joni---laura---judy the big 3 of course laura and joni have the edge because of their outrageous songwriting skills
but listening to old judy albums gets me so excited yes i agree with you folks that "wildflowers," "in my life," and "who knows..." are probably her best, but that sells the first 5 folk albums short again with the alto soprano comparisons in general judy's first 6 lps (thru "in my life") she mostly sang in a rich alto starting with "wildflowers" her voice began to get more soprano to where it eventually got on my nerves. (recently it seems that she is beginning to mix the 2, thank goodness) 1."maid of constant sorrow" and 2."golden apples of the sun" have recently have been released on a single cd. beautiful beautiful beautiful rich readings of well chosen folk songs. particularly outstanding is "pretty saro" from the first (poigniant and elegant) and "golden apples" from the second (a poem by yeats judy set to music) and "the great silkie" is stirring beyond belief and "crow on the cradle"--- what an odd and scarey song. if you like folk traditionalism these first 2 may be your cup of red zinger 3. judy collins #3 have you ever heard her do guthrie's "deportee?" or dylan's "farewell"? for me the definitive versions of each 4. judy collin's concert. and what a perfect concert it was! (at carnegie hall) "wild rippling water" is amazing as is "winter sky," "last thing on my mind" and "coal tattoo" (they don't wite em or sing em like THAT anymore) i only hope that when she finally puts this one out on cd, it's an expanded version (for that matter, #3 also.) 5. 5th album my personal favorite. every song a gem sung so perfectly. and richard farinia on 2 songs to boot! "so early in the spring" is jaw droppingly gorgeous and "mr. tambourine man" is definitive (sorry roger & bob). "tomorrow is a long time" is heartbreaking and "early morning rain" is my favorite judy performance 6. in my life. an amazing cover and album. her brittle alto singing in "marat sade", for instance, is sheer perfection as is "hard lovin loser." and again, "suzanne" is definitive 7. wildflowers i guess this is the one that put joni on the map- did you know her and joni are friends? read her book lovely for "both sides now" and "michael.." altho i wish this album had a guitar here or there. "since you've asked" is a lovely first judy composition 8. Who knows where the time goes for me, judy's other perfect album truly some of her stongest singing ever listen to the "when he comes to call..." part from "someday soon" wow! also backing by a great rock band, including steve stills. wished this one could have been a double and has judy's best composition, "my father" 9. Whales and nightingales here's where for whatever reason judy started singing in a higher register. but i still like this album a lot. joan baez' "song for david" is sheer magic and "marekie" is judy most beautiful performance (i plan on doing joan baez in another email) "recollections" and "colors of the day" and "so early in the spring" are all repackages. both are ok but the organal lps they are culled from are so much better. (and it is so annoying to me that some of the songs are redone.) why fool with classics? all her albums following (for me) are spotty-but they certainly have their share of classics. cook with honey, send in the clowns, pretty women, 4 strong winds, joan of arc, rainbow connection, i'll be seeing you, city of new orleans to name a few... but i return to those first 9 lps again and again. desert island discs all. sort of like joni's "song to a seagull" THRU "Don juans' reckless daughter." not a bad one in that bunch either. oh, and ALL of laura's xxx walt The most personalized portal on the Web!
