Joan Armatrading Returns to the Playhouse

Back by popular demand after playing to a sold-out crowd here in 2007, British singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading performs at the Ridgefield Playhouse on July 16 with special guest singer-songwriter Morley.

Armatrading is known as the consummate musician whose music has a bluesy-rock style flair. She was the first British female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Blues chart and was nominated for a Grammy award in the blues category. Her various hits include "Willow," "Love & Affection," "Drop the Pilot" and "Lovers Speak." Her newest CD is called This Charming Life.

Armatrading, who performed at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday celebration, spoke to Ridgefield Patch by phone on one of her tour stops in Philadelphia.

"The songs, people would think they were about me because of the way I write, but in general I write about other people," she said. "I wrote (the new album's title track) to say thank you for the life that I've been given and I appreciate it ... It's too much for me to write a song about myself."

This Charming Life, which opens with the eponymous title track, is available on CD and on iTunes. But the album tour, which is lasting from March through December, is where Armatrading works on her newest songs to keep them fresh.

"I'm a writer and I write constantly, so I need to present new songs that I've written," she said. She has been touring with each album release since 1972 and has been writing songs since she was 14 years old. She's a completely self-taught musician.

Armatrading said she found it difficult to pinpoint her favorite track off the new CD.

When asked if she expects her upcoming performance at the Playhouse to be another sold-out show, Armatrading replied, "I don't know, you can never expect anything! You can hope that it will be but I don't think it's a given that it will be sold-out," she said.

"I just hope that people will turn up and I can put on the best show that I can possibly give with my band, and I know we'll all have a great time."

Tickets are $75 and $65 and showtime is 8 p.m. For more information and tickets contact The Ridgefield Playhouse at (203) 438-5795.