After years of challenging fans with set lists that bordered on the antagonistic, Joe Jackson [ tickets ] is finally giving the people what they want.

Now reunited with his original band, the gaunt, balding, bleach-blond new-waver has evolved into a graceful classic-rock star.

As soon as Jackson stepped onto the House of Blues stage Thursday (8/28) night, you could tell the stodgy artist was going to deliver a good show. The reverent audience was applauding wildly before even the first note was played. Smiling, Jackson accepted, even encouraged, the volleys of praise. He was ready, too.

Wearing a sleek black suit inspired by the Matrix, the man who proclaimed "You gotta look sharp" in 1979 looked as sharp as ever. Jackson, accompanied only by his keyboard, opened the show with "Steppin' Out," his last big U.S. hit. While he sang, his old band, headed by bassist Graham Maby, plugged in behind him. As soon as the song came to a close, Jackson literally leapt off his stool straight into the frantic "One More Time," off "Look Sharp," the classic LP he would revisit all night long.

As dark blue and purple spotlights cut across the stage, Jackson returned to the keys to pound out the shuffling piano blues riff of "Down to London." Suddenly the show started to get hot, and the House of Blues began to steam. Propelled by sexy, prowling bass lines, a slow, boiling rendition of "Fools in Love," also off "Look Sharp," hung over the audience like a thick storm cloud. Jackson was loose and getting looser, even dropping a verse from the Yardbirds' "For Your Love" into the song. The sing-along ready "Is She Really Going Out With Him?" was a shot to the gut and easily the night's highlight. After Jackson sang, "Look over there," the full room roared back on cue, "WHERE?" What a blast.

Unfortunately, after that, rocker Jackson played a suite of not-so-sweet soft-rock tunes. At least he performed a loyal cover of the Beatles' "Girl," off "Rubber Soul." Finally, a punchy "Sunday Papers" started to wrap things up.

Jackson and his band played three encores, starting with "Don't Wanna Be Like That." As Maby's bass line slithered into the air, the singer finally shook off his suit coat and channeled the raucous vigor he had as a punker in London circa 1977. With guitarist Gary Sanford shredding away, Jackson threw his pale, lanky body across the stage like a man possessed. The song closed with a massive jam, punctuated by an avalanche of rapid-fire snare that all but blasted the roof off the place.

A brief respite yielded much applause and an iffy version of "Look Sharp," with the touching "Different for Girls" following right behind. A powerful final encore, "I'm the Man," proved that while he may not be the FM-radio hero he was years ago, Joe Jackson is still the man.

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