Reviews (page 5 of 12)
Pretty good that
I remember when Len coined Joan’s nickname, Joan Armourplating! 4.1
Never heard it wish I’d heard it before. It’s really strong. Doesn’t fit into any category.
Really surprised me, an album I will definitely give another listen. Some really great instrumentals in there along with a unique voice creates an interesting sound straight from the 70’s
I think I had heard 1 Joan Armatrading song previously, so this album is really great to uncover. There is so much texture to her songs, lyrically, rhythmically, and instrumentally. Love and Affection and Tall in the Saddle in particular are 2 tracks that start slow and when they kick in deliver something else. There are also rhythms on a couple of songs that almost predict Talking Heads Fear of Music. I started thinking this was a 3.5, but know it will raise in estimation--sort of like when I listened to Tracy Chapman's Matters of the Heart on a loop one summer job. Going 4, but could it be a 4.5?
Soulful and lively without sounding dated
Synes det lyder pisse godt, sjældent god blanding af folk og alle andre genrer som Joan lige havde lyst til at lege med
Heel fijne seventiessingersongmuziek van deze dame, qua geluid en stem vergelijkbaar met Tracy Chapman die we al gehad hadden. Wat kan je er verder nog van zeggen, weinig trekt echt de aandacht, maar het draait lekker weg.
Ik ben niet zo van de singer-songwriters en daar hebben we toch overduidelijk mee te maken. Toch voelt het als meer dan dan. Maar wat zorgt dan daarvoor? Ik vind het moeilijk dat te ervaren. In elk geval kiest ze voor soms vollere muziek, soms catchy muziek en soms zingt ze heel krachtig. Misschien biedt het net die variatie op de standaard singer-songwritersfeer, die ik nodig heb. Of is het gewoon het moment? Het is in elk geval lekkere muziek om bij te werken.
Ik zie de hoes, hoor het eerste nummer en dan denk je gelijk: Tracy Chapman. Joan gooit er iets meer gitaar tegenaan denk ik. Maar verder is het dezelfde soort singer-songwritermuziek, met een urgente toon. Nu was Joan een jaar of 10 eerder, uit de golden age of singer-songwriters. Dus of ze nu zo origineel was weet ik niet, maar ik vind het wel goed gedaan. En ze weet haar boodschap (geen idee wat die is hoor, want ik luister natuurlijk heel slecht naar teksten) wel goed over te brengen. Qua muziek zit er regelmatig een fijn tempo in en de gitaar mag ook veelvuldig meedoen, zowel in klassiek akoestisch als clean verstrekt of zelfs als slide. Het wisselt het standaard singer-songwritergeluid wat dat betreft af met het geluid van een band. Ik heb hier het complete album met plezier naar zitten luisteren. En dat is toch wat muziek moet doen, plezier geven. In uitzonderlijke gevallen kan ik voor singer-songwriters ook een 5 uitdelen, maar daarvoor zit dit nog niet genoeg in mijn systeem. Ik ken(de) ook geen hitje van Joan. Een mooie 4 kan ze alsnog in haar zak steken lijkt me.
Very creative album with a nice rich tone and excellent singing. Favorites: Down to Zero, Love and Affection, Tall in the Saddle
Enjoyed this, didn’t blow me away. Loved the production, the drums and the guitar recording was moorish. Will give it another listen to see if round 2 grabs me. Still liked it on second listen, but I couldn’t remember a single song. Not as memorable as I wanted.
some songs faded into the background and were somewhat forgettable but i really enjoyed it overall
This is my second time encountering this album. It was already saved in my Spotify albums but I couldn't really recall when or why I saved it. However, as I listened to this album it made me think of a lot of indie-folk music I listen to today. I'm guessing this was just a bit ahead of it's time. I'm definitely going to revisit this one as I enjoyed it a lot.
If Lilith Fair existed in the 70s, Joan Armatrading would probably be the headliner. I'm surprised I've never heard of her before, because I see so many female singer-songwriters I love reflected in her music. It's a bit of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Annie Lennox, and Kate Bush mixed in with an extra funk that feels specific to the mid-/late-70s (in good ways and bad). Her music feels layered and experimental, without ever going too far off the rails and feeling directionless. I especially like the first track. Giving this one a 4.
This is why I love this exercise. It’s so great discovering music that somehow hasn’t made it to your ears. Sure there are some duds here, but I loved the songs where she sounded like piano bar Joni Mitchell. Would listen again.
Liked it halfway thru
A unique and compelling voice. First time listening to her music and really liked it. May not be fair or relevant comparison, but my mind went straight to Tracy Chapman. Curious if Joan was an influence on her.
how unexpectedly good was that? Good grooves, good lyrics, good singing.
Oh this was just absolutely lovely. My standouts: Down to Zero, Save Me, People, Tall In the Saddle
Pleasant album, wouldn't mind listening again.
Really enjoyed this, not massively blown away but it's my kind of thing and she does it really well.
bit budget tracy chapman aren't we. or maybe the other way around? anyway they both have a vocal texture that instantly makes me feel like i'm in the early 90s again... i also like how playful this can sometimes be. unsure i'll return to it but i'm p content with it
How have I never heard of Joan Armatrading? First song plays like if Nina Simone nicked Dylan's band from Blood on the Tracks, but only the first track. She doesn't stay there, she travels and blends so many genres through the 40 minutes of this album, just a versatile and interesting album with some tracks sounding 20 years early, like pop and R&B of the late 80s/90s. Incredible album, wild talent, wonderful voice, I'm so glad I drew this one! And on the anniversary of its release no less.
Love and Affection the highlight song. The first 6-7 songs very earwormy, lower end of 4 stars but still strong.
Another album that I enjoyed much more than I thought I would - Not quite enough for it to be an addition to my library, but enough for four stars, I think.
Great voice. Good album. She should’ve been bigger.
Great album! Like an earlier, British Tracy Chapman, but with a bit more groove and funk on certain tracks.
a melancholy permeates the whole album, making its love songs feel less like pleas to another and more "if i ever get to love again, this is what i'm sure it will feel like." even the folk funk experiments have this feeling of anxiety about them, how often her lover can be fiery and sweet, but you're reading between the lines that they aren't right now (and probably haven't been for some time). kind of had tears in my eyes for the whole thing, and i don't know if that's me or just what the music does. i think a few of the tracks are duds ("Water With the Wine" should probably not sound that cheery given its subject matter) but the rest of the album makes up for it. an album that makes you want a good cry and a cigarette, and i don't even smoke.
