ARMATRADING AND FANS SHOW SPIRIT AT GREEK

It’s easy to see why Joan Armatrading inspires devotion from her fans--Saturday at the Greek Theatre all it took from her was a smile to draw a standing ovation. Her songs, covering the full spectrum of love and passion, are the kind people tend to take personally.

Though Armatrading’s current album, “Sleight of Hand,” is among her best, much of her recent music lacks both the direct lyrical power and rhythmic invention of her earlier work. The relatively generic modern rock of her enthusiastic young five-piece band wasn’t always up to capturing the emotional depth of the material. But though Armatrading’s distinctive, husky voice seemed a bit road-ravaged, her infectious spirit didn’t. And she does have a great smile.

Graham Nash proved a surprisingly appropriate opening act, as he played a largely rocking mix of old and new songs, including an encore of “Teach Your Children” with Steve Stills sitting in.