'Why scour the globe for wonderful voices when there are singers such as Julie Murphy on the doorstep? Without the songs, though, a remarkable voice would only be half the battle. Sparsely arranged yet highly atmospheric, Lilac Tree is the golden-throated Murphy's giant leap forward, a beautifully flowing acoustic collection that draws much of its character from Tim Harries doing his Danny Thompson thing on bass. As with Kathryn Williams, the memory of Nick Drake looms large. And just like Williams's Little Black Numbers, this is an album that, from the sensual pull of the opening Kiss Like That onwards, has appeal way beyond the folk constituency'
Peter Kane, Q Magazine * * * *


MOJO FOLK ALBUM OF THE MONTH (August 2002)
'Deeply impressive.'
Colin Irwin, Mojo


'A fantastic album' 
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2


'Some albums catch an artist or group right in their prime, others are full of great songs, while others capture a mood perfectly. Julie Murphy's second solo offering does a little of everything as it leads the listener through a range of emotions, but saves its knockout punch for a final track of rare intensity... On Cilgerran (Glory of Love) you will discover why Julie is Eliza Carthy's favourite vocalist. This is an extraordinary, beautiful song, a cocktail of restraint and simplicity, of sparse guitar lines and understated backing vocals combining to create a hugely emotional finale. Surely destined as the closing track for some future tear-laden film epic, Cilgerran demonstrates the blossoming of Julie Murphy's talent both as a writer and singer. What a mouthwatering prospect her next album is'. 
BBC Online