Lovely
This is my favorite discovery of this project so far. Lovely stuff!
Better on the second listen. More contemplative mood.
loved this. will relisten.
The cover might suggest a mellow, stripped-back album of guitar and vocals, and while there’s certainly some of that here, there’s also a surprising dose of upbeat tracks with a delightful funk flavour. Joan’s voice is nothing short of spectacular, rich with emotion and character, and the backing band is equally impressive, elevating the songs with their superb musicianship. This album was a real treat from start to finish. Standout Track: Water with the Wine Score: 4/5
Different then what I normally listen to but still pretty good
This was new to me and completely captivating. Her voice and sense of melody were odd but familiar at the same time. Johns made some inspired choices in connecting her with musicians that made it all just sing…. Good stuff that I am sure I will revisit.
Joan Armatrading is a British singer/songwriter with a deep, rich voice, who wrote a confessional type of folk rock songs. Her eponymous album was her third, and the work that propelled her to fame. The album includes "Love and Affection," Armatrading's first hit single. These songs incorporate rich orchestrations - saxophones and 12-string guitar solos - to add to the rich sound of Armatrading's incredible voice.
I’d never heard of her before but I liked this! She has her own sound which is somehow both unique and approachable. I’d listen again.
A woman who does it all and with such tact, Joan really killed this whole album. There's a very bold line from here to Tracy Chapman and many others, capitalizing on bringing diversity to who's behind the guitar and stories. Emotionally direct if not overwhelming, its a masterwork in its' own right
Surprisingly good. Not sure why she isn’t a household name.
This was a fun album, very different to what I usually listen to but it was refreshing. Some songs were a little repetitive but for the most part it was good. I actually continued listening to more after the album finished, and found out Joan Armatrading is from St. Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies. She also has a British accent and a lot of good stories to tell, I liked her a lot.
really really cool the guitar playing is awesome
Great soulful bluesy folk music with a hint of 70s. Sounds ahead of its time. Deep and personal lyrics.
Liked this one a lot. She has a hell of a voice.
This is a strong 4. It might even be a 5 but I'm not sure about some songs. Her voice is so pretty and I love the instrumentals. Just wow!
Very nice album! Loved the vocals
Consistently great songwriting and performances from Joan but something about the recording prevents it from being a 5.
Loved some of the songs and her voice/style, but felt the quality decreased as it got to the later tracks
Rich instrumentals and production, pretty dynamic genre-wise without any one track feeling out of place.
#66 Nice voice.
She has a beautiful voice gonna have to finish album later
Some good stuff going on
Excellent. 4.5 stars
great voice.
I absolutely loved this album, only really knew Love and Affection but it’s one of the ones I’ve listened to the most so far, I may even buy it, tremendous
didn’t know about her before this, a good find from 1001. funk, pop, soul, rock all rolled into one album. Favorite track: love and affection other picks: down to zero, join the boys, like fire
First time listening to her, pretty cool singer/songwriter fare
Wow, decades since I heard any of this. Down To Zero is a magic song. This album should be a stellar attraction in the Cool Hall of Fame. Her voice in just Help Yourself and Water With the Wine is worth a million times the price of admission. I think my older sister must have had this because many of the cuts have the familiarity of long lost but cherished memories. Endlessly inventive, and she exhibits a powerful possession of all aspects of the music. No filler.
What a beautiful voice.
Una voz muy hermosa.
Joan Armatrading's stellar vocal skills and Glyn Johns' pitch-perfect production values easily explain how this very good album ended up on the list. Oh, and you have at least four memorable cuts on side one, subtle yet also lively opener "Down To Zero", tongue-in-cheek "Water With The Wine" (about a narrator falling all-too-quickly into a man's arms, maybe regretting it a little the morning after), and the delicate and heartfelt "Love And Affection" and "Save Me", two already stunning songs made even more stunning thanks to the cinematic string section playing on them. The second side is a little less memorable song-wise, though. It goes to usual seventies folk-rock fare in rather pleasant ways, with a lot of bluesy and jazzy inflexions to spice things up a little (that fretless bass!). But even with those nice arrangements, and Joan showcasing her impressive acoustic guitar-playing chops on "Like Fire", there's something that feels a little too 'derivative' in Armatrading's music in that second half. Of course it would be quite reductive to merely state Joan was playing a slightly lesser version of the sort of African-American-indebted music Joni Mitchell was playing around those years. Armatrading had a voice of her own, just like Mitchell had. Yet Joni's oeuvre also had extra quirks and distinctively poetic and idiosyncratic touches that made it fascinating in the long run (and grating to some people, I readily admit it). Joan was into simpler pleasures, it seems, maybe stemming from the fact that she was British, obviously didn't have to resort to the 'blackface' nonsense Joni sometimes fell into (both metaphorically and literally), and so had no stakes in the sort of tireless "deconstruction" Mitchell constantly operated within her own songwriting. Maybe those simpler pleasures resonated with a possibly less pretentious audience at the time. More power to the latter. But decades after, it's hard not to notice the difference between the respective ambitions of those two artists, as admittedly unfair as associating Joni and Joan is. Armatrading is releasing a new album next month, by the way (November 2024). Its two singles sound like an updated version of her slicker, glossier eighties adventures. Well, sort of. But anyway, it's nice to learn that she is still very active, and that she keeps on releasing records almost fifty years after this eponymous album came out. 3.5/5 grade for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 grade for more general purposes (5 + 3.5). Number of albums left to review: 25 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 419 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 249 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 311
Low 4, maybe better than Marvin Gaye, worse than Sheer Heart Attack and Cyndi Lauper Tall in the Saddle was the most notable for me, although the others are really good.
Really good instrumentation and vocals I liked a lot
There were some catchy tracks on here. I think this era gave a light to some generationally talented singers. I'm not sure who is in the backing band but I think it's very well done and a great balance where Joan's voice is the centerpiece. Down to Zero, Love and Affection, and Tall in the saddle are probably my favorite tracks.
Beautiful. So often on this list I feel disappointed that I missed a volume of music, and this is one of those albums.
Wow. Amazing. It's not a 10/10. Ut I think it is close to a 9/10. I loved listening to this. It was fun, beautiful, peaceful, all in one album.
Qué bien empieza!!! Totalmente desconocida para mí. Me guardo en favoritos "Down to zero", "Help yourself", "Love and affection" y "Like fire".
WHAT A VOICE, iconic
Quite fun and funky! Love and Affection and Join the Boys particular stand-outs.
