Joan Armatrading’s five favourite guitarists ever
In the diverse landscape of singer-songwriters, Joan Armatrading stands as a luminary figure, her career an intricate tapestry woven with the threads of soulful melodies and introspective lyrics. Born in the Caribbean enclave of Basseterre, Saint Kitts, Armatrading migrated to the industrial heartland of Birmingham, England, where she would hone her craft and eventually emerge as a singular force in the music industry that still resonates to this day.
Armatrading’s eponymous third album, released in 1976, became the fulcrum upon which her career pivoted into the mainstream consciousness. The resounding success of the album was anchored by the timeless ballad ‘Love and Affection,’ a poignant exploration of emotional nuance delivered with her trademark velvety timbre. The track not only marked a commercial triumph but crystallised Armatrading’s ability to transmute personal reflections into universal sentiments. It was her ability to do this with powerful lyricism and mesmeric guitar playing that truly captured the hearts and minds of fans.
While, as an audience, the rock and folk world is happy to listen to the vocal stylings of their favourite singer and revel in their message, the wordless communication of an instrument truly seals the fate of an icon. Armatrading is no different.
Her oeuvre, spanning several decades, defies facile categorisation as Armatrading deftly navigates through a sonorous labyrinth that intertwines folk, jazz, blues, and rock. Each album becomes a chapter in a musical narrative, unfurling layers of complexity and emotional depth that captivate the discerning listener. however, one thing she is defined as is an almighty guitar player. Able to cultivate unique tonal structures and precise performance at the drop of a hat.
It means that when, in 2009, she was asked to pick five of her favourite guitarists of all time by BBC Radio 4, the world took note. Naturally, owing to her wide variety of influences and inspirations, Armatrading’s list is flecked with folk, country, rock, indie and much more. While the guitarists mentioned may all provide a different view of the instrument, they all have one thing in common: uniqueness.
As part of the five-episode series, Armatrading spoke with the guitarists and shared her appraisal of them, calling Mark Knopfler’s guitar work as “lyrical” while discussing Dire Straits, she continued: “His great talent made this band one of the most loved and admired of the 20th century, Mark is a master of the instrument.” The episode rumbles on as the singer handsomely praises the uniqueness of Knopfler’s work, something compounded as Armatrading tries to copy his song in the closing moments of the show.
An idiosyncrasy seems to be the key element to Armatrading’s love for each of the artists mentioned. In the second episode of the series, she labels Bonnie Raitt, country singer-songwriter extraordinaire, as one of the greats and notes her highly influential style. The duo met in the early 1970s and were, at the time, two of the only female guitarists on the scene. It cemented their friendship and confirmed Raitt to Armatrading as one of the best to ever do it.
John Williams is perhaps the least well-known member of Armatrading’s list. However, his prowess speaks for itself. Which is lucky, considering Williams largely dismissed any praise given to him. “He’s a bit of a one and only,” confirms Armatrading over the impressive classical skills of Williams. His inclusion is only trumped by that of Bloc Party’s Russell Lissack in terms of shock.
Lissack may well have been a darling of the indie explosion of the early 200s, but his angular guitar is rarely given the credit it is due. Armatrading, however, took time to celebrate his skill, labelling him “dynamic” and giving the normally shy guitarist the chance to share his story. He, like so many guitarists, was largely self-taught, and this resonated with Armatrading, who included him among her favourites.
If Lissack and Wiliams were shock inclusions, then Bert Jansch is likely to have been most people’s first guess. Jansch is one of the most highly thought of guitarists in folk history, and Armatrading was quick to share her appreciation of the skilled musician: “Bert Jansch may not be a household name, but you certainly will have heard his music, he’s been a huge influence on musicians all over the world.” She continued: “What makes Bert’s guitar playing so wonderful is his virtuosos finger-picking and string-bending techniques.”
Looking at five of Joan Armatrading’s favourite guitarists of all time, it’s easy to see two commonalities. Firstly, they are all largely self-taught, depending only on their determination to express themselves through their instrument. And secondly, that they are all as unique as her.
Hear the first episode below.
Joan Armatrading’s five favourite guitarists of all time:
- Mark Knopfler
- Bonnie Raitt
- John Williams
- Russell Lissack
- Bert Jansch
