Joan Armatrading | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Joan Armatradings entry onto the U.K. charts in 1976 heralded the arrival of a distinctive artist whose uncompromising attitude would propel her throughout a career of remarkable consistency that traversed multiple genres from rock to jazz and blues. Initially coming out of the folk-oriented singer/songwriter scene of the early 70s, she enjoyed a period of mainstream success on the back of her Glyn Johns-produced hit "Love and Affection." Reinventing herself in the early 80s as a hard-edged new wave and pop act, she remained a chart staple with rock hits like "My Myself I" and "Drop the Pilot." An increasing self-reliance as a producer, engineer, and multi-instrumentalist eventually led to yet another career resurgence in the 2000s as she delivered albums like 2007s Grammy-nominated Into the Blues out of her home studio. Born in 1950 on the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies, Armatrading moved to England at the age of seven, settling with her family in Birmingham where she taught herself to play a piano that her mother had purchased simply as a piece of furniture. Graduating to £3 guitar her mother picked up from a local pawn shop, she began writing songs and playing in local bands. In 1970, while working on a production of the musical Hair, she met a lyricist named Pam Nestor and the two formed a short-lived songwriting partnership which yielded the material for Armatradings 1972 Cube Records debut, Whatevers for Us. Helmed by Elton Johns producer, Gus Dudgeon and rooted in the folk-oriented singer/songwriter movement, it served to introduce the fledgling singer to the greater public, though it had little to do with the distinctive folk-jazz-rock hybrid that would bring her fame in the middle of the decade. After a period spent disentangling herself from her Cube Records contract, Armatrading signed with A&M; to release her 1975 follow-up, Back to the Night, a transitional record that offered glimpses of the higher quality material that was soon to come. A year later, A&M; relaunched Armatrading to the public, pairing her with producer Glyn Johns to help shape a more muscular, rock-inspired sound on her eponymous third record. Behind the Top Ten hit "Love and Affection," the album was both a critical and commercial success, going gold in the U.K., breaking her into the mainstream, and marking the first of several career high points. Johns remained on board for both Show Some Emotion (1977) and To the Limit (1978), as Armatrading further established her reputation, adding jazz, disco, and reggae influences into what was still at its core a confessional singer/songwriter style. By decades end, she was riding a wave of success that was reinforced by a Grammy nomination for her 1979 EP, How Cruel. With the release of 1980s highly regarded Me Myself I, Armatradings music took a stylistic shift toward a more hard-edged rock and new wave sound and subsequently became her best-selling album to date in both the U.K. and U.S. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, the more synth-heavy offerings, Walk Under Ladders (1981) and The Key (1983), were nearly as successful with the latter supplying another of her best-known songs in "Drop the Pilot" and earning her a second Grammy nomination. Having successfully transitioned into a reliable mainstream pop artist, A&M; compiled Armatradings first best of anthology in 1983s Track Record. Having become increasingly self-reliant in the studio, 1985s Secret Secrets would be the last time Armatrading worked with a producer. More of a collaborative affair with the aid of Mike Howlett, the album was embraced by fans, reaching the Top 20 in spite of delivering no hits, and was also notable for its cover, shot by iconic New York photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. For the remainder of her tenure at A&M;, Armatrading was a consistent presence, delivering four more albums -- Sleight of Hand (1986), The Shouting Stage (1988), Hearts and Flowers (1990), and Square the Circle -- each of which charted in the U.K. Top 40 and were self-produced at her own home-built Bumpkin Studios. While she continued to employ various mixing engineers and guest musicians (Steve Lillywhite, Phil Palmer, Mark Knopfler, Mick Karn, Dave Mattacks), this trend toward self-sufficiency would continue throughout her career. Having left A&M; in 1992, Armatrading had another go as a major-label act, signing with RCA for 1995s Whats Inside which, while failing on a commercial level, won her an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection. While a proper follow-up solo album wouldnt arrive for some time, she spearheaded a 1998 compilation, Lullabies with a Difference, inviting friends like Tina Turner, Mark Knopfler, and Melissa Etheridge to contribute songs to support the charity PACES, which benefitted children with cerebral palsy. Now fully independent and in complete creative control, Armatrading returned in 2003 with Lovers Speak, another career high point that saw her handling not only production and arrangements, but performing all of the instruments except for drums. Captured during the albums tour, Live: All the Way from America, appeared the following year. Moving into yet another ambitious phase, Armatrading embarked on a three-album trilogy of all original material, with each release stylistically focused on a specific genre of music. Employing the same multi-instrumentalist approach from the Lovers Speak album, she invited her sole guest musician, drummer Miles Bould, to join her at Bumpkin Studio to record 2007s Into the Blues. Putting her own distinctive stamp on electric blues music, Armatrading managed to debut at number one on Billboards Blues Chart, earning yet another Grammy nomination and flashing some sterling guitar work in the process. The success of Into the Blues reignited interest in her back catalog as well, and she made television appearances on Live from Abbey Road and Later… With Jools Holland performing both new and old material. The second themed album, This Charming Life, was geared toward rock and while not quite as successful as her blues outing, was another quality release. Her jazz entry, Starlight, closed out the trilogy in 2012. Beginning in 2014, Armatrading set out on a major solo world tour which she billed not as a farewell to performing, but as her last extensive tour. It was documented on the 2016 DVD and album Me Myself I World Tour. That same year, she composed a set of songs for an all-female production of William Shakespeares The Tempest which was released as The Tempest Songs. With 2018s Not Too Far Away, she returned to the major-label system, signing with BMG and releasing her first unthemed studio album since Lovers Speak. Similar to her late-period releases, it was self-produced, self-recorded, and performed entirely by herself. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 35 Title: Whatevers for Us Released: 1972 Tracks: 16 Duration: 45:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 My Family (03:11) 2 City Girl (04:00) 3 Spend a Little Time (02:24) 4 Whatevers for Us (02:12) 5 Child Star (02:29) 6 Visionary Mountains (01:49) 7 It Could Have Been Better (04:20) 8 Head of the Table (02:32) 9 Mister Remember Me (02:16) 10 Gave It a Try (02:10) 11 Alice (03:31) 12 Conversation (02:17) 13 Mean Old Man (02:34) 14 All the Kings Gardens (03:01) 15 Lonely Lady (03:24) 16 Together in Words and Music (03:26) |