I’ve never heard of her, but I really enjoyed this. The music was great and she has a great voice.
Fun and groovy album; liked!
It's alright. Playlist material.
Enjoyed this very much.
You know, it's always interesting to see a self-titled album that isn't the debut, because you never know what it's going to represent in their career. For the Beatles, it meant getting weird and doing whatever the hell they wanted to. For Metallica, it meant the start of a shift in sound to become more accessible. And for Joan Armatrading, well I don't know what it represents other than being good. I like this album. It's not a masterpiece, but it's solid. I like what I heard. The singing is pretty nice. The sound is fairly interesting. All of the descriptions I found beforehand labeled this as something like folk rock or singer-songwriter which gave me a certain impression of what this would be like. However, I'm sensing a much stronger funk and soul influence than I expected. But you know what? That's far from a bad thing. I mean, I like folk rock, but there's only so many folk rock albums you can listen to before it stops being interesting. It's always nice to get something that's a bit different but still somewhat familiar. It's especially nice when the sound is as good as this. The writing is also pretty good. Overall, this isn't the most fascinating album out there, but it is pretty good and sometimes that's all you need. Light 4/5.
I LOOOVE WOMEN!!!
really enjoyed the sound of this album, very chill and such a great voice.
Very nice funky groovy music that I don't think I have ever heard before. It's pretty good, even less popular songs are good and have a great vibe. I will definitely be listening to this one again.
Joan Armatrading has never quite reached the heights of superstardom, perhaps because she has always refused to play the tabloid fame game and kept her private life to herself. This album is a quiet gem, from one of Britain’s greatest singer songwriters, mixing songs of longing and regret with some gorgeously smooth jazzy R&B. There are some very pointed lyrics here too, especially Water with the Wine dealing with date rape.
This is really good, and I never heard of her before. It's really nice & smooth folk rock/pop with a jazz/R'n'B twist. Great voice, nice compositions, some very seventies sounds, nothing too mellow or cheesy.
It was a good strong soft rock album. I can’t really see myself going back to it but it was very interesting and I loved the lyrics and song writing behind much of the album. Favorite song was probably join the boys. 7/10.
Very enjoyable listen, has aged well
Excellente découverte. Un album qui mix country et soul avec des touches de rock classique. Très intéressant car la voix de Joan est puissante et sculptée pour ce style.
Solid album, some real highlights and no obvious lowlights.
Nice! Great organs and guitar parts!
Very beautiful
surreal vocals and guitar work. a very bluesy vibe that definitely feel like it could inspire some artists that i really love now. annie lennox sounds like this artist.
Great, liked her album before this more. It was happier and about family. This album seemed to be a tale of dark brooding love and sometimes it was painful to hear the music
6 out 10 songs is a lot to like! I love the lyrics and instrumentals sections!
This makes for a chill and vibey Sunday morning. 3.5 stars
Listend years ago. Good music, good voice.
Приятный альбом. Нежный и клёвый голос
4/5 Joan is a very talented lyricist, and her songwriting is what shines through on this album. There are some great tracks and some ok tracks. Down To Zero 3.5/5 Help Yourself 5/5 Water With The Wine 4.5/5 Love And Affection 4.5/5 Save Me 4/5 Join The Boys 2.5/5 (LEAST FAV) People 3.5/5 Somebody Who Loves You 5/5 (FAV) Like Fire 3/5 Tall In The Saddle 4.5/5
Tracy Chapman esque, never heard of this artist before. Bluesy, great vocals.
Nice voice and good music. Had never heard of her!
songs sound too similar
rly liked this and finding out she’s gay made it even better
I liked this a lot! What a voice…
Pleasant surprise :)
First listen Saved 6/10 Top track: Help Yourself
A true surprise on this list. I had never heard of her and will likely go back to it.
Wow, where did this come from. Finnaly a record that BELONGS here from the depths of the UK. Great songs, beutiful arrangement and a killer voice
Chill
Warm and soulful. Equal Measures delicate and strong. This is a great album full of assured, heartfelt songwriting. Love it.
A mi esta señora me ha sorprendido
Decent album, she’s got a great voice.
This is good.
I discovered Joan when I was 15. Her album Track Record was just released and since it was ‘83 her label was sprinkling the MTV fairy dust all over it as promotion and I fell for the single “(I Love It When You) Call Me Names” from the video. But even then, the talk was that album had too much of a pop sheen, and that her really good stuff was from her early albums in the seventies. Here it is, exactly forty years later from first hearing her that I finally get what people were talking about… and they were right! I loved this pretty much from start to finish, and love that it emphasizes her songwriting and musical variety, which are top notch. I hear a lot of influences, from Joni Mitchell and Janis Ian, to Steely Dan in some of the arrangements. So this became a gateway listen for me, one of the best things about this 1001 challenge. Time to dive deeper into her whole catalog, which should be fun! I recently picked up a number of her albums from Goodwill for like $3 each including this one, so I have a great place to start 😎
I like it. Sort of a funky upbeat Tracy Chapman style, but really enjoyable.
Joan's eclectic take on country and folk is not unlike Tracy Chapman's - there are quite a few parallels between the two, and just like Tracy's self-titled album, I found a lot to enjoy here. Joan is a talented vocalist, sliding seamlessly up and down registers in between tracks, and instrumentally, the album draws from various genres that were popular at the time - be it folk, country-rock, RnB, or Funk. 'Join the Boys' alongside the closing minutes of 'Tail In the Saddle', for example, go in a sort of funk direction, vocally and instrumentally, with these bouncy basslines. The song 'Save Me' on the other hand is driven by gorgeous acoustic and shimmering guitar instrumentation with cinematic strings that make everything feel so dramatic and grandiose. I also really enjoyed the throwback nature of the vocal melody of 'Water With The Wine' and the opener 'Down to Zero' may be my favorite song here. All around, this album's just a great collection of songs. As it goes with this album style though, not every song will land and there's little cohesive flow between the songs, but the writing, playing, and singing are more than enough to keep you engaged for its respectable forty-minute runtime.
