Night and Day II

1	Prelude 1:57
2	Hell of a Town 3:18
3	Stranger Than You 4:16
4	Why 3:54
5	Glamour and Pain 5:59
6	Dear Mom 4:12
7	Love Got Lost 6:59
8	Just Because 4:45
9	Happyland 5:12
10	Stay 5:46

Barnes & Noble

Never one to follow the rules, Joe Jackson has released the sequel to his blockbuster adult-pop crossover album, Night & Day, 18 years after the fact. In between the two volumes, the cantankerous piano man turned his attention to jazz and classical music and, not surprisingly, watched his audience dwindle. Night and Day II isn't likely to catapult Jackson back into the mainstream, but its elegant melodies and sordid tales of New York City make for a riveting listen. Among Jackson's colorful characters are a Chinese Elvis, a transsexual hooker, and a teenage runaway -- and Jackson cleverly evokes one of New York's most memorable misfits, Midnight Cowboy's Ratzo Rizzo, with the "I'm walking here!" chorus of "Hell of a Town." The songs' lush string arrangements and occasional operatic guest vocalists often find Jackson flirting with Andrew Lloyd Webber. For fans of the original Night and Day, Jackson sprinkles musical and lyrical references to the album throughout. "Hell of a Town" has that "Another World" samba vibe," "Stranger Than You" is a ballad of androgyny à la "Real Men," and "Glamour and Pain" and "Stay" both feature the two-note "Steppin' Out" piano hook. Night and Day II proves that even as angry young men must grow old, they don't have to lose their step. Bill Crandall

All Music Guide

The first Night and Day album by Joe Jackson is an absolute pop music masterpiece. The "sequel," appropriately entitled Night and Day II, like the first, is an homage to New York City. The sequel musically quotes the lilting keyboard lines from Jackson's biggest hit, "Steppin' Out," several times, making one long to hear the original on Night and Day. Highlights included "Glamour and Pain" and "Happyland." Marianne Faithfull makes an interesting guest vocal appearance on "Love Got Lost." Jackson is still angry, but he's no longer a young man and as always his anger is tempered by a wry sense of humor. The songs on Night and Day II are not as easily accessible or memorable as the original, but this is still a great album and Joe Jackson is still the man. Tim Griggs