Customer Reviews

Lovers Speak

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4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once Joan Armatrading was great and when guys who once were great record a bunch of new songs most of the time is because ... they have to pay their bills and making music is their job; most rarely the artist is still alive and is still able to kick: Lovers speak by Joan Armatrading represents one of this rare occasions. At first, when I heard she had released a new album, I was quite skeptical, so when I had the chance to see her in concert I said to myself "what a bore, before the classics she'll perform all the weak new stuff" weak?? After the first 20 minutes of the show I wasn't even thinking anymore if the songs were new or old: they were just great songs. The day after the show I ran to buy the Lovers Speak CD and ... it won't come out of my CD player. "In these times" is astounding, a great ballad, an instant classic; "lovers speak" and "prove yourself" are pure Armatrading style and both fine additions to her catalog, you'll be immediately addicted to "physical pain" and "love bug": overall a great album you'll listen repeatedly.
This is one of the best new releases of the year.
And don't forget: when you'll have your chance to see Joan in concert don't miss it!!

My sister likes Joan, and I've known it for years. This is the first serious listen to a Armitrading CD. Songs like "Lovers Speak" and "Prove Yourself" represent an incredible intensity and honesty, and kind of blunt honesty about life and love that one doesn't get often from the commercial radio world.

Most songs are fantastic on this collection. What better theme to build around than love. Well done Joan, you are a superstar!

If you don't have a budget for going out and buying diamonds for yourself or your loved ones, then instead consider getting Joan Armatrading's brand new CD, which has 14 of her finest gems to date that you can listen to and savor for many years to come!

I don't know why Armatrading isn't more of a major success in America-she's simply one of the most prolific and thoughtful lyricists around. Often compared to Joni Mitchell and is Melissa Etheridge's own muse, Armatrading has been making consistently great music for well over 22 years, always taking on the common themes of love, loss, regret, courage and inspiration and has yet to sound redundant or contrived in anything she's written!

Armatrading's inviting alto voice lends itself well to many styles: folk, jazz, pop, and simple yet haunting ballads; and she effortlessly uses them all on her latest CD. The disc's title track-"Lovers Speak"- sets the pace with her plea to learn "the language of love" and takes you to a place of belonging that everyone of us has experienced. Given the state of the world today, "In These Times" is an inspiring anthem where Armatrading describes a world where "all sanity is lost," but that "we own the world and everything that's in it. Let our love shine like glistening raindrops resting on a rose."

Need a pick-me-up song or your own personal theme song to get you going? Then check out "Prove Yourself," which commands the listener to forsake all doubt and worry and just do it-without the Nike shoes involved! And if you're looking for a way to blow off steam at that person who's wronged you, just press "repeat" and listen to "You Made Your Bed," with its chorus of "all of the little pleasures that you bring, get cancelled out by the weird things you do."

So...what more do you need...click and buy this CD now and prepare to be enchanted!

Joan Armatrading fans!
Lovers Speak, Physical Pain, In These Times, Fire And Ice, Love Bug, Tender Trap, Crazy For You..titles of NEW Joan Armatrading classics!
This CD is amazing. I can not get it off my CD player. I put it on shuffle with 'Joan Armatrading' 'To The Limit' 'Show Some Emotion', 'What's Inside' and 'Lover's Speak' and found myself coming back to these new songs.

Joan's heartfelt passion for these songs is obvious, but I have never heard her sound so good from beginning to end as with this collection. I hope she continues to take similar control of ALL her future releases!
btw
Joan is on tour in 2003--check out joanarmatrading.com

The anticipation of the release of Joan's first album in nearly 8 years has been excruciating for her fans, but the wait has surely paid off with LOVERS SPEAK, her most effective release in years. Hearkening back to her earliest work, most notably her self-titled 1976 release, LOVERS SPEAK contains some of Joan's best songs ever, from the catchy title track, to the haunting "In These Times" (could this song's timing be more perfect?) to "Prove Yourself," an up-tempo, bluegrass-sounding tune that will have you singing along with its catchy chorus. As always, the songs are all Joan originals, with Joan providing all the vocals and most of the instrumentation. For the long-time Joan fan, and the new converts to her music, you will not be disappointed. It's a remarkable CD.

