Falling Forward [Deluxe Edition] [2 CD]

Personnel includes: Julia Fordham (vocals); Greg Leisz (guitar, pedal steel); Steuart Smith (guitar, mandolin); Michael Landau, Dominic Miller (guitar); Perry Montague-Mason (violin); Katy Wilkinson (viola); Mark Isham (trumpet); Bill Payne (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Philip Taylor (piano); Larry Klein (keyboards, bass, percussion); Russell Ferrante (keyboards); Barry Kinder (drums, percussion); Carlos Vega (drums); Iki Levy (percussion); Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Vonda Shepard, Brenda Russell (background vocals).
Recorded at Westlake Audio, Studio Masters, The Kiva, Rumbo, Los Angeles, California; Conway Recording Studio, Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California; Olympic Studios, London, England.
Liner Note Authors: Gary Clark; Bill Pitzonka; Julia Fordham; Larry Klein; Simon Climie.
Recording information: Conway Recording Studio, Hollywood (05/31/1994); Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood (05/31/1994); Olympic Studios, London (05/31/1994); Rumbo, Los Angeles (05/31/1994); Studio Masters, Los Angeles (05/31/1994); The Kiva, Los Angeles (05/31/1994); The Labatts Apollo, Hammersmith (05/31/1994); Westlake Audio, Los Angeles (05/31/1994).
Photographer: Kate Garner.
Arranger: Julia Fordham.
On Falling Forward, Julia Fordham proves once again that her vocal deftness and range are truly formidable forces. Fordham even supplies the background vocals on all of the songs except "River," creating a polished sound with the help of co-producer Larry Klein. The album has an even-tempered ambience to it, rarely rising above or falling below the fault line which formulates a graceful fluidity throughout the 11 tracks. While the jazzy adult contemporary-type arrangements may lack ingenuity, the versatility and layers of Fordham's angelic voice are more than enough to carry the album. ~ Erik Crawford