Here's an example of how my mind jumps around too much. I knew when I started 1981 that I wouldn't be able to get everything in regards to my life in perfect chronological order. So in order to talk about "Me, Myself, I" from Joan Armatrading, I have to go back to Rota, Spain. We were granted a night's liberty that night so my friends and I made a made dash to the Enlisted Men's Club and started cracking open the Budweisers about 5:30 that afternoon. Providing the entertainment that night would be an English covers band called The Tender Years, who played some good rock tunes that night. What I remember most is because they were playing to a bunch of US servicemen and women, they put up a large sign that read, "We don't play Freebird." Of course, that didn't stop the crowd from shouting out for it. Anyway, one song they played was the title cut of this album which stuck in my head. Good song, I thought to myself. However, I never did anything about it until later on in the summer when I heard that song played again on the radio and while the female lead singer from The Tender Years sang it well, it wasn't as nearly as good as the original.
Hearing it back then and hearing it again now, I have to disagree with Wikapedia's labelling of the album as "pop." I doubt it would have been considered that back then even though disco was in it's final throes of death. If I put a label, it would have to be soft rock or progressive rock. In some of the songs, "Ma Me Oh Beach" comes to mind here, Joan's Caribbean roots definitely poke their nose above ground and if listened to carefully, some other songs as well. What really grabbed me is the fantastic guitar solos laid down in the title track and in the more bluesy track, "Turn Out the Light." The latter also is best for showcasing her vocal credentials. Then I also love the electric piano at the intro. Hell, it's the second best song on the album and a good one! "Friends" and "All the Way From America" also stand out on this album for me.
What I know now that I didn't know then was the amazing array of musicians that assist in propelling Joan to her glory. Paul Shaffer from David Letterman fame plays keyboards on the album and Clarence Clemmons from Bruce Springsteen's band does what he does best with the sax. But one further surprise, the drumming chores are carried out by none other than Anton Figg, who has played for KISS and later Ace Frehley. So with an ensemble like that behind her, no wonder this album is so good.
Track Listing:
1. Me, Myself, I
2. Ma Me Oh Beach
3. Friends
4. Is It Tomorrow Yet
5. Turn Out The Light
6. When You Kisses Me
7. All The Way From America
8. Feeling In My Heart For You
9. Simon
10. I Need You
- Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading- vocals, acoustic guitar
Chris Speddig- guitar
Hiram Bullock- guitar
Ricky Hirsh- guitar
Dan Fedderici- organ
Paul Shaffer- piano
Phillip St John- piano
Tim Sowell- synthesiser
Clarence Clemmons- saxophone
Will Lee- bass
Marcus Miller- bass
Anton Figg- drums
With her great voice and an assembly of masterful musicians, it's no wonder this was the most successful of Joan Armatrading's albums. It can stand along with many of the great rock albums of the time. I'm only surprised it didn't do more to break down racial barriers at the time. Oh yes, back to that night in Rota. I drank enough Buds that I was dancing on the table when The Tender Years played "Smoke On the Water."
Next post: The Fools- Heavy Mental
To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html
Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London
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