A fantastic new collection of songs from Joan! "PROVE YOURSELF" is a rocking rocker with a touch of country music flair to it ala Bob Dylan, George Harrison... Fantastic! "Let's Talk About It" is another well woven creative spark with great acoustic lead & electric guitar soloing by Joan. Her ending electric git solo is ala Jeff Beck! This girl can cut the mustard with any of the high roller git players Clapton, Jeff Beck, Santana etc...
I know this because I'm playing over 35 years myself. SHE CAN ROCK! The song is a splendid blend of melody & lyrics woven into a nice knit basket with a killer GIT SOLO! "Ocean" is another great acoustic song a real throwback to her early '70s songs. Joan has produced a SPLENDID body of songs here with REAL HEART & SOUL. UTTERLY CHARMING! Check out "TENDER TRAP" another tuneful song great melody & GREAT GIT git soloing by Joan! 8 years was a long wait for DIE HARD fans like myself and worldwide fans, but it was WELL WORTH IT! SHE IS TOPS!!!

8 long years of waiting and hoping for a great album. Well this is better than that. The stripped down production and beautiful lyrics just sing to your heart. Joan is BACK.

Every play reveals a new favourite. In These Times is probably the most poignant for the times we live in now and expresses those feelings we all have. Prove Yourself is a life affirming song to remind you not to buy into the negativity of others. Blessed is just beautiful and perhaps acts as a reminder to us all of the things we should be grateful for.

Joan's voice has matured with a beauty and soul that brings to life her songs, and alongside there is her exceptional guitar. How has this woman not been recognised alongside the greats of guitar is beyond me. Every arrangement holds new things every time you listen.

Joan is without doubt one of the most underrated, singer/songwrite/guitarists of all time and with this album she has proved a point - that long-term staying power is down to talent not the manufactured immediacy of todays pop. Long Live Joan!

Lover's Speak does everything from upbeat to reflective and back again. Buy this and you won't regret it.

'Lovers Speak' is another Joan Armatrading Masterpiece! This may be in fact her BEST ever. I have loved Joan from the beginning and this is one GOOSEBUMP song after another!
Joan plays all the instruments, except percussion, drums and horns. Evidently, she was inspired to do this from her last stripped down tour. (even stripped down--Joan ROCKED the Warfield in SF, CA!)
Of course, Ms Armatrading has written, produced and arranged the album.
'Lovers Speak', to me, is a collection of thoughts-outloud from from life of 2 lovers who are totally and completely in love with one another and want to make it through the fire.

Bless you Joan! You have given the World some much needed LOVE!!!

I've been a huge Joan fa for many years and enjoy a number of ner CDs. Usually though I find a few gems and ply them over and over. This CD is different. Every song is agem and I palythe entire CD over an over. I can't take t out of my car cd player. Everytime I try and liste to the radio.....I wind up pushing the CD play button to hear Joa again. I love the acoustic emphasis and the variety of songs. My personal favorites are Fire and Ice, Haven'tyou Noticed, Ocean and In These Times. The lullaby Blessed is perhaps one of the ost beutiful and meningful songs Joan has ever written. So you get an idea ofmy Joan tastes...my favooorite are Show Some Emtion, Walk Undre Ladders The Shouting Stage and What's Inside. Enjoy and don't forget to catch the tour this summer. Joe

After a too long hiatus, Joan Armatrading is back in CD stores and back on tour. The album demonstrates her gift for songwriting as well as her musicianship. I saw her perform last night, and though always impressed with her voice and her writing, I was even more impressed with her guitar skills. Her new album is VERY good and will be a "must have" for both new and long time Armatrading fans. Her focus on love is still as fun, as truthful, and as heart-aching as ever. Make sure you hear what she's saying.