发信人: KGB()
整理人: KGB(1997-12-20 17:11:43), 站内信件
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During her ten year recording career, British
singer/songwriter Julia Fordham has continually
demonstrated a keen ability to draw listeners
into her deeply personal songs. Whether
singing with gentle introspection or volatile
emotion, the aim is to make each moment as intimate and
visceral as a shared heartbeat. With her talents sharper than
ever, today Fordham prepares for the release of a brand new
album, her fifth overall, on Virgin Records.
On East West Fordham explores an ironic twist to her musical
alchemy, reaching new creative heights by stripping things
down to the essentials. "It's less produced and arranged," she
nods. "We tried to get a simpler vibe that cuts to the core, with
minimal overdubs. It has a simplicity but also -- hopefully -- a
depth."
Stark yet warm, the album's wide open atmospherics provide a
perfect backdrop for the sumptuous vocals and incisive
songwriting which have always been Fordham's forte.
Recorded in Los Angeles, Fordham co-produced East West
with Michael Brook (Jane Siberry, Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn),
marking their first collaboration.
Fordham admits she was intrigued by Brook's cut-to-the-chase
philosophy. "Michael's immediate approach was 'we'll start off
with you playing acoustic guitar, and build a live band around
you.' He was adamant about retaining the organic nature of the
material. So we decided not to demo the tracks, and instead
jumped straight into recording. Whereas I'm a
precision-oriented person, Michael is very focused on
achieving a vibe. He tends to go for feel over accuracy. So we
tried to go with the flow."
The bittersweet "Killing Me Slowly" provides a shining example
of the album's spontaneity. "As we were waiting to record
another song, I began singing 'Killing Me Slowly,' and the band
started to join in with me. This magical moment started to
evolve," Fordham recalls, "and without saying a word, Michael
set up some mics and went about capturing the moment. He
effortlessly left behind Plan A and embraced Plan B as it was
unfolding. No announcement or declaration; he just went and
did it."
The Fordham/Brook chemistry is especially strong on two
strikingly evocative songs -- "East West" and "Stay" --
recorded at Brook's house at the very end of the album
sessions. "They were completely different from the majority of
the tracks, which were cut in the studio with a live band,
"Fordham notes. "In particular they showcase Michael's
distinctive infinite guitar style."
Throughout East West Fordham taps into an emotional
wellspring we all share -- especially on "I Can Tell You
Anything." Of the latter she says "I think a lot of people are
familiar with that notion - - where they're really close with
someone and can talk about everything except their real
feelings."
Among the album's notable contributors, The Pogues' James
Fearnley plays accordion on "Fat Lady" and "I Can Tell You
Anything"; Martin Tillman (who has worked with everyone
from B.B. King to Tracy Chapman to Hans Zimmer) plays
cello on "Wishing You Well"; and Paul PJ Moore of Blue Nile
brings his deft keyboard touch to "Fat Lady" and "Killing Me
Slowly." Throughout, East West features three musicians well
known for their extensive work with Jackson Browne:
keyboardist Jeff Young, drummer Mauricio Lewak, and bassist
Kevin McCormick.
Of special note, on "More Than I Can Bear," the album's most
soul-baring track, Fordham is accompanied on piano by her
close friend, singer/songwriter Judith Owen. "I don't think you
can do that kind of song with a session player," Fordham
admits. "Judith and I are kindred spirits; we're cut from very
similar cloth. Both of us are British -- although we met each
other here in America -- and she happens to live down the
street, literally 90 seconds from my front door."
The intimacy of her music provides the key to understanding
Fordham's creative journey -- a journey which began during
her childhood, growing up on the south coast of England in a
household with no record player. She began writing songs at
age 12, and by 14 was performing at local pubs. Following her
move to London in her late teens, Fordham's rich voice and
poignant songwriting earned her a record deal with Virgin
Records.
Her 1988 self-titled debut opened the door for a series of
critically acclaimed albums: 1990's Porcelain, 1991's Swept,
and the 1994 disk Falling Forward. Over the years, Billboard
hailed "her ethereal, soaring voice," while the Boston Globe
declared "Fordham's voice is a precious instrument." "Julia
Fordham may be a cool beauty," wrote Vanity Fair, "but she's
also a chanteuse with soul....Fordham brings the listener to that
perfect place between control and passion."
Her new East West is simultaneously a natural outgrowth of
and a distinct departure from Fordham's previous work. Now
living in Santa Monica, California, Fordham still possesses the
emotional spark of that girl from England's south coast, but
expresses those emotions with the incisive clarity of a worldly
-- and dare we say wise-beyond-her-years -- young woman.
Ultimately, the title of East West reflects Fordham's travels --
physical, metaphorical, and philosophical -- and provides a
summation of the many experiences which have shaped her art.
"I see the album as one piece -- it's continuity is actually the
essence of several different themes. There's very little
separation between my life and my music. The music is sort of
all encompassing and relentless." Exactly as it should be.
tour:
8/13/97 Montage Mountain "Scranton, PA"
8/15/97 Molson Ampitheatre "Toronto, ONT"
8/16/97 Molson Ampitheatre "Toronto, ONT"
8/17/97 Du Maurier "Montreal, QUE"
8/19/97 The Five Spot "Philadelphia, PA"
8/20/97 The Birchmere "Washington, DC"
8/21/97 The Paradise "Boston, MA"
8/23/97 The Fez "New York, NY"
9/5/97 Tractor Tavern "Seattle, WA"
9/6/97 Key Largo "Portland, OR"
9/8/97 Bimbo's "San Francisco, CA"
9/10/97 The Troubador "Los Angeles, CA"
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KGB 的大名刻下了……
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