Reviews (page 8 of 12)
Beautiful vocals and lyrics, just wasn’t really my vibe
Un clásico , pero definitivamente mucha canciones suenas iguales.
Great voice; ok lyrics
It was an enjoyable listen. I probably lean 3.5 stars for it, and I really enjoyed the closer Tall In The Saddle.
6/10 Favourite: Love and Affection Least Favourite: People
Black Joni Mitchell, female Van Morrison? No, her own thing and I’m embarrassed I hadn’t heard this album. Liked it sure enough.
Just ok
2.5
This is some lovely 70s-style sexy jazzy folk. It's very much not my thing, but it's good. Solid lovelorn lyrics, surprising, enchanting chord progressions, smooth emotional vocals, high-quality stuff.
Water with the wine, Join the boys, People, Somebody who loves you, Like Fire sont biens voire très biens.
Funky, fantastic voice, great but not my style.
6/10 Best songs: Help Yourself, Join the Boys, Like Fire I'd literally never heard of Joan Armatrading before getting this album today. The album is like if Tracy Chapman met Ani DiFranco - very Lilith Fair, singer/songwriter-with-a-guitar type music. Interestingly, it doesn't feel THAT dated, with the exception of some slightly groovy bass lines and beats. Overall a strong album, just not my kind of album.
??? alle mögen es, schon ok. c
Worth another listen
głos ma pani fajny, ale muzyczka nie dla mnie
Nice album
Easy listening. Makes for Nice background music.
more like joan imatrading this for another album! the kind of mellow *tracy chapman fast car* easy-listening that weirdly stressed me out as a kid but in my elder years i've kind of come around on it. among a bunch of albums whose sound blends together a bit i think there are more songs here that stick out than don't. favorite song is Tall In The Saddle or People. like a rock solid 2.6/5
Rating: 7/10 Definitely a cool result from this list, I hadn’t even heard of Joan and if I had to guess what year it was made it wouldn’t be 1976. Some really good instrumentation to go along with Joan’s songwriting. I wasn’t able to dive in lyrically too much in one listen, and I’ll need to listen more to feel more firmly about the album as a whole.
Pleasant + chill listen. The spotify autoplay that took over after this album ended was more fun 5.3/10
I've never heard of her! Really pleasant. Not really my cuppa but she's nice.
Cutie
Absolutely nothing wrong with this album, it's decent background music for work. But I can't say this is something I would seek out or even revisit. It was smooth and she's a solid singer, but really, just not my thing. I'll give her a 2.5 because this was better than Rufus. 2.5
3 I’ve never heard of Joan Armatrading, but I thought this was a perfectly listenable folk album. I can’t really say it did a ton in particular of note, but I enjoyed its warm sense of production, something that I thought paired incredibly well with Joan’s tender vocals. Admittedly, a lot of this sort of blends together, but there’s still enough diversity in songwriting and sound to keep things interesting, with Join the Boys and People being two tracks in particular that surprised me with their funk influence - I honestly can’t say I’ve heard that sort of thing on a folk album before. Still, they’re not especially noteworthy, and I would even say they pale a touch in comparison to songs like Water With the Wine and Love and Affection which, really, are only marginally better than anything else to be found here. I thought she may have been singing about me on Tall in the Saddle with the lyric, “You were God's gift to girls”, but apparently the song is like ‘70s-style shade towards fuccbois, so I guess not. For the best though - there’s only room in my heart for one melody, and it’s not Joan’s. Not much else to say on this one - it’s enjoyable, but nothing to write home about… just a two and half paragraph album review to be posted online I guess.
Great voice and a certain vibe.
Singer/songwriter that delves in soft tracks, but also some funk and more energetic songs, it's a great album for when you want something different.
Diferente
pleasant, but also forgettable
not my vibe personally
A little outdated for my liking
grand so
Was probably slightly better than I was expecting but did fade out after halfway.
So she has a beautiful voice, but I'm just not sure about all of the songs. The instruments were great, the music itself was good, but I just didn't care for the actual songs if that makes any sense. But I absolutely love her voice.
A nice mix of folk rock and soul, she has a great voice, lots of range. Standout songs: Down To Zero Water With The Wine People
Послухав і забув, навіть важко щось сказати. Приємна музика загалом.
favorite tracks: - join the boys - water with the wine - like fire
It was good; Joan is clearly talented, but it wasn't really my thing generally.
Lovely voice and arrangements. He "baritone" backup singer is a nice add on one track. It was mellow at times but held my attention. Nice female singer-singwriter; I will explore more Listened before? N Saved tracks? Y Favorite tracks: Love and Affection, Help Yourself, Water With The Wine ⭐⭐⭐ liked it. Saved some tracks.
Solid vocals over minimal production, can see how this influenced a lot of later female artists, but I think what came after is a lot more cohesive and engaging for me personally
I hadn't heard of this artist before. Pretty good album
Enjoyed it
Pretty solid throughout. Hard to hate but not easy to love so don't think I can give more than a 3.
there were defo songs I really enjoyed, but not fully my vibe
I'm very surprised that this is my first time hearing about this artist. Surely she would've been all the rage in the 70's with a voice like hers. Gorgeous, melodic, and pleasant. This is a very soft, pretty album. I'd love to hear more of her music down the road to see what else she has!
