JULIE CLARK: Feel Free

Julie Clark

Feel Free

© 2003 Julie Clark (783707695129)

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So personal, you'll feel almost voyeuristic listening to Julie Clark's powerful debut. 10 original songs in the Lilith Fair tradition of acoustic folk/pop. A multi-award-winning CD you're sure to love.

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"Feel Free" is the highly acclaimed debut album of all-original material from Virginia-based singer/songwriter Julie Clark. Released on the Great Big Records label, this CD is an impressive collection of finely crafted, radio-friendly pieces. Most are acoustic folk/pop in the Lilith Fair tradition, built on Julie's clear, distinctive voice and memorable songs.

Her award-winning songwriting matches the quality of her voice - clear, direct and full of emotion. Her lyrics conjur images of hope, forgiveness, and the inevitability of change, making each experience immediate and real for listeners. She writes with honesty about love and lust, heartbreak and obsession, and the struggle between temptation and commitment.

Producers Rich Mossman and David Mills have succeeded in creating a record that effectively presents and supports Julie's songs. The arrangements are full, yet transparent, building in waves that are left etched in your mind. Both producers performed on the album, in addition to directing contributions from players such as John Toomey, Bill Gurley, Karl Werne, Curtis Eley, Scott Harris and Michael Sorg. Background vocals add a whole new dimension with contributions from L. E. Lambert, Resa Gibbs and John Hines.

Robert Ulsh of Master Sound Studios brings more than 25 years of experience to the project as recording and mixing engineer. His skill is evident throughout, in the record's clean, fully professional sound. Rob's technical expertise, state-of-the-art equipment and attention to detail were instrumental in making this independent project a first-class production.

In May of 2004, Julie won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Competition, joining a list of winners that includes Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin. Also in 2004, she was awarded First Place in the Great American Song Contest, Folk/Acoustic category and has twice received honors in The John Lennon International songwriting Competition over thousands of competing entries.

Check out Julie Clark for powerful, straight-from-the-heart honesty and a voice that must be heard!

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REVIEW from Portfolio Weekly, April 29, 2003
Finding Her Voice
By Jim Morrison
Locally based singer/songwriter Julie Clark gives us a promising debut

It's easy to fall into Julie Clark's debut disc, Feel Free (Great Big Records). Clark has an alluring voice favoring Shawn Colvin and Ani DiFranco with a dash of Natalie Merchant. Just as importantly, she has a way with melody and lyrics - an easygoing style that makes Feel Free a pleasure from the languid R-rated opener, "Precisely (What You Need)" to the sly, upbeat closer, "Gettin' There."

...Clark, an ODU graduate, concentrates on writing about relationships, examining them from all sides. She comforts a lover after a tough day in "Precisely"; remembers a friendship that ended without closure in "One of These Days"; and examines her own failings and regrets in "Think Too Much" and "Just for the Record." There are also the sexy bodice-rippers: "The Naked Song" and "Guilty Afternoon," two funky pop burners that would make Shakira blush and Madonna smile.

Throughout the disc, Clark's clear, warm voice takes center stage. But Mossman and Mills have added the right touches with appearances by a team of local all-stars. On "The Naked Song," particularly, Mills slips in appropriately funky bass lines. Throughout, Curtis Eley adds economically tasteful guitar solos. L.E. Lambert contributes a warm, stunning duet on the tender "Whatever it Takes." Resa Gibbs helps make "Gettin' There" a road trip sing-along.

And Bill Gurley's fiddle transforms "Your Wings" into a ballad worthy of Nanci Griffith. In it, Clark sings about the inevitably complicated relationship between any mother and daughter. "Your wings might have let me down," she admits. "These things don't mean that I can't love you and rise above, rise above."

"I had serious doubts about including the song, "Your Wings," Clark says. "It was hard to imagine people would want to hear about the struggles I've had in my relationship with my mother... But, you know, I decided to include it, and I've been pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback."

"I'm starting to believe that if I feel strongly enough to write an honest song about something, no matter how personal, it's likely to resonate with some of the people listening," she adds.

Clark's modesty aside, this is a promising, thoroughly enjoyable debut from the first cut to the last: a birth announcement of a mature, major local talent.

The CD is on Clark's own Great Big Records and is available at Birdland Records in Virginia Beach and on Amazon and CDBaby.com.

reviews

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  • Absolutely Wonderful
    author: Elliott & Bonnie

    My wife and I caught Julie at the Vixon in Provincetown. It was a remarkable show. Every song was beautiful, we purchased the cd and can't stop listening. Hope the new one comes out soon and we hope more people get to hear her and realize what a beautiful voice and wonderful songs she has.

  • author: neeko

    first heard this artist on a cruise ship. so glad to have bought this albulm.absolute favorite of my family..have to fight my daughter for it!watching for the next one!!

  • Awesome!
    author: Lu

    A CD that I can listen to over and over! Each song touches a different place in your soul. I love the stories she tells in her songs. She's awesome! Can't wait until the next CD!

  • Great Cd ! I bought 3 so I could send them to friends! Cdbaby sent these Fast
    author: Melanie W
  • Worthwhile
    author: Joy

    Wonderful! Seeing JUlie singing the songs certainly make the connection of how personal these song are to her. Watching Jess play is truly an amazing treat! Thanks to both for a nice evening of Folk Music!

  • wonderful heartfelt songs
    author: Becky k

    This cd has such wonderfully written, heartfelt songs. Julie's voice is awesome!

  • Made our day!
    author: Kristie E

    Jen and I just had our commitment ceremony and we played "What ever it takes" and it just made our ceremony! The entire CD is wonderful....see you in VA for your next show!

