Whatever's for Us
Encyclopedia
Whatever’s for Us is an album representing the first recorded work of Joan Armatrading
and Pam Nestor
. It is the first album that Armatrading recorded.
and recorded at Château d'Hérouville
studios (then called Strawberry studios), in the Oise valley, near Paris; at Trident Studios
London; and at Marquee Studios London; and released in 1972 on vinyl by Cube Records
(HIFLY 12).
The engineers were Robin Geoffrey Cable, Ken Scott
, Roy Baker
and Phil Dunne. Art direction was by John Hays and cover design by Sumiko. The photograph of Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor which appears on the rear of the cover was taken by Derek Davies.
The album's backing band is Davey Johnstone
on guitar, Larry Steele on bass, Gerry Conway
and Henry Spinetti
on drums and Ray Cooper
on percussion. Davey Johnstone, Gerry Conway and Ray Cooper were also working at the time with Cat Stevens
and Elton John
, both of whom also recorded at the Château d'Hérouville studios.
Other musicians associated with the album are Del Newman, who arranged the strings and horns, and Chris Hughes who played saxophone and arranged the brass. Del Newman also arranged strings on Roger Daltrey's 1973 album Daltrey
.
"Visionary Mountains" was later covered by Mannfred Mann's Earth Band on the album Nightingales & Bombers in 1975. The tracks "My Family" and "City Girl" later appeared on the compilation album "Joan Armatrading: Love & Affection" (A & M, 1996).
The album was issued as a CD in 1988 by Castle Communications, then reissued again in CD format in 2001, (the Metro re-master) with two bonus tracks: "Lonely Lady" and "Together In Words And Music", both written by Armatrading & Nestor; the former track was released as a single in 1973.
Whatever's for Us has traces of the hippie ethos which still existed at the time. Many of the songs are influenced by folk music. The front cover, designed and drawn by the artist Sumiko, shows an idyllic multiracial pastoral scene, complete with long hair, patterned skirts, flowers and psychedelia. It also features drawings of Pam Nestor and Joan Armatrading, Armatrading holding a Father Christmas mascot that had been given to her by Nestor.
Whatever's for Us was the only album made by Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor, and the first recorded example of Armatrading’s playing and singing, aside from demo tapes. Cube records released the album as a 'Joan Armatrading' effort and gave little credit to Nestor, and this caused difficulties between the two writers. Armatrading set about releasing herself from her obligations to Cube and within a short time had signed to A&M Records
instead. The Cube label did not last much longer and folded in the mid 1970s, becoming absorbed into Electric Records.
Side 1
Side 2
Joan Armatrading
Joan Anita Barbara Armatrading, MBE is a British singer, songwriter and guitarist. Armatrading is a three-time Grammy Award-nominee and has been nominated twice for BRIT Awards as Best Female Artist...
and Pam Nestor
Pam Nestor
Pam Nestor is a former singer and lyricist who was active in the entertainment industry during the 1970s.-Early days:Pam Nestor was born in Berbice, Guyana, on 28 April 1948, and came to England in 1961. She auditioned for the musical Hair in 1969 and landed a part in it...
. It is the first album that Armatrading recorded.
Recording history
Whatever’s For Us was produced by Gus DudgeonGus Dudgeon
Angus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
and recorded at Château d'Hérouville
Château d'Hérouville
The Château d'Hérouville is a French château of the 18th century located in the village of Hérouville, in the Oise valley near Paris. The castle was built in 1740 by Gaudot, an architect of the school of Rome. In the 19th century, it was used as courier relay station and stabled a hundred...
studios (then called Strawberry studios), in the Oise valley, near Paris; at Trident Studios
Trident Studios
Trident Studios was a British recording facility, originally located at 17 St. Anne's Court in London's Soho district. It was constructed in 1967 by Norman Sheffield a drummer of former 1960's group The Hunters and his Brother Barry....
London; and at Marquee Studios London; and released in 1972 on vinyl by Cube Records
Cube Records
Cube Records was launched on 26 May 1972 by independent music publisher David Platz, and was based at his UK offices for Essex Music.-History:...
