Jo Armstead
Red Hot
© 2005 Josteady Music Co. (820360115325)
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A major deep soul rediscovery---Jo Armstead may be known mostly to record collectors for "Stone Good Lover," her 1968 R&B hit. But she was an Ikette when it counted, wrote songs with unknowns Ashford and Simpson for Ray Charles ("Let's Go Get Stoned") and sang backgrounds with everybody from Bob Dylan and Nina Simone to Burt Bacharach and Archie Shepp. She starred in Melvin Van Pebbles' landmark Broadway Production "Don't Play Us Cheap" and once managed a professional prize fighter. She has recently been giving some thought to doing a one-woman's show. And now, look out world, she's cleaned out her tape closet and pulled together a stunning collection of raw, powerful, unrestrained performances from throughout the prime of her career. Be prepared "Joshie" Jo Armstead is the real deal.
Joel Selvin S.F. Chronicle
INTRODUCTION
"Jo Armstead is like a priceless work of art that stays tucked away in some private collection and becomes available for the public to gaze upon its splendor on but rare occasions," wrote one New York critic. The career of this multifaceted lady from Yazoo City, Mississippi, has indeed been to briefly capture public attention in one spectrum of the entertainment world or another and then tuck herself away again in her own private world.
BACKGROUND
The time---October 8, 1944; the place---Yazoo City, Mississippi; the event, a child prodigy named Josephine Armstead is born to Wilton and Rosie Armstead. "Little Josephine" sang gospel music throughout the city. In school, she was awarded scholarships to several colleges for her outstanding achievement as a soloist. She was nick-named "Joshie" due to her quickness and speed as a high school athlete; it stuck and followed her to the stage where she clearly made her mark as a professional. The birth of her daughter Chandra changed her direction from academic to professional.
ARTISTIC CREDITS
Jo Armstead comes with exceptional credentials. In the early sixties, she was one of the original Ikettes with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Later, she joined an exciting song-writing team known as Ashford, Simpson & Armstead which gave us such hits as the Ray Charles recording of "Lets Go Get Stoned." Ms. Armstead left Ashford and Simpson to form her own production company in Chicago, where she wrote and co-produced the record "Casanova ( Your Playing Days Are Over)," for Ruby Andrews and "Jealous Kinda Fellow," for Garland Green and many more. In the mid-seventies Stax Records gave her a pile of money for which she wrote all the words and music, published and recorded her first solo album. "Stepping Stones," which broke onto the national charts at about the same time Stax broke into bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ms Armstead's voice was heard by Burt Bacharach on a CARE commerical for hungry children. He sought her out, signed and featured her in his "Futures" album. She made an electrifying debut at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, with Bacharach and Anthony Newly. An enthusiastic audience including Ruth Brown, Ashford & Simpson, and Chuck Jackson was on hand to see
Jo's opening at Harlem's Cotton Club. Jo is also no stranger on or off Broadway. She racked up sensational reviews for her Broadway performances in the musical
"Seesaw" music by Cy Coleman lyrics by Dorothy Fields and in Melvin Van Peebles' "Don't Play Us Cheap." As Belle in Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Journey Through Forever," Richard Christiansen, Critic-At-Large, Chicago Tribune, called her performance "...the real show off singing." Jo's voice was the sound of numerous commercials for Coca-Cola, Burger King, Lite Beer from Miller, Toyota, and McDonalds to name a few. Ms. Armstead is also recognized as a consultant, frequently called upon to analyze and evaluate aspiring
newcomers.
EDUCATION
Jo Armstead is an excellent example of what one can do with determination and perseverance in the face of adversity. Her formal education consist of high school, performing arts training, private tutoring, and in 2002 she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from The New School in New York.
CONCLUSION
Today Jo Armstead lives in New York City. Her lifestyle is engulfed in music and art. A typical day is spent reading, writing (her memoirs), recording, and/or visiting art galleries, museums, and attending shows. You owe it to yourself to listen to this songbird. She is magnificent, truly a stylist. She will seduce you with her charm and presence. Her singing triggers tremendous excitement and a depth of feeling.
reviews
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- author: msveeneedtrust
It is real simple the lady got talent and soul I might be a little doting because i have big respect for her and her daughter who fallow in her foot steps it beautiful to think of the positive stride she gave to all and her family and fans love you always josaphine your cuz Valerie from vermont
A voice that need to be heard.
author: SmittyHave been a fan for almost 40yrs. need to be reintroduced to current generation. Go out & get it.
This is soul the real thing, thank goodness we still have Jo armstead
author: kevin LangleyI thought we had lost these deeply soulful voices and songs to the 60s and 70s and even though I would have loved it if an orchestral backing would or could have been afforded for these songs Jo armstead pulled it off; this in itself is quite a feat concidering just how many other weaker voices, present and past needed this help. The C.D. is wonderful and certainly refreshing in this day and age when modern soul is mostly water thin.
Red Hot and Smoking
author: Malridge Mace, IVAnyone who has enjoyed music by this artist will most definitely enjoy this latest offering. Pure unadulterated soul from the vaults. Sometimes sweet, sometimes gritty, Ms. Armstead can wail and moan with the best of the them. Mix a little bit of Margie Joseph and Bettye Swann with Aretha and a dash of Bettye Lavette and you have a winner. CD Picks: He Moves Me; I Fell Asleep On The Job; Three Little Words; Magic Motion; Either Or The Other (Your Mother Or Your Lover)
pure soul
author: Guillaume VINCENDEAUA TERRIFIC DISCOVER, for me, even if she's in the business for long. If you want real soul between R§B and disco: you should try this, even if the sound isn't perfect it would be a crime to miss this cd, hope miss ARMSTEAD will go back to the studios and make a new cd, all the great copanies should sign such a lady!i wish her a great come back
A true soul journey. Amazing music, voice, and story!
author: Jeremiah BirnbaumI've had the pleasure of hearing these songs emerge from "the vault", as it were, and am so glad that they are out there. Jo's music is a smokin' journey through American soul...her music, absolutely unique, hits a warm spot in the collective memory...you'll feel like you've heard her mother's milk of a voice somewhere in your distant past (and you may have--Jo's been heard on hundreds of recordings and has written songs for the best of them), and then her words, deep in their rich imagery and poignancy, hit you in new ways and turn you around and back again. This is music to make love by, music to sing along to, from a woman who has seen more than most have and is still rockin down her own street. Buy this CD; you will absolutely not regret it.