[Review] Joan Armatrading: Me Myself I (1980)

Joan makes a brilliant modern rock record with Blondie’s producer.

Kronomyth 7.0: Some were handsome but none were plain.

Joan Armatrading’s revolving producer/band approach eventually brought Richard Gottehrer (Blondie) current members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and future members of “the most dangerous band in the world” (Paul Shaffer, Will Lee, Anton Fig, Hiram Bullock) into her sphere. The result was her most rock-oriented album to date, Me Myself I. If Steppin’ Out and To the Limit felt like a step backwards, My Myself I was a clear and confident step forward into the front ranks of female rock artists. The vulnerability found in her earlier works only appears on the last track, in the string arrangements of I Need You. Otherwise, this is Joan Armatrading making a brilliant modern rock album that brims over with self assurance, from the opening declaration of independence (Me Myself I) to the open declaration of love on When You Kisses Me. Even the victims in these songs (Simon, All the Way from America) have reached a breaking point where they no longer accept that role. All of that, however, takes a backseat to the music, which is amazing. For me, the tripping point occurs on the third track, Friends, where it seems like Armatrading is going to settle into a weepy ballad and then completely flips the script to become a song of strength. It’s clear from that point on that she was resolved to not just make a rock record, but to make a record as strong as stone. When I’m listening to this album, I’m, convinced it’s her best—which is the same thing I would say about Joan Armatrading, Show Some Emotion, Walk Under Ladders and even Secret Secrets. So, yes, you’re now on the hook to buy at least five Joan Armatrading albums. You can thank me later.

Original elpee version

A1. Me Myself I (3:16)
A2. Ma-Me-O-Beach (3:00)
A3. Friends (3:05)
A4. Is It Tomorrow Yet (3:31)
A5. Turn Out the Light (4:19)
B1. When You Kisses Me (3:14)
B2. All the Way from America (4:49)
B3. Feeling in My Heart (For You) (3:36)
B4. Simon (3:40)
B5. I Need You (2:44)

All songs written by Joan Armatrading.

The Players

Joan Armatrading (vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar), Hiram Bullock (guitars), Clarence Clemons (saxophone), Danny Federici (organ), Anton Fig (drums), Will Lee (bass), Chris Spedding (guitars, 6-string acoustic guitar), Paul Shaffer (piano) with Clifford Carter (piano on B1), Ricky Hirsh (guitars on A3), George Kerr (vocal backing on A5), Marcus Miller (bass on A1/A4), Phillip St. John (piano on A4), Sammy Turner (vocal backing on A5). Produced by Richard Gottehrer; engineered by Thom Panunzio.

The Pictures

Art direction & design by Chuck Beeson. Photography by Brian Hagiwara.

The Plastic

Released on elpee and cassette in May 1980 in the UK and the Netherlands (A&M, AMLH 64809), the US and Canada (A&M, SP/CS-4809), Australia and New Zealand (A&M, L37333) and Yugoslavia (RTB, 2220288) with lyrics innersleeve. Reached #5 on the UK charts and #28 on the US charts.

1. Re-issued on compact disc and cassette in 1989 in the US (A&M, 3316).
2. Re-issued on remastered compact disc in the Netherlands (A&M, 39 4809).