She began her career as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde, but in 1988 Julia Fordham took centre stage with the release of her debut album.
That was followed by the Gold-certified Porcelein, and her pop and jazz influenced sound has been thrilling music fans ever since.
The New York Times says hers is 'One of the most strikingly beautiful voices to be heard in pop!' and they aren't wrong.
Julia makes a welcome return to The Stables on November 12. She went On Track with Total MK, sharing the music choices that have shaped her...
The song that first awakened your musical senses
The first song that I can honestly remember hearing that really affected and moved me was 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong.
I know I was around five and at infant school as we called it then. Why it would be playing there I have no idea, but the instant I hear the opening bars to this day, I am transported back to that time and place, I can smell the wet fresh grass from the playground.
Physical or digital - how do you take your music?
I do in all truth still like a CD that I can play really loud in my car or even better on my trusted old boom box. That said, I have been preparing for my upcoming UK tour by singing along to the Julia Fordham station on Pandora. I only have to make it through one of my songs then I get to join in and do harmonies with artistes that I love like Tracy Thorn from Everything But The Girl, Sade, Norah Jones and Eva Cassidy.
The first time you thought 'Music - this is the job for me’
The first time I heard Joan Armatrading at a friend’s house. I remember turning her lovely album cover around and around in slow motion and it dawning on me that maybe I could actually do this too.
I was writing songs and singing them and maybe if a miracle descended upon me I could also have my songs on vinyl as it was then.
Curious that there has been a return to the LP. My fifth album that was only originally released in the US of A, “East West” is going to be available in a lush vinyl package for the upcoming November tour.
Your best on stage memory…
Playing the Royal Albert Hall. It was sold out, my Mum and Dad came, and Love Moves In Mysterious Ways was in the Top 20, quite the winning combo. Also, singing with Lady Smith Black Mambazo in Paris on my first album and hearing them sing the “Umm byyy yayyyys” from Happy Ever After. GOOSEBUMPS!
And the worst gig you've ever done
In Japan at an outdoor festival in the blistering summer heat. The audience was mainly young ladies quietly clapping along. Then they all got out their lunch boxes and started nibbling delicately away.
The band lost it and we all started laughing our heads off on stage. It was so surreal. It was being filmed and later that night we got to see ourselves doubled over like giggling school kids on national TV.
What made you take up singing
Singing took up and took over me. I saw a couple of girls playing guitar and singing two songs at assembly at school when I was 11, "Blowing in the wind and “The Streets of London”.
I felt that I had found my tribe and wanted to be like them and join their club. So their duo became a trio with me. As soon as they had taught me three chords on the guitar I started writing my own songs.
At 14 I was performing them at the local folk clubs in Havant, Hampshire.
Which one song by another artist do you wish you'd have written
Coyote by Joni Mitchell.
And one - by yourself - which holds special significance
"Happy Ever After" as that song has carried me around the world, including to India were a reworked version was used to raise money to help rebuild a school that had been wiped out by a Tsunami.
It was an honour to be invited to the opening.
If you could step into the shoes of another musician, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?
Joni Mitchell. I would rock back and forth and hope the talent in the soles of her shoes would rub off and into the soul of my being.
Are there any current musical influences that you might look to
I am completely full on bonkers for Laura Mvula and Lianne La Havas. LOVE their voices and songs and albums and play them to bits.
And any genre of music that you simply can't stand?
There is always something in every genre that I resonate with from classical to country.
Finally, plug your show at The Stables in Milton Keynes - what can we expect?
The Stables is a fabulous venue, so well run and always such a terrific warm and welcoming audience. I will be there with an amazing trio. Miles Bould on drums / percussion, who played on my first three albums and is featured in the Lock and Key video. Also, my long time collaborator Grant Mitchell on piano/keys. We have a new bass player joining us called Mark Neary and I am looking forward to working with him.
We are going to be playing songs that have been requested by the UK fans. This tour is called "Live By Request", and folks emailed or face booked requests. I am performing a set of the most requested songs. All the hits and faves were in there along with a few surprises.
To book tickets for the show click here
