Julia Fordham: Concrete Love : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

"I'm like a butterfly pushing against the wind," sings Fordham on her Vanguard debut. Fordham is, in fact, more like a butterfly emerging from her cocoon as Concrete Love marks a significant change in direction for the English singer. Her past six efforts, from her eponymous debut through East West, hinted at a CD collection filled with Joni Mitchell and others of her ilk. This time around, though, Fordham explores her sexy and soulful side, revealing unexpected influences, including a cover of R&B singer Minnie Ripperton's "Loving You." Lust oozes from Fordham on the jaunty "Wake Up With You (The I Wanna Song)," and sensuality suffuses "Italy," "Love," and most of the other songs. Joe Henry's coarse vocals light up "Alleluia," while the title track, a paen to love without histrionics, features a smoky duet with India.Arie, whose soft, silky voice weaves in and out of harmonies with Fordham. Billy Preston helps pump up the funk on Hammond B3 organ and a variety of keyboards throughout the album, and Sir Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson add heartfelt supporting vocals. With bass-heavy production from Larry Klein, Concrete Love breaks new ground for Fordham, pushing her from demure singer-songwriter to blue-eyed diva.

CHRISTOPHER RUBIN
(June 18, 2002)