AMG Review of Gold

Thom Jurek
All Music Guide

Gold is a solid, top to bottom look at Joan Armatrading's ambitious, iconoclastic if often under-noticed career between the years 1975 and 1983. The two discs are literally packed, with 43 cuts, and all the hits and fan expectations are included in wonderfully remastered sound. From "Cool Blues Stole My Heart," to "Love and Affection," and "Show Some Emotion," to "Drop the Pilot," "(I Love It When You) Call Me Names," and even lesser known tunes like "Feelin In My Heart for You," and "Heaven," which closes the set. There is little that's left out, making this one of the most glorious "Best Of's" to come out in the Chronicles series. If there was a true introduction to Armatrading, this one serves the role far better than a mere ten-cut greatest hits. Her depth and breadth across genres and styles and even instrumentation and vocal phrasing are dizzying in their scope.