This reviewer balks at the singer/songwriter genre, mostly because the experience with them so far in this 1001 journey has been mostly a disappointment, infuriatingly so, with rare exceptions. The genre seems to be out of balance with the singer vs. songwriter class. Some artists clearly have a lyrical gift, but that should have been a poem, not a song, because the song is terrible. Others, the music is the only saving grace, the singer should keep their involvement to a minimum. Then you have this gem of an album inject some hope into what has been (and will be) a pessimistic approach to this genre. Joan Armatrading balances the singer/songwriter role so well. Her voice is articulate and smooth, the music and lyrics both have resolve letting the listener feel the psychological excitement and relief of new beginnings and closures. She and the music are partnering together, complementing each other beautifully rather than in chaotic contention, almost as religious as a call and response. Where this album does not get the elusive 5 is that it does hit a plateau, albeit at a high peak, and it lacks a certain punch to get it to that level, but it still does get a very deserving 4 as an exceptionally brilliant album, by a remarkable artist.
i’ve never heard of her but i really liked this.
Added 6/10 to a playlist, resulting in a 3.4 on a 1-5 star scale. I rounded up because it was creative and experimental with sound, making it fun. Overall, a good album for soft listening! Very emotionally driven and soulful.
That was really good. Glad i finally listened to her and will check out more for sure
Really liked this. Amazed I had never heard of her before.
This was surprisingly epic, had a good time
7/10
A warm, beautiful album. I liked her voice and I loved some songs, but didn't care much for others. Favorites: "Down To Zero", "Help Yourself", "Tall In The Saddle"
Joan has a very strong voice. She's very soulful and expressive in a way that a lot of musicians can't match. I'm not sure I like her voice with the type of music she sings. I give her four stars for her vocals but three stars for the music she's singing to.
Well that was a pleasant surprise. I was hesitant going in due to the folk-pop labeling; however, this was a very enjoyable listen. Powerful, clean vocals throughout with solid instrumentals and diversity to the tracklist. If I didn't know any better I would have assumed Down to Zero was from the 90s -- something about the production. Same can be said for Tall in The Saddle. Join The Boys > People are both jams. I found myself grooving along to the former -- particularly the open-jazzy interlude with the plinky piano soloing. Album ends on a great note with Tall In the Saddle. This was a surprisingly high 4 for me.
Hell yeah. Best singer/songwriter album on this list so far? Cruising on a nice day with the windows down may have helped this one a bit, but I still think it would be a 4 regardless. A good mix of energy and musical styles.
Really nice singing voice that was super easy to listen to. This album was really great in the first couple songs and the end, the middle was nothing special. Was going between a 3 and 4 here the whole time, I think the funky ending of Tall in the Saddle was enough to push it up.
On a bit of a heater with some good sounding shit. Really loving the production and overall vibe of this. People is my fuckin jam. Really loving Like Fire too. Things songs just have a lot of soul to them. Go Joan
Pretty good singer songwriterish album. Liked it a lot tbh 👍
me gustó buco hermano 8/10
7.5/10
Beautiful
Lovely album. Tall In The Saddle was my favourite.
This is wonderful, really like this, and the more I listen the better it gets. I think Down To Zero is the standout track, such a punchy opener. Rest doesn't quite live up to that bar Love & Affection, but it's still a really strong effort, full of soul and some great storytelling. 4/5.
such a unique and potent voice that feels like it is capable of such power and such control at the same time. The musical elements definitely form a way to feature these vocals and not to overpower them.
I would like to explore some of her other albums…Me myself I
singer-songwriter done right. nice cleanser after lucinda williams' album
A little sad but she has a great voice, very nice
Enjoyed the album and will check out some of her other stuff. Reading the bio on Spotify, I'm curious about her 80's music now.
This is nice. I'd listen again.
Proto Tracy chapman
1st half is good, nothing I dislike, but nothing that jumps out at me as phenomenal. However, join the boys starts a string of absolute heaters. I absolutely loved the second half of the album, with like fire being the high point for me. If the first half felt as unique and interesting, it’s a perfect album, but for now the first half holds it back for me.
last song was phenomenal, very chill - will def listen to again
Really enjoyable album, real mix of acoustic signer song writer and soul. First track is great Down to Zero, an album of love songs with an edge to them. Well worth a revisit. Stand out tracks: - Down to zero - Water with the wine - Save me - Join the boys - Tall in the saddle
Beeeautiful voice, lovely jazz, what's not to like!
Enjoyable. Nice vocals, compelling compositions. I particularly enjoyed the guitar work on Tall in the Saddle, turns out it's Jerry Donahue, who was lead guitarist of Fairport Convention after Richard Thompson.
I'm not usually a fan of this style of music, but this surprised me. It was soulfull and more country than I expected. Her voice is phenomenal.
A powerful, interesting voice performing some very well written songs.
It’s amazing none of these songs became generational hits. Each is compelling, and Armatrading’s vocals are understated beautifully.
Funky and groovy at times. Not expected. A good mix of various styles
Aldrig hört hennes namn förut. Börjar mycket bra! Otroligt skön röst. Låtarna är lattjo och intressanta. Låter rätt "modernt" för att vara 70-tal. Tidlöst snarare kanske. Somebody who loves you är nog bäst. Men då tycker jag nog alla låtar är lika bra-ish. Stark fyra.
Oj, det här var ju riktigt bra. Älskar öppningslåten som jag efter några genomlyssningar tycker är bäst på hela skivan. Är verkligen svag för kvinnliga sångare med så här djupt röstläge. Klar fyra!
She has a great voice. Never heard of Armatrading beforehand but this a solid record.
This was a really lovely album, and I’m surprised I haven’t heard of her before. I feel like she was probably an influence for Tracy Chapman, because this album definitely gave those vibes.
What an amazing surprise. Down to Zero has become an instant favourite and the rest of the album is so inventive and pleasing to listen to. Joan’s voice is unique and full of life.
#29 Joan for the win. I absolutely adore Love And Affection, it's such a beautiful little thing, like a squirrel or sth, I just want to grab and hold it and hug it.
Obviously Love And Affection is an all time classic, but I never digged into this album. Glad I did. Fantastic album. Happy to have discovered Down to Zero, Water With the Wine and Like Fire. 4.1*
First time listening to Joan Armatrading. She's magical. Reminds me of Joni Mitchell, but electrified.
Pleasantly easy to listen to.
Much better than I thought it would be. Between 3 and 4 stars. Rounding up.
This is a beautiful album and highlights a lot of strengths. The instrumentation is fantastic, the songwriting interesting, and she's got great vocal quality and control.
Great voice, good pop songs. I'll listen to this one again.
Great
Another artist I am completely unfamiliar with. I think I expected singer/songwriter style folk melodies here and I'm really pleasantly surprised. This is some good poppy soul with a soft rock backbone to it (yeah I know, but in this instance I actually DON'T mean to be insulting with "soft rock"). Some jazzy bits mixed in here and there, some blues too. Beautiful voice on Joan. Guitar work from her is also really expressive. Another one that's hard to really fit into any specific category, but just brimming with talent. I have to believe that Tracy Chapman was heavily influenced by Joan Armatrading. The songwriting and vocals are just too similar.