Join the Boys. Down to Zero. Love and Affection. Another one that was fairly unmemorable.
wonderful voice
Hvem hadde trodd at det ble en 3er?
Wonderful, warm voice. Heaps of talented but not something I'll ever return to.
It was decent
Pretty good
This was nice. I felt like I learned a new historical musical figure that was overlooked. Joan has a unique sound but you can see how she probably influenced later folk/r&b musicians. Not my jam, but I'll give it a 3 for musical variety, technical ability. Some nice mix of instruments and variety of moods, genres. but prob not going to listen again.
Pretty easy to listen to. I like the little bits of funk here and there. Why does it seem like I like funk more than I thought I did? Kind of unsettling somehow. I wish I could give this enough of my attention to get a better sense of what she's singing about. Surprising amount of instrumentation here for what appears to be a singer-songwriter album. Could do without the sax. I mostly tuned out for the second half of the album. Nonetheless, I could tell that what I was hearing was heartfelt and well-crafted.
If you had asked me if I knew Joan Armatrading this morning, I would've said only that her name sounded vaguely familiar. But as I made my way through this album, I recognized her voice. While I don't get into this kind of singer-songwriter stuff much, I found it pretty charming. "Love and Affection" is the obvious standout, as its 42M+ plays attest. I don't know that I'll come back to this, but I appreciate it all the same.
down to zero
A solid 3. Instrumentally talented players and interesting songwriting, though maybe a bit bland by halfway through. The first track was maybe most compelling to me, though the ramble-y lyrics and structure didn't do it for me. One in my group said this had him thinking "is this Tracy Chapman's mother?" I had never heard of this artist before and I'm glad I had this listen.
This album did not sound like it came out in 1976. It could have come out today. And there aren’t many albums that would describe as both funky and twangy but this is definitely both.
Singersongwriter från 1970-talet. Vissa produktionsidéer sticker ut och hela skivan är habil in i det sista. Jag lär inte återse denna.
“Are you for or against us — we are trying to get somewhere. Are you in or are you out?” Eh, I guess I’m in.
Sounds nice! Talented, I'll listen again.
I remember not loving this when it was current. I think the last track Tall in the Saddle was the best one for me. I tire of her voice quickly and the whole production was jsut so dated in a way that I didn't like.
--Down to Zero...I like the piano. Don't love the song yet but it could grow on me --Help Yourself...didn't enjoy the first half but it builds into something pretty funky and sweet --Water with the Wine...nice 'n' sleazy. I like her vocal choices here --Love and Affection...the vocals, again, are very nice. but I think they're elevating a pretty weak song --Save Me...I do NOT like the vocals on this one. She hovers too long in her upper register and it's not her strength --Join the Boys...starts strong. interplay between drums, guitar, bass, and piano is really fun --People...nice instrumentation but kind of cheesy --Somebody Who Loves You...sounds like it was recorded in a closet. that's a compliment --Like Fire...good beat. good guitar. good voice. good song --Tall in the Saddle...guitars giving me "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" vibes. Last 90 seconds kick
This was pretty good, it was generally an easy listen and it was best when it was funky, however, on the whole it was rather soulful and at times even felt a bit country. Realistically, I don’t know if or when I’d return to this but it feels like it merits its place on the list.
Very enjoyable, early acoustic album good voice good songs
I find the intended audience of most recorded music is the youth. Youth can be defined in any number of ways, but ultimately young carries the day. Indeed, adult contemporary is often used as an epithet isn’t it? This album is clearly for grown ups. Armstrong sings about adult issues and it is not especially chaotic, loud or audacious. Ironically adulthood in the 70s was likely people in their 20s but whatever. I find that I appreciate the maturity of this record, but true to form it doesn’t quite grab me in an irrationality emotional way.
Cool new discovery.
Joan was a pleasant surprise. Reminded me a little bit of Tracy Chapman.
Solid enough acoustic album. Very simple musically and reminds me a lot of Tracy Chapman. Songs are a bit samey
# 606 : Joan Armatrading Joan Armatrading – A Pleasant Stroll, But Not a Destination Dated in spots and a little middle-of-the-road, but overall this is a funky, folk-ish record that’s surprisingly enjoyable. Nothing overtly amazing, but also nothing skippable. It’s a bit slow and boring in parts, but the singing is genuinely great—Armatrading’s voice carries the whole thing. The focus here is a girl and her guitar, and for something made nearly 50 years ago, it holds up better than expected. Still, it’s not essential listening. It’s the kind of album you nod along to while wondering what else is in your queue. Best Track (if you must): None particularly stood out, but the vibe is consistent. Verdict: ★★★ for charm. File under “albums that are nice, but not necessary.”
Very good album, full of heart and great songwriting. Glad to have heard this, have not heard of her before. Not a bad song here.
