Released September 1976 Length 41:32 Producer Glyn Johns | Genre Pop Label A&M | |
Recorded Olympic Studios, London, England | ||
Joan Armatrading is the third studio album from the British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading.
Contents
Released in 1976, it included Armatrading's sole Top 10 hit single, "Love and Affection". The album peaked at number 12 and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry.
Armatrading's 1979 live album Steppin' Out contained two songs from this album, "Love and Affection" and "Tall in the Saddle". She is pictured on the cover of the album playing an Ovation Guitar.
The album's producer, Glyn Johns, later said it was the best album he'd ever been associated with.
Reception
In 1976, Robin Denselow wrote in The Guardian that the album "showed that we now have a black artist in Britain with the same sort of vocal range, originality (in fact even greater originality in terms of musical influences) and lyrical sensitivity" as Joni Mitchell. In a retrospective review for Allmusic, Dave Connolly calls it Armatrading's "most muscular music to date" and particularly praises "Down to Zero" and "Love and Affection". He also commends Glyn Johns' production. He says that the album "almost single-handedly [elevated Armatrading] into the ranks of rock's leading female artists."
Track listing
All tracks composed by Joan Armatrading
Side One
- "Down to Zero" – 3:51
- "Help Yourself" – 4:04
- "Water With the Wine" – 2:48
- "Love and Affection" – 4:28
- "Save Me" – 3:35
Side Two
- "Join the Boys" – 4:48
- "People" – 3:30
- "Somebody Who Loves You" – 3:33
- "Like Fire" – 5:12
- "Tall in the Saddle" – 5:43