(HIFLY 12).
The engineers were Robin Geoffrey Cable, Ken Scott
Ken Scott
Ken Scott is an English record producer and recording engineer.-Career:Scott started at the age of 16 working in the tape library at Abbey Road Studios. He became a recording engineer working with such acts as The Beatles, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Procol Harum...
, Roy Baker
Roy Thomas Baker
Roy Thomas Baker is a multiple award-winning Anglo-American music producer, songwriter, arranger and Recording Academy Governor, who has produced Platinum and Gold certified pop and rock records from the 1970s to the present.- Career :Baker began his career at Decca Records in England at the age...
and Phil Dunne. Art direction was by John Hays and cover design by Sumiko. The photograph of Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor which appears on the rear of the cover was taken by Derek Davies.
The album's backing band is Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
on guitar, Larry Steele on bass, Gerry Conway
Gerry Conway (musician)
Gerald Conway is an English folk and rock drummer/percussionist, best known for having performed with the backing band for Cat Stevens in the 1970s, Jethro Tull during the 1980s, and currently a member of Fairport Convention as well as his side projects...
and Henry Spinetti
Henry Spinetti
Henry Spinetti is a Welsh-born session drummer whose playing has featured on a large number of prominent rock and pop albums. He is the younger brother of the actor, Victor Spinetti.-Career:...
on drums and Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
on percussion. Davey Johnstone, Gerry Conway and Ray Cooper were also working at the time with Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
and Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, both of whom also recorded at the Château d'Hérouville studios.
Other musicians associated with the album are Del Newman, who arranged the strings and horns, and Chris Hughes who played saxophone and arranged the brass. Del Newman also arranged strings on Roger Daltrey's 1973 album Daltrey
Daltrey
Daltrey is the first solo album by The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1973. The album took six weeks to record during January and February 1973...
.
"Visionary Mountains" was later covered by Mannfred Mann's Earth Band on the album Nightingales & Bombers in 1975. The tracks "My Family" and "City Girl" later appeared on the compilation album "Joan Armatrading: Love & Affection" (A & M, 1996).
The album was issued as a CD in 1988 by Castle Communications, then reissued again in CD format in 2001, (the Metro re-master) with two bonus tracks: "Lonely Lady" and "Together In Words And Music", both written by Armatrading & Nestor; the former track was released as a single in 1973.
The album
Joan Armatrading performs the lead vocals, piano, and acoustic guitar, while Pam Nestor's contribution to Whatever's for Us is as a collaborator, co-writing most of the songs.Whatever's for Us has traces of the hippie ethos which still existed at the time. Many of the songs are influenced by folk music. The front cover, designed and drawn by the artist Sumiko, shows an idyllic multiracial pastoral scene, complete with long hair, patterned skirts, flowers and psychedelia. It also features drawings of Pam Nestor and Joan Armatrading, Armatrading holding a Father Christmas mascot that had been given to her by Nestor.
Whatever's for Us was the only album made by Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor, and the first recorded example of Armatrading’s playing and singing, aside from demo tapes. Cube records released the album as a 'Joan Armatrading' effort and gave little credit to Nestor, and this caused difficulties between the two writers. Armatrading set about releasing herself from her obligations to Cube and within a short time had signed to A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
instead. The Cube label did not last much longer and folded in the mid 1970s, becoming absorbed into Electric Records.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Joan Armatrading and Pam Nestor; except where indicatedSide 1
- "My Family" 3:08
- "City Girl" (Armatrading) 3:58
- "Spend a Little Time" (Armatrading) 2:23
- "Whatever's for Us, for Us" 2:11
- "Child Star" 2:31
- "Visionary Mountains" 1:49
- "It Could Have Been Better" 4:19
Side 2
- "Head of the Table" 2:30
- "Mister Remember Me" 2:15
- "Gave It a Try" 2:08
- "Alice" 3:29
- "Conversation" (Armatrading) 2:15
- "Mean Old Man" 2:33
- "All the King’s Gardens" 2:58
External links
- http://www.connollyco.com/discography/joan_armatrading/whatevers.html Review by Dave Connolly]