Joan Armatrading

Joan Armatrading is a bit of a musical paradox. Her record, first female UK artist and first black UK artist to debut at no.1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, First UK black artist and UK Woman to be nominated for a Grammy in the Blues Catagory. Eleven top 20 albums since 1972. She played for Nelson Mandela on his 70th Birthday, at Wembley Stadium. She was asked to write atrack to honour him several years later. She puts back into music, primarily as a longtime supporter of the Prince's Trust.
Joan Armatrading has been responsible for some instantly recognisable classics, "Love And Affection", "Drop The Pilot", "Me Myself And I" to name just three. She was one of the artists that appeared on the BBC Compilation version of "Perfect Day. Her house must glitter from all of the platinum, gold and silver albums. All In all a cv that a lot of artists would die for, but it's not all been plain sailing.
The Billboard Blues Chart debut and Grammy nomination were for "Into The Blues", her 2007 comeback album, a strange interpretation of the word debut. Even so quite an achievement. Especially as it was Joan's first album for four years.
Joan Armatrading is an artist that on her day is capable of bring pleasure to everyone in listening distance. She has a great interpreation of one of the most emotive genres out there. Whilst she has drifted in and out of bthe public gaze over her thirty plus year career, she has always found the strength to re-establish herself. Should be a good one.