This isn’t a bad album at all. It’s a nice blend of folk, rock, jazz, and even a touch of blues. That said, her style reminds me a lot of the singer-songwriters who became popular in the 90s. But since this came out in 1976, maybe she was the one who pioneered that sound!
Really interesting album! Love and Affection is the big one and its genuinely unique. Cool listen
a pleasant and well-written folk rock album with hints of Springsteen and Mitchell. would go to influence more than it probably gets credit for. didn't resonate with me so much but hey! i have a Saint Kitts dot on my music map now deserves to be one of the 1001? yeas
while it starts out like a classic folk/soul/blues album, it really shines in the end with jazzy and progressive influences, one part even reminding me of modern times nine inch nails!
Well crafted, some nice songs, easy lisetening.
Pleasant to listen to but wouldn’t intentionally seek out any of these songs to listen to again. Voice is amazing though
Enjoyable, an eclectic mix of influences from jazz to folk to traditional pop. She has an excellent voice and the musicianship is great. But there's just something missing which I can't describe which would put it in to the higher tiers. Maybe something that would grow on me. 7/10.
Down To Zero - great opening track Love And Affection Join The Boys - guitar!! Like Fire - funky piano interlude
Enjoyable background album, no hesitation listening again, can hear its influenence in a lot of other music I like
Pleasantly surprised by this one. A variety of styles, Will come back to this one in the future.
First time hearing, mellow, beautiful
It's aiiight. Some interesting vocal delivery here and there. It's like palatable folky soft rock with a personal touch and a slight edge. It would sit comfortably next to Carole King but with a tiny bit more grit. It's overall whatevs for me but could be legit for someone else.
There was a lot to like here. I enjoyed Armatrading's voice, which reminded me of Christine McVie to an extent. I also thought she did a good job of mixing up the sound throughout the album, sprinkling in different moods and elements to change up the feel from song to song. As a whole, it kind of gave me a similar feeling as Tapestry by Carole King. Maybe that's fitting, since Tapestry was my first album recommended on this list and now I'm celebrating #200. Both albums had a good flow and were pleasant to listen to. However, they also both fell a little bit flat for me. I think that is likely due to their genre not being my favorite more than them actually having any big flaws. I can (and did) still enjoy this album, and I liked most of the songs on it well enough. I just wouldn't say it is something I subjectively found great. Even so, I do think it was a strong album. I had never heard of Joan Armatrading before, so I enjoyed hearing something new to me and interesting. I put this one solidly in the "good" range. It was a worthwhile listen. Overall: 3.4/5
I went back and forth on this. The more blues-y, riff-y stuff ("Like Fire" "Tall In the Saddle") hit for me. Other aspects of it felt a little boring, although she's got a great voice and can play. Having no idea what to expect, I liked it a good bit. Side note: There were some awful 90s, '00s acts that went for a similar mellow-ed out sound on the first half of this album (your Bens Harper, your Jacks Johnson, G Love), and that's a big demerit. This is good, those are bad.
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: Water With The Wine, Join The Boys There weren't really any songs that popped, and certainly nothing from this album ever went mainstream, but this entry on the List was was perfectly cromulent. I would be inclined to give it a 3.5 if there were half points, but alas, there aren't. Sort of reminds me of Tracy Chapman.
Her sound is kind of hard to classify, with a whole mix of different styles, this made the album feel a little disjointed to me and lack overall cohesion from start to finish. I also think her singing styles with constantly changing dynamics of quiet to loud was not my favourite. I did enjoy some of the more blues forward songs at the end and overall am happy to have learned about a new artist.
3 out of 5. This album was a pleasant surprise.
Läckert hur hon jobbar med rösten, hela skalan. Flera bra låtar. En annan dag hade det blivit fyra stjärnor.
A nice blend of R&B and folk/singer-songwriter tracks. Her voice really stands out among the more subdued instrumentals. I liked the vibe but it didn't blow me away.
Pretty music, and definitely some good songs. Her singing style was a little too operatic for my taste.
6/10
Overall a great album. I'd never heard of Joan Armatrading before this, but I will certainly remember her name. I think I'll be going through her full catalogue. 3.5⭐️
She's pretty good
Correcto.
Hadde albumet vært mer som åpningssporet hadde det vært fem stjerner fra meg. Det er et fint album, men det er lite ved det som stikker seg ut. Litt cafémusikk?
Glyn Johns skal ha uttrykt at dette er det beste albumet han har vært involvert i. Det er et flott album, men det er vel å ta litt i? Det er gode arrangementer, bra spilt, fine komposisjoner. Men litt for tamme og dårlige melodier. Gitaren på like a fire er et høydepunkt
not my vibe.
It's ok.