I love it
Beautiful sound and very expressive. The way she builds her songs both lyrically and musically is her own style.
She is a queen. Hasn't listened to this in years. A lot of mid 70s babies were made to this.
Good!!!
This was better with every listen.
I liked this so much !!! Hadn’t heard of Joan before this listen and I enjoyed the vast majority of tracks. Her voice is wonderful and she’s a super skilled songwriter. All the influences on here made it a fun listen. 7.5/10
This album was new to me, and quite a surprise. I have never listened a lot to Armatrading, but do recall she had some decent rock albums out in the early 80’s (Me Myself, and The Key) very energetic stuff as far as I remember. However, here its quite a different style, like a blend between soul and singer-song folk music, with a very warm pleasant nerve through teh whole album. I really like. Must listen to more Armatrading now..
Love and Affection is a great song. First song that jumped out at me. Greg low backing vocals on the chorus, turns out it was Lester from The Wire, insane.
Great voice and great songs. I enjoyed this a lot.
Carefully crafted love songs, plumbing the depths of the psyche and soul, set to a surprisingly successful musical amalgamation of folk and funk. Unlike most things I’ve ever listened to, and quite beautiful
Really nice album
Funk and beauty — all in one!
I know that this is a divisive album within this challenge, but I really don’t get why. It’s folky AND it’s funky – I don’t really need much more from the music I enjoy. She does have a weird voice that I could see as off-putting to some, but I think that’s actually what makes this unique. She can also write a song, and, more importantly, write a groove. It’s not the greatest album I’ve ever heard, but it definitely influenced a lot of the albums I do consider perfect. On face value, though, this is just a great Sunday Morning™️ album – fun and groovy and folksy music to chill out and vibe with while you make your morning coffee. But then again, I generally love lesbian folk music because duh 🏳️🌈👩🏻❤️💋👩🏻
This album was a surprise but a welcome one. Astonishing vocals and a strong influence for female singer songwriters that would follow her.
C'était bon pour quelqu'un qui porte le prénom d'un cheval
new artist for me, wholesome album with a nice mix with a cheerful voice
cool bluesy folk rock
really enjoyed it, powerful voice, good musically.
Overall a very good album. For some reason I know the name, but I have never listened to her, as far as I am aware at least. I enjoyed almost all of it. It had a good rhythm that was a little funky with some occasional blues. "Save Me" was probably my least favorite track, just started rough. The album really starts to pick up with "Join The Boys" and finds itself with "Like Fire" and has a great ending with "Tall In The Saddle." Most of these mentioned are making the playlist.
beautiful voice
I’d never heard of this artist but it’s an easy-listening album with a good vibe.
I will happily let this grow on me, it's an album to revisit and absolutely one YMHBYD, but whenever it dips into its uptempo country blues side, I felt like skipping, even though the ~vibe~ of it is coherently nice, but ah, hm. I think it's been a while since I've given a 4? Here's one. A good one.
Hey, this is pretty good!
Folk and soul with great arrangements and super vocals. Strong record.
Sounded like it would fit in with a lot of the singer song writers in my parents collection.
We think it was good but forgot to rate it so maybe we are wrong 🤷
I was famiar with Joan Armatrading name, and kind of knew what she sounded like, but I couldn’t place any specific song. So I went into this pretty open. And I really enjoyed this album. The songs are really good, and sound great. It sounded good enough that I had to check who produced it. Glenn Johns, which explains a lot. Anyway, sound is great, songs are very good, singing has a nice personality. Mostly acoustic guitars, backed with full instrumentation, but backed, not overwhelmed by. Has a bit of a Jazzy feel. This is the kind of hidden gem that I came to the 1001albums project to find. That said, it’s not perfect, and has a couple of “less strong” parts in the middle. Solid 4, may evolve to a 5 with more familiarity.
I love this record... songs which really get under your skin, especially 'Save Me' and 'Down to Zero'. 4/5
I would've probably never found this album without this list and I do think is worth listening to before I die! Glad it was included. 4.
Filled to the brim with good tunes and some incredibly catchy riffs. Easy to see why this album is included in the list. Glad to have listened to it (numerous times now) and will seek it out again.
BEAUTIFUL. I should give this more listens in the future. I think it could really, really grow on me.
Another big and great surprise!
Joan is good. A solid listen. Give it your attention.
First time with this album. I knew she had a good voice with the singles I've heard but this is fantastic. Great sound all over
I don't know anything about Joan Armatrading or how popular she may have been, but for folk music I had never heard before, I liked this quite a bit. The songs Help Yourself and Tall in the Saddle were absolutely amazing. Others were kind of bland or dated, but there was enough here for me to stay engaged.
Rock, Soul, 1976 -> 4
An excellent album, got some belters on it.
