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I've just always loved her music, seen her in concert a couple of times, but never got around to actually owning much of her music other than one vinyl LP. I knocked off one star because I lack impartiality. Hell, I've even got her autobiography. In other words, I'm prejudiced. Album is very accessable, contains "Chelsea Morning", which others don't. Did I mention I was going to name my first born daughter Chelsea, except I'd already used the name for my dog.
The Very Best of Judy Collins-CDMaybe I remembered Judy Collins more positively than she was, but this CD was somewhat disappointing. There is a "sameness" to many of the songs that makes listening to the entire tape a little wearing. JGR
This is a great album for those who've either not heard the marvelous Ms. Hadn't heard any of her music in years and stumbled across this album while searching for another folk album. Brought back very fond memories and it was really, really nice getting reacquainted with this fabulous artist and her mesmerizing music. Collins in awhile or never had the pleasure. Pretty good transfer from the original tapes and definitely worth the money and time.
Judy Collins has such a pure, clear tone to her voice and I think her songs are timeless. My favorite is My Father.
"Greatest hits" collections, especially of an artist as prolific as Judy Collins, are risky things. "Both Sides Now," one of her biggest radio hits, sounds a bit dated now with its late 60s mix of rock drumming and symphony strings; still, Collins' voice is at its smoothest here and her sincerity is hard to resist, as is also the case with her elaborately produced versions of the traditional "Amazing Grace" and "Farewell to Tarwathie."There are some missed opportunities in terms of giving the fullest portrait of Collins the artist. This is particularly true in her case since her style has varied so much with the years. Still, this compilation includes most of what I regard as the high points among her many albums, and several iconic tracks: I would certainly place her versions of Pete Seeger's "Turn, Turn, Turn," Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," and Ian Tyson's "Someday Soon" in this category. "So Early, Early in the Spring" I guess will do as the other representative of her early, folk period, bolstered by the superb guitar playing; I personally would have preferred the inclusion of one of her harder-edged protest songs from "#3" or the "Judy Collins Concert." Finally, a couple of misfires: the weird, chamber-music version of Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" and the over-orchestrated, misguided mix of Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning," that has unfortunately supplanted the charming live recording even on the CD reissue of "Living," its original home. Still, overall, this album is a vivid portrait of the evolution of a uniquely gifted American singer.
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