Customer Reviews

Judith

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" by Jimmy Webb (Jimmy Webb remains one of the quiet giants of music behind the glitz and glory of others, listen to his contribution to Carly Simon's "Film Noir" for one of Carly's and Jimmy's and popular music's finest moments) begins this journey beneath the gentle mist of a midnight moon with this first and lasting impression. The title alone is brimming with poetry and anticipation. The lyrics mingle with Judy's voice and the orchestral arrangements in the most natural way, giving this song a richness that will linger long after the song concludes. "Angel, Spread Your Wings" has a lighter tempo, a bit ethereal. One is lulled a little further on the journey. "Houses" a song written by Judy, and perhaps one of her best authored pieces (I would compare this song to anyone of John Denver's best songs). "The Lovin' Of The Game" a nice folksy song to sing around the campfire. A slight similarity to "City Of New Orleans" in tempo. "Song For Duke" another song authored by Judy. Touching tribute. "Send In The Clowns" one of the greatest songs written and performed. I remember every Sunday going into Chicago for some entertainment and friendship, and on the way home it was almost invevitable that Judy's "Send In The Clowns" was played on this classical station that highlighted popular music to enriched the soul. It was usually the perfect song for the conclusion of a perfect Sunday in Chicago. "Salt Of The Earth" a Jagger/Richards song that showed their writing skills. This is one of my least favorite songs on the LP/Cd, though I recognize it as a well written song. "Brother Can You Spare A Dime" is a song one can only understand years down the road of life. "City Of New Orleans" Enjoy! "I'll Be Seeing You" is one of this LP/Cd's very best moments. This is one of those songs that bridges generations, speaks past the time and fashions of the moment. I love everything about this song. The lyrics enrapture you, the arrangements entangle you, and the voice envelops you. Everything a song is suppose to be. "Pirate Ships" this is another folksy campfire song, but this one has a poignance that cannot be mistaken for being lighthearted. One not only sings along with this one but also experiences it at many other levels. "Born To The Breed" is another song authored by Judy. One of those reflective parent to child songs that works.......I usually don't write a song by song review but this collection begs for this kind of attention and respect. There are some collections (LP's) that define a particular period, and this is one such collection that not only defined a particular period, but trascends it.

I've had a slightly scratchy version of this album for over 20 years and thoroughly enjoy it,especially when I am in a pensive mood, or just want to hear some inspirational music, often with a social message that transcends the decades ---including "Salt of the Earth." Now I'm finally upgrading to a CD.
The tribute to Duke Ellington brings me close to tears each time I hear it. And now that baseball season is upon us, the late, great Steve Goodman(a devout Chicago Cub fan) is remembered with a solid version of his "City of New Orleans." The listener can feel part of that venerable train as it heads downstate in Illinois.
Judy Collins has done so much for the world, and the world of music, so it is impossible to single out just one album ---but make sure you have this one (in a new CD if possible) in your collection. And take a ride with her on the City of New Orleans as it rolls down the track with "the disappearing railroad blues."

every recording artist has one album which is their masterpiece
and for Judy Colins it is this one. Every song is excellent
and her voice,production,arrangements, and choice of songs is
the best. "Send In the Clowns" is the song she was meant to
sing--it is her song. Although the whole album could have been
based on this one song---every song is different and all types
are included. I own "Colors of the Day", "Hard Times For Lovers","Times of our Lives" also and each one is different and excellent

Made myself cry. For many years I could not listen to Judy Collins for each time I did, I thought of my dearest aunt Maryann who died just a few years ago. We would sit and listen with our heads together silently and listen to "Judith" when she was ill and cry. But, I missed Judy and this CD in particular. So, I ordered a new copy and allowed myself to listen to her beautiful and restorative voice. Wonderful memories Judy. "Send in the Clowns" as done by Judy is one of the most beautiful and hopeful songs ever written. Thank you for your gift.

"Judith" is one of those efforts where everything seems to come together just right... the musicianship, Judy's voice, and song selection all add up to a tremendous album.

