Battle of the Bands - Elvis Costello vs. Joe Jackson

[nancyb]

Which angry, young man do you prefer?

[MikeLastort2]

Gotta be Elvis.

[Real Ray]

I voted for Costello, but Jackson's "Big World," album is a favorite of mine. I give them both high marks for trying to stretch as composers.

[nancyb]

When they started, they were often lumped together in the "angry young man" collective, along with Graham Parker. Graham Parker faded almost completely from the spotlight (he's just released a new country-influenced) cd, while Costello and Jackson went on to attain some bit of notoriety. Jackson became a commercial success, while Costello was disparaged and banished to the back bins after a bit of run in in a bar. Then, we all know he's spent the last fifteen exploring all sorts of musical territory with varying degrees of success. I really have no idea what Jackson's done since Day and Night, but that is a stunning record.

I'd say Costello has the better catalog, but Jackson's got some real winners in his, too.

[Footix]

I'm a huge fan of both, and I'm sure we'd all agree that EC's output has been the most "important" body of work of the two, but I've enjoyed JJ way more in the last bunch of years. The JJ Band show I saw last year was a total ball, and his book "A Cure For Gravity" is one of my top 5 reads of the past 10 years.

Look Sharp, indeed.

[skipshady]

Definitely Elvis, though Joe had the better 2003 album of the two.

[La China Poblana]

All I need is a touch from your hand
Found myself on the witness stand...
Loving you is a big crime
I've been guilty a long time

[cj herrera]

EYE! -- ESS! -- TEE! -- AAE! -- ENN! -- DEE! -- AAE! -- CEE! -- CEE! -- YOU! -- ESS! -- EEE! -- DEE!

I STAND ACCUSED!
OF LOVIN YOU!
SO GUILTY BABY!

[YanksFC]

Elvis's first three records are unparalleled, and Joe has two great albums in my book (Look Sharp and Big World). Based upon those numbers, I have to pick Elvis.

[MeridianFC]

At the wire it's Elvis by one length.

[afgrijselijkheid]

i love joe, but elvis wins this one on volume... still look sharp is one of the best records ever made

[FlashMan]

boy do these two take me down memory lane (graham parker too - i used to have a radio show called "stick to me" in college).

'imperial bedroom' by elvis i still consider one of the best of all time.

[Dyvel]

Elvis by a nose

[CHICO13]

Joe has two great albums in my book
Look Sharp
Beat Crazy
I'm The Man
Night and Day
Body and Soul
Jumpin' Jive
Mikes Murder
about a half dozen more.....


I've seen both in concert and enjoyed both shows, but Joe Jackson absolutely rocks. Joe gets my vote.....

[skipshady]

I got to see Joe live and I didn't even plan on it.
Ben Folds played a show last year and he brought Joe out to sing "Fred Jones". Later in the show, Ben started playing the drums as the roadies were setting it up, before the drum set was set up to the side of the stage. Joe came out again, got on the piano and played a song off his new album "Awkward Age" and "It's Different For Girls" from "I'm The Man". Fantastic.

[Col Mustard]

Anyone who has a vinyl copy of look Sharp will know how good that sounds but I think it's no contest really. Although I've seen neither of them live it's got to be Elvis by a country mile.

[nancyb]

Look Sharp
Beat Crazy
I'm The Man
Night and Day
Body and Soul
Jumpin' Jive
Mikes Murder
about a half dozen more.....


I've seen both in concert and enjoyed both shows, but Joe Jackson absolutely rocks. Joe gets my vote.....

I voted for Elvis, but those are some great things there. Beat Crazy is not well known, but absolute quality. Plus, it has a great cover. Unfortunately, it's out of print.
http://www.jj-archive.net/albums/CAbc_200.jpg

[afgrijselijkheid]

I got to see Joe live and I didn't even plan on it.
Ben Folds played a show last year and he brought Joe out to sing "Fred Jones". Later in the show, Ben started playing the drums as the roadies were setting it up, before the drum set was set up to the side of the stage. Joe came out again, got on the piano and played a song off his new album "Awkward Age" and "It's Different For Girls" from "I'm The Man". Fantastic.


wow - i cant even imagine how good a collaberative record from those two would be

[Speedball]

Although I've seen neither of them live it's got to be Elvis by a country mile.

I have seen both live and that's why I chose Joe.