Joan Armatrading
Country of origin:
West Indies & England
Type of music generally:
Ambitious pop, some mainstream pop
Status:
Most recent release, Into the Blues (2007)
See also:
Joan Armatrading's site
Comparisons:
To my ears the similarity to Tracy Chapman is quite marked in the *sound* of the two singers, but not in their choice of lyrical subject matter or musical style. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)
Covers/own material:
Own material
General comments:
I was an Armatrading fan for about ten years from 1976 when she first came to prominence in the U.K. with her "Love & Affection" single. I lost track of what she was up to in the mid-'80s but as far as I know she continues to make records. The era of Joan's music with which I am familiar is well summed up in the compilation album Track Record which was released on CD (albeit with a slightly different track listing to the original vinyl release). This spans a range of styles from the pure acoustic to the harder-edged, more electric sounds. I'd suggest you start there and see what (if anything) of hers appeals to you. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)Joan Armatrading is an outstanding guitarist, she plays acoustic Ovations, a six-string and a 12-string as well as a variety of electrics. When she tours, she takes about 7 guitars with her, including two electric gibsons and a strat. (jsutton@rahul.net)
Comments about live performance:
I always thought she was a good guitarist, but when I finally saw her (back in the '80s, this was), I was truly impressed. She's so shy, even on stage, that it's almost like she wants to keep her ability a secret. But at one point in the concert someone handed her an electric guitar, and she ripped through a solo that made the whole crowd gasp out loud; I don't think anyone had any idea that she even played electric at that point. (keefer@msmary.edu)
Recommended first album:
my own favorite is probably walkunder ladders which is sorta atypically electropop oriented (produced by steve lillywhite (xtc, early u2), features , tony levin, jerry marotta, etc) but full of wonderful tunes. you couldn't go wrong with track record a solid best of from the early to mid-80s records. i also think the key is terrific. those who want a more thoroughly acoustic sound might do better with whatever's for us. (dmw@mwmw.com)Track Record. (nightwol@dircon.co.uk)
Recordings include:
- Whatever's For Us (1972)
- Back To The Night (1975)
- Joan Armatrading (1976)
- Show Some Emotion (1977)
- To The Limit (1978)
- How Cruel (EP, 1979)
- Steppin' Out (live, 1979)
- Me Myself I (1980)
- Walk Under Ladders (1982)
- The Key (1983)
- Secret Secrets (1985)
- Sleight of Hand (1986)
- The Shouting Stage (1988)
- Hearts And Flowers (1990)
- Square the Circle (1992)
- What's Inside (1995)
- Lovers Speak (2003)
- Live All The Way From America (2005)
- Into the Blues (2007)
The Shouting Stage
Release info:
1988—A & M, U.S.A.—CD 5211, DX 003416
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended. (Dirk.Kastens@rz.Uni-Osnabrueck.DE)
Group members:
Pino Palladino, Mark Brzezicki, Bob Noble, Phil Palmer, Jamie Lane, Alan Clark, Mark Knopfler, Manu Katche
Hearts And Flowers
Release info:
1990—A & M, Germany—395 298-2
Ecto priority:
Highly recommended. (Dirk.Kastens@rz.Uni-Osnabrueck.DE)
Group members:
Mick Karn, Jamie Lane, Don Freeman, Steve Jansen, Pino Palladino, Manu Katche
Comments:
Ick poo. (I_SW@zis.ziff.com)
Square the Circle
Release info:
(?)1992
Comments:
MUCH better than Hearts and Flowers. She's been growing in a different direction for awhile now, and if you didn't like Sleight of Hand, maybe you should stick to the stuff you do like. (I_SW@zis.ziff.com)
What's Inside
Release info:
1995—RCA
Availability:
Wide
Comments:
Joan's like a veteran baseball player who has experienced many fine seasons in the past, but has not made a splash of note lately. Then boom, a career season—comeback player of the year, MVP, Cy Young. That's how I feel about What's Inside. (jsutton@rahul.net)
Thanks to Chris Montville for work on this entry.
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