Celebrating the work of Jo Armstead.

Jo Armstead Discography (Soulful Kinda Music Link)

>>> Jo Armstead <<<

Sublime.

Written and produced by Jo - 

 

Produced by Jo and Mike Terry - 

 

Are you feeling those vibes?

Ed

 

4 minutes ago, Tomangoes said:

Are you feeling those vibes?

Ed

 

Stock copy only, as DEMO's have "Ride Out The Storm" on BOTH sides.

Jo as an Ikette in 1962 - 

 

Ain't That Good Enough co-written with Ashford & Simpson from Gimme Something Real... 

 

... and take your pick which version is best between Garland Green or John Edwards - Ain't That Good Enough.. Note different credits I think they got John Edwards confused for the Ashford & Simpson above?

 

 

 

 

Just out of interest, where were the Jo Armstead/Mike Terry collaborations recorded ?

According to an article in "Soul Survivor", Jo mentions Ruby Andrews "Casanova" and all of Garland Green's work with Jo

as being cut in Detroit. I think all the Armstead / Terry output was done in Detroit.

... talking about Casanova ...actually prefer Loleatta Holloway's version from 75:  was she overlooked/underrated or what?

 

Very talented lady - writer / singer always fantastic - personally I love a late night listen to:

Jo Armstead - 'Won't you join the band (on my caravan)' on Preacher Rose.

Adam.

12 hours ago, Douglaschip said:

Very talented lady - writer / singer always fantastic - personally I love a late night listen to:

Jo Armstead - 'Won't you join the band (on my caravan)' on Preacher Rose.

Adam.

Yes!!! ... it's a stunning deep soul track I posted on another thread recently so won't repost ... here's the link:

 

From the Ashford / Simpson / Armstead team -

 

 

Wonderful crossover track from Liz Lands - Don't Shut Me Out [One-Derful!] penned by Jo Armstead & Eddie Silvers

 

On 29/02/2020 at 01:37, The Yank said:

Written and produced by Jo - 

 

One of the finest NS records ever made ... it's got it all and still so hard to get hold of an original ... if you had one why on earth would you sell it?

 

2 minutes ago, The Yank said:

 

... ha ... you pipped me to it! Was considering posting this.  Just amazing how many class tunes this lady has provided 'our scene'

This one's been getting spins at Horse & Groom Sunday sessions.  Originally done of course by Val Simpson but this is 'our Cilla's' version ... don't knock it ... give it a spin and hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised?

 

A beautiful voice, especially on "I Feel an Urge..." and "Stone Good Lover" is one of my all-time soul 45's.

Awesome 1960's Beat Ballad  from The Great Joshie  Armstead  - The Breaking Point  

Just superb, put this on another thread last week but needs to be here

 

1 hour ago, Bruv said:

Awesome 1960's Beat Ballad  from The Great Joshie  Armstead  - The Breaking Point  

Nice one ... apparently she changed her name for recording just after leaving The Ikettes ... so that Ike Turner couldn't identify/find her!!!

'Sad Girl' was the follow up on a different label (Simpson) with a nice beat ballad 'I'll Never Let You Down' on flip NB both tracks included in this clip

 

Another Ashford/ Simpson/ Armstead collaboration - 

 

Thanks for this OP that turns out to be of educative for me. Although I have always understood the importance of the composer, and loved to read her name in brackets under those explicit/univoqued titles. Yet never was I totally impressed by many of her actual singing recordings.

But 'stone good lover' evidently conquered me the first time I heard it. Those Mike Terry arrangements are class*****  Now I got to dig 'I who loves you so' ('I feel an urge' never did it for me really, sorry boys 😜), 'there's not too many left like him' is rather good and 'I got the vibes' is enjoyable.

So 4 tunes of her in my collection is not much for this none the less fantastic and prolific artist. A 5th is still missing that I know for a long time now; her 90's modern soul silky sleeper 'won't you join the band'. But I still wait and hope to get a cheaper copy than that those proposed on the net.

So I did NOT know that she is/was Deena Johnson... If I read it before I guess I did not take that for a reliable 'source'. Never got excited by her Simpson sides. Although 'the breaking point' was a record on my 'wants' at one time, this changed the day I got to hear Brad Lundy's version 😮.

But at least now I know that Deena is/was Jo. And I can link those records that I play and love to those/other's of her that I don't appreciate as much and picture a mental 'map' of the who's, where and what with a little story to tell to those who might care for if ever. Thanks a bunch Y'all ! 

 

Many years later this one lit up northern dance floors !!