| Whatever's for Us : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatradings debut album is all but co-credited to Pam Nestor, who co-wrote 11 of the 14 songs and whose picture and bio appear on the album jacket. (She doesnt perform on the record, however.) Since Armatrading dispensed with the collaboration on later albums, a comparison is instructive. On these relatively short songs (averaging about 2:45), Armatrading is more outward-looking than on her later songs. Much of her work is done in close-ups, but many of the songs on Whatevers for Us pull back from the "I-you" focus of subsequent efforts to take in the family, especially, and the world at large. Granted, neither is viewed positively, at least in the formal sense. The title character in "Head of the Table" is "stern and strong," although the less traditional grouping in "My Family" is viewed more benevolently. The world in general, meanwhile, is "semi-mad" ("Mean Old Man") and contains "such a lot of pretense" ("City Girl"). In this context, the best the singer can do is to be wary in looking for love. For the album, Armatrading used some of Elton Johns brain trust, including producer Gus Dudgeon, guitarist Davey Johnstone, and percussionist Ray Cooper, and especially when she plays piano, the resulting sound is not unlike an early John album such as Tumbleweed Connection, albeit with Armatradings choked alto in place of Johns husky tenor. Dudgeon adds occasional string and horn charts, but wisely keeps the focus on the singer and her songs. Whatevers for Us is a promising debut that, nevertheless, does not include any material that has proven to be memorable. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 35 Title: Back to the Night Released: 1974 Tracks: 11 Duration: 41:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 No Love for Free (03:31) 2 Travel So Far (03:07) 3 Steppin Out (03:57) 4 Dry Land (04:19) 5 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 6 Get in Touch With Jesus (03:38) 7 Body to Dust (04:14) 8 Back to the Night (04:06) 9 So Good (03:27) 10 Lets Go Dancing (02:03) 11 Come When You Need Me (03:44) |
| Back to the Night : Allmusic album Review : It was an unusually long time before A&M; released a second album from Joan Armatrading, Back to the Night. Produced by Vinegar Joe guitarist Pete Gage (and featuring that bands Steve York on bass), the record is something of a transitional work between the singer/songwriter folk of her first album and the warmer melodies of her breakthrough eponymous effort. While its not a markedly better record than Whatevers for Us, there are some appreciable differences. Most of the songs are written by Armatrading herself -- only two are carryovers from her collaboration with lyricist Pam Nestor -- which places the emphasis on matters of the heart. And its on this record that glimpses of the greatness to come appear: the upbeat island feel of "Travel So Far," the powerfully intimate "Dry Land," and the inventive melodies of the title track. The Joni Mitchell comparisons still hold, but here Armatrading leans toward the jazzier side of that artist on tracks like "Come When You Need Me" and "Cool Blue Stole My Heart." Unlike her last producer, Pete Gage allows more of Ms. Armatrading to shine through. The backing musicians are again an accomplished lot, including members of Cat Stevens band and a pre-Police Andy Summers, but there are no precious string arrangements. While this often gets lumped together with her last record, Back to the Night is a better bet to please fans of her subsequent work, though fans who pass on both wont be missing any essential hits. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 35 Title: Joan Armatrading Released: 1976-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Down to Zero (03:51) 2 Help Yourself (04:05) 3 Water With the Wine (02:51) 4 Love and Affection (04:32) 5 Save Me (03:38) 6 Join the Boys (04:51) 7 People (03:32) 8 Somebody Who Loves You (03:37) 9 Like Fire (05:12) 10 Tall in the Saddle (05:43) |
| Joan Armatrading : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatradings eponymous third album is a charmer, almost single-handedly elevating her into the ranks of rocks leading female artists. Up to this point, Armatrading had shown that she had a lovely voice and an ear for interesting arrangements, but her work had been steeped in the folk idiom of the early 70s. Her third album changed all that, with producer Glyn Johns bringing in members of Gallagher & Lyle, Fairport Convention, and the Faces to punch up her folksy sound with elements of rock, country, and disco. The result is her most muscular music to date, with Armatrading adopting a swagger that showed her tales of unluckiness in love didnt have to have dire consequences ("Tall in the Saddle," "Water With the Wine"). Of course, it helped that the record featured her best material delivered in a wonderfully expressive voice that can capture the shades between song and speech like a sweeter version of Ian Anderson. "Down to Zero" (which features pedal steel guitarist B.J. Cole) and "Love and Affection" are the albums most memorable tracks, the latter breaking into the U.K.s Top Ten (the album itself made the U.K. Top 20). But what endears this record to fans is the quality of each song; it wouldnt be fair to call anything here filler. The artsy and eclectic "Like Fire," the beautiful ballad "Save Me," and the ingratiating melodies of "Somebody Who Loves You" are just as likely to strike a chord with listeners as the better-known cuts. While Glyn Johns deserves credit for bringing Joan Armatradings songs into a more flattering setting -- its not coincidental that the record feels like a polished version of The Who by Numbers -- his real stroke of genius was letting the artist flower to her full potential. For many, this album remains the high point in her catalog. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 35 Title: Live At The Bijou Cafe, Philadelphia, February 18, 1977 Released: 1977 Tracks: 9 Duration: 40:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Introduction / Whatevers For Us, For Us (03:59) 2 Down To Zero (04:06) 3 Help Yourself (04:09) 4 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:58) 5 Introduction / Dry Land (Solo With Piano) (02:58) 6 Steppin Out (Solo Acoustic) (03:16) 7 Introduction Of Band / Love And Affection (05:51) 8 Water With The Wine (03:48) 9 Tell In The Saddle (06:01) |
 | Album: 5 of 35 Title: Show Some Emotion Released: 1977 Tracks: 10 Duration: 37:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Woncha Come on Home (02:40) 2 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 3 Warm Love (03:03) 4 Never Is Too Late (05:35) 5 Peace in Mind (03:21) 6 Opportunity (03:25) 7 Mama Mercy (02:50) 8 Get in the Sun (03:21) 9 Willow (04:56) 10 Kissin and a Huggin (04:42) |
| Show Some Emotion : Allmusic album Review : Retaining producer Glyn Johns and some of the same session players from her last record, Show Some Emotion repeated that albums chart success and included two more terrific singles in the same vein: "Show Some Emotion" and "Willow." However, the rest of the album sounds like outtakes from that effort. Gone is the smooth, honeyfied flow of Joan Armatrading; the lyrics seem to lack a sense of meter, the songs occasionally rely on pedestrian R&B arrangements to move them along, and the buoyant melodies are few and far between. Part of the problem stems from poor track placement; the vulnerable "Woncha Come on Home," which would have worked well at the end of side one or two, is an awful choice as the opening track. Placing the similar-sounding "Mama Mercy" and "Get in the Sun" next to each other suggests that Armatrading even had trouble coming up with filler, and waiting until the end of the album to unleash the energetic "Kissin and a Huggin" leaves the listener all charged up for nothing. While the title track and "Willow" are good enough to justify the album purchase alone, theyre available on any number of compilations. Without them, Show Some Emotion lacks any must-own material, although the aptly titled "Warm Love," "Kissin and a Huggin," and the compelling "Opportunity" are worth hearing. Overall, this feels like a step back after her last effort. The fine voice and smattering of rock, jazz, and island melodies place it as vintage Joan Armatrading, but the material is a cut below her better work. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 35 Title: To the Limit Released: 1978 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Barefoot & Pregnant (03:40) 2 Your Letter (03:41) 3 Am I Blue for You (04:24) 4 You Rope You Tie Me (04:08) 5 Baby I (04:52) 6 Bottom to the Top (03:36) 7 Taking My Baby Up Town (03:25) 8 What Do You Want (03:44) 9 Wishing (04:48) 10 Let It Last (04:57) |
