Hard Times for Lovers

Judy Collins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002GWL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,676 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Hard Times for Lovers

2. Marie

3. Happy End

4. Desperado

5. I Remember Sky

6. Starmaker

7. Dorothy

8. I'll Never Say Goodbye [Theme from the Universal Picture "The Promise"]

9. Through the Eyes of Love [Theme from Ice Castles]

10. Where or When

Editorial Reviews

a cd

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hard Times For Fans, June 18, 2000

By 

J. Collins "Paradise Bar & Grill" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hard Times for Lovers (Audio CD)

I remember the buildup this album received back in '79; most people were slightly suprised at the risque (but not explicit) cover shots of a nude Judy. It seems that it was her idea to have Francesco Scavullo do the shoot, which celebrated her pride in turning 40 that year. It was hoped that "Hard Times..." would follow in the mold of her commercial breakthrough, "Judith," and the material here actually does hew pretty close to the various styles on that album.

But "Hard Times..." is a hard album to enjoy, for several reasons. Foremost is the fact that Judy's voice had seldom sounded this poor in her recorded work...and I suspect this had more to do with lack of vocal coaching and practice than it had to do with her age at the time. When she was still considered a folk singer or vocal interpreter, her singing reflected the precision of the sentiments she expressed. As she moved into her "art song" period, she seemed to place more emphasis on crooning, or just sounding pretty. That's not to say that she lost all sense of vocal dynamics, but the albums from this time period amply document how spotty her voice sounded.

"Hard Times..." includes several vocal performances that simply are not up to the standard she set for herself, and her quavery warbling greatly diminishes the power of her range as well as the listenability of the songs themselves. As a result, some wonderful tunes are reduced to mood music...something that even her biggest fans will not play at full volume. At worst, the shrillness of her delivery on songs like "Starmaker" will have listeners cringing.

Given the Easy Listening tunefulness of some of these songs, there are still pleasures to be found on this album. The Country-Pop of the title track is a winner, as is the lushly romantic "I Remember Sky," penned by Stephen Sondheim. Randy Newman's "Marie" is a beautiful bit of melancholia, later echoed in the ode to lost Oz that is "Dorothy." The Rodgers & Hart classic "Where or When" that closes this album is a mildly ironic inclusion: fans can't help but wonder if the days of her assured, spirited performances are gone forever.

-Mic

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I just love this CD, February 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Hard Times for Lovers (Audio CD)

I am not that familiar with Judy Collins, I have "Colors of
the Day" because I love "Both Sides Now' It is a great CD.
I am familiar with the song "Hard Times For Lovers", and took
a chance on buying this CD and I am so glad I did. Her voice
sounds so strong and clear and each song is beautiful. She
does a wonderful job with "Desperado" and I love the song
"Where or When" I guess alot of people who are big Judy
Collins fans think this is not one of her best albums. I love
good music and I can tell you thia CD is no disappointment.
It is beautifully sung and arranged. I want to say again
her voice is so unique and it really sound strong and clear

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF HER BETTER ALBUMS, December 18, 2001

By 

tompan "tompanus" (CARLSBAD, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hard Times for Lovers (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite Judy Collins albums, and I also saw her on the tour for this. Like the album, she'd put away her guitar (though not quite comfortable yet without it). With this album Judy really became a song interpreter and moved further into classical pop. One critic at the time said her version of Desperado was better than Linda Ronstandt. I Remember Sky is perfect. Dorothy is a true gem of a song and was sang in NY cabarets afterwards. Starmaker is the standout with Judy's voice soaring and is an honest and yearning song for her to sing. This album was also a celebration of her turning 40 (with the nude cover photo and the sparse makeup of Way Bandy)and she'd also quit drinking and retrained her voice. It is a gentle "listening" album that deserves its due.