The song selection covers a range that few popular artists would put on a single album -- from Great Depression era blues ("Buddy Can You Spare a Dime") to Broadway ("Send in the Clowns"), from biographical story-telling ("Born to the Breed") and country-folk ("The City of New Orleans") to rock and roll ("Salt of the Earth"). Whether written by Judy herself or others (most tunes are written by others), each song is excellent both in itself and as part of a collective whole.

The clear, pure, melodic qualities of Judy's voice are in fine form on this CD; this represents probably the single best effort in her career (that naturally says quite a bit). "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" opens the CD and quickly and firmly establishes that this is a talented singer at the top of her game. The musicianship is solid throughout (check out the opening guitar work on "City of New Orleans"), and the arrangements work perfectly for every song.

I suppose there is one criticism I could level at the album -- it is only one CD. I'd have loved it if Judy had put out a double-CD or follow-up CD to this one, given the quality of this one and the years of musical listening enjoyment it has given me.

On Judy Collins' twelfth album, she brings all of her diversity to the plate, creating a pastiche that really defines the title, "Judith"; for as her professional beginnings in pure folk are evidenced, they are joined by her classical, pop, rock, country and theatre leanings as well in a perfectly seamless blend.

See, Judy Collins is such a strong musical presence that she is able to take this wide gamut of musical styles and make each song her own.

"Judith" opens with Jimmy Webb's "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" on which her vocals soar above her beautiful piano accompaniment. "Angel, Spread Your Wings" is an airy, breezy folk-rock number on which she really does sound angelic, pardon the pun. She has also included here two countrified gems, Steve Goodman's "City Of New Orleans" and "The Loving Of The Game" as well as a rollicking version of The Rolling Stones' "Salt Of The Earth". These modern classics are balanced with the classic standards "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime" and her breathtakingly gorgeous version of "I'll Be Seeing You".

Judy had started her own songwriting upon Leonard Cohen's advice in the second half of the 60's and three of the songs here are her own magnificnet compositions: "Houses" is a lush, orchestral quasi-classical piece; "Song For Duke" is a beautiful epitaph for Duke Ellington; "Born To The Breed" is about her now-deceased son, Clark, and his coming of age at the time.

Of course, the really big show-stopper here is her immensely popular and perennially favored take on Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns". Her voice fits this song so perfectly and her phrasing is so immaculate that it's no wonder Judy's has become the quintessential version of this song.

Judy Collins' "Judith" is at the apex of artistic expression. It is a most wonderfully structured and performed set of songs which, ultimately, define who and what Judy Collins is about.

I agree with what other reviewers have said here about the songs, arrangeements, and Judy Collins' crystalline voice. But even after all these years, I love something about this album that has gone unremarked: The fabulous cover portrait highlighting her astonishingly beautiful eyes! <deep sigh>

This is one of those albums that transports you back to the time you first heard it. The years rolled away when I listened to this, and it was summer 1975 again. 'Houses' has to be one of this artists most beautiful songs; I might not know exactly what she means, but, by God, the words bring a lump to my throat. Her version of 'City of New Orleans' isn't Willie Nelson's, but doesn't pretend to be, I suppose. An essential album for me, then, and one that takes a jaded, world-weary 40 something back to easier, brighter, sunnier days before the world turned sourer.

How to describe 'Judith' to someone who has yet to encounter this classic recording? Perhaps the best tribute is that this is the album I turn to when I want to dream. I mean REALLY want to dream, like when you fall in love and want to allow yourself a little time to luxuriate in the perfect course of events that may come to pass. The best numbers, of course, are those written by Judy Collins herself - particularly 'The Moon's A Harsh Mistress', 'Song For Duke' and 'Houses'. Perfect orchestration, poetic lyrics and vocals you will want to marry. An album I could not live without.

It's time for me to thank Judy Collins. Actually, the gratitude is way overdue. JUDITH was originally released when I was 15. I was hooked on it for many years, and am again hooked on it as an adult. On the 1 to 5 star scale, this album really deserves a six! The lyrics, the arrangements and the voice combine to create a poetic delight. My favorite Judy Collins penned song from this album is "Houses." The choices in tracks not written by Judy Collins are fantastic, particularly Webb's "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress." This is an album to play over and over. Put the CD in your machine and hit the repeat button. Thank you Judy.