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Joan Armatrading gets 'Into The Blues' / NPR Interview (June 3, 2007) [Stream inside]
http://www.npr.org/templa...d=10645780

[ In an interview from London, Armatrading talks about her eclecticism, the allure of the blues and the meanings behind her new songs. She also describes the genre's versatility — rejecting the notion that blues music merely dwells on misery and suffering — and touches on the way Into the Blues differs from the way it would sound if Armatrading were 22 instead of 56. ]

My first ever concert experience with Joan is a few replies down

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[Edited 6/13/07 13:32pm]

Mara said:

Thanks, can't wait to hear this. Unfortunately, the player keeps freezing up on me!

I finally got the full album, btw. It's definitely my favorite of hers in years. Much more diverse sounding than I expected. Do you like it, Mara?

MendesCity said:

No prob. I hope you get a proper chance to hear it full out. She says a lot of great things that shed a lot of light on the energies flowing through her new album.

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[Edited 6/4/07 20:29pm]

MendesCity said:

MendesCity said:

I agree with you wholeheartedly. Haven't enjoyed a Joan album this much in years. It really is refreshing to hear make good music. So far, I'm still growing into the album, but my standouts currently are "Into The Blues," "Secular Songs" and "Something's Gotta Blow."

"Deep Down" makes me smile in that funny way. :smirk:

I need to get more into the album's midsection. I have a tendency to put the first three tracks on repeat because they're so good and relax to the rest of the album.

How about you? What are you feeling from the set?

Mara said:

Deep Down's a good one, right now I'm particulary loving DNA. I think the best thing about the album is how free she sounds. The last decade or so everything seemed orchestrated to within an inch of its life. These songs feel so much more off the cuff and alive...like the blues should be.

MendesCity said:

DNA is a great tune. I'm listening to the album as I type. Just saw her live last night at a free concert here in NYC. I was scared she wasn't going to show since it was storming yesternight, but as soon as she took the stage the rain thankfully ceased -- as if she had some sort of coersion with her presence [fanciful thinking on my part ]

Here's the set list from last night:

The Devil I Know
A Woman In Love
Show Some Emotion
Something's Gotta Blow
Into The Blues
Tall In The Saddle
Love & Affection
All The Way From America
My Baby's Gone
You Rope You Tie Me
(I Love It When You Call Me) Names
Me Myself I
ENCORE:
Willow
Drop The Pilot

It was a great show. I was impressed by how wonderful she sounds live and the handle she had on each of the guitars she used. She really went to town using a Fender for her performance of her latest tune "Something's Gotta Blow." Her 3-piece backing band were equally into it and they gave great performances all round.

If you can get a chance to see her with this current tour do. It was my first concert and I enjoyed it immensely, hopefully there will be many more.

Mara said:

I live in NYC, and I somehow totally missed this was happening. Arrrrrgh. Does sound like a good 'un. I'm gonna check her out if she comes back, definitely. Was there at good turnout?

MendesCity said:

OMG! I feel bad now for not telling you. Why did it escape me that you lived here? :-/

Sorry!!!

I made sure to go last night 'cause I knew she wouldn't be out here for a while. and since it was free I didn't want to pass it up.

It was a big crowd. Lots of faithful fans in attendance. It was raining hard before the show and her fanbase/name was so powerful people had umbrellas and raincoats ready sitting in the pouring rain. I would've had close-up pics posted, but the weather was bad and I was way in the back during the whole performance. Didn't bring an umbrella so I couldn't luck up on a better view. So I just took one of the general atmosphere of the gig.

Mara said:

I shoulda been signed up on my pollstar. But I'm glad you had fun. I'm seriously loving this album more each time I play it. For any lurkers reading this thread, this is the first GREAT Joan album in a LONG time

MendesCity said:

Amen!!!

Can I also just say that I'm really feeling the track "Secular Songs" a lot lately. It's resonating with me more and more.

Joan's new album is quickly becoming one of my favorites of this year.