Got Blues? Get a Sample of Joan Armatrading and Her Music
Very early in my adult life I was attracted to the blues. That head bobbing beat suits me fine. If you have good guitar, a mellow voice and maybe harmonica I will listen.
In the seventies Joan Armatrading had playing time on LA rock radio. KROQ for one. I would hear any of her songs just once and I was instantly impressed.
I still like Armatrading's music, but there is no radio air time for her anymore.
Explore this lens and see what you think about England's blues master. She has been working more than ever.
There Is Much To Admire in Joan Armatrading
Joan started playing the guitar as a child. Her mother traded two strollers for it at a pawn shop. In her early concerts you saw a thin woman with an afro and simple clothes. Pants. Now you see Joan with her guitar and still in pants.
She is a singer, a song writer and a guitarist. All these talents are evident in her latest CD Into the Blues. She was awarded a Grammy nomination for Best Blues Album 2008. The first UK female to get such a nomination.
For the past fifteen years I lost connection to her music. I am glad I revisited Joan Armatrading.
What My Research Revealed
Joan Armatrading was born in St. Kitts in 1950 and moved with her five siblings and parents to the industrial area of Birmingham, England as a small child. She quit school at sixteen to work and help the family. Her guitar was always nearby. She traveled to London in the early 70's to explore her chances in the music world. There were hits early. Love and Affection and The Weariness in Me.
The early songs are the ones I'm familiar with. Researching for this lens introduced me to her new work and I like it.
Into the Blues showcases Joan's guitar abilities and, of course, the deep mellow steady voice singing the lyrics. She never strays from the words and delivers them without embellishments or extra notes up or down. She has range and will give it in falsetto when she chooses to.
Joan Armatrading CD's Available in Amazon
Hear More of Joan
There are many videos on YouTube of Joan Armatrading. Lyrics Mama and Papa by Joan Armatrading
From Into the Blues CD
Mama Papa
I was born on an Island
St Kitts
In a little biddy town
Had a mama and a papa
4 brothers and a sister
Mama papa told us
Play hard
Fight fair
Live life
And love the Lord
I said love the Lord
Said love the Lord
Their choice was
The United Kingdom living in Birmingham
When they wanted to spread their wings and fly away
7 people in one room
No heat
One wage
And bills to pay
I said bills to pay
Gotta pay those bills
Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done
Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa
I know two people who served up love
And a whole lot more
They made us hold our sides with laughter all night long
Oh they made us laugh
Until we cried
Till we begged them stop
Or we'll split our sides
Now when you're walking on heaven's floor
Talking in the ear of God
What you gonna say to the man
When he asks you what you've done
Can you say you did your very best
With what you had
Like my mama and my papa
Joan Armatrading on Flickr
Joan Armatrading auf dem Hauptmarkt | 33. "Bardentreffen" in N...
'Born to Rock' at Harrods
Facts about a blues artist
Joan Armatrading's accomplishments
- Nov.2, 2008 Joan ran and completed the at the age of 58 the New York Marathon for Women of the Year Founation.
- 2007 debut at #1 in the Billboard Blues chart.
- 2001 After five years of study Joan received her BA Degree in History.
- 2008 First female UK artist to be nominated a Grammy for CD titled Into the Blues in the Blues category.
- 2003 Invited to become a trustee of the Open University.
- Has honorary degrees at Aston University, Birmingham University and Royal Scottish academy of Music and Drama.
- Honorary Fellow of John Moore and Northampton Universities.
- 1998 Released "Lullabies With a Difference" a CD, and invited contributions by Melissa Etheridge, Mark Knopfler, Tina Turner and others. It was released for the benefit of PACES. A charity for children with cerebral palsy.
- President of the Women of the Year Foundation.
- 2001 Presented a MBE by Prince Charles
Get All the News on Joan Armatrading's Official Website
Hear more music. I especially liked Everyday Boy. Also, get access to BBC Radio 4 series presented by Joan on Irish Music.Joan Armatrading
Joan's 2010 Concert Tour Schedule has been released and it is posted on her official website. I am disappointed she will not be coming to LA, but she will be to many venues in Europe and the UK. Hmmm....may be I should travel. Football fans do it.
This lens is a part of the Senior Squid Challenge.
Category: Music
Lensography: The Magic of Music by annmackiemiller
I Hope You Enjoyed this Introduction to A Blues Singer
Joan Armatrading
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- kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Oct 21, 2009 @ 1:48 pm
- Oh, I'd forgotten what an interesting voice she has. Thanks for reminding me of her talent. Excellent lens!
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- annmackiemiller annmackiemiller Oct 17, 2009 @ 3:43 am
- great lens - what a lovely mellow start you gave me to this sunny Saturday. x
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- JenOfChicago JenOfChicago May 8, 2009 @ 10:52 am
- Thanks for bringing her to our attention!
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- chemrat chemrat Dec 2, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
- This is great. I lived in the UK from 77-82 and became quite familiar with Joan's music. This continued after my subsequent move to the Boston area, but I've not heard her on the radio in ages. Thanks for all the videos and background. 5 stars, lensrolled, favorite!
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