Our Tale of Two Cities by two manhattan kids: catherine & rachel

July 16, 2010

Yes, I may be a bit young to know Joan Armatrading’s music. I wasn’t even born yet! But when it comes to music I can be an old soul and when given the opportunity to go to Joan’s concert last night at the Nokia Theatre I said why not!British singer songwriter, with an apparent cult-lesbian following, is among that breed of females in the 70s…compared to the likes of Tracy Chapman and Carole King.

I had never been to the Nokia Theatre but it’s a cool venue, small and dark with Nokia written all over the place - for the record, I didn’t even know they made phones anymore. The concert opened with Diane Birch, a cute, young thing with a sound similar to Joni Mitchell or Regina Spektor. I wasn’t completely sold on her but could see myself checking out her music.

I didn’t know what Joan looked like so had some random conjured up images in my mind, none of which were really accurate. She is a homely black woman, and was wearing some sort of kimono type suit with Tevas. Yep, tevas. But all that aside, there is something very cute and charming about her that makes you want to give her a big hug. And that voice…

Joan didn’t come on-stage until 9p and opened with “Show Some Emotion,” one of my personal faves. She played for a good two hours and spoke in her adorably cute accent between sets. Among many songs, the concert included most of her greatest hits: “Love and Affection” (amazing when the sax chimes in, listen for it in the studio recorded song too)…”The Weakness In Me”…”Drop The Pilot”…”All The Way From America”…”Willow”…and more. A couple of tracks that I was disappointed she didn’t play: “Everyday Boy” and “Down To Zero”

I suggest for those of you that haven’t heard of Joan, that you give her a shot. She is extremely talented and puts on a great show. Not to mention, she truly captures the human heart and emotions through her lyrics.

-C