Kind of a funky album, mixing blues and funk elements. Reminds me a little of Tracy Chapman--maybe she was inspired by Armatrading. Not sure I'd go back to this album, but I can see the appeal for sure. I think for me, I don't love some of the jingles and riffs that she has, so while some of the grooves are great, the songs are hit or miss. Not sure how else to describe it. 3/5
Super cool. 3
3 Stars (8/15)
I really like this album. Funny thing is, I've owned this for years and never really listened to it. The second half is much stronger than the first, which is rare for the 70s, but the guitar playing and songwriting are on the money. 7/10
didn't really hold my attention but was pleasant enough that i listened to the whole thing
Having rated Tracy Chapman not so long ago, I can't unhear the influences of Joan Armatrading on her. I knew Joan Armatrading was a folk singer, but never listened really to one of her albums, nor did I have any in my collection. So, another first time listen. It's certainly not bad, well crafted folk songs with some jazz and funk influences, but it's not really getting a grip on me. Pleasant, but not special, maybe it's the genre, I had the same feeling with Paul Simon's first solo effort, and the previously mentioned Tracy Chapman too. 3/5
3.0
Interesting instrumentals, but I the vocals really were a put off here. It sounded out of tune to me in the sense it was a lady with a low voice trying to be high pitched. Odd. Anyways, this was particularly uninteresting.
Arms trading… despicable…
Okay I know this is classic “guy trying to describe woman singer songwriter” but she really has some super Joni Mitchell things to her songwriting. I unfortunately am not a huge fan of the production on this album though… but there are some rly fantastic songs here so glad to have finally listened to a full album of hers!
Kelpo laulumusiikkilevy.
Solid stuff here, lots of interesting elements which made for a good time. Lots of variety in the instrumentation :)
Decent soul-folk album that has a lot to like, but also has a tendency to drag a little. It feels like the album starts strong, loses a lot of its energy, then comes back full circle at the end. Overall good, but very inconsistent and could have used with some additional trimming. Top tracks: Down To Zero, Love and Affection, Tall In The Saddle
Cool
Bilo je nekih na papiru sličnih singer-songwriterastih albuma ali nijedan nije ni blizu ovog nivoa. Prošao mi je u sekundi, vrlo duševan i kvalitetan album mada malo monoton i pogrešnog žanra za moj ukus. Puno ispred svog vremena.
Good mastering for the 70's, singer also has a great voice. Music itself didn't really resonate with me though, and while I could listen through the album there was nothing that I really would want to listen to again.
Приятный. Ярких моментов не так много, но послушать приятно. Можно взять на заметку и как-нибудь вернуться
Perry remarkable that this was made in the 70s, but not my cop of tea.
Another one from my ma’s stash. File under Emotional but not too Mawkish. Not this exact record, of course, but close enough: same voice: warm, husky, like she’s telling you a secret while also sort of daring you to laugh at it; same guitar, steady and unfussy; same sort of songs - they never quite catch fire, but they glow nicely in the corner like one of those three-bar fires with moulded-plastic coals covering it. This third album was her breakthrough, apparently. Though the breakthrough leaned hard on Love and Affection as a single. If this is the only Armatrading album on the list - and I’d bet it is - I can’t shake the thought that it should really be The Best of Joan Armatrading. That's probably the one my ma had. Yes, I know: Alan Partridge vibes. But that’s how you get the good stuff in one place. Me, Myself, I; Drop the Pilot; I’m Lucky; All the Way from America, and, yes, Love and Affection. Those are the Joan Armatrading songs you have to hear before you die. They are available on one album, but it isn't this one. 2.5 It’s very difficult not to compare Armatrading with Joni Mitchell. The intimacy of the vocal, the free rhythms of the melodies, and a band with one foot in jazz, all of it in service of songs confessing hopes and crushed hopes in love. How on earth is one supposed to avoid comparing ‘Save Me’ with ‘Help Me’? Or ‘Help Yourself’ with ‘Help Me’? This is an album of good songs. But they’re not that good. The lyrics of ‘Save Me’ or ‘Tall in the Saddle’ express sentiments too trite in situations sketched with too much coyness to really bear comparison with Mitchell. ‘You stand on the bank/ Immune or evasive/ Throw me a lifeline, save me’ ‘I looked to you for love/ Thought you walked on holy ground/ But oh, you're mean’ Absent here is the poetry and the drama of something like A Strange Boy or Lesson in Survival. Although Water With the Wine (the one dud on side 1) might cost you a mouthful of tea. The backdrop of Joni Mitchell’s protagonists throws Armatrading’s into unforgiving relief also. Armatrading portrays herself passive in love and sometimes prey. Mitchell always gives a sense of being in control - philosophically at least - and even the predator. She doesn’t need anyone’s help. There is hardly justice in throwing a comparison with Joni Mitchell in anyone’s face at the same time. These are good songs. Worth a party of their own. Love and Affection is a great song - and the one most unlike something Mitchell would do, I think. The band are hot. I loved the guitar playing on Like Fire and the drums on Tall in the Saddle. The drums sound brilliant throughout. 3/5
Je ne me rappelle déjà plus ce que j'ai entendu (c'était ya 10 minutes)
On her self-titled breakthrough, Joan Armatrading establishes herself as a soulful singer-songwriter with a jazzy edge, her supple voice pulling equal weight with the elegant arrangements. Produced with care and clarity by Glyn Johns, the album balances intimacy and polish, allowing Armatrading’s sharp songwriting to shine without losing its warmth. “Down to Zero” pairs crisp piano with guitar in a way that feels both buoyant and melancholic, while “Water with the Wine” rides a steady midtempo groove that underscores her emotional candor. The standout, “Love and Affection,” takes its time to bloom, but when it does, it’s one of those rare tracks that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. This is the sound of an artist fully coming into her own voice.
