What's Inside

Joan Armatrading

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 10, 1995)
• Original Release Date: October 10, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003ET3
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #139,928 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Joan Armatrading has long been one of the finest singers in Anglo-American pop. The Caribbean-born, British-based vocalist has a rich, low alto which she uses to stretch and twist phrases, loading them with new implications in the style of her hero Van Morrison. Armatrading, who wrote, arranged and coproduced (with David Tickle) the album, has surrounded herself with top musicians formerly associated with the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, and Al Green. She more than holds her own, not only as a singer but also as the lead guitarist. She sings the first verse of "Merchant of Love," for example, with the deflating, sad sigh of someone who has heard too many lies from too many lovers. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Joan's Very Best., July 7, 1999

By A Customer

I've been a long-time fan of Joan Armatrading and her music, and have been following her work since the 1970's and such classic lp's as "Joan Armatrading", "Show Some Emotion", "Me Myslef I", "Walk Under Ladders" and "Secret Secrets", the last shamefully unavailable on cd. She nearly lost me, however, in the late 80's and into the 90's, with such disappointing releases as "Sleight of Hand", "Hearts and Flowers" and "Square the Circle", all of which have their good moments but, on the whole, don't live up to the greatness of her work which preceded them. Thank goodness that "What's Inside" finds Joan back on track with one of the best albums of her lengthy career. Her voice is as great as ever, warm and tender on the ballads, strong and assertive on the more upbeat numbers. The songwriting is top notch, and the big treat here is the wonderful string section working with Joan, adding a new dimension to her funky, reggae, R&B style songs. This is highly recommended for fans of Joan Armatrading and anyone who wants to discover a singer/songwriter of the first magnitude who has been shockingly underappreciated for too many years.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing, September 25, 2000

By	Christopher R. Cicatelli "cicatelli" (bethesda, md) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

this album by Joan Armatrading is amazing. The first time I heard it, back in '96, I was floored. The words, the music, Joan's voice...it is without a doubt one of my favorite CD's in my collection. the best song on the album is Everyday Boy....it'll give you chills. I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Armatrading this summer for a music show I produce for BET on Jazz: The Jazz Channel called Profiles at Wolf Trap. She is truly one of the most genuine, and gifted people I have ever met and interviewed. She talked about the song Everyday Boy and the performance that night was spellbinding. Pick this CD up now....it will be a cornerstone in your CD collection for years to come. Thank you Joan!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Her best work in nearly 20 years!, September 1, 1999

By	Scott T Mc Nally (ORLANDO, Fl USA) - See all my reviews

I first became aware of Joan in 1977 at a concert at the Ramona theatre in Detroit, where she opened for John Klemmer To say that she upstaged the top billed act is an understatement. Show Some Emotion had just been released. I loved it, but when I heard her prior self titled album, which I believe was actually her 3rd or 4th, I was completely blown away. She's done some fine work here and there over the last 2 decades, but nothing could have braced me for What's Inside. She's always been one of the best rythym guitarists around, but the lead licks she lays out on Lost The Love are enough to make B.B. King stand up and take note. I've always thought that her 76 Joan Armatrding release was by far, her best. Till I heard this. It's a truly amazing work of art