"Joan Armatrading" by Joan Armatrading stands as a testament to the artist's profound talent, showcasing her prowess as a singer-songwriter. Released in 1976, this self-titled album marked Armatrading's third studio release and solidified her reputation as a unique voice in the music industry. Let's delve into a comprehensive review, dissecting the album's various components: lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while considering both its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics: Armatrading's lyrics in this album are characterized by their depth, introspection, and emotional resonance. She masterfully captures the complexities of human relationships, often delving into themes of love, heartache, and self-discovery. Tracks like "Love and Affection" and "Down to Zero" are poignant examples of her lyrical prowess, with their evocative imagery and profound insights into the human condition. Armatrading's ability to craft lyrics that are both relatable and thought-provoking is one of the album's major strengths. ### Music: Musically, "Joan Armatrading" is a rich tapestry of folk, rock, and blues influences, showcasing Armatrading's versatility as a musician. Her distinctive voice, characterized by its warmth and soulfulness, serves as the perfect vehicle for conveying the raw emotion embedded within each song. The album features a diverse array of musical arrangements, from the gentle acoustic strumming of "Save Me" to the driving rhythm of "Tall in the Saddle," demonstrating Armatrading's ability to traverse different musical landscapes with ease. ### Production: The production quality of the album is solid, with a clean and crisp sound that allows Armatrading's vocals and instrumentation to shine. Producer Glyn Johns deserves credit for capturing the raw energy and intimacy of Armatrading's performances while maintaining a polished sonic aesthetic. The instrumentation is skillfully arranged, with each instrument serving to complement Armatrading's vocals rather than overshadow them. Overall, the production of the album is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that went into its creation. ### Themes: Thematically, "Joan Armatrading" explores a wide range of topics, from the complexities of love and relationships to the challenges of self-discovery and personal growth. Armatrading's lyrics delve into the nuances of human emotions, offering listeners a window into her own experiences and insights. There is a sense of vulnerability and authenticity that permeates the album, as Armatrading lays bare her innermost thoughts and feelings for all to see. Themes of resilience, empowerment, and self-acceptance are also prevalent throughout the album, resonating with listeners on a deeply personal level. ### Influence: "Joan Armatrading" has had a significant influence on the singer-songwriter genre, inspiring countless artists with its heartfelt lyrics, soulful vocals, and eclectic musical style. Armatrading's ability to blend folk, rock, and blues influences into a cohesive sonic tapestry has served as a blueprint for generations of musicians seeking to carve out their own unique sound. The album's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal, with tracks like "Love and Affection" and "Down to Zero" continuing to resonate with audiences decades after their initial release. ### Pros: 1. **Lyrical Depth:** Armatrading's lyrics are rich in emotion and introspection, offering listeners a window into her innermost thoughts and feelings. 2. **Musical Versatility:** The album's eclectic mix of folk, rock, and blues influences showcases Armatrading's versatility as a musician. 3. **Production Quality:** The album boasts a clean and polished sound, thanks to the skillful production work of Glyn Johns. 4. **Emotional Resonance:** The themes explored in the album, from love and heartache to self-discovery and empowerment, resonate deeply with listeners. ### Cons: 1. **Lack of Diversity in Tempo:** Some may find that the album lacks variety in tempo, with many of the tracks falling into a mid-tempo groove. 2. **Limited Instrumentation:** While the instrumentation is skillfully arranged, some listeners may find themselves wishing for more experimentation and diversity in the musical arrangements. 3. **Occasional Repetition:** There are moments where certain themes and motifs are repeated throughout the album, which may detract from its overall impact for some listeners. In conclusion, "Joan Armatrading" by Joan Armatrading is a masterful showcase of the artist's talent and creativity, featuring poignant lyrics, soulful vocals, and captivating musical arrangements. While the album may have its flaws, its enduring appeal and influence cannot be denied, cementing its status as a classic in the singer-songwriter genre.
Honestly easy listen. Way better that I thought it would be. Empowering lyrics.
Really good songwriting, which in my mind is one of the most valuable and hardest things to find in music.
Thought it was really good. Not sure how much I’ll come back and listen to though. Rating: 3.8
She’s got some freakin soul!
I, too, have learned a valuable lesson about mixing water with my wine next time. Came into this album completely blind and I was pleasantly surprised to discover this artist. I really enjoyed listening to this album and some of the songs were truly jams. I’m curious if more of her work will show up and if it will compare to this album. Either way, I think this one earned the four stars.
How cool is it to go from not knowing anything about an artist to being somewhat of a fan, all in the span of 41 minutes. I had never even heard of the name Joan Armatrading before, and now I wonder how she slipped through so many people's radars. This record feels like a precursor to the '80s and '90s female singer-songwriter wave. It's nearly every bit just as good. Standouts are Down to Zero, Water with the Wine, Love and Affection, Join the Boys, and People.
Had never heard of her. Cool voice.
Really good, not my usual thing, I enjoyed it.
This was very good. Had never heard of her before.
How nice to hear Joan Armatrading - a catchup activity, an artist Ive never had the peasure of sitting down to like this, and I know form decades ago I liked a few of her tracks. Interesting pulsing voice where the uses volume and emphasis in syllables from- a signature of hers used to good effect and to add rythm and beat via her vocals - no sure what its called to do this>>?. so yes, this stands out as different - feels like a transition or blend of Tracy Chapman and Nina Simone. Unique and soulfully soothing. I was hanging out for the star of the show "Love and Affection" is mastery. oh I do love that delicate and powerful magic - nothing jumps around and works that well tonally - worth a listen just for that happy song.
An excellent album. Well written songs and she has a great sound. I’m glad that I finally actually listened to some of her music.
Really enjoyed that. Probably my favorite album I've heard on this list so far that I wasn't already aware of. I'm definitely interested in hearing more of her stuff.
The my-mum-coded albums are coming thick and fast. I enjoyed this a lot.
Hadn't heard of her before, this was pretty good and added to the listen to again someday pile
This turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Really enjoyed her style, sound and swagger in this. Need to find out more about her and why she wasn’t a more popular artist.
Never heard of this artist. Really enjoyed the album overall. 4/5
Really good
Bloody marvellous - could listen to it all day, every day if I had to.
It was interesting. I quite liked it, the instruments were very well played. I think, I have to listen to this again some time. It somehow got to me
Enjoyed this more than I anticipated!
Get a lot of Joni Mitchell vibes…and it fits right in timeline wise with the popularity of singer-songwriters of the 70s. It’s an excellent listen; great arrangements and Joan’s voice sounds wonderful.
pretty good! runs a bit long but overall a good listen!
Love this album. Drags a little by the end but that only knocks one star off. Her voice is great
I really liked this album. There were only two songs I didn't really care for ("Water with the Wine" and "Tall in the Saddle"), but the rest reminded me of other folk from that time like a Joan Mitchell or others that I like. The production and mastering also sounds great, making this a very great surprise for me - something I didn't know about before and will return to again.
Very good. Good blend of folk and blues and probably some more genres. Will listen to again.
Good music. Reminded me of Tracy Chapman. Enjoyed the listen.
This isn't the album with Drop The Pilot on, just in case you're reading this before listening, we may as well lower expectations right now. However, it's still a really good collection of songs, sung brilliantly by Our Joan. It's a bit same-y, I'd say, but very nice indeed.
Armagive it a 4
An important soundtrack to my college years. (yeah, I'm that old) She always found a way to make her message melodic.
first listen a pleasant affair with various folky styles
really liked it!
Folk-rock setentero. Está bien. Un 4.
Such an incredible voice. There's something timeless about this music too. Faves: Love And Affection, Tall In The Saddle
Enjoyed this more than expected! Some nice relaxed numbers and some with a surprising amount of groove!
Armatrading's compositions are unique in that they explore folk rock with a distinctly funk edge. Her voice is also absolutely gorgeous which gives the whole thing a calming feel. Some incredible guitar work here and there too. Honestly what an album! Armatrading does such a fantastic job it feels like this is too often overlooked.
