Song of the Day: 'Rosie' by Joan Armatrading

Have been under the weather for about a week but did manage to get to the Joan Armatrading concert at the New York Society for Ethical Culture Friday night. Will try to blog more about it this week, but one of the show's highlights was "Rosie," which I only then realized was not about a tease of a girl but about a tease of a drag queen, driving all the boys crazy. 

There's a hint of blaming the (potential) victim there, but given how inherently risky being LGBT in the Caribbean is, I guess it's more of a concerned warning from a big sister. Pretty groundbreaking stuff from a West Indian artist circa 1979 -- or even today.

Song of the Day: 'Hold On to Your Friends' by Morrissey

The idea of Blondie opening for Morrissey in NYC seems a bit sacrilegious, but it would be quite a show had I not already seen the Smiths in '86 and Blondie a dozen-plus times. (Tickets went on sale today!) 

I, for one, opted to spend my 300 bucks on two tickets to see Joan Armatrading at the Concert Hall at the New York Society for Ethical Culture -- a favorite I've never had the pleasure of seeing live. Ironically, it was Blondie producer Richard Gottehrer who produced Armatrading's 1980 crossover album -- "Me Myself I" -- that introduced me to her. I guess you'd say I'm lucky, I'm lucky,

Music Box: Joan Armatrading

"20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Joan Armatrading"

I remember the first time I heard Joan Armatrading. It was the early days of MTV and Joan's 1983 album "The Key" had two videos in heavy rotation -- "Drop the Pilot"* and "I Love It When You Call Me Names." I was hooked on KajaGooGoo and Spandau Ballet at the time and then Joan appeared onscreen with that adorable big smile and I didn't know what to make of her. But when she started blurting out that infectious chant "Animal! Mineral! Physical! Spiritual! I'm the one you need, I'm the one you need," I knew I was witnessing something very special.

In the years since I have gotten to know a lot more of Joan's music and have become a devoted fan. If you haven't already discovered the St. Kitts-born Brit for yourself, the 2000 remastered "Best of" is a great place to start. It includes the video-hit songs, plus her U.K. singles "Love and Affection," "Me Myself I," "All the Way From America" and many other Armatrading classics.

Especially: "I'm Lucky," "The Weakness in Me," "Rosie" and "Show Some Emotion"

Visit Joan Armatrading's official site here.

Watch the "Drop the Pilot" video here.

* FOOTNOTE: When researching this post I came to find out that Mandy Moore(!) did a cover of "Drop the Pilot" on her 2003 album, "Coverage." I really cannot even imagine that, but if anyone's ever heard it, please let me know what you think!