Customer Reviews

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection- The Best of Joan Armatrading

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Joan Armatrading is without a doubt one of the greatest singer/songwriters of the Twentieth Century. Her soulful lyrics combined with catchy tunes have been a mainstay on the edge of popular music since the early 1970s. THE BEST OF JOAN ARMATRADING: THE MILLENIUM COLLECTION is her third US greatest hits collection, following TRACK RECORD and GREATEST HITS. The CD contains her near-hits such as "Drop the Pilot" and songs featured on recent movie soundtracks, such as "Willow" from BOYS ON THE SIDE and "The Weakness in Me" from TEN THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. It's hard to create a greatest hits collection from someone whose career has spanned nearly thirty years. There are a number of songs I wish had been included such as "Moves" from SECRET SECRETS and "Dark Truths" from THE SHOUTING STAGE (both of which are now out of print), but I am not complaining. I'm just anxiously waiting for a collection of new material. Joan is truly an amazing artist, and this collection contains some of her best. There is also an English import with more selections.

Many complain that the budget-friendly 20th Century Masters CDs are too short and do not cover enough of the artists' career. In some instances, that's true. But I think Joan Armatrading's collection in the series is superb. It does a good cross-section of her work at A&M and includes her most popular songs including "Willow," "The Weakness in Me," "Drop the Pilot," "Love & Affection," and "Me, Myself & I." It also includes one of her best - and most unique - tracks: "(I Love It When You) Call Me Names," a disturbing yet catchy song about a sadomasochistic relationship.

I also own Armatrading's "Gold" collection, but at two CDs, that collection is, in my opinion, too long. I prefer this compilation because it gives you the best of the best.

She is a favorite vocal artist of mine, and this is an excellent collection. Product arrived promptly and in excellent condition. Good value for money.

Joan Armatrading MBE is one of those singers and songwriters that you shouldn't forget. She is remarkably wide in her range of topics in her songs. I think every song that she sings is distinctively different from the others. I like Me, Myself I, All the Way from America, I Love It when You call me names, and Rosie. of course, the compact disc is quite a collection of her contributions. She performed everywhere whether on Saturday Night Live and all over the world. We don't hear much about her but her music is still powerful at times. It makes you think. It's not your typical Folk music like Norma Waterson MBE and Martin Carthy MBE who are traditionally the British godparents of British Folk Music. Armatrading takes her music to another level by trying to bring folk to conventional times. Don't think I don't listen to Waterson Carthy, I do and I'm a huge fan of them as well. Joan takes folk to today's world talking about relationships, identity, and other more conventional song topics.

I was anxious to hear Joan Armatrading again after many long years not
hearing her... I quickly learned that she is one of those artists who
was better in her first release. It got overorchestrated and strange.
I would recommend her first album. Ann