| To the Limit : Allmusic album Review : To the Limit is a more fitting follow-up to the self-titled Joan Armatrading, as it returns to that albums catchy melodies and fully fleshed-out arrangements. Again, the backing band is almost entirely new to Armatrading, retaining only the rhythm section of Dave Markee and Henry Spinetti from past efforts, but instead of sounding tentative, the band infuses the material with bright and natural music. Although the record doesnt contain any hits -- "Barefoot and Pregnant" and "Bottom to the Top" were the singles -- it doesnt suffer from the dips in mood and quality that made Show Some Emotion less than satisfying. Nothing on To the Limit is obvious filler, and the intelligent track placement -- alternating ballads and rockers -- gives the songs a chance to develop their own identities. Picking the best tracks on this album is sure to be a matter of taste; fans of Armatradings ballads will enjoy "Your Letter" and "Baby I," those enamored of her island melodies will find them on "Barefoot and Pregnant" and the reggae-styled "Bottom to the Top," and anyone looking for crossovers into blues and jazz can turn to "Am I Blue for You" and "You Rope You Tie Me." The only knock on this album is that it lacks a real standout song like a "Willow" or "Love and Affection" -- nothing on To the Limit is great, but nearly everything is good. One could make a case for something as contagiously catchy as "Taking My Baby up Town," but even that falls shy of her most enduring singles. For this reason, To the Limit is rarely represented come compilation time. Ironically, its one of her better albums, a good bet for fans who enjoyed her eponymous effort and arent ready to jump into the rock sound of subsequent albums. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 35 Title: How Cruel Released: 1979 Tracks: 4 Duration: 13:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Rosie (03:10) 2 How Cruel (03:04) 3 He Wants Her (03:15) 4 I Really Must Be Going (04:27) |
 | Album: 8 of 35 Title: Steppin Out Released: 1979-05 Tracks: 9 Duration: 42:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Mama Mercy (03:45) 2 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (07:12) 3 How Cruel (02:30) 4 Love Song (03:38) 5 Love and Affection (04:52) 6 Steppin Out (03:31) 7 You Rope You Tie Me (04:36) 8 Kissin and a Huggin (05:59) 9 Tall in the Saddle (06:31) |
| Steppin' Out : Allmusic album Review : Steppin Out, released in the United Kingdom in 1979, was not initially issued in the U.S. While Joan Armatrading was enjoying success in the States on A&M; (where she debuted in 1974) she didnt sell enough recordings to justify a live album. There are nine songs in the program beginning with a rocking "Mama Mercy," featuring a killer alto saxophone solo by Earl Lon Price doing his best Tom Scott. Armatradings band is led by the incomparable guitarist Ricky Hirsch and drummer Richard Hayward (Little Feat); other members include keyboardist Red Young and bassist Bill Bodine. From here, "Cool Blue Stole My Heart," showcases the jazzy side of Armatradings Caribbean folk-soul. She digs deep with her audience and seems to draw from them, especially on cuts such as "Love and Affection" and the title track. This is a professionally paced and played set, but there are wonderfully detailed raw moments where the singer allows her voice to crack, the beat becomes fluid rather than fixed, and the bands inner dialogue seems symbiotic. And Armatrading can really rock, as evidenced by "You Rope You Tie Me." The set closer, "Tall in the Saddle," walks through the blues, the jazz vocal tradition and finally rock as the tension and dynamic of the track build to an ecstatic and exhausted close. The American CD edition of the album issued in 2006 is reported to be a limited edition. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 35 Title: Me Myself I Released: 1980-05 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Me Myself I (03:20) 2 Ma-Me-O-Beach (03:03) 3 Friends (03:08) 4 Is It Tomorrow Yet? (03:33) 5 Turn Out the Light (04:22) 6 When You Kisses Me (03:18) 7 All the Way From America (04:52) 8 Feeling in My Heart (For You) (03:37) 9 Simon (03:42) 10 I Need You (02:50) |
| Me Myself I : Allmusic album Review : On the trio of albums that made her reputation in 1976-1978, Joan Armatrading, Show Some Emotion, and To the Limit, Armatrading relied on the pristine production of Glyn Johns to underscore the sensitivity of her folk-based confessional songs. Here, on her first full-length album in two years, she turned to rock producer Richard Gottehrer and a session band that included Anton Fig, Chris Spedding, and members of the E Street Band, making her case for being a mainstream rocker. The songs were less serious, too, notably the title track, a U.K. hit. (The albums other British chart single was the ballad "All the Way from America," which was more in the style of her earlier work.) The result was the best-selling album Armatrading has ever had in either the U.S. or U.K. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 35 Title: Walk Under Ladders Released: 1981-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 35:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Im Lucky (03:06) 2 When I Get It Right (03:04) 3 Romancers (03:49) 4 I Wanna Hold You (03:48) 5 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 6 No Love (03:59) 7 At the Hop (03:26) 8 I Cant Lie to Myself (03:25) 9 Eating the Bear (03:00) 10 Only One (04:15) |
| Walk Under Ladders : Allmusic album Review : Dominant keyboard lines and the characteristic fat percussion approach of producer Steve Lillywhite completed Armatradings transformation from folky to new wave diva on this album. Still, it was songs like "The Weakness in Me" to which old fans responded, although the U.K. hits were "Im Lucky" and "No Love." Another British Top Ten, the album was less successful in the U.S., consolidating Armatradings expanded following without propelling her to major stardom. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 35 Title: Track Record Released: 1983 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:32 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Drop the Pilot (03:43) 2 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (03:28) 3 Frustration (03:36) 4 When I Get It Right (02:52) 5 Im Lucky (03:06) 6 Me Myself I (03:20) 7 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 8 Heaven (04:43) 9 Down to Zero (03:51) 10 Love and Affection (04:27) 11 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 12 Willow (04:04) 13 Rosie (03:13) |
| Track Record : Allmusic album Review : Track Record was A&M;s initial attempt to present Joan Armatradings best music on a single disc. The label has since released several more compilations that expand the field slightly by adding material that appeared before and after the vintage years of 1976 to 1983, diluting rather than enhancing Track Records original selection. Compilations by their very nature can only do a few things well: draw neophytes in with unflinchingly good music, provide fans with the kind of selection theyd put on a homemade tape, and collect unreleased or hard-to-find tracks on an easy-to-obtain album. Track Record hits the trifecta, distilling the best moments from her most popular albums and adding two nonalbum tracks recorded with Steve Lillywhite: "Frustration" and "Heaven" (which did appear together on a single in 1983). The songs are presented in a kind of reverse chronology, beginning with the two singles from her album The Key and following with selections from Walk Under Ladders (three selections, which is warranted) and Me Myself I. The remaining tracks are warmer in tone, as they draw from Armatradings pre-rock catalog: the eponymous Joan Armatrading and Show Some Emotion. Track Record excels by omission; corporate logic often demands an offering from every album, but this album fights the temptation to play "senate selection" with her catalog, and its better for it. The addition of "Rosie" from the How Cruel EP over anything from To the Limit isnt the easy choice, but it is the right choice. For both fans and neophytes, Track Record is a runaway recommendation, since a better selection of Joan Armatradings songs wont be found anywhere. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 35 Title: The Key Released: 1983-03 Tracks: 11 Duration: 38:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:22) 2 Foolish Pride (03:15) 3 Drop the Pilot (03:39) 4 The Key (04:02) 5 Everybody Gotta Know (03:52) 6 Tell Tale (02:31) 7 What Do Boys Dream (02:55) 8 The Game of Love (03:35) 9 The Dealer (03:17) 10 Bad Habits (03:46) 11 I Love My Baby (03:29) |
