Customer Reviews

Concrete Love - Julia Fordham

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After five studio albums of intense, tightly produced pop gems, Julia Fordham finds her funky, upbeat voice on "Concrete Love". If her prior triumphs "Porcelain" and "East West" were perfect soundtracks to a late evening with a glass of wine, these 12 songs (including the bonus track "Loving You") are meant to be played in the car this summer with the top down and the volume turned up. Producer Larry Klein smartly weaves the melodies and rhythms of these songs with Billy Preston's piano, Lyle Lovett's backup singers, and his own bass - tapping into a newfound soulfulness in Fordham's music. And Julia herself tightly scripts her lyrics of love found, love lost, and "good old, plain old, concrete love" - and keeps the mood upbeat. Of course the best part of any Julia Fordham record is hearing her four-octave voice soar through songs like "Roadside Angel" (her moving tribute to Minnie Riperton and Richard Rudolph) or "It's a New Day". The duet with India.Arie is a minor masterpiece, two soulful voices sensually massaging the lyrics "....No String Quartet Playing In My Head / No Sweet Juliet / No Thunder Bolt From Up Above / Just Good Old Plain Old Concrete Love....." and making it sound like the best runaway sex you've ever had. In fact, there's not a single weak song on the CD, even if there's nothing here to match the intensity of prior records ("Girlfriend", "Stay", "Swept"). If any record will finally bring Julia the radio play and commercial success that Julia Fordham truly deserves, "Concrete Love" is her best shot yet to knock one out of the park. It's also a great place to start if you don't own any of Julia's music. Finally - if you get a chance to see Julia on tour this summer, by all means GO. She is a wonderful live performer, possessing a very gracious stage presence and a powerful live voice. And since the songs on "Concrete Love" were extensively road tested during live performances at Largo in LA, you can bet they'll be tightly executed when she brings them to your town.

I first discovered Julia Fordham back in 1988 with the song "Happy Every After" and, while I loved the song, the entire CD did not live up to to the potential. All that has changed with Concrete Love. This CD is the perfect mix of singer, song and producer. I'm a big fan of Joni Mitchell and there are moments when you believe that you are listening to the latest Joni CD. But Julia takes it much, much farther. Her vocals are astounding - warm yet vibrant. Each song (all are odes to love) contains simple but infectious melodies and hooks. I guarantee that you will not be able to get any one song out of your head! Outstanding tracks include "Missing Man", "Roadside Angel" (a valentine to her vocal hero, Minnie Ripperton) and the title song featuring India.arie. Regardless of the price, this CD is well worth the investment of your money and your time. Check it out! P.S. Let the CD continue to play after the last track ("Alleluia") and you'll be treated to Julia's interpretation of the Minnie Ripperton song "Loving You".

If you are a fan, you would buy anything Julia puts out, even if it were just her singing in the shower. So this, of course, is a must buy. But I can't give it 5 stars.

The synthetic sound from the keyboards and drum machine brings the album down a grade. I don't know if Larry Klein's production is intended to be more interesting, commercial, hip, or just different... but it doesn't do her justice. It is like substituting imitation flavoring instead of pure in a potentially great batch of ice cream.

If you have heard the buzz about Julia Fordham and are just checking her out for the first time, I would go to "Porcelain" or her "Collection" to sample her at her best. Then, when you are hooked, add this one to the collection.

Like fine wine, Julia Fordham just gets better with age. Her sixth studio album is a mature, soulful addition to her already exquisite repertoire. She's a master at melody, especially on songs such as "Foolish Thing" and "It's Another You Day," and she continues to explore the wonderful highs and lows of her lustrous voice. That she is not a million-selling artist is criminal considering all the manufactured pop that sells in droves today. For those who don't know this talented British singer-songwriter, "Concrete Love" is an excellent primer.

Would I be controversial if I said that this is Julia's best album?

