Judy Collins

Judy Collins - Judith - 1975 - Elektra

By the mid-'70s, Judy Collins had earned a reputation as a masterful interpretive singer as well as shown a late-blooming gift as a songwriter. But while much of her work displayed an artful and contemplative tone, after she scored a surprise hit single with her a cappella rendition of "Amazing Grace," Collins was nudged a few steps closer to the mainstream, and 1975's Judith often strikes an uncomfortable balance between misguided pop confections and sturdier material which more readily suits her talents. While several of the cuts feature unexpectedly lush orchestral arrangements, these are often among the highlights. Her graceful and affecting versions of Jimmy Webb's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" and Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns" (as well as her own "Houses") are lovely and inspired, while the overcooked light rock of "Angel, Spread Your Wings" and "Salt of the Earth" (one of the least effective Rolling Stones covers ever) serve as perfect examples of what doesn't work for Collins in the studio. Other highlights include two vintage chestnuts, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" and "I'll Be Seeing You" -- which suggest Collins would have done well to consider an album of great songs of the 1930s -- and two very different songs about motherhood, "Born to the Breed" and "Pirate Ships," both of which ring honest and true throughout. Judith's high points are sublime, but the low points are just sorry enough to mark this as a turning point toward one of the less-distinguished periods of Collins' career. © Mark Deming © 2010Rovi Corporation. All Rights Reserved http://www.allmusic.com/album/judith-r96078/review

Widely and appropriately considered the masterpiece of Judy Collins' '70s pop albums, 1975's "Judith" is both an artistic success and a commercial triumph. This album's single, a sensitive, piano-based reading of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," was a surprise hit which to this day evokes memories of mid-'70s AM radio for anyone old enough to remember. The rest of the album, perhaps surprisingly, is up to that same level of quality. The opening, a low-key version of Jimmy Webb's oft-covered "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress," is spectacular, and other covers, like Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" and the Rolling Stones' "Salt of the Earth"--which works much better than you might think--showcase various aspects of Collins' remarkable interpretive facility. Unlike many albums of the era, the production does not feel particularly dated. "Judith" is a fine example of mid-'70s adult contemporary pop. © 1996 - 2010 CD Universe; Portions copyright 1948 - 2010 Muze Inc © http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1095190/a/Judith.htm
Twelve wonderful songs that Judy Collins sings in her pure, gorgeous voice; the voice of a nightingale. The songs are sung beautifully and with Judy's "amazing vocal grace". She sings these songs with true sincerity. "Judith" is regarded by many people as a Tour de force among her many releases. She penned three tracks on the album but covers songs as diverse as Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns", Steve Goodman's "City Of New Orleans", Jay Gorney & E.Y. Harburg's "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime", and Mick Jagger & Keith Richards' "Salt Of The Earth." The album is dedicated to Judy's mother, Marjorie Byrd Hall and is VHR by A.O.O.F.C. Listen to Judy's great "Maid of Constant Sorrow", and "Judy Sings Dylan... Just Like a Woman" albums. It is also worth hearing Judy's beautiful "In My Life" album, with covers of songs like Randy Newman's classic "I Think It's Going to Rain Today", Leonard Cohen's glorious "Suzanne", and Dylan's "Tom Thumb's Blues". Search this blog for other Judy Collins' releases

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

A1 The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress - Jimmy Webb 2:59
A2 Angel, Spread Your Wings - Danny OKeefe 3:05
A3 Houses - Judy Collins 4:32
A4 The Lovin' Of The Game - Pat Garvey 3:03
A5 Song For Duke - Judy Collins 3:33
A6 Send In The Clowns - Stephen Sondheim 3:57

B1 Salt Of The Earth - Mick Jagger & Keith Richards 3:59
B2 Brother, Can You Spare A Dime - Jay Gorney & E.Y. Harburg 3:12
B3 City Of New Orleans - Steve Goodman 4:07
B4 I'll Be Seeing You - Sammy Fain & Irving Kahal 3:44
B5 Pirate Ships - Wendy Waldman 2:42
B6 Born To The Breed - Judy Collins 4:45

MUSICIANS

Judy Collins/Judith Collins - Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Flute, Horn (English), Piano
David Spinozza, Cliff Morris, Steve Burgh, Charlie Brown - Guitar
Eric Weissberg - Guitar, Guitar (Steel), Dobro, Vocals
Hugh McCracken - Guitar, Piano
Tony Levin, John Beal - Bass
Billy Slapin - Bass, Flute
Paul Griffin - Keyboards, Organ, Piano (Electric)
Pat Rebillot - Keyboards, Organ, Piano
Kenny Ascher - Keyboards, Piano (Electric)
Thomas Pearson - Keyboards
Kenneth Bichel - Arp, Synthesizer
Steve Gadd - Drums
Ralph MacDonald, Hank Jaramillo - Percussion
Les Scott, Joel Kaye, Sidney Weinberg, Bob Steen, Jerry Smith - Wind
Randy Brecker, Garnett Brown, Arthur Clarke, Seldon Powell, Albert Richmond, Tony Studd, Frank Wess, Larry Wechsler - Horn
Wayne Andre, Vinnie Famuele - Trombone
George Ricci, Kermit Moore, Charles McCracken - Cello
Emanuel Vardi - Viola
Amanuel Vardi, Gene Orloff - Violin
Corky Hale - Harmonica, Harp
Abe Rosen, Don Brooks - Harmonica
Dominic Cortese - Accordion
George Marge - Flute, Horn, Recorder
Romeo Penque - Flute
Sylvia Shemwell, Eunice Peterson, Cissy Houston, Steve Goodman, Denver Collins - Vocals, Vocals (Background)

ALBUM NOTES (WIKIPEDIA)

Judith was Judy Collins' best-selling album from 1975. It peaked at No 17 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts. It includes Collins' hit recording of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns", as well as material by Steve Goodman, Jimmy Webb, the Rolling Stones, and the standard "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" Allmusic stated in their review: "Judith's high points are sublime, but the low points are just sorry enough to mark this as a turning point toward one of the less-distinguished periods of Collins' career."

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