Álbum cercano, hogareño y refinado, en la línea de la época, imagino. Nada en particular que me haya dejado loco, aunque los highlights están en la primera mitad. No hace demasiadas cabriolas con la voz pero tampoco es que lo necesite; suena bien y ya. Favs: Down to Zero (la mejor imo, muy buen opener), Help Yourself, Love and Affection, Somebody Who Loves You
Con un sonido y formato que recuerda al cantautor de los 90 (Fiona Apple & Co.), el disco tiene ideas muy interesantes que se pierden en la totalidad de la canción. Eso sí, comienza súper bien, Down to Zero es un temazo, pero conforme el disco va avanzando la fórmula se va gastando (y cuando intenta algo distinto, como en Join the Boys o People, no termina de clavar el aterrizaje). Estoy muy seguro de que acabo de escuchar los cimientos del movimiento singer-songwriter noventero, entiendo que sea un esencial. A la playlist: Down to Zero Bájale al yodel porfa: Save Me
Best leuk
Not bad, liked the singing and the lyrics, but its noting too special.
Cool funky grooves with string vocals. I can dig it.
Not bad! Loved the first song.
pas ma came
A bit of a mixed bag. Some quite pop/soul stuff on here that's not so much to my taste. Some cool funky moments. And some other cool weird stuff going on. Overall I quite enjoyed it
Groovy. A nice album to listen to but not very remarkable. Not sure if it should be classified as an album 'you must hear before you die' though.
This album picks up towards the end, few tracks I really enjoyed. Good voice but it's not something that floats my boat regularly.
This was a new artist for me. Pretty solid, great background music. Great voice, awesome backup bank - really enjoyed the song 'Tall in the Saddle.' Solid, overall. 3 for sure.
Not bad!
Not bad
ok
Funky musicians. I really liked the music. The pop style isn’t really my thing, but, glad I gave it a shot.
I enjoyed this record.
New for me, it`s good! simple but effective
not my thing
Perfect for a quiet weekday evening: a half-empty bar and a cold beer.
Uh it was decent thx
Ikke hørt før. Ikke verst!
Pretty good folk rock style, first half of the album was like a 6/10 and the second half was an 8/10.
Angenehm. Starke drei Sterne.
It’s well made and easy to listen to. It just doesn’t really pop anywhere
Good album
Gillar hennes röst. Instrumenteringen väldigt 70-tal. Basrösten på Love and affection väldigt obehaglig.
Good, but no song hit me hard.
joni mitchellesco, linda voz, great production, deserves a second listen
Amazing voice is the most memorable part.
Normal, not my artist
A fine listen, just not something I see myself revisiting in full
Ingen svakheter egentlig. Ikke de store høydarne heller, men så tror jeg dette er en plate som blir bare bedre og bedre for hver gjennomgang. Sterk treer.
Good album. A classic.
Very solid listen. Pleasant voice and instrumentation, pleasant experience. Sounded like a 90s record, in all honesty.
OK
Joan grew on me. Singing the blues, it to a more soulful funky beat. Great guitar player.
Soulful voice. Forerunner to Tracy Chapman. The first and last two songs on the album were the best.
Poppy folk music, but with a healthy dose of jazziness. Vocal timbre very reminiscent of Nina Simone, very deep. Decent anulan with catchy writing.
I enjoyed it but it wasn't anything special.
On my third listen I realized she might be onto something. It’s a good album, Save Me, Save Yourself and Down to Zero are my top 3.
I mean, the comparisons to Tracey Chapman are inescapable. Joan is a totally new artist to me, and while I still don't find anything that gets me super excited after several listens, it's still a perfectly comfortable listen all the way through. [3.5]
Nice album
Fun, but didn't quite draw me in.
Super smooth. Great vocals. Not super earwormy but enjoyed the listen.
A unique blend of John Martin and Stevie Wonder but I’m not sure the songs are strong enough. Certainly no memorable ones after 1 listen.
Good chilled out album, nothing too special
Solid enough soul album, not especially memorable. Tall in the Saddle was my favorite, I guess
I've never heard of this singer or this album. Well, the voice isn't bad, the music is pleasant, but the whole thing is so boring that I won't listen to it again. If I hadn't heard this album, I wouldn't have missed anything. 3/5
This was a decent album didn't blow my socks off or anything but it was alright!
down to zero- 5 help yourself- 6 water with the wine- 5 love and affection- 6 save me- 5 join the boys- 6 or 7 people- 5 somebody who loves you- 5 like fire- 5 tall in the saddle- 5
some chill acoustic stuff with a few electric elements and some nice backup vocals in some songs. one of those albums that didn't blow me away but was still a pleasant listen. she's clearly a very talented singer I guess favorite song: "somebody who loves you" overall: 6/10 (but like a high 6)
It was a good Album, what I enjoyed Most is his voice. Good lyrics , the Melodies are catching you and his voice is just a piece of heaven.
