‘Led Zeppelin IV’: Joan Armatrading on her favourite rock ‘n’ roll album
Renowned for her impactful contributions to folk, rock, and blues, Joan Armatrading stands as a luminary figure in the realm of music. Hailing from Basseterre, Saint Kitts, she is revered for her unique vocal prowess, poignant lyrical depth, and emotive songcraft.
Armatrading’s musical repertoire frequently explores themes of love, relationships, and profound introspection. Over the course of her illustrious career, she has garnered numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Award nominations for her exceptional music.
In 2003, she received the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for ‘Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection’, a testament to her enduring impact on the music landscape. Furthermore, her significant contributions to music, charity, and equality were recognised when she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s 2021 birthday honours.
In terms of imparting her own insights during the songwriting journey, Armatrading emphasises the significance of self-awareness. “Writing is all about self-editing,” she said via the Sodajerker Podcast in 2014. “It’s all about being present, being aware of what’s happening”.
In terms of personal favourites, it comes as no surprise that Armatrading appreciates the work of another musical legend, rock ‘n’ roll luminary Led Zeppelin. Discussing the musical project that she cherishes the most, Led Zeppelin IV, Armatrading explains: “[This is] about the third album I bought. I talked about them in every interview I did when I started my career. I loved Robert Plant’s voice, the structure of the songs and Jimmy Page’s guitar playing. Their music still sounds powerful.”
As someone whose prowess reaches every corner of folk and rock, Led Zeppelin IV is the perfect muse, home to iconic songs like ‘Stairway To Heaven’, ‘When the Levee Breaks’, and ‘Black Dog’. However, another of Armatrading’s inspirations also makes complete sense: Amy Winehouse and her esteemed album Black to Black.
Discussing the late singer, Armatrading explained: “[Winehouse] is an amazing talent. I loved her lyrics, her voice, her phrasing and how she moved her body. She made the jazz sound bang up to date. I was looking forward to seeing what she was like when I was a proper old lady.”
