This out of print (excellent collection) came out right
as MTV was hitting its stride during the middle 80's and people got
to see the electric Joan Armatrading really emerging. I think A&M records
were really hoping to break Joan out to a larger market. Her much respected music
style, similar to thes likes of Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt to name a few
of my favorites with similar appeal had a hard time finding any kind of
niche for themselves during this period in music. Lets face
it music was not responding to love songs (cold period in music). Joan's song "Temptation" came pretty
close through the video age to transport Joan out of her
cult following. She went on over the next several years producing herself and exploring new music but she has always
come back to the basic guitar/paino approach which in my opinion
is her greatest strength. Great collection of under appreciated
rock music with her trademark great songwriting. Hopefully one of these
days they will re-release a remastered SECRETS SECRETS.

I have been waiting for this album to come out on CD and it seems as though it will be a long wait. I love the rest of Armatradings work--a combination of energy and mellowness-- but Secrets, Secrets, was a welcome surprise. I saw her sing this particular selection of songs in concert at Northrup Auditorium in Minneapolis and it was a performance that left my heart pounding and the audience rockin'. I bought the album the next day. I was very surprised to learn that Secrets, Secrets , did not do well at the time of its release. I think if they released it now in CD form, this would SELL.

Wish this album would be re-released. The sound may be a bit dated, but the songs are great. It's one of those albums that hooks you right from the start, and keeps you listening all the way to the finish. "Temptation" is certainly one of Joan's catchiest compositions. An album you'll listen to again and again.