Never heard before. Ok.
Solid pop music with a bit of country.
I just can't get into folk. I don't know what it is. The funk parts I like.
It sounds fine enough, but all blends together.
This has some Elton John vibes. And Lilith Fair vibes
I only know of one Joan Armatrading song, which I like. This was more of the same. I liked this. The only criticism I would have is that it’s quite ‘samey’.
Joan Armatrading is of course great, though maybe I prefer her without a lot of production, just voice and guitar? Or minimal strings like those on "Love and Affection," my favourite song on this album. A lot of the extra instrumentation on here makes otherwise potentially timeless music sound dated and kinda corny—at least to my taste.
I really love Joan Armatrading's voice and she is a supreme songwriter. However, hearing this album made me think it was a wise choice I went with buying a greatest hits album instead of her entire catalogue. Her singles off the album were wonderful but others felt a bit like fillers.
Good.
Siento que fue de menos a más, es un álbum lleno de varios ritmos pero si creo que empezó lento o no tan impactante, no me sorprendió tanto vaya. Las interpretaciones del bajo y la guitarra creo que fueron los destellos de este álbum. Me encantó el final, es mi canción favorita del proyecto y le dí like a 5 de 10 canciones así que de ahí mi calificación. Debería darle más escuchadas, pero esas fueron mis primeras impresiones.
Dad- 7 Mom- 8 Mike- NA Lori- 3 Michael- 7 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 6.25
Pleasent enough, but I constantly forget to pay attention. It just doesn't catch or keep my attention. Standouts Join The Boys 3/5
Not my favorite, but not bad 2.75
Cool
Classy
fun sound fun songs can’t really go wrong
Kind of like funky Joni Mitchell. Won’t return but I enjoyed it.
Somewhat familiar but haven't listened extensively. This record had a nice vibe for a Sunday morning
First listen for me. Incredible tone and range. Some of the arrangements feel dated in a way that hasn't aged too well. Appreciated more stripped down songs like "somebody who loves you". Will listen again.
2.5/5
I don't think I've ever heard of Joan Armatrading, but man, this album is pretty good. Bluesy, funky and her voice is killer. I feel like this album could have been made in the last 10-15 years. Sounds way ahead of its time.
Beautiful voice and songs but passed me by
Pretty good!
3.5 stars
I was pretty good, though it may be the age, but felt rather generic.
No está nada mal.
Great mix of soul and folk. I enjoyed most of the tracks, the songwriting, and the production. My only critique is that most of the track sounds too same-y and sounds bland at times. Favourite Track(s): Join the Boys, Like Fire Least Favourite Track(s): Save Me
Joan has a fun style and I like the writing, but I don't see myself coming back. Good for what she offers, though
good, not great
this was nice!~
-water with the wine
She’s got a great voice. Some of the music is a bit too mellow for my taste but when she gets bluesy, a little funky, it’s better. Not gonna be a favorite but I’m not mad I got to hear her.
Some lovely songwriting and melidies
I found this somewhat forgettable in terms of songwriting and vocals. People was a fun song.
3+
Good enjoyed it
Beautiful voice. I'm surprised I have not heard of her before.
Better than I thought it would be. Thought it would be a real soft folky. More 2.5 than 3.
wasnt bad just wasnt for me
cool album, just not my type
Murica? I vibe with it though. Reminds me of Alanis Morrissette.
What sticks out to me most about this is that Joan Armatrading can *sing*. She’s fantastic on here, an extremely powerful presence. Unfortunately a lot of the songwriting doesn’t stick out to me all that much, but I do like the country leaning stuff on here. Save Me is one of the best songs here, dusty and tender. I’d also like to mention Like Fire’s incredible guitar work. Join The Boys and Tall In The Saddle are also highlights here. All in all, I can put this on pretty happily, and Armatrading herself is is fantastic, but I only get so much from this as a whole.
Black British singer-songwriter. Contralto. Serious without being pretentious. Some interesting intersection of folk and funk. Nice enough background music.
enjoyed it, was definitely a unique listen
Cool but I prob wont relisten
it was alright. I enjoyed the album, her voice, and the music, but it didn't really stand out to me in particular.
Nice
This is #day316 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… another classic 3-star album for me. A case in point where I enjoy the instrumentation more than the vocals or delivery, though. It feels like a record that begs to be heard on vinyl, on a proper setup, kind of audiophile music, if you will. This is a 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day317.
