Over the course of her young career, Julia Fordham's ability to infuse music with intimate emotions has become a personal trademark. Armed with a rich, expressive contralto and astute songwriting pen, she has already developed a mature and unique artistic voice.
Having accomplished so much in such a short time, Fordham shows no inclination of slowing down. On Falling Forward, her fourth album, Fordham has embarked on her most ambitious project yet, with wonderful results. Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Larry Klein (well-known for his work with Joni Mitchell, David Baerwald, and Shawn Colvin), Falling Forward explores new dimensions of Fordham's seemingly boundless creativity.
"I Can't Help Myself" offers a fine introduction to the album's confident offerings. A driving bass line underpins Fordham's coy lyrics, and the song's allure is beautifully captured by its sultry accompanying video, filmed on location in Morocco by director Markus Blunder.
Two extraordinary songs -- "Different Time, Different Place" and "Blue Sky" -- explore the breadth of feelings that emerge between people when they're attracted but hardly know each other, and then when they know each other a bit too well. "'Different Time, Different Place' is a 90's affair song, because no one actually does that anymore," Fordham confesses; "they just imagine doing it, and I think everyone loves to do that." By contrast, "Blue Sky" is about that "initial onset of disappointment, the feeling of being let down in some way. It's something which inevitably comes in a relationship once the honeymoon period is over."
Falling Forward displays a dynamic range of tastes and temperaments, from the vibrant "Caged Bird" and rising harmonies of "Love And Forgiveness", to the intimate stillness of the jazz inflected "Threadbare" and the stripped down, naked emotion of "Honeymoon". Fordham's diversity invigorates the uplifting, gospel flavored "Hope, Prayer, And Time" (the only non-Fordham composition on the record, penned by Virgin U.K. labelmate Gary Clark), another Falling Forward highlight.
Throughout the 11-song collection, producer Larry Klein captures Fordham's cadences and style, bringing an urgent, energetic approach to the album. Falling Forward marks the first time Fordham has recorded in Los Angeles, in a working atmosphere decidedly different from her earlier studio sessions in England. "I was totally cocooned," admits Fordham, "working there every day from midday to midnight, sending out for food -- I never saw daylight! The recording process was very concentrated, very intense. It was a pretty amazing experience that seemed almost to involve dragging out my heart and intestines and putting them up there on the desk."
Recent anatomical metaphors notwithstanding, Fordham's deep devotion to her music began as a young girl growing up on England's south coast, where she started writing songs at age 12, and by 14 was playing regularly at local clubs. Moving to London in her late teens, her versatile, jazzy style and uncanny style belied her youth.
By 1987 Fordham had signed to Virgin Records, and went on to record three albums: her 1988 self-titled debut; its 1990 follow up, Porcelain; and her most recent gem, 1991's Swept. Ebullient critical response to the trio of disks focused on Fordham's songwriting and unique vocal style. Billboard lauded her "ethereal, soaring voice that blends in seamlessly with the other instruments." "Fordham's voice is a precious instrument," wrote the Boston Globe, "and she proves to be a smart, sophisticated vocalist as she blends notes and phrases with grace." Vanity Fair summed things up by saying "Julia Fordham may be a cool beauty, but she's also a chanteuse with soul... Fordham brings the listener to that perfect place between control and passion."
In addition to critically acclaimed albums, her live performances -- onstage and on national television -- have amply demonstrated Fordham's ability to win over audiences with her music, her warm sense of humor, and unmistakably English charm.
Throughout these early years of her remarkable career, Julia Fordham has specialized in creating music filled with personal insight and an effortless melodicism. On Falling Forward, her rare combination of honesty, intelligence, and sensitivity shines as brightly as ever, and promises to continue to do so for years to come.
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