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21.7.08

Judy Collins




Judy Collins - Wildflowers - 1967 - Elektra

This beautifully orchestrated baroque folk pop album from the great Judy Collins, helped to promote a new era of folk songwriters. As well as her own compositions, it includes some of the then mostly unknown songs of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. Check out Judy's great "Maid of Constant Sorrow, " "Judy Sings Dylan... Just Like a Woman" and "Judy Collins Sings Lennon & McCartney" albums.

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

"Michael from Mountains" (Joni Mitchell)
"Since You Asked" (Judy Collins)
"Sisters of Mercy" (Leonard Cohen)
"Priests" (Leonard Cohen)
"A Ballata of Francesco Landini" (ca. 1335 - 1397) Lasso! di Donna
"Both Sides Now" (Joni Mitchell)
"La chanson des vieux amants (The Song of Old Lovers)" (Jacques Brel)
"Sky Fell" (Judy Collins)
"Albatross" (Judy Collins) ["Albatross" was used in the 1968 film adaptation of The Subject Was Roses]
"Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye" (Leonard Cohen)

REVIEWS

Soothing. Unique. Natural. These are clear adjectives used best when describing the style and grace of Judy Collins and her album Wildflowers. Her blend of folk and meditative music paints a tapestry of soft, nurturing colors that transcends the mind of the listener and seeks one's soul. Much of the material feels uplifting and full of spirit, or even spiritual to some degree. Yet other parts of the record can be viewed and felt as sad and morose, which gives the record some dexterity and variety among its ability to appeal toward contrasting moods. Collins makes a well-earned statement in her original tunes "Since You Asked," "Sky Fell," and "Albatross," that deep, meditative, and subtle can be effective within the realms of music as an art form. She is certainly artistic with her approach, staying away from the clichéd folk and pop music that flooded much of the '60s radio-friendly airwaves. Collins also includes her favorite melodies from the songbooks of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. This can benefit one as a pleasant listen, easy to sooth the mind and body, and release the burdens of everyday stress in society. © Shawn M. Haney, All Music Guide

SHORT BIO

Judy Collins was one of the major interpretive folksingers of the '60s. A child prodigy at classical piano, she turned to folk music at the age of 15 and released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, in 1961 when she was 22. That album and its follow-up, The Golden Apples of the Sun, consisted of traditional folk material, with Collins's pure, sweet soprano accompanied by her acoustic guitar playing. By the time of Judy Collins #3, she had begun to turn to contemporary material and to add other musicians. (Jim, later Roger, McGuinn tried out his first arrangements of "The Bells of Rhymney" and "Turn, Turn, Turn" on this album, before using them with The Byrds.) Collins's musical horizons were expanded further by 1966 and the release of In My Life, which added theater music to her repertoire and introduced her audience to the writing of Leonard Cohen; it was one of her six albums to go gold. Her first gold-seller, however, was 1967's Wildflowers, which contained her hit version of "Both Sides Now" by the then-little-known songwriter Joni Mitchell. By the '70s, Collins had come to be identified as much as an art song singer as a folksinger and had also begun to make a mark with her original compositions. Her best-known performances cover a wide stylistic range: the traditional gospel song "Amazing Grace," the Stephen Sondheim Broadway ballad "Send in the Clowns," and such songs of her own as "My Father" and "Born to the Breed." Collins recorded less frequently after the end of her 23-year association with Elektra Records in 1984, though she made two albums for Gold Castle. In 1990, she signed to Columbia Records and released Fires of Eden, her 23rd album. A move to Geffen preceded the 1993 release of Judy Sings Dylan...Just Like a Woman; Shameless followed on Atlantic in 1994. Six years later, Collins released All on a Wintry Night. © William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide

MORE ABOUT THE ARTIST

Judy Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her unique blend of interpretative folksongs and contemporary themes. Her impressive career has spanned more than 40 years. At 13, Judy Collins made her public debut performing Mozart's "Concerto for Two Pianos" but it was the music of such artists as Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, as well as the traditional songs of the folk revival, that sparked Judy Collins' love of lyrics. She soon moved away from the classical piano and began her lifelong love with the guitar. In 1961, Judy Collins released her first album, A Maid of Constant Sorrow, at the age of 22 and began a thirty-five year association with Jac Holzman and Elektra Records. Judy Collins is also noted for her rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" on her classic 1967 album, Wildflowers. "Both Sides Now" has since been entered into the Grammy's Hall of Fame. Winning "Song of the Year" at the 1975 Grammy's Awards show was Judy's version of "Send in the Clowns," a ballad written by Stephen Sondheim for the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music." Released on September 29th, Judy's new book, Sanity and Grace, A Journey of Suicide, Survival and Strength, is a deeply moving memoir, focusing on the death of her only son and the healing process following the tragedy. The book speaks to all who have endured the sorrow of losing a loved one before their time. In the depths of her suffering, Judy found relief by reaching out to others for help and support. Now, she extends her hand to comfort other survivors whose lives have been affected by similar tragedy. In a recent appearance on ABC's Good Morning America, Judy performed "Wings of Angels," the heartbreaking ballad that she wrote about the loss of her son. The song is currently available on the newly released Judy Collins Wildflower Festival CD and DVD, which also feature guest artists Arlo Guthrie, Tom Rush and Eric Andersen. This extraordinary concert was filmed at the famed Humphrey's By the Bay in San Diego, CA. The concert was the culmination of a 25 city national tour. Judy Collins continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart. © HDtracks 2007 - 2008

13 comments:

A.O.O.F.C said...

LINK

Kat said...

Thanks so much for this one. I saw her in concert when this was released, and I remember her singing these songs.

A.O.O.F.C said...

Hi! kat. You are most welcome. How lucky you were to see her back then. She has the voice of a nightingale...a rare talent. Talk to you soon, kat, and keep well. A.O.O.F.C

Anonymous said...

Thanks - one of my favortie albums! Bruce

A.O.O.F.C said...

Thanks, Bruce. She's recorded some terrific albums, and her voice is sublime.. Keep un touch...Cheers

Anonymous said...

The first LP I ever bought, which I suppose in retrospect was pretty hip for a 12 year old. It was a great era in pop music, wasn't it? When even the shampoo commercials on the radio were dressed up in baroque trimmings... Thanks for this.

A.O.O.F.C said...

Hi, Festoonic. I love jazz, blues, prog. rock, and electronica, but every once in a while I go back and listen to singers like Judy Collins, who represent all that is good in the world. Late sixties and early seventies music of the folk rock genre does seem to remind us of happier times. Thanks for comment. Please keep in touch, and I love the jazzy steam on your blog. Great, great music. I hope to talk to you soon

joetomrud said...

Another of my old vinyl albums ticked off - thank you very much.
The only Judy Collins record I have not been able to replace is "True
Stories and Other Dreams" from 1973, which never seems to show
up anywhere.

Keep up the great work.

Joe in Dublin.

A.O.O.F.C said...

Cheers, Joe! Thanks for your kind comment. If I come across that Judy Collins album, I'll post it. That's a promise! Hey, Joe...Is that Dublin, Ireland? If it is...Up the Dubs! Go on, ya good thing!

joetomrud said...

The True Stories album has appeared already! - that was quick!! (or
are there other people posting on this excellent site?) Unfortunately
it's in .WMA, and i am having a very frustrating time trying to convert
to mp3. I've downloaded two "solutions" already, but no luck. Any
tips? (I'm not the best at things technical)

Yes I'm in Dublin - I used live in Fingal (Swords), but I stayed away
from the Cocoa!! I'm a transplanted Culchie from Leitrim, now
living in Stillorgan, and after 12 years I'm learning to say things
like "us Dubs", to wholesale derision from my new neighbours.

Now back to [Switch for Mac] for another try.........

Joe in Dublin (not Ohio)

A.O.O.F.C said...

Jesus, Joe. I haven't been to Leitrim since Larry Cunningham released that song...You know the one! You were right staying off the "cocoa"! And there's me talking about The Dubs to you!

Are you using a Mac pc? If not, then download this program from
http://download.
cnet.com
/Free-WMA-to-MP3-
Converter/3000-2140_
4-10494267.html

Just follow instructions. If you are having problems, let me know, and I'll re-upload the file. It's no problem. I have a great musician friend from Leitrim, so I'm making a rare exception for a culchie!!(LOL). TTU soon

joetomrud said...

Tried again this evening, but still no luck. I use a Mac, so your
converter would not speak to it at all. I also get preachy statements
on the inadvisability of converting a "lossy" formula (wma) to
another lossy formula (MP3), so if you could re upload the album
when you can I would really appreciate it.

I get by with the kindness of strangers.......

Joe.

A.O.O.F.C said...

Hi, Joe. No probs. I'll re-up album in mp3 for you. Take it easy, & TTU soon