Groovy, Eton John ish, L&A is still great
I've never even heard of Joan Armatrading before!!! So this is totally new to me, which I'm so excited about. It looks like she's still making music too which is awesome. Very singer songwriter, which is to my taste. I'm not obsessed with her voice per say but I like it enough so far! It's folky with a nice guitar sound. I understand why Love and Affection is her most famous song. It's a standout from the album for sure. It's giving me 90s movie energy. I like it a lot, I even added it to my monthly playlist. Reminds me of music my dad would listen to in the car when I was growing up. 70s folk vibes for sure. But then also mixed with Fiona Apple almost??? or Melissa Etheridge??? I would enjoy it if my Dad was playing it or if Nick or a friend was but I don't think I would ever go out of my way to listen to it on my own. Definitely wasn't life changing but I enjoyed it. I wish I could do half scores because it's not quite a 4 but it's also not really a 3. So I think I'll rate it a 3 but with the knowledge it's more of a 3.5 It's not bad by any means, it just doesn't stand out too much to me.
While I can appreciate the great singing, and the calm tone of the album, it didn't make a real impression on me. I think I've never heard an album that made feel so few emotions, neither positive nor negative.
Interesting album, she is kind of like a female Cat Stevens. 3/5
This is great - not my preferred style of music, but undeniably the best I've heard in the genre. If this is what the rest of 70's folk music sounded like, I wouldn't hate it so much. Tall In The Saddle is a great song
Solid record, pretty much exactly what I expected from a folk rock album of this time period.couple of standout tracks
Não é nada excepcional, mas a parte instrumental é muito boa. It's nothing exceptional, but the instrumental part is very good.
never heard of the artist - rather soothing and likable
Not familiar with Joan Armatrading at all, but I enjoyed several of the songs, especially the ones that had a good groove going.
Fav songs: Down to Zero; Join the Boys I, like many reviewers, had never heard of JA before. That's a pretty sad fact. The songs are varied enough to keep your interest. I really like the use of the steel guitar. Very good album.
Like fire - very cool, very math rock A 3 again....
Pretty good folksy easy listening akin to tracy champman for sure. Kinda boring but thematically cohesive and upbeat, great instrumentation and melodic ideas on wax for 1976.
Didn’t love it but it was still good. Overall: 3/5
Some sweet beautiful songs with some other songs
It's not the most exciting thing ever, but it's impressive that such a '90s-sounding album came out in 1976
Joan’s soulful voice blended with a bit of funk, folk, and jazz made for an enjoyable listen. L = (2.8*s) Adding Down To Zero to spotify playlist. J = (3.3*s) Always thought she was an American.
Didn't go in with the highest of hopes for a 70's folk-pop act that I'd never heard of. First couple songs were about what I expected but I'll admit I was pleasantly surprised as the album continued on. There's some pleasant vocals and some cozy tunes on this one, Water With The Wine being the highlight. Joan Armatrading put together a nice little album that features enough variation from song to song to work for a listen. Was surprised how much I was enjoying this by thend of it. 2.88 stars
Quite good, actually. Very Tracy Chapman vibes - although this is well before Tracy Chapman.
also just okay. she had a really interesting voice and my dad brought up that she sounded like cher which is true. i liked her last song and appreciated the jazz influence on her (mostly pop) album. 3/5.
Väldigt 3.
2.5?
Pre-thereal, if I can say that. I think Mary Margaret O’Hara owes a beer here. Great rootsy, funksy songwriting.
Definition of a 3. Decent listen but very forgettable
Powerful and soulful voice. Good listen but no track really stuck to me.
She has a tremendous sound and a rich voice There aren’t always the tunes to match it though and some comes across as a little too right on But Love & Affection and Down to Zero sound great
Some great guitar work. Otherwise, not great, but okay. 3/5
First time hearing her music. This album is a solid sound of folk mixed with a little 70’s funk. A good listen.
I did enjoy this, I’ve never heard her before.
Not a bad song on here. Perhaps lacking in absolute greatness, but still a nice listen overall.
First song was good but felt it was mostly filler afterwards
folk com um pouco de swing. melhor que tracy chapman
Fine, ok on first listen, very interesting from 2nd. As others have said she seems to be forgotten to time, which is a shame. 3 Star
Got better as the album progressed. Highlights were “Love and Affection”
Not my thing
A folk rock album with more forward instrumentation and detailed production than usual, which I like. Her voice is unique, and unlike a lot of folk rock, actually interacts with the instruments (not just accompanied by a monotonous guitar in the background). Nothing particularly impressive, and this album definitely has some downtime when the songs were too quiet for my liking, but better than average. 7/10
Nothing stands out as impressive. Still a solid talent making a solid album.
"Love and Affection" - wow. Enjoyable listen.
Very pretty, some of the songs had good moments, but overall a bit forgettable.
Enjoyed this one quite a bit. This will definitely grow on me with some repeated listens. Highlights: Save Yourself, Join the Boys, Tall in the Saddle
Do you want to listen to some music that has some guitar? Well in Love and Affection you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐. I kind of recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has some guitar? Well in Down to Zero you can! I rate his song ⭐⭐⭐. I kind recommend this song. Do you want to listen to some music that has some guitar? Well in Somebody who loves you you can! I rate this song a ⭐⭐⭐. I kind of recommend this song.
