Concrete Love - Julia Fordham

Julia Fordham

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 18, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vanguard Records
• ASIN: B000066ARX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #126,685 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fourteen years and six albums into her recording career, British thrush Julia Fordham hasn't quite earned the following one might have forecast for her when she arrived with a bit of fanfare in the late '80s. That said, she's persevered long enough to have garnered the admiration of a core of devotees and more than a few notable musicians, including this collection's guests, India Arie and Joe Henry. That Fordham has become something of a singer's singer is not surprising given the cool intelligence of her phrasing and the versatility of her husky-to-piercing range, which recalls trilling '70s singer-songwriters Minnie Riperton (a cover of Riperton's signature song, "Loving You," is hidden at the end of the album and the late singer provides the inspiration for the album's penultimate song, "Roadside Angel"), Phoebe Snow, and the towering Joni Mitchell. Mitchell's former husband Larry Klein, who worked the board on Fordham's 1994 effort, Falling Forward, returns to the producer's roll, cushioning Fordham's expositions on desire ("I'd take a bullet for you") and destitution ("Your friends warned me about you"). Concrete Love is the work of a stalwart singer who's perseverance has paid off. "I have not gone the distance but I am on my way," she sings on the album closer. That's quite apparent. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Funky white soul - redefined, June 20, 2002

By	Dane D'Alessandro (Arlington, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Can't Give It 5, July 9, 2002

By	George Howard (Carpinteria, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Blend, July 26, 2002

By	Dennis Leyden (Germantown, MD USA) - See all my reviews

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".