Joan Armatrading - Live at the Bijou Café, Philadelphia, February 18, 1977 (1977 Radio Promo)

This club recording was meant to promote the self-titled "Joan Armatrading" album which came out in 1976, seen as her best output by many. The majority of the live tracks can originally be found on that LP, except for three which first appeared on "Back To The Night" the year before: "Cool Blue (Stole My Heart)", the fantastic "Dry Land" - here is the only live recording of that song I know - and a powerful solo version of "Stepping Out". All in all it's great to hear Joan at an early point of her carreer, in best mood and together with a great band in front of a small audience. Too bad this nice, very good sounding club recording never came out officially on LP or on CD, and it probably won't ever. The same sad story as with "Back To The Night": Collectors have to pay between 50 and 150 Dollars for a good CD copy nowadays. Where are avoidable reissues?

Tracks

1. (Introduction)
2. Join The Boys
   
3. Down To Zero
4. Help Yourself
   
5. Cool Blue (Stole My Heart)
   

1. Dry Land
   
2. (Introduction Of Band)
   
3. Love And Affection
4. Water With The Wine
5. Tall In The Saddle

Here