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I don't know why Armatrading isn't more of a major success in America-she's simply one of the most prolific and thoughtful lyricists around. Often compared to Joni Mitchell and is Melissa Etheridge's own muse, Armatrading has been making consistently great music for well over 22 years, always taking on the common themes of love, loss, regret, courage and inspiration and has yet to sound redundant or contrived in anything she's written!

Armatrading's inviting alto voice lends itself well to many styles: folk, jazz, pop, and simple yet haunting ballads; and she effortlessly uses them all on her latest CD. The disc's title track-"Lovers Speak"- sets the pace with her plea to learn "the language of love" and takes you to a place of belonging that everyone of us has experienced. Given the state of the world today, "In These Times" is an inspiring anthem where Armatrading describes a world where "all sanity is lost," but that "we own the world and everything that's in it. Let our love shine like glistening raindrops resting on a rose."

Need a pick-me-up song or your own personal theme song to get you going? Then check out "Prove Yourself," which commands the listener to forsake all doubt and worry and just do it-without the Nike shoes involved! And if you're looking for a way to blow off steam at that person who's wronged you, just press "repeat" and listen to "You Made Your Bed," with its chorus of "all of the little pleasures that you bring, get cancelled out by the weird things you do."

So...what more do you need...click and buy this CD now and prepare to be enchanted!


Lover's Speak By Joan Armatrading   April 4, 2003
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

I've been a huge Joan fa for many years and enjoy a number of ner CDs. Usually though I find a few gems and ply them over and over. This CD is different. Every song is agem and I palythe entire CD over an over. I can't take t out of my car cd player. Everytime I try and liste to the radio.....I wind up pushing the CD play button to hear Joa again. I love the acoustic emphasis and the variety of songs. My personal favorites are Fire and Ice, Haven'tyou Noticed, Ocean and In These Times. The lullaby Blessed is perhaps one of the ost beutiful and meningful songs Joan has ever written. So you get an idea ofmy Joan tastes...my favooorite are Show Some Emtion, Walk Undre Ladders The Shouting Stage and What's Inside. Enjoy and don't forget to catch the tour this summer. Joe


Wonderful   August 20, 2004
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

My sister likes Joan, and I've known it for years. This is the first serious listen to a Armitrading CD. Songs like "Lovers Speak" and "Prove Yourself" represent an incredible intensity and honesty, and kind of blunt honesty about life and love that one doesn't get often from the commercial radio world.

Most songs are fantastic on this collection. What better theme to build around than love. Well done Joan, you are a superstar!


Joan is back   August 17, 2003
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Once Joan Armatrading was great and when guys who once were great record a bunch of new songs most of the time is because ... they have to pay their bills and making music is their job; most rarely the artist is still alive and is still able to kick: Lovers speak by Joan Armatrading represents one of this rare occasions. At first, when I heard she had released a new album, I was quite skeptical, so when I had the chance to see her in concert I said to myself "what a bore, before the classics she'll perform all the weak new stuff" weak?? After the first 20 minutes of the show I wasn't even thinking anymore if the songs were new or old: they were just great songs. The day after the show I ran to buy the Lovers Speak CD and ... it won't come out of my CD player. "In these times" is astounding, a great ballad, an instant classic; "lovers speak" and "prove yourself" are pure Armatrading style and both fine additions to her catalog, you'll be immediately addicted to "physical pain" and "love bug": overall a great album you'll listen repeatedly.
This is one of the best new releases of the year.
And don't forget: when you'll have your chance to see Joan in concert don't miss it!!


A new Joan Classic   April 7, 2003
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Joan Armatrading fans!
Lovers Speak, Physical Pain, In These Times, Fire And Ice, Love Bug, Tender Trap, Crazy For You..titles of NEW Joan Armatrading classics!
This CD is amazing. I can not get it off my CD player. I put it on shuffle with 'Joan Armatrading' 'To The Limit' 'Show Some Emotion', 'What's Inside' and 'Lover's Speak' and found myself coming back to these new songs.

Joan's heartfelt passion for these songs is obvious, but I have never heard her sound so good from beginning to end as with this collection. I hope she continues to take similar control of ALL her future releases!
btw
Joan is on tour in 2003--check out joanarmatrading.com