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Biography
Armatrading began writing songs when she was 14 where she would play the piano and sing her own limericks over the top, she followed this by teaching herself how to play guitar. Two years later Armatrading performed a concert at Birmingham University with her brother where the two played Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence”.
The singer then went on to contribute to a repertory production of the musical “Hair”, through which she met the lyricist Pam Nestor who subsequently wrote 11 of the 14 songs on Armatrading’s debut album “Whatever’s for Us” released by Cube Records in 1972.
Armatrading’s 1975’s album “Back to the Night” without Pam Nester this time was supported with a UK tour with six-piece jazz group The Movies. The album’s self-titled follow-up would prove to be the singer’s most successful album due to an increase in major publicity and the contribution of producer Glyn Johns. “Joan Armatrading” reached the Top 20 in the UK Albums chart and single “Love and Affection” was a Top 10 Hit. Due to the album's success Armatrading retained much of the same jazz-influenced pop sound on her 1977 release “Show Some Emotion”.
The singer’s popularity in the UK and cult following in the U.S. allowed Armatrading to release a string of albums throughout the eighties in which she saw her greatest chart successes, from the pop-heavy “Me Myself I” in 1980 and synth-inspired “Walk Under Ladders” in 1981 to “The Key” in 1983 and “Secret Secrets” in 1985.
Her subsequent albums “Sleight of Hand” (1986), “The Shouting Stage” (1988), “Hearts and Flowers” (1990), “Square The Circle” (1992) “What’s Inside” (1995) and “Lovers Speak” (2003) failed to perform as well as her earlier works, although did allow the singer to tour and record into the millennium and beyond.
2007’s Grammy nominated “Into the Blues” represented a genre shift from Armatrading towards the blues and the same year appeared on Later… with Jools Holland where she performed “Woman in Love” and “My Baby’s Gone” from the album. Since then Armatrading has released “This Charming Life” in 2010 a folk inspired album followed by an international tour and “Starlight” in 2012.
Live reviews
A Fantastic Feminine Feel for the Frets – Jane Armatrading Jams Royal Albert Hall.
Who says only the boys can play good guitar? Joan Armatrading bent the strings on her gold ax producing the most exquisite sounding chords to rival any of the legendary leading ax men of guitar fame. The forty four year old female British singer, songwriter mystified the audience at Royal Albert Hall with hard driving blues rock & roll instrumentals, perfectly blended with her classic jazzy blues vocals. Dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit, her hair slicked perfectly straight as she peered engaging under her straightened bangs, engaging the crowd with her artful entertaining style. A trio of talented backup musicians accompanied Jane including an electronic keyboard, full classical style bass, and an invigorating drummer.
She enthralled the audience to a fever pitch with her solo finish to “Something’s Gotta blow”, flowing gently into her classic mellow bluesy arrangement “All the Way From America”. From her first appearance in the early 1970’s on BBC Radio, Armatrading exudes the true essence of pop rock, interwoven with a jazzy blues accent that many have tried unsuccessfully to imitate.
Royal Albert Hall was rocking one minute, then led through a magical weave of light jazz music the next. Jane Armatrading gave the audience a concert of delightful favorites to take home with them - her songs still dancing in their heads.
Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, MBE to give her the full title is one of the UK's most unusual performers and although her career is now well into its fifth decade, the singer continues to tour around the world as the demand to see her live is very much still there.
She is a wonderfully warm performer with a clear adoration for her music and her fanbase as she engages them in some very down to earth onstage chatter between the blues rock stylings of her setlist. Joan was never known for hit singles or major radio play so that gives her freedom to pick and choose the music performed with absolute ease this evening and the loud cheers from the crowd are confirmation that Armatrading picked well. The likes of 'Me, Myself and I' and 'All the Way From America' sound particularly rousing as Joan appears to be maintaining that wonderfully unique vocal ability. The crowds are on their feet for the encore of 'Willow' and Joan is beaming from ear to ear at the fantastic reaction from the excitable crowd.
sean-ward
I've known that Joan can wield that axe like nobody's business for decades now, but to watch her virtuoso guitar playing in person was nothing short of fantasmagorical! Her voice hasn't lost a hint of that unique sweet yet melancholy quality she brings to her well-crafted and extensive library of songs. She's alternative, jazz, blues, pop, even punk! What can't she do is the question, and I couldn't find an answer.
I was a little concerned at first about her not having s band, and next because we were informed there would be some pre-recorded bits. Those concerns went away immediately when I realized she had only laid down some rhythm guitar for the most part. She was all voice and guitar, and she was in full command of both!
lisa-hern
Joan Armatrading was fantastic. The venue ... the Octagon Theatre, Yeovil is quite small so the evening felt very intimate. Her voice range is incredible and she plays both the guitar and piano magnificently. She is also a great entertainer, interspersing her songs with anecdotes and funny little comments. It was a really fabulous evening ... I went straight home and fished out my JA CDs!
joanna-steele-perkin
Iconic artist, solo in an excellent small venue. Joan Armatrading was wonderful! Her warmth & generosity of spirit shone through the entire evening. Being solo gave us the chance to experience her rockin' guitar skills too. I would see her again in a heartbeat, very moved by her songs.
teri-hansen-1
It's the first time I've seen Joan as only really got into her music when l brought her new album. She was fantastic and sounded just as Beauiful meaning you wouldn't like she was live. Was a pity we couldn't take photos as this is the theatre I been that you couldn't.
teejam-jones
She cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled she cancelled
john-bojanowski
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