  • Hooked on one song, loved all the rest
    author: J Pleer

    I first heard one song, Whatever it Takes, while visiting a friend in Virginia. I loved it so much and decided that I needed a copy. I got hooked on this one song, but loved the rest of the CD too! Whatever it Takes will be played at my wedding! Thanks so much for the great tunes!

  • Your beautiful voice delights all those who listen.
    author: Donna Coffey

    One Of These Days is a surprisingly unique song that most of us can relate to. I love it! Your Wings not only has beautiful stories but an important and gently-dosed lesson to love and forgive our mothers and ourselves. Gettin' There cheers me up without being annoying. It's comforting and peaceful and sweet and inspiring. Oh, and thanks for sharing your beautiful voice with us under the trees and in the sunshine on a warm afternoon in September.

  • this CD will ease your soul
    author: Brenda Barkley ~ Tidewater Friends of Folk Music

    Writing from the heart is a most amazing gift and is widely apparent when you hear the debut CD from Virginia-based singer/songwriter Julie Clark. Julie has stepped up to take her place among some of the finest songwriters on the planet and from the looks of things this will be true for a very, very, very long time.

  • the exciting sound our ears havebeen waiting for..!outstanding song writing! mo
    author: anne bryan
  • What an amazing artisit!
    author: Alycia

    I first heard Julie Clark on NPR and had to hear more. This CD is incredible! I'm excited to purchase more of her music - and hopefully be able to catch a live performance. She's an amazing artist!

  • My gift of choice!
    author: Carol Kassel

    I've given this CD as a gift to two people so far and both have raved about it. I first heard Julie Clark because she was a nominee for a 2004 Outmusic Award. Her music has a freshness and an honesty to it - and that "Naked Song" rocks! Now I just need to get a copy for myself!

  • Why isn't this CD on my radio's top 10????
    author: Kristin Ruppel

    This CD is so inspirational. You can really feel this music. The first time I heard Whatever it takes I fell in love with her music and ordered the CD. (Couldn't find it locally, but had to have it.) Looking forward to the next CD and hoping to hear you on my local radio's top 10 list!!

  • WOW! Why is this CD not on the Billboards top 100?
    author: Michelle Revolinsky

    This CD is one of the best CD's I have heard in a long time. Every song is enjoyable.

  • We love this CD. It's absolutely awesome.
    author: Cynthia & Melody

    Our favorite song is "Precisely". However,the whole CD is great. Julie is awesome. Her music is sexy, real and passionate.

  • Every song is a delight!
    author: Richard Yates

    Very enjoyable. Very consistant. Good voice and music.

  • Fantastically Real
    author: Rebekka Holmes

    The most real, fresh and enjoyable CD Ive listened to in a long while!

  • Julie is so very talented, her singing takes your breath away....
    author: Arline Cusick

    Heard Julie for the first time at the "Talent Search Contest" at Newport,R.I., where she was a finalist. My husband and I where overwhelmed by her voice. We bought her cd and listen to it often.

  • JULIE HAS A GREAT GIFT; EACH SONG DRAWS YOU IN!!!
    author: Elaine Reeder

    A tour de force debut CD! The consistent high quality of this CD shines through as Julie's evocative lyrics and distinctive voice draw the listener in, sharing universal feelings of love in a fresh and interesting way. Julie creates a CD of unexpected richness and feeling.

  • A phenomenal debut CD, one of the best I've heard all year.
    author: JD Doyle

    I first heard of this CD while I was judging the Outmusic Awards, and immediately stopped my judging process and wrote to Julie Clark, requesting an interview with her, so I could feature her on one of my radio shows, Audiofile. I was pleased she went on to be nominated for an award. It's seldom that I am that struck by a first listen to a CD. It is a phenomenal debut CD, definitely one of the best I've heard, in any genre, all year. JD Doyle, producer of Queer Music Heritage and co-producer of Audiofile, which is heard on This Way Out on 150 stations worldwide.

  • love it ,clearly from the heart and emotional
    author: patti turczany

    Clearly written and full of emotion and love. The words and music blend so well I can listen easily. A refreshing new performer in voice and song.

  • "It's been a long day baby"
    author: WAYNE PYLANT

    It's been a long day baby. The haunting first line of a wonderful collection of songs that draws you in and touches your heart in a way that leaves you wanting more.

  • A must for folk fans
    author: Martha Godfrey

    I liked this cd the first time I heard it and like it more and more, the more I hear it. All the songs are well written and have a pleasant tendency to stick in your head. This is one to tell your friends about.

  • One of the best CD I've heard
    author: Bruce Allen

    I have recommended this CD to all of my friends and coworkers. I hope Julie puts out more work of this quality.

  • ONE GREAT CD
    author: MANNY WILLIS

    At last a CD with true feeling. You can hear the emotion in her voice. Whoever she is writing and singing about is truly a lucky person. Hard to find love like the love she sings about. Every song gets a 3 or higher!

  • Love It!
    author: Anna Robertson

    This CD is wonderful. I am very excited to have a copy of my own. I reccomend it to anyone and everyone!

  • Finally! A singer who sings from my soul!
    author: Vicki Stevens

    Sit back with a glass of wine and prepare to take a journey ... Julie has bared her soul for us so perfectly I felt that she was singing out my life and experiences. I can't wait to hear her future tracks. Thanks Julie for such wonderfully written songs that reflect our life's journeys and experiences!

  • Wonderful debut!!! Awesome voice.
    author: Anna Baker

    This is the best debut CD I've heard from an artist in a very long time! The more I listen, the more the songs get in my head and I find myself singing them all day. Julie Clark has a wonderful voice. Can't wait for her next release!

  • I've been waiting a long time for this.......She has an awsome voice
    author: Michelle Harper

    This CD is very well put together, fantastic talent...Long overdue

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