| The Key : Allmusic album Review : Many of the same musicians from Walk Under Ladders return for The Key, but gone are that albums warm island airs. Instead, producer Steve Lillywhite wraps -- some might say smothers -- Armatradings voice in sophisticated synthesizers (courtesy of Larry Fast) and punchy rock arrangements that are enervating but less inviting than her earlier work. That more aggressive sound didnt come at the cost of commercial success, however, and both "(I Love It When You) Call Me Names" and "Drop the Pilot" (the latter produced by Val Garay) helped push The Key into the U.S. Top 40. Armatrading has always been an excellent communicator, and when given the spotlight -- as on the otherworldly "I Love My Baby" or the sinister "The Dealer" -- she is one of rocks more compelling female artists. Yet the decision to bring Tony Levins bass up in the mix and find time for Adrian Belews frenetic solos sells Armatradings estimable talents short on some tracks. Thankfully, her humor and humanity rise above the arrangements at welcome intervals, notably with "Everybody Gotta Know," "What Do Boys Dream," and "Foolish Pride." Fans of her acoustic music may find The Key a little too aggressive for their tastes, but anyone open to modern rock should enjoy this album. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 35 Title: Secret Secrets Released: 1985 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Persona Grata (04:44) 2 Temptation (04:04) 3 Moves (04:14) 4 Talking to the Wall (04:34) 5 Love By You (03:14) 6 Thinking Man (04:07) 7 Friends Not Lovers (04:00) 8 One Night (05:00) 9 Secret Secrets (03:32) 10 Strange (04:08) |
| Secret Secrets : Allmusic album Review : Two years having passed since her last studio record, Joan Armatrading re-emerged with yet another producer (new wave veteran Mike Howlett) on Secret Secrets. Some of the material on here is very good, but the commercial momentum that had built up behind her during the early 80s was beginning to dissipate. The singles "Temptation" and "Thinking Man" are as catchy as "Drop the Pilot," and the message is more mature and upbeat this time, but the songs failed to make much of an impact in the U.S. Its hard to fault the music for the drop in commercial interest; Howletts atmospheric production (honed during his work with bands like Berlin and OMD) is in line with the musical tastes of the mid-80s. However, longtime fans will begin to notice some cracks, notably that Armatradings voice is no longer the commodity it once was. "Strange" is the kind of ballad Armatrading would have owned a few albums ago, but here her voice strains to command the material. Musically, her acoustic guitar is completely lost in the mix (a disingenuous harmonica solo on "Moves" isnt so lucky), while labelmate Joe Jackson is brought in to play piano on the ballad "Love By You," a role normally reserved for herself. As a songwriter, Armatrading hasnt lost a step: "Talking to the Wall," "Persona Grata," and "Secret Secrets" are sure to strike a chord with fans. And the backing musicians are again exemplary, especially Pino Paladino (on fretless bass), Adrian Lee (on synthesizer), and a perky horn section that includes Steve Sidwell and Dave Bitelli. Yet the album does mark a slight decline in the quality (and quantity) of Joan Armatradings music, even if the root of trouble isnt a lack of what to play but whom to play to. Of interest, the albums photography was done by Robert Mapplethorpe, which took some guts on Armatradings part. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 35 Title: Sleight of Hand Released: 1986 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Kind Words (and a Real Good Heart) (03:47) 2 Killing Time (03:57) 3 Reach Out (04:19) 4 Angel Man (03:44) 5 Laurel and the Rose (03:52) 6 One More Chance (05:15) 7 Russian Roulette (04:39) 8 Jesse (03:27) 9 Figure of Speech (03:29) 10 Don Juan (04:17) |
| Sleight of Hand : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatrading took matters into her own hands after the commercially disappointing Secret Secrets, producing and playing nearly all the guitars (acoustic and electric) on Sleight of Hand. Its not a demonstrably better record for it, although Armatradings uncluttered production (with the aid of Steve Lillywhite, who mixed the record) is in many ways preferable to Secret Secrets surfeit of sweetness. The album begins with two of Armatradings most dance-oriented tracks, the Prince-ly "Kind Words (And a Real Good Heart)" and "Killing Time." Oddly, its a style she doesnt re-visit on the album, returning instead to more familiar terrain on winning ballads like "Don Juan," "Jesse," and "Laurel and the Rose." If her voice has lost a little of its original luster, she reclaims some expressiveness and energy with the electric guitar, which may have been the rationale behind promoting the hard-rocking "Angel Man" as a single. As a producer, Armatrading is more inclined to engage in some very deliberate pacing, creating an extra layer of tension and drama behind songs like "One More Chance" and "Figure of Speech." While it comes at the cost of her last albums giddiness, she nearly makes up for it with the delightful "Russian Roulette." The backing band is again new, featuring a cast of relative unknowns plus a few returning guests. Keyboardist Alex White plays a prominent role in the arrangements, creating an atmospheric layer of sound that may well be the albums most audible link with Secret Secrets. Sleight of Hand often gets slighted come compilation time, but its a well-crafted album that will appeal to fans whove traveled this far. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 35 Title: Classics, Volume 21 Released: 1987 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:08:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 2 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 3 Love and Affection (04:27) 4 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 5 Rosie (03:13) 6 Im Lucky (03:06) 7 Drop the Pilot (03:43) 8 Down to Zero (03:51) 9 Kind Words (and a Real Good Heart) (03:47) 10 Whatevers for Us, for Us (02:13) 11 Willow (04:06) 12 Me Myself I (03:20) 13 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (03:28) 14 All the Way From America (04:52) 15 Back to the Night (04:06) 16 When I Get It Right (02:52) 17 Heaven (04:43) 18 Temptation (03:58) |
 | Album: 16 of 35 Title: The Shouting Stage Released: 1988-07 Tracks: 10 Duration: 41:58 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Devil I Know (04:14) 2 Living for You (04:14) 3 Did I Make You Up (03:47) 4 Stronger Love (05:09) 5 The Shouting Stage (05:29) 6 Words (03:47) 7 Straight Talk (04:03) 8 Watch Your Step (03:59) 9 All a Woman Needs (05:02) 10 Dark Truths (02:09) |