Love and Affection I like this song becuase its a solo singer with a guitar and she makes her voice follow the guitars rthym and that's really goo Down to zero I reallu like this song how she uses the guitar and some drums and the singing follows every beat. Somebody who loves you I really like this song because they added choir to this song and the guitar and singer are more calm then before 5
Someone whose name was familiar but I hadn't heard the music. Joan's voice was great and her guitar skills excellent. The music was good. The production (for 1976) was insanely good. It's just not my sort of thing. Still, you can hear the line from this album straight through to Tracy Chapman, Tanita Tikaram and even Amy Winehouse and Raye. So even if it's not my sort of thing, mad respect.
A little too mellow in the wrong way for me - I kept making it louder and it kept hiding away in the corner. But I did like "Like Fire" and "Tall in the Saddle", especially the guitar work. I bet Ani DiFranco loved her.
i feel like i say this about every damn album but this was much better than expected. i stopped paying attention in the middle tho. only prob with this album is it’s forgettable and there’s not many standout songs but other than that solid listening experience.
nice enough
+ Like Fire
Cracking voice and enough variability to remain interesting. Love and affection standout
Uplifting, balanced
Not sure why she was never really popular in North America. The album is solid enough.
J - 3/5 Best Track - "Love & Affection" F - 3/5
Sparse but solid album. Wasn't familiar with her work but I enjoyed the listen.
This was pretty nice to listen to. High 3/5
Lovely
Joan Armatrading’s self-titled album is a pleasant listen, blending folk, soul, and soft rock into a sound that's easy on the ears. Her voice carries a lot of natural emotion, and songs like Love and Affection show real flashes of brilliance in how she delivers simple feelings with genuine warmth. The arrangements are tasteful and well played, giving the album a smooth, steady flow without any real missteps. That said, while it’s undoubtedly well made, it doesn’t always spark to life. A lot of the songs tend to blur together in tone and mood, and the album can feel a little too careful at times, missing the punch that would have made it truly memorable. It’s a nice record, but it never quite pushes into great territory—solid, well-crafted, but not the kind of album that sticks with you long after it's over.
Easy listening, but nothing that really piqued my interest.
Never heard before. Has that '70s vibe.
Was nice but not my thing.
Very Tracy Chapman-esque.
I could not really dive into it, not my music.
Nice voice, some good songs
A talented singer-songwriter, with good production and a good variety of styles. Still, nothing really outstanding amidst a myriad of similar talented singer-songwriters.
Surprised me how good it was.
I enjoyed this album. Very powerful voice and great lyrics. It jumps all over the place with various styles. I'm all for that. 3.25/5
Good. Didn’t hate it. Didn't really hook me as something I would come back to.
That was a great little discovery. It wasn't listed on Spotify, unfortunately, so the experienced may have suffered from the commercial breaks on YouTube. Altogether, I enjoyed it a lot, the sound was soulful and occasionally funky rock with a flair for the melodramatic. The first three songs on the album left me wondering what box to put this artist into, then it hit its peak with Love and Affection, but I was totally in on the vibe by the end. It was good, not great, so I can see how this artist flew under most people's radars. But I would not be surprised at all to see a charting hit happen with the right cover of any one of the songs.
An enjoyable listen.
I can appreciate it, but nothing groundbreaking for m
First listen
Pleasant enough without being memorable. Not enough guitar work!
Good stuff, quite enjoyable and very fresh sounding
Idk what I was expecting but it was better than that
In between some very cool jazzy turns and astonishing vocal chops is a sort of meandering album that never quite finds its footing for me. But I found myself paying attention at a few key points when it did pick up.
Arrancamos la segunda semana de abril con una artista que desconozco por completo. Voz firme y tranquila la de Joan. El primer tema me suena de un soundtrack de una película (ya sea que esté o que pueda estar en) y el resto se mantiene en un mood muy cálido. Sin nada más para decir, me despido hasta mañana.
She sings as if in a wistful soundtrack to a salt of the earth B-movie from the 80s. Doesn't excite me but it very pleasant. Fascinating she is most listened to in the UK & Australia
I was very pleasantly surprised by this. I was fearing the worst. Thought I'd give it a four but gets a bit repetitive. I think I'd prefer a single to an album.
Bra men gjorde inget djupare intryck. Trea
Well, growing up in the 1970s I was aware of Joan Armatrading's music, but it never clicked with me. I was interested to listen to this album. After playing through this a couple of times, I didn't find the songs particularly compelling, but I thought her voice lovely and the production really strong. Ultimately, however, this isn't a genre that particularly appeals to me.
Pretty good album that has a decent breadth of sounds. I really liked the opener as it was very Bob Seger. Join the Boys definitely influenced Big & Rich's Save A Horse (Ride a Cowboy). Somebody Loves You is giving me slight vibes of Katrina and the Waves' Walking on Sunshine (Armatrading obviously making her song first). But like Big Brother and the Holding Company and Rolling Stones, blues rock doesn't do much for me. Definitely enjoying this one a bit more than the other blues rock records I've gotten so far. Joan had a great voice.
She has an interesting voice
Not bad
Grand, just not massive into it
Discount store Tracy Chapman. What's not to feel neutral about?