Joan gets happy

Press, 29 October 1981, Page 18

Joan gets happy

JOAN ARMATRADING “Walk Under Ladders” (A and M L 37561). If you want to be cheered up. a guaranteed way of achieving this is to listen to the new Joan Armatrading album. “Walk Under Ladders" features a bubbly Joan on the cover, and this applies l to the music as well. But unlike champagne, it is not all (Bucks) fizz and hangover next day. In spite of criticism from all quarters, from feminists, from people who say that Joan writes too many love songs, from people saying she is a feminist, and for being self-obsessed, Armatrading continues to demonstrate the qualities of a true artist.

The opening track, “I'm Lucky,” sums it all up. A cheerful song (and what is wrong with a cheerful song these days?) it has little ironic nuances throughout, designed to throw the listener off balance. Essentially, Joan is saying she is the same as everyone else. The album cover is an example of this. An impish outer cover, a self-assured inner portrait, and a down-at-the-mouth back sleeve photo. “When I Get It Right” is another marvellous song, Steve Lilleywhite’s produc- * tion, especially the use of I horns and synthesizer, bring j it alive. This applies to the whole album. • Interestingly. several styles are used, and all of them come off. White reggae on “Romancers,” chugs along, and black reggae on “I Can’t Lie To Myself,” — so

successful, that it is to be hoped that Armatrading will consider staying in Kingston, Jamaica, to work with Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare alone next time. But the drummer, Jerry Marotta, and the bass guitarist, Tony Levin, are equally, successful on the rest of the album. Both “The Weakness In Me” and “No Love” show Joan’s songwriting has not diminished. Asking to be treated equally — to be treated the way she treats others — she sings “’Cos if I had no love to give/I would’nt give it/To you,” on “No Love.”

"At the Hop" is a revived title, but a new song, and Joan Armatrading can easily foot it in the rock field, as the band really get behind her — plus a shining guitar solo by Gary Sanford. “Eating the Bear,” which some have taken to be a feminist song, is another rocker, and equally successful.

“Walk Under Ladders” is a lucky Joan Armatrading album. It shines like a star and Lilleywhite’s low-key production allows her talent to show.

PAT BENATAR “Precious Time” (Chyrsalis L 37584).

Chasing hard after The Pretenders for line honours in rock in North America is Pat Benatar. Her strong vocals have placed her among the top in the female section, and "Precious Time” demonstrates this.

At the same time though, “Precious Time” also shows the weaknesses of a hurried production and a lack of objectivity. The two opening tracks, “Promises in the Dark" and “Fire and Ice” show just what Benatar is capable of, her voice is arresting on both of these songs.

But, the lead guitarist, Neil Geraldo, dominates on the album, and indeed is billed as co-producer, which may account for a muddy mix.

Similarly some of the songs tend to be weak. Tom Scott's horn section cannot save “Evil Genius”; “Helter Skelter,” the Lennon/ McCartney song, is an unfortunate choice. “Precious Time” is Benatar’s third album, but it is certain that she and her band are capable of much better, more formidable material. Let’s hope so.

TOYAH “The Blue Meaning” (Safari lEYA 666).

Toyah Willcox continues to dominate the British music media with more television antics. Her growing popularity is reflected in the charts and not even the possible prospect of such unlikely consumer items such as Toyah dolls, Toyah lipstick, and Toyah T-shirts has affected her fans. It is unfortunate that “The Blue Meaning” has been released in New Zealand after the live album, “Toyah Toyah Toyah,” since it has four of the tracks from the live LP on it. In Britain "Blue Meaning” was released in May last year and “Toyah.” in November. “leya” retains the same qualities as on the live LP and. similarly, but for songs such as “The Mummies of Guanajuato” and “The Blue Meanings” the structure moves towards a climax as on the opening track. It is as if each song is a symphony, the band working extremely hard as Toyah grunts, sings, stamps, and hollers the verbals (as they are listed on the sleeve).

Toyah Willcox has become accepted as one of Britain’s best female rock artists, and her extreme individuality and quality show up here. I’m not sure whether to recommend "The Blue Meaning" if the live LP is already in the collection, but a listen to the world of .Toyah is definitely interesting—Nevin Topp.