Julia Thornton Eye Of The Storm - Tue 13th Jul
Julia Thornton Eye Of The Storm
13 July 2004
Harpist and percussionist Julia Thornton has just released her second album 'Eye Of The Storm'. The album is a follow up to her critically acclaimed 'Harpistry'
Eye Of The Storm is 10 soothing pieces of classical music played beautifully on the harp. Julia has chosen pieces form J.S Bach, Orr, Tournier & Cabezon which are all superbly packaged in a lavish digipak sleeve.
The album is available in HMV, MVC, Tower, and Virgin stores as well as on Amazon and soon to be available for those in the US on CDBABY.COM
Buy 'Eye Of The Storm' at amazon.com here.
I had a chat recently with Julia and asked her about her time working with Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music as well as her new album.
VRM
How did working with BF come about
JT
I began working with Bryan after a chance meeting [ excuse the pun!] with Bryan and Roxys producers wife, Clare Davies. We were on a yoga retreat together, and she saw me perform a small recital as part of the first evenings events. Rhett got in touch me soon after regarding playing in a series of videos, but that never happened, and instead I ended up on tour.
VRM
Did you know the girls from wired strings at that time and do you still work/keep in touch with them?
JT
I had worked with Lucy Wilkins and Catherine Browning before, but I didn’t know Rosie or Lucy Theo. I haven’t seen Rosie since that tour, but I’ve seen the other girls. Natalia, who joined when Catherine left is now a mother and a married woman, so she has her hands pretty full these days. I regularly see the two Lucys and we are great friends.
VRM
How familiar were you with Bryan/Roxy's work prior to you working with him?
JT
I have to admit that I didn’t know an awful lot of Bryans’ music! As with any job that I do, I did a lot of research, and obviously had plenty of learning to do. Bryans’ back catalogue is fairly extensive! I am now a huge fan of both Bryan and Roxy. Working with an artist is a great way to appreciate their musical persona.
VRM
What is your favourite track to play with BF/RM and why?
JT
I’m not sure that I have only one favourite, there are so many songs that I love. I am particularly like the version of Casanova that we have recently revived. We did it on the ATGB tour, and I loved it the moment I heard it....it just has such attitude and such a great groove.
I do love Bryan's version of Jealous Guy, more than John Lennon's actually.
Love is the Drug is a favourite.... but I think my all time No. 1 Roxy tune would have to be.....if I had to have a favourite......Dream Home. It’s just so dark. Lyrically and musically. The dissatisfaction and unrest is almost tangible. I can’t think of a song by any other band that delivers that same sentiment half as well.
VRM
What BF/RM track would you like to do that he hasn't played live since you have worked him?
JT
I would have to say that I’d love to do Angel Eyes. It has a lovely harp part, and I’d like to try it in the show. I think there are quite a few songs that would work well with some harp on them. Just One Look would sound great with harp...
VRM
Who arranges your parts (percussion, harp & keys) for the BF/RM shows?
JT
These days I will listen to a song, and learn the key patterns or rhythms that Bryan wants to hear. With the harp, it’s the same. Just listening to the song and breaking down the lines....the only tricky bit sometimes is picking out the parts, as so many tracks are quite thickly scored, and some of the parts that Bryan wants to hear live are very low in the recorded mix. There’s a bit of detective work involved...As the MD Colin still pens the keyboard parts, unless they’re really simple.
VRM
How does Bryan put across to you what he would like you to play in an
arrangement?
JT
More often than not Bryan has very specific ideas about what he wants me to play. He likes to sing the phrases he wants to hear. Even if it’s a rhythmic pattern, he will sing it. It’s a great way of working, because you instantly understand the feel behind the notes. You don’t get that if someone simply hands you a part.
VRM
What is your most memorable BF/RM show and why?
There have been so many memorable shows it’s virtually impossible to name one! The very first night on the ATGB tour, at the 9:30 Club was unforgettable. I opened the show with 2 harp pieces. Nobody really knew if the whole 30s thing was going to sink or swim....I remember the atmosphere of tension and excitement....it was incredible! Playing places like New York and London is always very exciting. The most recent gig I really enjoyed was Athens 6th June. The audience were totally up for it from the second Bryan came on stage.
VRM
Did you take your harp on the road with you during the Roxy Music tour to remain in practice?
JT
Unfortunately taking my harp on the road for the Roxy tour was not an option, and I missed it dreadfully. I got very homesick because of it but my technique and stamina were affected too. I would get home from a leg of the tour, and it would feel like I was starting to play the harp from scratch! It was very distressing to find that my fingers wouldn’t do what I wanted or expected of them.
VRM
Shall we ever see a 'Julia Thornton plays Bryan Ferry on harp' album?
(He hee)
I’m not sure that you will, although if there was enough demand for it, it isn’t entirely out of the question I suppose.....
Didn’t some guy do an album of Radiohead songs for piano not that long ago? I heard that was quite good actually...
VRM
What was the inspiration for the particular tracks you have chosen to
record on your new album?
JT
My starting point when I recorded this album a while ago was the idea behind an old recording by the famous Spanish harpist, Marisa Robles called ‘Pieces from My Childhood’. I liked the idea of recording old favourites.
VRM
Do you plan to do any live performances in support of the album?
JT
I don’t have enough of a fan base to fill a venue by myself as yet, so the shows with Bryan are a major outlet for me. I am going to be performing some of this material, and some songs for my third album at a gig at the Ocean, Hackney on September 17th. It would be great to see some friendly faces, so if any of you diehard Roxy fans are free, do come along.
VRM
Why did you chose the piece 'Chanson Dans Le Nuit' to open Bryan's As Time Goes By and Frantic tours.
JT
I played Bryan a couple of things, and he really liked the Chanson. It was also very appropriate to the ATGB tour because it was written in the late 1920s, and so had some relevance to the period in musical history when most of the songs we were performing were written. It’s a great piece, and always gets a good reaction from the crowd.
VRM
Would you consider using one of these pieces as an alternative to Chanson Danes Le Nuit currently performed opening the Bryan Ferry shows?
JT
I would love to try another piece at the beginning of the show. I think possibly the Pavane and Variations would be a good one. It’s the last track on the new album.
VRM
What's are your future plans as a musician outside working with Bryan
Ferry?
JT
I am going to be continuing to promote the new album as and where possible. I have done a few interviews for Classic FM, which are due to be aired shortly, including one for Newsnight. Angela Rippon is interviewing me for her program on LBC as well. I recently went to Ibiza for ClassicFM TV together with Myleene Klass and Bond, and turned out to be the only act that wasn’t miming! The footage should be up on the channel shortly. There are some lovely pictures on the Classic FM website too.
I’m also continuing to write material for my next album, as well as earning my living doing sessions and working with other bands and artists etc.
I’ve just finished work on my new website; http://web.archive.org/web/20051125092726/http://www.juliathornton.net/