| The Shouting Stage : Allmusic album Review : The good news is that, after several albums of flirting with rock and overproduction, Joan Armatrading has developed a spare sound once again focusing on her songs and singing, backed by such tasteful accompanists as Dire Straits members Mark Knopfler and Alan Clark. The not-so-good news is that, lyrically, Armatrading seems trapped in a romantic cul-de-sac -- when she doesnt have the object of her affections, she longs for him, but when she does have him, she argues with him and suspects him of infidelity, not to mention emotional abuse. There is a traditional sense of relationships mixed in with hints of the nascent "men just dont get it" flavor of 90s feminism. One is tempted to say that you cant have it both ways, but then Armatradings emotional outpourings have always had more to do with contemporaneous honesty than long-term consistency. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 35 Title: Hearts and Flowers Released: 1990 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 More Than One Kind of Love (05:37) 2 Hearts and Flowers (03:43) 3 Promise Land (04:06) 4 Someones in the Background (04:01) 5 Cant Let Go (04:16) 6 Free (03:25) 7 Something in the Air Tonight (04:36) 8 Always (02:00) 9 Good Times (04:25) 10 The Power of Dreams (03:11) |
| Hearts and Flowers : Allmusic album Review : For much of her 12th new studio album, Joan Armatrading sounds like she is ending a bad relationship, but by the last two songs she sounds like shes beginning a good one. Still, she finds herself pledging herself to someone she worries may not have the same commitment she does. Thus, perhaps the albums signal song (and Armatradings first UK chart single in five years) is "More Than One Kind Of Love," in which she touts the value of friendship over romance: "Good friendships seldom die," she sings, and we are painfully aware that, especially in Armatradings world, even good love affairs seldom live. Still, this is less a revelation than an incremental development in the artists work, and Hearts And Flowers doesnt contain any songs that rank among her best. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 35 Title: The Very Best of Joan Armatrading Released: 1991-02-26 Tracks: 14 Duration: 53:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Love and Affection (remix) (04:27) 2 Down to Zero (03:51) 3 Drop the Pilot (03:39) 4 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 5 The Shouting Stage (04:32) 6 Willow (04:04) 7 Rosie (03:13) 8 Im Lucky (03:06) 9 Me Myself I (03:20) 10 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (03:28) 11 Bottom to the Top (03:36) 12 More Than One Kind of Love (04:36) 13 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 14 All the Way From America (04:52) |
 | Album: 19 of 35 Title: Square the Circle Released: 1992 Tracks: 10 Duration: 42:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 True Love (03:58) 2 Crazy (03:49) 3 Wrapped Around Her (03:48) 4 Sometimes I Dont Wanna Go Home (05:00) 5 Square the Circle (04:12) 6 Weak Woman (03:56) 7 Can I Get Next to You (04:16) 8 Cant Get Over (How I Broke Your Heart) (03:56) 9 If Women Ruled the World (04:32) 10 Cradled in Your Love (05:15) |
| Square the Circle : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatrading, who has spent the better part of her career demanding greater commitment and fidelity from men than they seem willing to give her, turns the tables on her 13th album, abandoning herself to lust for "the wrong guy" and unfaithfulness to her beloved. The equation produces interesting, if not always successful, results, such as the characteristically convoluted "Cant Get Over (How I Broke Your Heart)," but makes a poor lead-in to the philosophical "If Women Ruled the World," which proves that sexism sounds just as lame-brained coming from a woman as it does coming from a man. "Not all men kill babies," Armatrading admits, which is certainly a relief to hear. But if women ruled the world, there would be "no more war, no more hate...no more sons dying young." This from a woman who lived under the Margaret Thatcher regime during the Falklands War. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 35 Title: Whats Inside Released: 1995-10-10 Tracks: 13 Duration: 50:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 In Your Eyes (02:42) 2 Everyday Boy (04:37) 3 Merchant of Love (04:49) 4 Shapes and Sizes (03:15) 5 Back on the Road (02:42) 6 Lost the Love (03:42) 7 Songs (03:49) 8 Would You Like to Dance (04:01) 9 Recommend My Love (04:29) 10 Beyond the Blue (03:52) 11 Cant Stop Loving You (03:25) 12 Shape of a Pony (04:42) 13 Trouble (04:06) |
| What's Inside : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatradings abandonment of A&M; Records after two decades makes sense when you consider that the long-time independent has been swallowed by PolyGram. What doesnt make sense is where she went, the virtually moribund RCA, which managed to release this label debut as though it were a state secret. The album itself is an interesting mixture of the styles Armatrading has employed at various times in her career, from the spare, intimate approach associated with her "Love And Affection" phase to the pop-rock of "Me Myself I." (The coulda-been-a-hit is "Cant Stop Loving You.") Many of the tracks are augmented by strings courtesy of the London Metropolitan Orchestra, though the Kronos Quartet checks in for one track. Romance is the subject, as usual, and, as usual, it is treated in sometimes quirky ways, such as in "Shapes And Sizes," which advises that you express your love while you can because "Obituary columns are full of love." Hmm. This is an album for the cult, which is appropriate, since theyre the only ones liable to know of its existence. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 35 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 1996-06-18 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:15:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 2 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 3 Love and Affection (04:29) 4 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 5 Rosie (03:13) 6 Im Lucky (03:06) 7 Drop the Pilot (03:39) 8 Down to Zero (03:51) 9 Kind Words (and a Real Good Heart) (03:47) 10 Whatevers for Us, for Us (02:13) 11 Willow (04:54) 12 Me Myself I (03:20) 13 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:22) 14 All the Way From America (04:55) 15 Back to the Night (04:06) 16 When I Get It Right (03:04) 17 Heaven (04:43) 18 Temptation (04:04) 19 Kissin and a Huggin (live version) (05:11) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : Greatest Hits features all of Joan Armatradings biggest hits and best-known tracks, including "Love and Affection," "Show Some Emotion," and "Rosie," as well as the previously unreleased live track, "Kissin and a Huggin." The disc is a thorough retrospective and functions as an excellent introduction to the introspective singer/songwriter. | ||
 | Album: 22 of 35 Title: Love & Affection Released: 1997-03-04 Tracks: 39 Duration: 2:37:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Down to Zero (03:53) 2 True Love (03:58) 3 Talking to the Wall (04:34) 4 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 5 Im Lucky (03:06) 6 One More Chance (05:14) 7 Did I Make You Up (03:45) 8 All a Woman Needs (05:02) 9 Square the Circle (04:10) 10 Somebody Who Loves You (03:37) 11 It Could Have Been Better (04:20) 12 Alice (03:31) 13 No Love (03:59) 14 Tall in the Saddle (live) (06:39) 15 Turn Out the Light (04:21) 16 The Shouting Stage (05:29) 17 One Night (05:01) 18 Save Me (03:37) 1 My Family (03:11) 2 City Girl (04:00) 3 Warm Love (03:04) 4 The Power of Dreams (03:12) 5 Love by You (03:15) 6 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 7 More Than One Kind of Love (05:15) 8 Love and Affection (04:28) 9 Rosie (03:13) 10 Bottom to the Top (03:27) 11 Drop the Pilot (03:32) 12 Me Myself I (03:15) 13 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (live) (07:23) 14 Water With the Wine (02:51) 15 Flight of the Wild Geese (02:02) 16 Dry Land (04:23) 17 Always (01:57) 18 Promise Land (03:48) 19 Cant Get Over (How I Broke Your Heart) (03:51) 20 All the Way From America (04:46) 21 Willow (04:47) |
