. As often happens to angry rockers, he mellowed with success. But at least we have this gift, the kind of album that only a debut can spawn.

rocked me like a hurricane.......2004-08-05

people throw around the word "perfect" a little more often than they should, and without the ability to give half-points here at amazon (i.e. 3.5, 4.5, etc), more albums than probably should are given the perfect 5-star rating. i know i've thrown the word "perfect" around a lot in my reviews here and elsewhere. and, well, here it comes again: joe jackson's debut album does more than just beat the more famous elvis costello at his own game...it asserts itself immediately as a work of perfection, a pop-punk masterpiece, unequaled in its clarity of message, it's instrumental tightness, and the catchiness of its tunes. so there you go...and i really *mean* it this time.

no record collection that includes elvis costello should be without this very short, very sweet album. especially seeing as how you can get a used copy for under a buck here at amazon. the career of joe jackson is an interesting one, hard to pin down, and i'm having a lot of fun exploring his later releases. but there's not going to be anything that tops _look sharp!_. at 36 minutes, it is the perfect length, the perfect amount of perfect pop.

Belongs in every home.......2002-04-04

"Look Sharp" is amazing. It's been a part of my life, both in the vinyl and CD formats, for about 15 years. Joe Jackson has done some great (and not-so-great) work, experimenting in different genres for over 20 years, but this is where it all started. Easily one of my all-time favorite discs, and one of the strongest debut albums I've ever heard. This is raw, angry JJ, unlucky in life and love. The songwriting is excellent, and the band is at the top of their form. Great for parties! If you like JJ, also check out "I'm the Man," "Night & Day" and the excellent "Jumpin' Jive" (among others).

Average customer rating:

Tantalizing tidbits

Paul Sperry Sings An American Sampler

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
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Permit Me Voyage: Songs by American Composers
Paul Sperry Sings Romantic American Songs
But Yesterday Is Not Today-The American Art Song 1927-1972
New American Song Cycles
Favorite English Songs

ASIN: B0000049MO
Release Date: 1995-04-07

Tracks:

Pied Beauty
Orpheus with His Lute
My Sweet Old Etcetera
When Frost Moves Fast
Dirge for Two Veterans
Love in the Dictionary
Mourn, Mourn
George
Bells in the Rain
Horror Movie
Rose Family
And What of Love
Who Wrote This Fiendish Rite of Spring
Waitin'
Shadow of the Blues: Silhouette
Shadow of the Blues: Litany
Shadow of the Blues: Island
Shadow of the Blues: Could Be
Quicksilver
For Poulenc
Leap Before You Look
Solitary Hotel
Lament of Ian the Proud
Rain Song
Bird and the Beast
Spring
David's Lamentation
Dust of Snow
No One to Love
Lepidoptera Waltz
I Don't Wanna Rock and Roll

Customer Reviews:

Tantalizing tidbits.......2000-06-14

You may not love Paul Sperry's voice, but you gotta love his wide-ranging interests and his obvious joy in performing American music. Singers exploring the contemporary American art song will note numerous composers' dedications to this quirky tenor, and listening to his recordings, you quickly understand why. His interpretations go right to the heart of the matter, and proceed right over the top only when it's rigorously demanded in the music. Singers looking for new repertoire will also appreciate the extensive liner notes, in which Mr. Sperry explains where he found the songs.

The range of composers, beyond Billings and Bolcom to Weill and Weisgall, is maddening, giving a tantalizing taste of the diverse flavors of American song in the 20th century. The songs run the gamut of emotions, too, from Ben Weber's powerful 'Mourn, Mourn' to Cowell's sarcastic 'Who Wrote This Fiendish Rite of Spring?' to the loving memory of 'George.'

Tracks:

Fix Up, Look Sharp
Stop Dat

Album Description

Taken from the 2003 album, 'Boy in da Corner'. Tracks include 'Fix Up, Look Sharp' (non-LP Radio Edit), 'Stop Dat' (Album Track), & 'I Luv U' (non-LP Video). XL Recordings.

Average customer rating:

Sounds of the Circus - Vol. 24

Manufacturer: Whitmarsh Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000T2FHC
Release Date: 2002-07-15

Tracks:

Gillette Look Sharp
El Matador
South America, Take It Away
Roses of Memory
Al-Fresco
Slick Slide
It's Today
Hippodrome
If I Had A Dream
Valencia
Espana Cani
Miss Frenchy Brown
Alpine Sunset
Old Berlin
Poor Butterfly
Song of the Vagabonds
They're Off
Gloria

Album Description

Authentic circus music from the Golden Age of the American Circus played by a band of 25 enthusiastic musicians.

Average customer rating:

Rarities

Manufacturer: EMI Svenska
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Euro Dance | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Swedish Pop | Euro Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
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Favorites From Crash! Boom! Bang!

ASIN: B000COTIYI

Product Description

12-track CD from 1995, printed in Taiwan. Tracks are: Vulnerable (single version)/Fingertips '93/Dressed For Success (Look Sharp! US mix)/Joyride (MTV Unplugged version)/The Look (MTV Unplugged version)/Dangerous (MTV Unplugged version)/The Sweet Hello, The Sad Goodbye/The Voice/Almost Unreal (demo February '93)/Fireworks (Jesus Jones remix)/Spending My Time (Electric Dance remix)/One Is Such A Lonely Number (demo September '87)