Joan Armatrading’s concert at the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne was more like a personal thank you to her fans than a rock and roll concert.
Billed as her farewell tour, Armatrading shared some of high points of her illustrious career with the audience showing some of her favourite photographs and sang many of her greatest hits, playing either piano or guitar.
Armatrading is a skilled blues guitarist and her voice remains pure and strong but the high volume of her electric guitar tended to distract from the quality of her singing.
Touring for the first time without a backing group, the show was like visit to a personal friend and Armatrading set about revealing her personal side with a number of gags and stories about herself.
Despite the slightly below par sound quality, Armatrading has earned her place in the hearts of her fans - and among the greats of British soul and blues.
At the end of the show, the audience rose as one in recognition of her efforts and as their own thank you in return.
It will be a long time before anyone in the world of music matches her musical quality and depth.
Four stars
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