 | Album: 23 of 35 Title: Millennium Edition Released: 1999-12-31 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:00:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Drop the Pilot (03:38) 2 Love and Affection (04:27) 3 Me, Myself, I (03:19) 4 More Than One Kind of Love (single version) (04:32) 5 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 6 The Shouting Stage (05:21) 7 Business Is Business (03:02) 8 How Cruel (03:07) 9 Down to Zero (03:50) 10 Willow (UK single version) (03:56) 11 All the Way From America (04:46) 12 No Way Out (02:13) 13 Barefoot and Pregnant (03:42) 14 I Really Must Be Going (04:31) 15 Travelled So Far (03:08) 16 Rosie (03:13) |
 | Album: 24 of 35 Title: The Collection Released: 2000-06-27 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:10:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Water With the Wine (02:51) 2 Help Yourself (04:05) 3 Somebody Who Loves You (03:37) 4 Like Fire (05:12) 5 Tall in the Saddle (05:43) 6 Friends (03:08) 7 Is It Tomorrow Yet? (03:33) 8 Turn Out the Light (04:22) 9 When You Kisses Me (03:18) 10 All the Way From America (04:52) 11 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 12 Woncha Come on Home (02:40) 13 Warm Love (03:03) 14 Opportunity (03:25) 15 Get in the Sun (03:21) 16 Willow (04:50) 17 Kissin and a Huggin (04:42) 18 Love and Affection (04:28) |
 | Album: 25 of 35 Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joan Armatrading Released: 2000-08-29 Tracks: 12 Duration: 48:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Drop the Pilot (03:40) 2 Me Myself I (03:18) 3 Down to Zero (03:51) 4 Im Lucky (03:05) 5 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:22) 6 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 7 Rosie (03:13) 8 All the Way From America (04:52) 9 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 10 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 11 Willow (04:52) 12 Love and Affection (04:30) |
 | Album: 26 of 35 Title: Lovers Speak Released: 2003-03-25 Tracks: 15 Duration: 54:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Lovers Speak (05:49) 2 Physical Pain (03:23) 3 In These Times (03:12) 4 Waiting (02:48) 5 Prove Yourself (03:33) 6 Fire and Ice (03:25) 7 Love Bug (03:14) 8 Let’s Talk About Us (03:58) 9 Ocean (03:24) 10 Tender Trap (04:10) 11 Less Happy More Often (03:55) 12 Crazy for You (04:10) 13 You Made Your Bed (03:56) 14 Blessed (01:45) 15 Lovers Speak (radio edit) (03:31) |
| Lovers Speak : Allmusic album Review : When an artist releases something as profoundly moving as Lovers Speak, critical acumen doesnt mean a damned thing. Joan Armatradings first album proper in five years is a startling testament of artistic integrity, searing emotional honesty, and musical accessibility and sophistication that is literally unmatched by anything on the current musical scene. In fact, the only comparable album from 2003 is Annie Lennoxs Bare. But where the latter is an album of confessions and exorcism, Lovers Speak is an unflinching look at the language of love from all sides. It is an investigation into the experience of love, its languishing and loss, and the redemption it is capable of rewarding to those who persevere and refine themselves through heartache and acceptance and tolerance. For starters, Armatrading, who has been known to consort with producers like Steve Lillywhite and experiment with song forms radically, decided to bear the weight of her own production in the chair and on the floor: she arranged and played everything herself. Its as if the emotional and physical and spiritual states explored here are so personal, so full of instruction and transcendence for the artist, that she had to carry them all upon her back as they flowed from her pen, hands, and heart, giving them utterance in the grain of her voice. The title track speaks of the symbolic and actual language of love as if it is a series of mysteries that can only be translated and exchanged among those who participate. "Physical Pain" is a ballad that assumes the consequences for telling lies in the space of love. One can easily picture Peter Gabriel recording this for the Us album. The asymmetrical polyrhythms in Armatradings guitar playing propel a piano and organic percussion into an anthem that offers the truth of instant karma. "In These Times" is the darker side of John Lennons "Imagine"; it is just as spare, with piano, bass, and strings accompanying the ache in Armatradings lyrics and delivery. It is easy to imagine Gabriel recording this song as well. "Waiting" is the most desperate folk song ever written about being the one left, all night alone, while the beloved is adrift in the sea of night. The dawn comes cold, slow, and gray, turning the protagonist from the angry to the worried to the lovesick. "Prove Yourself" is almost a country-rocker, and is the only sensible update to Bob Dylans "Forever Young." The album goes on like this for 14 tracks, turning over and in on itself with gorgeous pop, folk, and jazz forms, interstitially lacing, crisscrossing, and blending as the emotions so contradictory and tempestuous assuage, confront, and caress one another. But as the album closes with "Blessed," the underlying theme is the gratitude to feel at all in a time when emotion is snuffed out in favor of production, loss, grief, and rage; the simple fact that one is breathing and able to experience what is placed in the path is reason enough to live, and yes, to continue to try to love once more. Lovers Speak, in all its eclectic, musical, and lyrical diversity, is poetry of function and form -- a masterpiece that belongs at the very top of her shelf and should be a contender for pop album of 2003. | ||
 | Album: 27 of 35 Title: Love and Affection: Classics 1975-1983 Released: 2003-04-01 Tracks: 43 Duration: 2:38:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 2 Travel So Far (03:08) 3 Dry Land (04:21) 4 Down to Zero (03:50) 5 Help Yourself (04:03) 6 Love and Affection (04:29) 7 Water With the Wine (02:49) 8 Save Me (03:34) 9 Somebody Who Loves You (03:37) 10 The Flight of the Wild Geese (01:59) 11 Woncha Come On Home (02:40) 12 Show Some Emotion (03:32) 13 Warm Love (03:02) 14 Kissin and a Huggin (04:42) 15 Willow (04:52) 16 Barefoot and Pregnant (03:40) 17 Bottom to the Top (03:35) 18 You Rope You Tie Me (04:08) 19 Your Letter (03:41) 20 Mama Mercy (live) (03:33) 21 Steppin Out (live) (03:50) 1 Rosie (03:13) 2 How Cruel (03:05) 3 He Wants Her (03:18) 4 I Really Must Be Going (04:31) 5 Me Myself I (03:19) 6 Ma-Me-O-Beach (03:03) 7 Friends (03:08) 8 Is It Tomorrow Yet? (03:33) 9 Turn Out the Light (04:19) 10 All the Way From America (04:52) 11 Feeling in My Heart (For You) (03:37) 12 Simon (03:40) 13 Im Lucky (03:06) 14 When I Get It Right (03:04) 15 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 16 No Love (03:58) 17 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:22) 18 Drop the Pilot (03:39) 19 Everybody Gotta Know (03:49) 20 What do Boys Dream? (02:31) 21 Frustration (03:36) 22 Heaven (04:43) |
 | Album: 28 of 35 Title: Live: All the Way From America Released: 2004 Tracks: 16 Duration: 1:10:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Down to Zero (04:14) 2 All the Way From America (03:25) 3 Prove Yourself (04:07) 4 Physical Pain (04:12) 5 Tender Trap (04:38) 6 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 7 Lets Talk About Us (05:39) 8 Join the Boys (03:21) 9 Save Me (04:08) 10 Love and Affection (04:39) 11 Lovers Speak (05:34) 12 Rosie (03:58) 13 Kissin and a Huggin (05:50) 14 Me Myself I (04:39) 15 Willow (06:02) 16 Blessed (02:12) |
