Into The Blues (2007)
| Artist: Joan Armatrading |
| Format: | CD |
Song Listing
When first you hear the voice, rich, warm, remarkable, it's a voice that suits a secret sharer, a woman who tells the truth. For 33 years, Joan Armatrading has done just that--in songs crafty, subtle and sublime. Armatrading's songs are in the truest sense soul music; even at their boldest, driven by her passionate guitar, they touch the listener like a whisper to the ear, like confessions from heart to heart.
She was nominated twice as Best female vocalist for the Brit awards and also nominated twice for the American Grammy Award of Best Female Vocalist. She received the Ivor Novello awarded for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996 all along with numerous platinum, gold and silver albums and consistent, enviable critical acclaim.
Joan released a CD of Lullabies With a Difference in December 1998 for a children's charity called PACES. The charity helps children with cerebral palsy. She asked friends and musicians whom she admires, like Mark Knopfler, Jools Holland, Midge Ure, Tina Turner, The Cranberries, Melissa Etheridge, Brian May, Sarah Randle, Lewis Taylor and of course Joan Armatrading, to give a song with a lullabies theme. As you can see the response was tremendous. Joan says the aim of the CD is to make people aware of this dedicated children's charity.
In 2001 after five years of studying Joan received her BA (Hons) Open University Degree in History. She has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Birmingham University. She was made an Honorary Fellow of the John Moores University of Liverpool and of Northampton University. In 2003 Joan was invited to become one of the Trustees of the Open University. Joan was elected President of Women of the Year in the United Kingdom in 2005 for a term of 5 years."
| Track Listing 1. A Woman in Love 2. Play the Blues 3. Into the Blues 4. Liza 5. Secular Songs 6. My Baby's Gone 7. D.N.A. 8. Baby Blue Eyes 9. Deep Down 10. There Ain't a Girl Alive 11. Empty Highway 12. Mama Papa 13. Something's Gotta Blow |
Album Notes and Credits
Notes & Personnel Info |
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Composer: Joan Armatrading. |
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Personnel: Joan Armatrading (vocals); Joan Armatrading (unknown instrument); Miles Bould (drums, drum, percussion). |
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Audio Mixers: Joan Armatrading; Graham Dickson. |
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Recording information: Bumpkin Studios, England (2006). |
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Photographer: Andrew Catlin. |
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Arranger: Joan Armatrading. |
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Joan Armatrading has always spiced her unique mixture of folk, pop, and rock with elements of the blues, but 2007's INTO THE BLUES marks her first full foray into the genre. With an emphasis on her impressive guitar work, the album grooves and grinds, especially on driving numbers like "Mama Papa" and "My Baby's Gone." |
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But as usual, Armatrading doesn't play strictly by the rules, and INTO THE BLUES features a host of ghostly tunes that, while using blues as a base, create new templates for expression. The opening plea for tenderness, "A Woman In Love," is a case in point, as is the title track, which jazzes up a stomping start-stop rhythm. Still, Armatrading rocks hard and takes no prisoners for most of the album, making it a fine addition to her excellent discography. |
Producer: Joan Armatrading; Joan Armatrading |
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Engineer: Joan Armatrading; Graham Dickson |
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Compilation Appearances
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A m 50:Anniversary Collection |
Associated Artists and Works
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Dido |
Technical Info
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Release Date : 05/01/2007 |
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Original Release Date : 2007 |
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Catalog ID : 17625 |
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Label : 429 Records |
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Number of Discs : 1 |
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Studio/Live : Studio |
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Mono/Stereo : Stereo |
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SPAR Code : n/a |
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UPC : 00795041762528 |
Professional Reviews
- 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[S]he uses her alto voice, guitars, mandolin and other instruments to summon a guileless maverick blues..."
- "Armatrading really takes off on 'There Ain't a Girl Alive,' a blistering and catchy song that sounds incredibly raucous when played loud..."
Bio
Joan ArmatradingWhen first you hear the voice, rich, warm, remarkable, it's a voice that suits a secret sharer, a woman who tells the truth. For 33 years, Joan Armatrading has done just that--in songs crafty, subtle and sublime. Armatrading's songs are in the truest sense soul music; even at their boldest, driven by her passionate guitar, they touch the listener like a whisper to the ear, like confessions from heart to heart.
She was nominated twice as Best female vocalist for the Brit awards and also nominated twice for the American Grammy Award of Best Female Vocalist. She received the Ivor Novello awarded for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996 all along with numerous platinum, gold and silver albums and consistent, enviable critical acclaim.
Joan released a CD of Lullabies With a Difference in December 1998 for a children's charity called PACES. The charity helps children with cerebral palsy. She asked friends and musicians whom she admires, like Mark Knopfler, Jools Holland, Midge Ure, Tina Turner, The Cranberries, Melissa Etheridge, Brian May, Sarah Randle, Lewis Taylor and of course Joan Armatrading, to give a song with a lullabies theme. As you can see the response was tremendous. Joan says the aim of the CD is to make people aware of this dedicated children's charity.
In 2001 after five years of studying Joan received her BA (Hons) Open University Degree in History. She has been awarded an Honorary Degree from Birmingham University. She was made an Honorary Fellow of the John Moores University of Liverpool and of Northampton University. In 2003 Joan was invited to become one of the Trustees of the Open University. Joan was elected President of Women of the Year in the United Kingdom in 2005 for a term of 5 years.
