Hi all-- Thanks for posting those reviews of Julia Fordham's new record. I was also at her I Spy Show in Seattle on Tuesday, and am still on a happy Julia wave.
What bothered me about the Houston Chronicle review is that the writer seemed to say that Julia=Joni : >>Short of taking up painting and becoming a Canadian citizen, Julia Fordham has done all she can to enhance her link to Joni Mitchell. << Duh. It seems to me that this is the product of deadline pressure and a writer desperately in search of a comparison--so why not go for the most obvious one--two blonde girls with guitars! Of course JM is an influence on JF, but in the same way that Joni is an influence for artists like Prince or Elvis Costello--lots to learn from her, but you don't necessarily *hear* Joni in their music, the way you can in say Shawn Colvin's (as someone recently mentioned) or in Thomas Dolby's "The Flat Earth" or in any number of other artists who quote or borrow from Joni pretty directly. After Julia's Tuesday show, my ever lovely and patient Tom, who was not very acquainted with JF's work, said that he heard alot of 70s soul, Motown, Brazilian and 60s pop music influences in her show, but not a mention of Joni (with whom is has been forced to be acquainted :-) Now for a Julia/Joni story, from the June 12th issue of Venice Magazine: >> Venice Magazine: When did you meet Larry (Klieg)? JF: In '92. I was going to worship at the feet of of his former wife, Joni Mitchell, who was appearing at an art gallery. My friend and I were gazing longingly at at Joni as she was shaking hands, wishing that we could talk to her, but not having the courage and not wanting to bother her. By magical coincidence, Joni walked by me, stopped before me and raised her eyebrows as if to say "Yes?" I immediately took the opportunity to say "Oh my God, my name's Julia and I'm a singer and I'm a huge fan." And she said "I know who you are! You're Julia Fordham. I like what you've been saying. My husband loves you." I was off my head. She's my absolute number-one favorite. << Off my head indeed! Cardiac arrest, perhaps . . . I love this story because it finally documents an instance of what I've often suspected may be true, but is seldom reported (in the press, at least)--that Joni is quite capable of appreciating and being gracious about what the kids are up to. Anyway, Julia . . Joni . . . music music music . . . its all good. Regards, Catherine T. loving the June Gloom in Seattle n.p.: "Sunday" from Bowie's new one A little bonus for JF fans: go to www.concretelove.com and you can enter a contest to see her live in Northern California in Sept., and you can also download an exclusive unreleased song, "Funny Guy." (An out take definitely, but of interest to the rabidly devoted :-)
