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Joan Armatrading - Steppin' Out

Steppin Out

Steppin' Out is not an album for the casual fan. I'm the first to admit that I'm not all that well versed in all things Armatrading, although over the last couple of years I've picked up a few of her albums, and I've really enjoyed them. Some more than others, but they were all good.

While the album was "Recorded 'LIVE' in North America," it was not released in the US. Apparently, this was at the behest of Joan herself, as she didn't think her album sales there warranted a live album. So those in the UK, Europe, and Canada (yay) were the lucky recipients.

The album itself is surprisingly short, just nine songs and clocking in at less than twenty-two minutes a side, which for a live album seems a tad skinny. Most of the songs are full band, with the title track being a solo version featuring Joan on guitar.

Joan

The first couple of plays through, the album felt dull and, frankly, kind of boring. Which I found strange. Maybe my expectations were a little high. Like a few of her previous albums, Steppin' Out was produced and engineered by Glyn Johns. Working with a live album, I'm guessing it was his job to weed through the tapes and create a cohesive listening experience.

The band for her North American tour:

  • Red Young - keyboards
  • Ricky Hirsh - lead guitar
  • Richie Hayward - drums
  • Bill Bodine - bass
  • Lon Price - saxophone & flute

I honestly can't recall seeing any of their names before, and had no idea what to expect. Joan's studio albums had featured a veritable who's who of the best of the best backing her. Turns out the live band was pretty fantastic, and in particular, lead guitarist Ricky Hirsh provided all of the highlights on the album for me.

I've played the album several times now, and while it's enjoyable, it really isn't an album that has any real spark. It just sort of settles into a laid-back rhythm and stays there. This is a singer-songwriter album, and if that's your jam, you will have happy toast. To most of us, though - and I include myself among the great unwashed - this was an album I can take or leave.

back cover

Not to say there aren't any highlights. I am particularly drawn to "Cool Blue Stole My Heart," which clocks in at a little over seven minutes and features some absolutely inspiring guitar work by Ricky Hirsh. The song itself was kind of hit and miss for me, but man oh man, those solos were just so good.

To the point where any of the songs on Steppin' Out that feature a guitar solo, it was the focal point of the song ... at least to me.

I bought this because I was a casual fan of Joan Armatrading and had enjoyed many of her previous albums. The album was okay, but I came away from Steppin' Out a Ricky Hirsh fan.

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