| Live: All the Way From America : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatradings Live: All the Way from America was recorded on June 25, 2003, in Saratoga, CA. This date features Armatrading on guitars; Gary Foote on reeds, woodwinds, and percussion; and Spencer Cozens on keyboards. The set is presented as it went down with no overdubs. The only real edits were made between songs, shortening the dead space between tunes. The material comes from only a few records in her catalog; there are six tracks off her brilliant Lovers Speak (which she was touring in support of) and four from her classic self-titled record (yes, "Love and Affection" and "Down to Zero" are among them), as well as selected tracks from Me Myself I, Show Some Emotion, and others. The live show is dovetailed to fit the mood of Lovers Speak. It is broken and bleeding and utterly naked, but full of hope and sweetness and determination. There are no rote performances here, only poetically beautiful and emotionally wrenching ones. Take a listen to "The Weakness in Me" from Walk Under Ladders as a case in point. Armatradings protagonist is devastated by the sudden appearance of a recently lost lover. But Armatradings lovers never surrender, as evidenced by her rambling, nearly ecstatic version of "Lets Talk About Us" from Lovers Speak. Her versions of "Show Some Emotion" and "Love and Affection" are less anthemic than they are on her studio or even other live recordings. But they are strident and full of conviction and reverie -- not nostalgia. Live: All the Way from America is a sexy record; it offers listeners a souls eye view of love and it is rendered beautifully raw and direct. | ||
 | Album: 29 of 35 Title: Gold Released: 2005 Tracks: 43 Duration: 2:38:36 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cool Blue Stole My Heart (05:31) 2 Travel So Far (03:08) 3 Dry Land (04:21) 4 Down to Zero (03:50) 5 Help Yourself (04:03) 6 Love and Affection (04:29) 7 Water With the Wine (02:49) 8 Save Me (03:34) 9 Somebody Who Loves You (03:37) 10 The Flight of the Wild Geese (01:59) 11 Woncha Come on Home (02:40) 12 Show Some Emotion (03:30) 13 Warm Love (03:02) 14 Kissin and a Huggin (04:42) 15 Willow (04:52) 16 Barefoot and Pregnant (03:39) 17 Bottom to the Top (03:35) 18 You Rope You Tie Me (04:08) 19 Your Letter (03:41) 20 Mama Mercy (live) (03:33) 21 Steppin Out (live) (03:50) 1 Rosie (03:13) 2 How Cruel (03:05) 3 He Wants Her (03:18) 4 I Really Must Be Going (04:31) 5 Me Myself I (03:17) 6 Ma-Me-O-Beach (03:02) 7 Friends (03:07) 8 Is It Tomorrow Yet? (03:31) 9 Turn Out the Light (04:19) 10 All The Way from America (04:51) 11 Feeling in My Heart (For You) (03:36) 12 Simon (03:40) 13 Im Lucky (03:05) 14 When I Get It Right (03:03) 15 The Weakness in Me (03:33) 16 No Love (03:58) 17 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:21) 18 Drop the Pilot (03:39) 19 Everybody Gotta Know (03:49) 20 What Do Boys Dream (02:31) 21 Frustration (03:34) 22 Heaven (04:41) |
| Gold : Allmusic album Review : Gold is a solid, top to bottom look at Joan Armatradings ambitious, iconoclastic if often under-noticed career between the years 1975 and 1983. The two discs are literally packed, with 43 cuts, and all the hits and fan expectations are included in wonderfully remastered sound. From "Cool Blues Stole My Heart," to "Love and Affection," and "Show Some Emotion," to "Drop the Pilot," "(I Love It When You) Call Me Names," and even lesser known tunes like "Feelin In My Heart for You," and "Heaven," which closes the set. There is little thats left out, making this one of the most glorious "Best Ofs" to come out in the Chronicles series. If there was a true introduction to Armatrading, this one serves the role far better than a mere ten-cut greatest hits. Her depth and breadth across genres and styles and even instrumentation and vocal phrasing are dizzying in their scope. | ||
 | Album: 30 of 35 Title: Into the Blues Released: 2007 Tracks: 13 Duration: 58:53 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 A Woman in Love (03:56) 2 Play the Blues (04:34) 3 Into the Blues (04:23) 4 Liza (04:08) 5 Secular Songs (04:12) 6 My Babys Gone (03:36) 7 D.N.A. (04:03) 8 Baby Blue Eyes (03:57) 9 Deep Down (04:00) 10 There Aint a Girl Alive (04:27) 11 Empty Highway (05:26) 12 Mama Papa (04:01) 13 Somethings Gotta Blow (08:04) |
| Into the Blues : Allmusic album Review : Recording Into the Blues, writes Joan Armatrading on the back sleeve of her first-ever blues album, "has given me so much pleasure," and that pleasure is evident in the grooves. But that doesnt make it a particularly good blues album, or even one of the more notable entries in a discography that stretches back more than 30 years. Her enthusiasm aside, its ultimately a fairly erratic and mostly tepid affair, jumping around from the autobiographical "Mama Papa," one of the more poignant tracks, to the throwaway "Deep Down," which consists almost entirely of the title phrase repeated ad infinitum over an equally repetitive riff. While no one would claim that a successful blues tune requires profundity in its lyrical content, the problem with too many of Armatradings compositions here, as well as her production, is that they are not worthy of her proven talent. Shes at her most viable as a writer when she covers ground shes already displayed she can handle with panache, as in the naked emotions of "Liza," "Empty Highway" and "Baby Blue Eyes." But when she turns in a marginal track like "My Babys Gone (Come Back Baby)," it doesnt become her: Lightnin Hopkins singing "Come Back Baby" is one thing, but on Armatrading, lines as sophomoric as "Dont you know I cant live without you" and "My babys gone/My babys gone away" sound disingenuous. Perhaps someone of Armatradings caliber might have gotten away with faux blues lyrics if they were placed within meatier contexts, but all too often Armatradings melodies and guitar riffs -- she plays all instruments on the record except for drums and percussion -- are out of the "Blues 101 Songbook," uninspired mimics of Muddy Waters, B.B. King and the like. Some of the most successful tracks here are, in fact, the least bluesy; for example, the ironically gospelized "Secular Songs" and the countrified, mandolin-driven "Baby Blue Eyes." Armatrading is an important singer/songwriter with a soulful touch, but as much as she might have enjoyed cutting a blues album, Into the Blues only proves that the genre is not her forte. This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Contemporary Blues Album. | ||
 | Album: 31 of 35 Title: Live at the Royal Albert Hall Released: 2010 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:51:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Show Some Emotion (04:44) 2 Somethings Gotta Blow (09:01) 3 All the Way From America (04:14) 4 Two Tears (05:20) 5 Cry (04:40) 6 Promises (04:52) 7 Into the Blues (05:18) 8 A Woman in Love (03:58) 9 Love Love Love (04:02) 10 Love and Affection (05:06) 11 Tall in the Saddle (09:18) 12 My Babys Gone (04:07) 13 This Charming Life (04:05) 14 The Weakness in Me (04:31) 15 Best Dress On (04:59) 16 Heading Back to New York City (05:51) 17 You Rope You Tie Me (06:05) 18 Call Me Names (04:00) 19 Me, Myself, I (06:22) 20 Willow (06:03) 21 Drop the Pilot (04:43) |
| Live at the Royal Albert Hall : Allmusic album Review : Joan Armatradings 2010 album, This Charming Life, was a critical triumph, as the mercurial singer/songwriter dove head on into rock & roll territory. It was a first. That’s said, it was only one of the stellar studio albums she issued in the 21st century. The largely unheard masterpiece Lover’s Speak, issued on Denon, was her first self-produced, self-performed effort that created the template followed on This Charming Life. That album is among the most searing meditations on love from all sides we have in the pop music canon. 