Customer Reviews

Falling Forward

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Have you ever heard velvet and silk? I don't mean the sound of cloth rubbing together, I mean heard music that was the aural equivalent of rich, soft blankets that you just want to wrap yourself inside of like a cacoon. That's Julia's voice. It hits highs and lows, but it's always strong and warm. Her songs are mostly about love, the old standard. And her voice is suited for it. But it isn't all just about "oh, baby I love you, I love you, do you love me too?" Julia's songs deal with love gained, love lost. They are about heart wrenching love and about young new love. Listen to Falling Forward and you'll feel like you know about love. Blue Sky will break your heart (if you've just gone through a painful break-up this song will either tear you apart or be a wonderful catharsis). Threadbare is a perfect metaphore for love gone awry. Love and Forgiveness is art. Julia writes from the heart about the heart, then she sings from the same place.

I bought this CD on a pure whim - the bloke in the shop said that I might like it. How wrong he was!!! I loved it from beginning to end. Fantastic lyrics backed with wonderful melodies and a voice that is pure vocal velvet. I can't recommend this CD highly enough - the ratings stop at 5 stars.

I bought Falling Forward in '95 and still listen to it. Blue Sky and I Can't Help Myself are my favorites. Lovely music with poetic lyrics, but most of all Julia's amazing voice, an instrument like no other. I have all her previous recordings and she seems to get better with each release. I'm looking forward to getting EAST/WEST when I finally find it.

I don't agree with previous reviews saying that this is an "inferior" album. I've discovered the powerful voice of Julia through it and I've found it wonderful, passing from the soul of "I can't help myself" to the feelful ballad "Threadbard". I've been quite surprised myself by this album I bought in a casuality: I ACTUALLY came across it in a cd store and a uncertain good feeling invaded me & I knew I should buy it. It's really a album full of soul that has impulsed me o buy another titles from Julia to discover her.

Julia Fordham (like, say, Susan Werner) is one of those artists that you listen to and you wonder--why isn't she bigger? She's talented, original and has great material. Tough business. If you're interested but don't know her, the starting point is her COLLECTION album, a "best of" collection. However, it curiously omits "Hope, Prayer..." the best song IMHO from this CD. This is a good cd from an underappreciated singer with great range and control. It has a couple of terrific songs. Well worth the price.

Julia Fordham doesn't know how to write a bad song. Vocally this album is atonishing, from the high notes to the deep voice she knows how to use her marvellous instrument in the most emotional way. Maybe Falling Forward is not her best record but it is a great cd.

Ms Fordham has an interesting, sometimes almost awkward style that creates just enough tension to make her singing interesting. The songs are perfect for a romantic evening or to keep you company while you read a book. Her Porcelain record is a littel more edgy, but all of her work is solid.

I've enjoyed Julia's albums, but this one is not up to the level as Porcelain album. If you've never heard Julia Fordham before, then I'd recommend you start with her older albums first. Don't judge her by this album, please.