Love her voice and the vibe of the album
This was great
Tracy Chapman wannabe but that's not a bad thing.
Great instrumentals all the way through and many songs had a lot of soul. Great listen from front to back
Fantastic soul/blues sound, and amazing guitar work.
4.5
I first heard about Joan Armatrading when Tracy Chapman's debut album was released. Many critics referred to Chapman as "the next Joan Armatrading" and I can definitely see that comparison. But I love them both separately.
I liked this quite a bit. Her voice isn't the greatest, but it works well with her music, and she is very heartfelt in her delivery. It's was bluesy and soulful, but with a modern feel (for 1976). I'm surprised that I've not heard of her before.
joan is great i love her loose form and the funk touches in this - 4.5
this sounded glorious through my new airpods
I've never heard of Joan Armatrading, and I am really enjoying this. Her voice is great, and the songs range from sweet and folky to bluesy to downright funky. Tracy Chapman is a clear stylistic descendent, but there's a lot to chew on here even though the production is very clean and pop-minded.
Elegante. 4/5.
Way better than expected. Can hear a lot of these songwriting grooves and motifs moving forward even into the pop of the 90s. Really good clarity on recording as well for the era.
Loved it! I saw her for the first time at the Memphis Auditorium Hall in 1977 and thought then, how fast can I get my mitts on this album! Down to Zero is one of my all time favorites.
Shades of Nina Simone. Everyone gives uber producer Glyn Johns a bit too much credit for this one, which shouldn't affect the rating. It doesn't.
Solid seventies singer-songwriter stuff!
Nicee
Did Tracy Chaplan and Amy whinehouse make a baby ?
Wow - I had never heard Joan before. What a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed every track, albeit the material was a little dark for my liking. Rich, complex, and smart instrumental construction complimented by thoughtful lyrics. Listed genres were folk rock and pop, but I heard tinges of funk, disco, and even country. At times Joan's deep voice reminded me of Tracy Chapman. My favorite tracks were Join the Boys, Save me, and Down to Zero. Shocked that she has put out 20 albums with one as recently as 2021 and she is not more in the mainstream with her talent and high quality arrangements.
Lots of cool acoustic guitar grooves. Really enjoyed the feel of this album. Band was locked in, great instrumentation. Like the strings throughout. Would have never guessed this is from 1976, sounds more modern and has an alt-pop-rock vibe. Like the blend of pop/funk/blues. Loved the baritone backing vocals and the sax on "Love and Affection". Enjoyed the various layers playing off each other on "Like Fire".
First artist on this list I had no idea who they are. Had some pretty cool songs, good guitar work, and good singing. The recording and mixing is really well done too.
Love this album if for no other reason in that it reminds me of the mid 70's. Her voice is appealing (to me) and her drummer plays *exactly* what I would have played if I were recording with her. No song really sticks out as a highlight but there were no songs that I didn't enjoy. Glad to have listened to this one, for sure.
Amazing lead off track. Good follow up Love her voice. Love the sound - soulful, folky and layered. Insane guitar work. Like fire. Musically superior album
She has a beautiful voice that seems to have influenced many other artists. I hadn’t heard of her before this.
Overall I enjoyed this Not for every day but in the mood
What a voice. First song is unbelievable. Love how this sounds. One of my favorite new discoveries, excited to go back to this. 4/5
Such a great mid 70s acoustic pop album. Worth a listen!
New-to-me artist. A little funk, a little blues, a bit of Joni Mitchell mixed with Tracy Chapman. Really glad I got to listen to this.
What a treat! Great poppy singer songwriter work from the late 70s. Real standouts include Joan's very distinct voice, a really snappy rhythm section, and nice big production. It manages to dodge too much 70sness and still feels nicely fresh and catchy.
Incredible album. How have I not heard about this before!? Fantastic guitar playing and some insane grooves sprinkled throughout the album. Notable tracks: Join The Boys People Like fire
Great smooth jamz. I was carried away. Never heard of her before and I can dig it. I felt like a lot of the time she was holding back the full power of her voice in service to these understated (but evocative!) lyrics and at first I was bummed about that, like I wanted be like ARMATRADING! BELT THAT SHIT! because if I had those pipes I’d be belting everything everywhere but then I realized that this is her third album and obvi she knew what she was capable of so her softshoeing shit is this really impressive choice. She felt in control of herself and her music here. Listened to it in the rain from downtown Philadelphia back to Conshohocken, kids and Erin asleep around me, traffic creeping, so many stiffs working a couple days between Christmas and New Years, dark dark at 5:30 PM. I saw a fluffy white dog, paws black to the elbow and eyes a little wild, trotting the wrong way down the shoulder of interstate 76. Joan’s guitar was like that dog. I won’t listen tot his album all the time but I’m saving it in the library.
To keep it short and sweet, this a jam. Beautiful singing 4/5
Great folk rock that is elevated by the soulful singing. Standouts are lead off “Down to Zero” and the emotional “Love and Affection”.
Folksy soul with jazzy RnB harmonies and arrangements supporting a powerful vocal performance. The singing displays an incredible range - most comfortable in a warm and intimate low-mid range, she drops down into some smokey lows and raises up for alto flashes. It's light and easy going, singing in service of the song not to feature virtuosity. To start, the songs are driven by an acoustic guitar in a classic singer-songwriter mode but fleshed out with strings, horns, piano and some restrained electric guitar along with simple bass parts and swinging drums plus he odd solo from a pretty lap steel, or a smooth jazz sax. Songs are generally slow and atmospheric, wintery Sunday morning fare. In the middle the pace picks up for some funkier tracks like Join the Boys, People, and Tall in the Saddle that combine a bit of Funkadelic fuzz with the artificial sweetner of Stevie Wonder pop. It ends with some hot twangy blues on Like Fire and Saggle that have a rampant bass and astral slide guitar and a bit of country flair. The production is crisp and clear, a full sound but still roomy with lots of space between the instruments. I'd never heard this before but wow. Favorites: Down to Zero, Join the Boys, People, Like Fire, Tall in the Saddle
Surprised that I enjoyed this as much as I did.
New artist for me!
Great vocalist! Water With the Wine and Love and Affection both seemed familiar. Last few songs on the album my interest kind of faded until the tempo picked up during Tall In The Saddle.
It’s really a 3 star album but I was open to persuasion.
I enjoyed this kind of gentle funk with soulful lyrics. Nice.
Easy listen. Found it very relaxing.
Very enjoyable.
Unexpectedly great
immensely enjoyable!
