Artist description Julie Lord is a singer/songwriter in the blues/jazz-funk vein based in the North-East of England. Her debut solo album 'Lifetime' has now been released on the New Dawn Music label. Along with keyboard player Andy Curtis, she performs a unique blend of music, taking Julie's blues singing roots and combining that with Andy's jazz-funk arrangements and keyboards.

Music Style Blues/Jazz-Funk

Musical Influences Blues; Jazz-Funk; Rock; Pop

Similar Artists Simply Red; Annie Lennox; Sade; Crusaders

Artist History Julie Lord has been singing and writing most of her life. Having performed over 200 gigs as lead vocalist with the band 'Crossfire', she later joined the popular 'Heart & Soul'. After several years as a solo artist singing covers, she teamed up with talented arranger and keyboard player, Andy Curtis, and returned to performing original material. The result is the excellent album 'Lifetime'.

Group Members Julie Lord

Instruments For a live set, Julie performs solo with custom studio produced backing tracks, and acoustic guitar.

Albums 'Lifetime'

Press Reviews NEVER FOR NOTHING: Geoff Howlett JULIE LORD : Lifetime. (CD Only £13.99 from: New Dawn Music, 1 Beech Close,Towcester, Northampton, England, NN12 6BL).It might seem like a lifetime since Julie recorded the first notes for thisalbum but the wait has, truly, been worthwhile. If we've questionedproduction quality on a limited budget recently, then this is the albumthat sets the standard, and hats off to all those behind the scenes. Fromthe moment the title track's saxophone hits the speakers, you know that youare listening to something special. With a sultry vocal that reminds me alot of Sade and, at times, Annie Lennox, Julie simply caresses each numberto bring out the best. The lyrics are strong too, like "Forbidden Fruit"that warns how fickle the temptation of an extra-marital affair can be.Featured in two different mixes, Andy Curtis' keyboard skills shine, and addreal texture to an already well crafted song. If you've ever watched thoseb&w movies who's background features the 'lounge singer', then "Even Now"is purpose built. Lovely piano, super sax break and a great bluesy guitar.It's hard to try and pigeon-hole Julie's style but if you take a largehelping of Blues, mix it with some Jazz and R&B and you may be gettingnear. Just once or twice I felt that a song didn't quite reach it'spotential but, maybe I'm just being a little picky. Closing with theexquisite "Peace of Mind" this is a fine debut release. 9/10.-----------------------------------------------------------------------CROSSRHYTHMS: Mike RimmerJULIE LORD: LifetimeJulie Lord is an Essex girl now resident in Geordieland and this is her debut release. Julie's music is a bluesy, jazzy, poppy mix of styles that meld together to showcase her emotional bluesy voice that immediately makes me think of smoky jazz clubs. This is cool adult music with loads of tasty piano, guitar and sax flitting in and out of the proceedings. From a songwriting perspective, Julie's are placed in the borders between Christian and mainstream music which allows her to be a voice in both arenas. Songs that cover a variety of issues like adultery ('Forbidden Fruit'), life long love and faithfulness ('Lifetime') and ambition ('Goodtime Girl') are not your usual Christian fare. And that's what I like about this album, a wide stretch of human experience is found here and Julie is observing from a Christian perspective. Musically there's plenty of variation too as you get a little bit of rock on 'Blue Skies Grey' and the blues come to the fore on the lost love song 'Even Now'. 'One Way Ticket' is one of the most overtly Christian tunes here giving a new slant to the ticket to heaven theme and including a pile of scrumptious licks from the album's guitar maestro Richard Manley-Reeve. 'Peace Of Mind' is an excellent meditation on the trials of the day searching to discover the peace that God brings and it brings the album to a perfect close.

Additional Info --

Location Newcastle, Tyne & Wear - United Kingdom

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