Record of the day: Julia Fordham, “Porcelain”

Julia Fordham
“Porcelain” (Cd Virgin/ Circa Circd 10)

English singer-songwriter Julia Fordham has never achieved international stardom but for many years she has been able to count on a fierce group of fans who have followed her along her path, which has now reached her ninth album.
Julia has a very particular voice, whose contralto tones are far from the pop/dance sounds that dominate the English charts.

Starting from the folk tradition, Fordham soon moved towards a stylistic field that includes jazz and pop, with simple melodies well supported by refined arrangements often entrusted to first-rate instrumentalists (Julia has regularly collaborated with bassist Larry Klein, former husband of Joni Mitchell and an excellent producer). Her music is very pleasant, played on soft atmospheres with an intimate flavor, not very spectacular and therefore not particularly appreciated by the radio; Julia is a sensitive composer and performer and this 1989 album, in my opinion her most successful, will certainly demonstrate it.

Led by Hugh Padgham (formerly producer of Genesis, Phil Collins and Paul Young), “Porcelain” offers a light sprinkling of electronics here and there, favoring light rhythmic textures entrusted to Pino Palladino’s bass and Miles Bould’s percussion. Dominic Miller’s guitar is discreet, never intrusive, and in general the whole group remains a step back to leave room for Julia’s vocal performances, particularly successful in songs like “Porcelain”, “Your Lovely Face”, “Girlfriend” and “Prince of Peace”, a beautiful duet for voice and bass.

These songs show evidence of numerous influences beyond Joni Mitchell, including Rickie Lee Jones, John Martyn, Van Morrison,
but that doesn’t mean Fordham doesn’t have a well-defined personality of its own, which often requires a couple of listens before fully revealing itself.
Julia’s 1988 debut album and “Porcelain” were both successful in the UK and Japanese charts, but many of her subsequent albums failed to make a major commercial impact, and although she has never lacked critical and fan support, her relationship with the mainstream music industry has gradually deteriorated; then, thanks to the Internet, Julia started her own label, Little Boo Records.

Carlo Boccadoro, composer and conductor, was born in Macerata in 1963. He lives and works in Milan. He collaborates with soloists and orchestras in different parts of the world. He is the author of numerous books on musical subjects.

This text is taken from “Lunario della musica: Un disco per ogni giorno dell’anno” published by Einaudi, courtesy of the author and the publisher.