Paul Christensen and the award winning Omega Productions crew were recently in San Francisco, California shooting footage and recording tracks 
for a new DVD and CD to be released by London based Blues and Rock singer, Joan Armatrading. The concert was part of Ms. Armatrading’s recent North American tour in support of her new CD, Into The Blues, which has been nominated for a 2007 Grammy in the category of “Best Contemporary Blues.” The multi-camera shoot and multitrack recording took place at the Great American Music
Hall, one of the country’s best known intimate music venues.
Joan Armatrading has always focused on the music. “I write,” she says, “because I love it.” She has a remarkably strong, yet subtle voice. But even more engaging, she is an accomplished guitar player, as good as anyone in the business, not withstanding first call studio session players. For 33 years, Joan Armatrading has crafted her music, described as “soul” driven – supported by
her solid guitar work. Her dual lead vocal and guitar performances are riveting spectacles of power on the one hand and tender interpretation on the other.
She was nominated twice as Best female vocalist for the Brit awards and also nominated three times for the American Grammy Award. Twice for Best Female Vocalist and her CD Into The Blues saw her nominated in the
“Best Contemporary Blues” category. This CD saw Joan become the first UK artist to debut at #1 on Billboard blues chart and also made her the first female UK artist to be nominated for a Grammy in the blues category. She received the Ivor Novello awarded for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996 all along with numerous platinum, gold and silver albums and consistent, enviable critical acclaim.
Other achievements have included being nominated as one of the 100 most influential women in rock in the VH1 poll at the end of 1999. Joan received
a platinum CD for her participation with other artists in the Lou Reed song Perfect Day by the BBC for sales of over 1 million.
Paul Christensen served as Television and Live Recording Producer. Shane Mario Ruggieri, Fixed Earth Films, San Francisco, provided crew and facilities and seved as a fixed camera operator. Other crew assisting
with the project were Jason Boyce and Peter Booth Lee on Hand Held Camera and Karl Andersonand Terry Nemoff on Fixed Camera. Shane Mario Ruggieri provided behind the scenes and interview footage with the assistance of Nemoff and Boyce. San Francisco based recording engineer/producer Dave Luke engineered the project assisted by Kathy Yore and Miguel Mendez. Studio on Wheels , Los Angeles, provided the remote recording unit.
Sound Reinforcement and Lighting Services were provided by the venue, Great American Music Hall. Travis Burley assisted with lighting, while Lee Brenkman and Michael Wilson handled the FOH and monitor mix for the evening. We would also like to thank all of the staff and personnel at the Great American Music Hall including:
Dawn Holliday – General Manager
Michael Lieber – Production Manager
Lee Brenkman – House Sound Director
Ciaran McDunphy – House Manager
Scott Singh – Stage Manager
