AUDIO SLIDE SHOW

“BIG WORLD.” Joe Jackson. A&M.;

Apparently Jackson spent much of the two years since the release of his last album traveling, and this LP (and a half) is a sort of audio slide show. Here we see Joe Out West, Joe in Hong Kong, Joe in Paris. . . . Surprisingly, this trip around the world is pretty good entertainment rather than tiresome indulgence. It goes on too long (Jackson could certainly have weeded this down to a conventional album instead of including an extra disc and third side), but what post-vacation account doesn’t?

From the opening “Wild West” to the closing return-of-the-prodigal ditties “Hometown” and “Man in the Street,” Jackson manages to make what could have been a silly exercise work. In between there are numerous musical and lyrical references to far-off lands--including modal breaks on the title cut awfully close to those on Prince’s “Around the World in a Day.”

Actually, this also marks the return of a rock prodigal, following Jackson albums that explored reggae and ska, pre-rock jump swing and ornate Latin-tinged pop. The spare arrangements and straight-ahead songwriting of “Big World” are closer to the spunky sound of Jackson’s first two albums. Guitarist Vinnie Zummo’s clean, brittle playing provides as much character as Jackson’s rubbery snarl.

Co-producers Jackson and David Kershenbaum also give the sound an incredible presence. The album was recorded direct to digital two-track before three small New York audiences that were cautioned to remain quiet--no overdubs or remixing took place later, and all the casual spontaneity of the performances is captured on the vinyl.

All in all, a welcome homecoming.