And here’s that wonderful lady doing it herself

 

Not mentioned in the discography in the 1st post, Jo did lead

vocals on 4 tracks on the Burt Bacharach album "Futures" - 

 

And this two-stepper on Preacher Rose c.1990, which was championed by Steve Hobbs on his Soul Bowl show on Jazz FM at the time.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 20205 yr by Mike
swapped mp3 for youtube as we don't allow mp3s due to copyright issues

just a quick reminder - we don't allow mp3s due to copyright issues

more info here https://www.soul-source.co.uk/guidelines/

Billboard 2005 scan

 

@Douglaschip @Soulstrutter do either of your copies of Jo Armstead - Won't You Join The Band have a sound defect causing one of the channels to drop out about 1-2 minutes in to the song?

On my copy of the 7", the right channel almost completely goes out for about 10-15 seconds.

thx

Edited July 13, 20204 yr by DiscotechSoul

Just had a listen and mine seems to be fine - never noticed it before. 

Adam

On 13/07/2020 at 04:52, DiscotechSoul said:

@Douglaschip @Soulstrutter do either of your copies of Jo Armstead - Won't You Join The Band have a sound defect causing one of the channels to drop out about 1-2 minutes in to the song?

On my copy of the 7", the right channel almost completely goes out for about 10-15 seconds.

thx

Mine's fine too - may be a bit of dirt in the grooves?

As no ones posted this yet

Mr Dearlove coinded her "The Empress  of Chicago Soul" in a Voices issue once.

I wouldn't argue 

Cheers Paul

On 15/08/2020 at 21:35, Soul Shrews said:

As no ones posted this yet

Mr Dearlove coinded her "The Empress  of Chicago Soul" in a Voices issue once.

I wouldn't argue 

Cheers Paul

Anyone know the story behind this limited edition; who, where, when and  how many pressed ?

4 hours ago, Tlscapital said:

Anyone know the story behind this limited edition; who, where, when and  how many pressed ?

I believe that it's Jo Armstead's own label and these were released late 80s/early 90s from 70s recordings.  I'm guessing (from label) that these were limited edition runs so would again guess 300/500 ... but only a guess?  I'm only aware of this release and another on 12" (before?) 'In The Right Place/By A Twist Of Fate In The Right Place (Inst of A). She also released an album 'Red Hot' on the label which is available on CD on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Hot-Jo-Armstead/dp/B000CAGUTS.  Sound like a mix of 70s/80s recordings I Fell Asleep On The Job, He Moves Me and Stepping Stones are the highlights.

Think Rod Dearlove the "Voices" head honcho had a deal with Mrs Armstead to put them out, The vinyl that is.

100% legit

 

CD was later

Cheers Paul

On 01/03/2020 at 12:30, The Yank said:

According to an article in "Soul Survivor", Jo mentions Ruby Andrews "Casanova" and all of Garland Green's work with Jo

as being cut in Detroit. I think all the Armstead / Terry output was done in Detroit.

I agree.  At least, that's what I heard.  Interesting that Loleatta Holloway's version, although recorded in Atlanta, some ex Detroiters worked on it - Floyd Smith, and engineer Milan Bogden.

Love this song - just noticed the writing credits...

 

 

7 hours ago, Ljblanken said:

Love this song - just noticed the writing credits...

 

 

I love Ashford and Simpson songs; but I love Ashford, Simpson & Armstead songs even more.  Ashford & Simpson were a little towards The Brill Building sound.  Jo added a more Jazzy & Bluesy feel that made the overall sound more full, rich, and deep.  That trio wrote several of my all-time favourite hits - many of which didn't hit it big on the pop charts because they were "too darned Soulful"!

10 hours ago, Ljblanken said:

Love this song - just noticed the writing credits...

Lovely tune, credit merit (in regard of this topic) and musical 'tip' indeed.

For a record that I have always flipped over and never gave a listen to.

Hearing the fab writers team through. And even those singers sound "black".

I've been fooled ! I'll pick a copy next time I'll stumble on a cheap clean copy.

On 20/08/2020 at 11:23, Tlscapital said:

Anyone know the story behind this limited edition; who, where, when and  how many pressed ?

550 copies were pressed in 1991 at Bill Smiths Customs Records Inc, California. They were done by JJA. 

Edited September 1, 20204 yr by Reforee

Quote

 

Coincidentally just played the utterly superb 'A Stone Good Lover' at home.  Was reflecting how similar in feel / sound / production it is to Garland Green 'Girl I Love You'. Exact same drum / strings / horn sound and very similar structure / chord changes.😎 Recorded at the same session?

 

Also a shout for this one which I can't see mentioned here:

 

11 minutes ago, Joesoap said:

Coincidentally just played the utterly superb 'A Stone Good Lover' at home.  Was reflecting how similar in feel / sound / production it is to Garland Green 'Girl I Love You'. Exact same drum / strings / horn sound and very similar structure / chord changes.😎 Recorded at the same session

On my current 'play' selection/pile next to my phono station they are one next to the other... 😜

My copy of Garland got stolen about 30 years ago otherwise so would mine be!😕😭