Joan Armatrading: Track Record (VHS)



I just received my copy of Track Record in the mail yesterday! For those who don't already know, I have to say that Joan Armatrading is one of my all-time favorite musicians (If you don't already know her, don't let the photo scare you). I first discovered her when Melissa Etheridge claimed Joan as her favorite singer / songwriter. I had picked up Greatest Hits album, but it had set pretty-much untouched on my shelf for several years. Then one day I ran across a cheap import CD that changed my life. It was a reprint of her very first album from 1972 called "Whatever's For Us." I swear this album didn't leave my CD player for months... The way she phrased her songs, the instrumentation she used, it was just a complete work of art. A couple months later she had released a brand new album called "Lovers Speak." This was also a very solid record, on which she toured and I got to see her perform at Cain Park. Little did I know the affect she would have on me after that show.

Since then I have worked my way inward on her catalog, picking up every album she has ever released. The first couple albums in each way have equally stunning material, but as you get into the 80's, right in the middle, that's when it gets a little scary. Regardless, Joan is an icon for me. This tape is the last item that I needed to complete my collection.

I threw it in the VCR last night, and the first track is the worst piece of 80's video production I have ever seen, with a vague love story being told between two dancers who were donning some scary leg warmers and tight leotards. Shocking really. But as the tape went on, you really got a view of who Joan is as a person. The highlights would be being able to see Joan's performances from back in the day. Some day when I have more time, I'd love to post clips of this video.

If you want a good look at Joan's entire catalog (including the discontinued stuff) check her out at Harmony Ridge Music.

I'm also posting a couple of my favorite tracks.

"It Could Have Been Better" from "Whatever's For Us" (1972):

"In These Times" from "Lover's Speak" (2003):

Here's a description from that site:
Track Record is a rare public look at one of rock's most private figures. Part documentary and part travelogue, part clip compilation and part concert performance, it's all completely Joan Armatrading.

Breaking her self imposed solitude to accept St Kitt's invitation to its first independence day festivities, Joan journeys from her adopted British home to the Caribbean island of her birth. Her first visit back since age 3 comes to reveal more of Joan than she had imagined.

"I've written songs that have nothing to do with me", she muses...until years later". her St Kitts homecoming proves the point as many of her best know video clips and songs take on new autobiographical meanings.

The island fire works, pomp and ceremony both contrast with and compliment a globally-celebrated of Joan Armatrading's music. A second documentary-this one from the Down Under version of "60 Minutes"-takes her from St Kitts to Australia where the six concluding concert performances were shot before adoring audiences. Also included are videos of "Temptation" from her album "Secret Secrets" and her newest single "Kind Words" from the album "Sleight Of Hand".

Posted: Tue - November 22, 2005 at 12:29 PM           |

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