East West

While I love each of Julia's five recordings, "East West" is my favorite. Pairing up with producer Michael Brook was a smart move for Julia - the resulting sound is looser and edgier, capturing the spontaneity of her live performances. The songs here cover familiar ground (romantic relationships), but are distinguished by arrangements that amplify the emotional intensity of Julia's lyrics. There are at least three killer tracks: "Stay", "East West", and "More Than I Can Bear". (The Japanese CD ends with an 'bonus' accapella song "Goodbye I Love You" that is worth seeking out.) I didn't think she could top "Porcelain", but the consistency and intensity of this disc manages to do just that. Outstanding.

This CD sounds different every time I play it. Sometimes its daring balancing act at the edge of MOR works; sometimes the mix falls flat. Two takes from over the years:(1) Chanteuse, folkie, new-age-popster, light operatic boomer? She teases with a panoply of intriguing identities, not the least a smoky vibrato in a cool blonde exterior. Richly colored soprano with a winy finish--edgy, like Laura Nyro in tone, not style. Music is a consistently pleasant mix of pop, folk, light jazz, and a gently swaying rhythm. She never falls into the mainstream that seems always present just around the corner; rather, she glides teasingly and effortlessly above it. A lightly jazzy tease. Head and shoulders above Sara McLaughlin. But she's working too hard. She writes to use her full range when she would be most effective in her lower range. She strains at the top end and it sounds like screeching. That said, her insistence on the full range gives a satisfying edge to more conventional folk settings.(2) Odd mix of first-class hooks and irritating vocals. The hooks deserve 5 stars; the vocals often 1 or 2. It's a difficult balancing act, because one comes with the other throughout the CD.I continue to run hot and cold. Stand-outs: tr 3--Stay. tr 7--I can tell you anything. tr 8--Wishing you well.

...is my least favorite of hers to date. While some people appreciate the less-polished, more upfront character of this recording, I find it very disappointing because she is in such poor voice (for her) on this session. I agree with many others that Fordham's voice is a marvelous gift; but on these recordings she lacks much of silky depth - as well as accuracy - of her previous efforts. It sounds to me like not just a matter of studio production, but that her singing is simply not up to her usual heart-stopping standards. I'll stick with "Swept" and "Porcelain" for now - two recordings I treasure.

Julia Fordham has the ache the take the make of a chanteus, a loose excuse for wonderous windy poetry. Just like That!She has a throaty vocal with high eyebrows that recalls Joni Mitchell.She sings for adults, maybe in a penthouse, maybe after a night out with a man that she doesn't like all that much. And, damn, you better be a high-pocketed man to get her to like you. She won't. Well, maybe she will. Champagne and Chet Baker might get her to sing with her evocative wink."Magic" tells all...A fine wrap-around CD for girlsand boys that like them curled up and wishin'