Adrenaline junkie: Joan enjoys new challenges.
By Nicola Moyne
THREE times Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Joan Armatrading has come a long way since her birth in the West Indies and her upbringing in Birmingham.
With 19 stunning albums to her credit and a new album out this month, the 59-year-old has continually strived to give the fans something new. And once again she has succeeded in creating a masterpiece.
This Charming Life is an album that fuses rock with pop riffs in a unique and engaging way, and showcases Joan’s huge array of musical talent on CD for the very first time.
Aside from the drums and horns, Joan has played every instrument on the album herself; written and produced every track, and sung every lyric. And that, she tells me, has realised a life-long dream.
“I have always had total control over my music and written and produced every song so that’s no different,” Joan explains while on a break from work commitments in Germany. “However, it’s the first time everything has come together on a CD, and it’s something that I’ve been working on since 2003.”
Indeed, while chatting to Joan about her rise to fame, and subsequent success, it’s clear that a determination to achieve more is a driving force in every part of her life - not just music.
“I am someone who feels the need to learn and progress,” she agrees. “I figure we’re here, so why not make the most of it and experience everything life has to offer.”
As a result, Joan is now contemplating a bungee jump and admits to being something of an ad-renaline junkie behind closed doors.
“I would love to bungee jump,” the singer, who received an MBE from Prince Charles in 2001, laughs. “I did once jump from a really high pole onto another pole on some sort of thrill-seeking day and that was such a buzz. I felt great afterwards!”
However, despite all of her musical achievements, Joan confesses her biggest triumph has been to gain a BA Honours degree in History - a feat she undertook whilst touring several years ago.
“It’s the thing I’m most proud of because it was something I really had to work for,” the Surrey-based performer tells me.
“I still have to work at music, but not in the same way I had to work at this. Music comes naturally to me and I kind of do what I want. If I want to write a song that lasts five minutes, I can.
“But with the degree, I had to write it in the way someone else wanted me to; in the way that would get me to pass. It was hard, and I was so proud to graduate.”
Indeed, Joan even confesses that while she found history interesting, she undertook the five-year challenge purely because she wanted a degree.
“Learning, and keeping variety in my life is important,” she confesses. “And I just wanted to say I have a degree!”
Now though the singer, who started writing songs at just 14, is concentrating all her efforts on the forthcoming tour, and she’s excited to be presenting the fans with new material.
“I always like to theme each album, so last time it was the blues, and now it’s rock,” she says. “And the show takes on that theme, which is fun. Reactions have been great so far.”
And given that Joan has performed for the likes of Nelson Mandela, and alongside Elkie Brooks, that’s no surprise. However, she confesses that writing will always be her first love.
“Performing is a great part of my job, but I will be writing until the day I die,” Joan reveals.
“There are always things that I want to do; more I want to achieve. But writing provides me with a lot of joy, and I’ll never give that up.”
Which, after listening to This Charming Life, will certainly be music to fans’ ears.
Catch Joan Armatrading when she performs at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend on 14 April. For tickets, call 01702 351135.