I hadn't listened to this before and was really pleasantly surprised. Some excellent songs, she's a really talented vocalist and musician and I've saved the album to my phone for future. Knocking on a 4.5.
Lovely blend of folk, blues, soul, and rock throughout this. The sound itself is wonderfully clean throughout, especially for something this old. Another gem I hadn't come across before this.
I really have no idea what to make of this album. The weirdest thing about it is that I've never heard of it, which is unusual for the rock albums that show up on this list (and I'm guessing that has a lot to do with the gender and race of Ms Armatrading). The album has a lot of range, with lots of elements of folk, blues, funk, and other related genres. Both music and lyrics are soulful, and she has a great voice with a lot of strength behind it 4/5
I love this discovery. What a neat album. So full of soul and musicianship. A singer/songwriter who can actually write; what a rare treat! I didn't expect much, so maybe I'm currently over-hyping it, but I enjoyed almost all of these songs and found myself bopping along. Fav tracks: Join The Boys, Help Yourself, Save Me
There's a fairly wide variety of styles covered here, it'd be really hard for me to categorize this album. They're all done well and blended seamlessly. The levels here bum me out a little, it's as though every other instrument is given precedence over her voice, so in the more intense sections it tends to fade to the back. That said, really enjoyable, would love to listen again (or to more from her).
Soulful, drums are incredible, really liked it
great album. i loved the ebb and flow and pacing of it. her voice is fantastic. glad to have learned of this one.
I loved her style of singing and her smooth, low voice! Plus a lot of her songs were really fun to listen to. Her career started to take off when she was in a touring production of Hair in the late 60s and you can lowkey tell that that style of music was an inspiration (which imo is a good thing.)
this one rly hit for me today. 3.5
01) Down to Zero - 8,5 02) Help Yourself - 8,0 03) Water with the Wine - 7,5 04) Love and Affection - 8,5 05) Save Me - 8,0 06) Join the Boys - 7,0 07) People - 7,5 08) Somebody Who Loves You - 8,5 09) Like Fire - 7,5 10) Tall in the Saddle - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,80 (78/100) "Drop the pilot, try my balloon Drop the monkey, smell my perfume" That's all I knew about Joan Armatrading before listening to this album :-) This is very pleasant listening. Track #1 is my favourite, followed by #4 & #8.
Incredible richness of voice. Beautiful arrangements. Really fantastic.
This was real good will definitely be listening again
Great lyrics and cool voice
great album!
wiso wür sie s hit-videospiel arma handle wenns mittlerwiile in digitaler form verfüegbar isch?Anyway de Glyn Johns seit s segs best album woner dra gschafft het da heisst entweder lügt er oder s isch easy guet. Down to Zero. sie singt sehr schön. Pedal steel giti isch immer e gueti idee. schöne Song haut mi nöd um. Help Yourself seehr geili Chords. slagzüg afoch hihat. boah d chords gönd los und denn funky time uuuuuhyeah. riese song Water with the Wine. very diatonic very diatonic. oke s goht d hits sind no cool. Weniger strong de song. Love and Affection. sehr schön denn bi 1:20 machts funny chords. geil. Tüüfi Stimm funny. boh chromatischi line. OH SHIT SAXOPHON TIME. Jimmy Jewell heisster. Harde Song. Save Me. Do tönt sie wie d Joni Mitchell. Join the Boys. Superstition ass drumbreat. cool. baut mega geil uuf. drumbeat änderet sich (snare uf 2 und). Song ischmer aber chli zu joooo soul jooo. aber generell nice, akustischi und elektrischi giti sher cool. pianosolo hard People. bass hard. rhodes solo au. UII FUZZGITI. Somebody who loves you. wieder joni mitchell mit chli meh drums und so. aber nice. Like Fire. Gitarre Intro craaazy. slide nocher au. cool. Tall in the Saddle. moody nice, cooli chords. Gitisolo Huuuge. he bachelorarbet isch chli id queri cho aber seeehr überrascht vo dem album, git e glatts vieri.
ok mier started strong, down to zero riese song (((endlich mal e frau)))) sie het e uhuere schöni und klari stimm wiso wett sie eieinzigi waffe trade? nöd so ok chline jodeltime bi wather with the wine, schö recht "reduzierti" musig, rechts chli schrummschrumm, links dingdangdang ok join the boys chli schneller, findi nöd schlecht mal chli tempo innebringe uh shit bridge sehr sick, passiert vill aber d instrument ergänzed sich perfekt like fire isch ok und jz hend mini chopfhörer kei akku meh blink ufem cover ihri rolex wo sie dur de verchauf vo ihrere uzi sich finanziert het? tall in the saddle ischmer zerst chli z langsam gsi aber nachane s langsame gitarresolo isch insane und denn wenns geg de schluss nomal chli schneller wird und d schlagzüg nomal chli meh in vordergrund chunnt findis so en perfekte schluss finds würkli es super, album, mengisch chli langsam für min gschmak aber sie verstahts au mega, e gwüssi dynamik z erzüge und geg de schluss hie und daa chli meh tempo innezbringe, snare und toms findi mega schön warm, ihri stimm sowieso super
A good album. Unique. Sounds like something I could have really gotten into if I had first heard it at an early age. Starts out very strong but kinda tapers off as it goes but I still listen to it multiple times during the day, particularly the first few tracks.
Very solid singer songwriter. Love and Affection is an old school banger.
A few songs got a little depressing for me, but there were other winners.
I enjoyed this - she has a great voice with an interesting tone, and the songs have aged quite well, and sound good in a contemporary context.
Very solid! Enjoyed a lot
Great album!
better than I was expecting
This one was a surprise. I'd heard of her before, but not sure what I was expecting, but not his. I really enjoyed this one - she has an amazing voice. Stand out tracks for me were Down to Zero and Love and Affection.
Finally a good surprise on here. I've never heard of Joan but I enjoyed this album. Love and Affection is a song I've heard covered by other artist but never knew she wrote it.
Before listening: I don't know too much about Joan Armatrading although I have heard her name before. I believe she is 60s folk similar to Joan Baez. Review: This is definitely folk inspired but also more powerful than I thought it would be...there's a little more rock edge to the production than her contemporaries like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez. Very cool sound with a great voice that was likely a big influence to someone like Brandi Carlile. Down to Zero and Love and Affection are the best songs on here which shows in the Spotify stats...they have 13mil and 32mil listens compared to less than 1mil for the other songs. Thats a shame though cause there are other great songs on here...Water With the Wine and Join the Boys are 2 that I especially enjoyed.