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Records; Judy Collins

Records; Judy Collins image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
April
Year
1975
Copyright
Creative Commons (Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share-alike)
OCR Text

Judy Collins, Judith, Elektra 7E-1032

Judy Collins is one of the few 'folkies' from the early sixties who continues to be popular today. The main reason being that with her fifth album, followed by the classic "In My Life," she began to leave the traditional folk music fold and select material which was especially suited to her beautiful, trained voice and tender, loving style. Except for a few lapses, notably her song to Che on her last album, she has been dependable all these years.

Well, she's slipping, if only slightly.

First off, much of this album is quite good. Side one is right up there with Judy's best. The title "Judith" may be symbolic of her growing up, and the selection of the tunes on the first side belong in the repertoire of a now mature singer. She has combined six songs (two originals) with the same integrity she has always exhibited. The other composers are Jim Webb, Danny O'Keefe, and Stephen Sondheim, all of whom are known for the beautiful melodies Judy has always chosen. "The Lovin' of the Game" by Pat Garvey again displays her desire to search out good material by relatively unknown writers. The two Collins originals on this side are the strengths, however. Her tribute to Ellington, "Song for Duke," is especially moving, much more so than her hollow eulogy to Che Guevara mentioned above.

Now, though, if you buy this record, don't play side two. Please. It begins with three songs of down-and-out Americana, "Salt of the Earth," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," and "City of New Orleans." Judy Collins singing about the "lowly of birth," bumming spare change, and "freight yards full of old black men" is about as convincing as Jackie Onassis in the unemployment line. These three are followed by the A-1 disaster of Judy's career, an old Broadway (1938) tune I'll Be Seeing You." Muzak plus. The side ends with the third Collins tune on the LP, but it's too late; you'll be dozing by now.

Judy Collins has begun making films and has shown the same taste and sensitivity we have come to expect from her albums. The fact that this album falls a little short in no way diminishes her standing as a sensitive, genuine artist.

Bruce Weinberg