This is a very classy, underappreciated outing by Joan Armatrading. It features fine musicianship with saxaphone, trumpet, clarinet, etc., and is very well recorded. Great late night music.

Yes, not what you would expect from Joan but wow it is good. What ever was happening in her life at the time comes right out in words and sound. Or, if nothing was happening then she gets the Best Actress Award for stepping right in the middle of Hurt and Pain. My first Joan experience so actually was disappointed in comparison with her other stuff, then realized over years of listening to The Shouting Stage that it is a GREAT album.

I remember sitting under the stars at Red Rocks listening to Joan Armatrading and her stellar band, during the Shouting Stage tour. Sure we all sang along to 'Love and Affection' and joined in with 'Willow', but it was this collection that has endured in my memory. Maybe it was the romantic themes of love and loss, of a making a memory with my wife - still married after 18 years. Thankfully we never lost it at the shouting stage and I'm glad we found a stronger love that has endured. The playing by mark knopler and pino palladino as well as Joan's essential funkiness buoys this album up and even all these years later I continue to float away listening to this one. Highly recommended along with "Lovers Speak".

Is this a good album for a fan? For the normal Joan Armatrading fan it is a hard album, but You have to listen to it. Take it deep in Your heart and it will grow! Especially the bass of Pino Palladino and Manu Katche at the drums are a revealation. The spare sound of the album and the dominance of the Joan's voice make lovers dream. It is not overproduced - the less the better. The album is full of love songs - all You need for a fullfilled evening with Your partner or alone with an aching heart. Try it out!

This is a wonderful album and looking at the greatest hits album, I was very surprised that none of these tracks seem to be on it. If you are still able to obtain this album, get it and listen to it when you have some quiet time alone. It is haunting and beautiful. Shouting Stage is still a song that I cannot get out of my head.