Thoughout Julia's career, she has produced superb albums such as 'Porcelain' and her self titled debut 'Julia Fordham'. To her fans, 'Porcelain' would probably be considered her finest work....but I'm not sure after listening to 'Concrete Love'. Each song is special. From the wonderful title track which infuses India Arie's gorgeous harmonising with Julia's rich and deep tones. To 'Roadside Angel', a stunning song dedicated to Minnie Ripperton. But in my opinion, the album's highlight is a song called 'Alleluia', a heavenly duet with Joe Henry.

According to recent press reports, this is set to be Julia's most successful album.

Have you ever felt that there are people on this earth who are here to just bring sweetness to those whose lives they touch. Listening to Julia Fordham brings this to heart for me.There's something about that voice that brings a smile to my face. Her newest work is a giant step forward and maybe she will get the recognition that has oddly passed her by. The songs are touching, I especially like "Love" and "Roadside Angel", But this CD does not have a weak "filler" song anywhere. Unless you are someone who just doesn't like things of beauty, you will enjoy this immensely. If you do, try to catch one her live shows this summer in North America.The dates are posted on her web-site. She's a "not-to-be-missed" kind of performer.

I bought this CD because I really like the song Butterfly when I heard it online one day. I never really buy a full album without hearing a few more songs than one, but I really liked the track so I went a head and bought it. Let me tell you, Butterfly ended up being just one of many stand out songs. I love Missing Man. This song is arranged so perfectly. I also like "Wake up with You (The I Wanna Song)", "Foolish Thing", and "It's Another You Day." This CD has made me become a huge Julia Fordham fan!

Move over Dido, this is how it is done. God only knows how many concerts I have seen but one of my all time favorite shows was seeing Julia. There was unfortunately only around 100 of us that showed up that night. When Julia came out and saw the small crowd, she asked all of us to come up to near the front of the stage, and then she grabbed her guitar and mike stand and brought them down off the stage and played the rest of the show in the middle of us all, and during the show she just broke down and treated us all as her best friends asking us questions and talking and laughing with us as if she had known us for years, it was the most intimate concert I have ever seen. Incredible. Her smokey deep voice just glides across her heartbreaking, tender songs with the greatest of ease. I simply love this unpretentious singer. "Concrete Love" is the perfect album to introduce anybody to Julia Fordham. It has a modern feel to it and a little more positive, upbeat songs then on previous releases, and the great ladies producer was behind the mixing board, Larry Klein. Any time I see his name I buy the record immediately. I do not how he does it, but with certain women he brings out the best in them. Let me tell you my five favorites on "Concrete Love". 1)"Italy" This songs simply rocks. Julia just wraps her vocals around the music and as she longs to be with her lover in Italy, you will wish to be at the receiving end of that longing. Gorgeous stuff. 2)"It's Another You Day". A song about an obsession to be with a loved one who is missed. I love it. 3)"Love" The album opener says it all what this album and singer is all about. And some of Julia's best songwriting is on this song. 4)"Concrete Love" Good old concrete love. Another example of Julia's more optimistic views of love. 5)"Foolish Thing" This song is more reminescient of earlier Julia Fordham albums. I love Julia Fordham. And good news, I saw Julia again when she toured for "Concrete Love" and this time there was close to 1,000 who showed up. So she is getting more popular without having to sell out. Keep it up, Julia.

I found Julia Fordham by accident. I was on the telephone, on hold for a long time with Sony tech support; you know, music in background to soothe you as you wait. This wonderful voice started singing and suddenly I no longer wanted tech support to pick up for fear they'd interrupt. I jotted down the phrase I kept hearing, "Concrete Love" and did a search on Amazon[com]. Luckily it was the album title as well! I am so happy I found this CD...I play it over and over. How could I have missed this wonderful voice until now??

This alblum is wonderful for those slow days spent relaxing inside. Grab a martini or gin & tinic, sit back, and let Ms. Fordham transport you into her smooth, mellow, and peaceful world. This alblum reminds me of a British Sade minus the depression!