Album Club
11-06-2013, 19:26
Submitted by Martin (MartinT (http://theartofsound.net/forum/member.php?108-MartinT))
http://coolalbumreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Joan_Armatrading_-_Joan_Armatrading.jpg
I have owned the self-titled Joan Armatrading ever since it was released and it stands head and shoulders above anything Joan has done ever since. It’s actually her third album, although the first two are not very well known. A collection of wonderful and memorable songs, not least the galactic class Love and Affection, beautifully sung and with outstanding production quality from Glyn Johns. Her voice soars and the acoustic guitars are very well captured. The band are tight and propel things forwards with gusto. I was surprised to read that the album only went gold as there was a time when nearly everyone I knew had a copy.
This album is one of the best system tests I know. Many a time I have played Down to Zero and can tell immediately if the system is performing well or not. Something about the presentation, the vivid acoustic guitar, that voice and its sheer boogie factor separates the nice from the great systems. If this album doesn’t sound dynamic and exciting, your system is flat and dull, no question. Watch out for Save Me, which is very sibilant on her voice.
The vinyl pressings are superb sounding but the early CD release is to be avoided as it is flat and undynamic. I am lucky enough to own the rare Nimbus vinyl pressing which is outstanding.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joan-Armatrading/dp/B000006V8O/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367005646&sr=1-4&keywords=joan+armatrading (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joan-Armatrading/dp/B000006V8O/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367005646&sr=1-4&keywords=joan+armatrading)
Spotify:
spotify:album:3wKouVhrEkGmdgnASErALn
spotify:album:3wKouVhrEkGmdgnASErALn
YouTube: Love and Affection live on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
6Z6QpV4UtnA
Further listening:
My next favourite album of Joan Armatrading’s is What’s Inside, a closely mic’d stunner of a recording with a collection of outstanding and memorable songs. In this case, the CD is one of the very best in my collection.
http://coolalbumreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Joan_Armatrading_-_Joan_Armatrading.jpg
I have owned the self-titled Joan Armatrading ever since it was released and it stands head and shoulders above anything Joan has done ever since. It’s actually her third album, although the first two are not very well known. A collection of wonderful and memorable songs, not least the galactic class Love and Affection, beautifully sung and with outstanding production quality from Glyn Johns. Her voice soars and the acoustic guitars are very well captured. The band are tight and propel things forwards with gusto. I was surprised to read that the album only went gold as there was a time when nearly everyone I knew had a copy.
This album is one of the best system tests I know. Many a time I have played Down to Zero and can tell immediately if the system is performing well or not. Something about the presentation, the vivid acoustic guitar, that voice and its sheer boogie factor separates the nice from the great systems. If this album doesn’t sound dynamic and exciting, your system is flat and dull, no question. Watch out for Save Me, which is very sibilant on her voice.
The vinyl pressings are superb sounding but the early CD release is to be avoided as it is flat and undynamic. I am lucky enough to own the rare Nimbus vinyl pressing which is outstanding.
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joan-Armatrading/dp/B000006V8O/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367005646&sr=1-4&keywords=joan+armatrading (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Joan-Armatrading/dp/B000006V8O/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1367005646&sr=1-4&keywords=joan+armatrading)
Spotify:
spotify:album:3wKouVhrEkGmdgnASErALn
spotify:album:3wKouVhrEkGmdgnASErALn
YouTube: Love and Affection live on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
6Z6QpV4UtnA
Further listening:
My next favourite album of Joan Armatrading’s is What’s Inside, a closely mic’d stunner of a recording with a collection of outstanding and memorable songs. In this case, the CD is one of the very best in my collection.