2009’s Into the Blues was just that; her first-ever foray into the genre. She proved not only familiar with it, but that she could flourish in it, as well. Which brings us to Live at Royal Albert Hall, a double-disc CD/DVD package recorded at the prestigious London venue as part of the sold-out world tour supporting This Charming Life. It took her through North America, Europe, and the U.K. Backed by bassist John Giblin, drummer and saxophonist Gary Foote, and keyboardist Spencer Cozens. The CD contains 15 tracks from the gig, and the DVD the entire concert with the full 21-song performance. Armatrading standbys like the opener “Show Some Emotion,” “Love and Affection,” and the still provocative “(I Love It When) You Call Me Names” are given tweaked arrangements to fit this tight four-piece setting. Armatrading’s guitar playing has never been more agile or visceral. The funk rock stomp that is “Heading Back to New York City” goes pretty far in establishing her as a virtuoso. More recent songs, such as the anthemic “Two Tears,” the forceful waltz “Promises,” the soulful, stinging 12-bar “Into the Blues,” and “My Baby’s Gone” are simply electrifying. Armatrading’s trademark understated passion is given full flower. Check “You Rope Me, You Tie Me,” and “Me Myself, I,” originally on Steppin’ Out: The former is a straight-up rocker, the latter a souled-out R&B; number with a funky backbeat, which both underscore that despite modified arrangements, Armatradings emotional depth and unique vocal phrasing wring even more emotion from her songs in a live setting. The DVD was recorded in a four r-camera shoot and captures the concert -- and two performances from Denver -- in brilliant video and audio. Live at Royal Albert Hall is not only the most electrifying live album in Armatrading’s long career, it is one of the most satisfying entries in it, period. | ||
 | Album: 32 of 35 Title: This Charming Life Released: 2010-03-08 Tracks: 11 Duration: 45:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 This Charming Life (03:54) 2 Love Love Love (03:58) 3 People Who Win (03:52) 4 Two Tears (04:31) 5 Heading Back to New York City (03:59) 6 Goddess of Change (03:50) 7 Diamond (04:25) 8 Promises (04:06) 9 Virtual Reality (04:32) 10 Best Dress On (04:13) 11 Cry (04:06) |
| This Charming Life : Allmusic album Review : After a stylistic detour into roots music on her 2007 album Into the Blues, Joan Armatrading dives headfirst into rock & roll on This Charming Life, which finds the venerable singer/songwriter picking up an electric guitar and letting it howl. Armatrading produced This Charming Life and played all the instruments herself (except for the drums, manned by Miles Bould), and it represents the toughest and most aggressive music shes recorded since Walk Under Ladders and The Key in the 80s; the thick, distorted guitar tone on songs like "Love Love Love" and "Heading Back to New York City" suggests a hard rock influence thats never really made its presence known in her work before (especially since Armatrading is playing the solos herself), and the tightly focused wallop of the bass and drums moves this way past pop into something decidedly heavier. While the albums approach is surprising, Armatrading (who was 59 when this was recorded) takes to the swagger of rock & roll like a duck to water; her voice, always strong and full-bodied, is more than up to the challenge of sharing space with the guitars, and the force of the music is fully the equal of the passion of these songs. (The wary may be glad to know a few more pop-oriented tunes are on board, but this is still livelier stuff than most veteran singer/songwriters are offering these days.) Nearly 40 years after the release of her first album, Armatrading remains a masterful songwriter, and while this set lacks the thematic cohesion of Lovers Speak or Into the Blues, these 11 songs make it clear she still speaks with wisdom, clarity, and fire, and whether shes looking for a good time in the Big Apple, embracing the joys of real life, pondering the peaks and valleys of relationships, examining both the spiritual and temporal, or reveling in the beauty of her significant other, This Charming Life leaves no doubt that Armatrading has few peers in songcraft. This Charming Life might seem like a curious left turn for Joan Armatrading at first glance, but it demonstrates she can make her songs work is a wide variety of ways, and its fascinating to imagine what surprises could still be in store from this vital talent. | ||
 | Album: 33 of 35 Title: Starlight Released: 2012-05-28 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Single Life (03:48) 2 Close to Me (03:55) 3 Tell Me (04:52) 4 Back on Track (03:39) 5 I Want That Love (04:28) 6 The Way I Think of You (02:55) 7 Always on My Mind (03:49) 8 Starlight (03:45) 9 Busy With You (04:42) 10 Summer Kisses (03:56) |
 | Album: 34 of 35 Title: Love & Affection the Very Best Of Released: 2013 Tracks: 18 Duration: 1:11:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Love and Affection (04:30) 2 Drop the Pilot (03:38) 3 Me Myself I (03:19) 4 Im Lucky (03:04) 5 Rosie (03:13) 6 No Love (04:00) 7 All the Way From America (04:53) 8 Heaven (04:41) 9 Living for You (04:14) 10 The Weakness in Me (03:32) 11 Jesse (03:27) 12 True Love (03:56) 13 Kind Words (And a Real Good Heart) (03:47) 14 Willow (04:51) 15 Show Some Emotion (03:31) 16 (I Love It When You) Call Me Names (04:24) 17 Down to Zero (live on the Old Grey Whistle Test) (04:09) 18 Love and Affection (live on Later... with Jools Holland) (04:31) |
| Love & Affection the Very Best Of : Allmusic album Review : Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Joan Armatrading has had a long career blending blues, jazz, and pop elements into a timeless folky mix that won her loyal fans worldwide since her debut in 1972, and although she has had only one Top Ten single, 1976s "Love and Affection," she remains a big star in Britain. In the States, however, she has never risen past cult artist status. This set recycles her biggest sides, including the original versions of "Love and Affection," "Drop the Pilot," "Willow," and "Show Some Emotion," as well as a live take of "Love and Affection." | ||
 | Album: 35 of 35 Title: Not Too Far Away Released: 2018-05-09 Tracks: 10 Duration: 39:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Like It When Were Together (03:37) 2 Still Waters (04:14) 3 No More Pain (03:36) 4 Cover My Eyes (03:54) 5 Invisible (Blue Light) (03:56) 6 Not Too Far Away (04:29) 7 Any Place (03:58) 8 Always in My Dreams (03:53) 9 This Is Not That (03:32) 10 Loving What You Hate (04:14) |
| Not Too Far Away : Allmusic album Review : For an artist well into her fifth decade of writing and recording music, Joan Armatrading has remained more energized and prolific than singers half her age. Following a trilogy of albums devoted entirely to specific genres -- 2007s Into the Blues (blues), 2011 This Charming Life (rock), and 2013s Starlight (jazz) -- a collection of songs composed for a production of William Shakespeares The Tempest, and a live album documenting her 18-month solo Me Myself I world tour, the British songwriting icon returns with Not Too Far Away, her first un-themed studio album since 2003s career highlight Lovers Speak. Like that album and a good portion of her canon before it, Not Too Far Away is chiefly concerned with various aspects of love and affection as Armatrading unburdens her souls contents with the frank and approachable candor that is one her hallmarks. Her reliability not only as a writer but as a singer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, has become a key part of her narrative -- especially in the second half of her career -- and she once again applies these talents, not only producing the album, but playing and programming every instrument and arranging the strings for her only guest artist, the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Opening cut "I Like It When Were Together" is classic Armatrading, pairing heartfelt melodies with smartly crafted rhythmic pop. Likewise, the strident "Any Place" and effervescent "This Is Not That" both recall the bright hooks of her early-80s new wave output, albeit with a softer edge. That said, Not Too Far Away is by no means a throwback to any earlier phase of her career, but rather a continuation of her shockingly consistent creative expression that has been ongoing since her 1970 debut. That Armatrading is still writing quality songs in 2018 is no surprise, but the single-mindedness of her vision and her doggedness to continue maintaining all aspects of are genuinely impressive. | ||