Maid of Constant Sorrow/Golden Apples of Sun [Import, Original recording remastered]

Judy Collins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 5, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Rhino/Wea UK
• ASIN: B00005OKOO
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #94,234 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Maid Of Constant Sorrow

2. The Prickilie Bush

3. Wild Mountain Thyme

4. Tim Evans

5. Sailors Life

6. Bold Fenian Men

7. Wars Of Germany

8. O Daddy Be Gay

9. I Know Where Im Going

10. John Riley

11. Pretty Saro

12. The Rising Of The Mon

13. Golden Apples Of The Sun

14. Bonnie Ship The Diamond

15. Little Brown Dog

16. Twelve Gates To The City

17. Christ Child Lullaby

18. Great Selchie Of Shule Skerry

19. Tell Me Who Ill Marry

20. Fannerio

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

UK mid-price two-on-one reissue combines her first & second albums on one CD, 'Maid of Constant Sorrow' (1961) & 'Golden Apples of the Sun' (1962) both of which are out-of-print domestically. Includes new liner notes & rarely seen photos. 2001.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The first two folk albums from a young Judy Collins, March 29, 2003

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Maid of Constant Sorrow/Golden Apples of Sun (Audio CD)

This import CD reissues the first two Judy Collins albums from the early 1960s when she was singing traditional folk material with her crystal pure soprano voice accompanied by acoustic guitar. Collins had been trained as a classical pianist and when she turned to folk music she brought along the sensibilities of a classicist as she became one of the main interpreters of folk songs in the Sixties (choosing between Collins and Joan Baez as your personal favorite was the question of the day, not that you could go wrong with either selection).

"A Maid of Constant Sorrow" was released in 1961 and listening to it will surprise her fans because this is not the Judy Collins they are used to hearing. In retrospect it is clear that Collins is still learning how to use her voice to her advantage; she tends to stay more in her lower register at this point and the glorious high notes we associate with her singing is seen only in spots (e.g., "Wild Mountain Thyme"). But even in these early days there are some nice little gems, such as "The Pickilie Bush," "Tim Evans," and especially "John Riley." I especially liked her sea shanty "Sailor's Life," where her youthful enthusiasm helps carry the song along.

Her 1962 release "Golden Apples of the Sun" shows significantly more confidence as a singer. What is interesting to me is the obscurity of these traditional folk songs, although she does branch out into some other genres, such as gospel with "Twelve Gates to the City." The best tracks on this second album would be the title song, the ballad "Fannerio," and "Crow on the Cradle." Note: Spike Lee's father, Bill Lee, plays bass on this album.

These two albums are more of historical interest at this point, because you are not going to find them to be quintessential Judy Collins. However, if you remember the times you can appreciate that this was a period when folk music did not mean commercially viable songs but more "authentic" music. The bottom line is that fans of that voice are going to appreciate hearing it at the beginning of one of the celebrate careers in folk music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark, brooding, deep standard-setter for the folk movement, November 15, 2008

By 

mianfei - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Maid of Constant Sorrow/Golden Apples of Sun (Audio CD)

Although Judy Collins is frequently seen as the lesser light of the early 1960s folk revival vis-a-vis Joan Baez, in fact the two were quite different. Whereas Baez was traditionally feminine in her vocal approach and at times almost spiritual in her musical approach, Collins at least in her early years was darker, deeper, harsher and more earthbound.

Anyone looking on these first two Judy Collins albums for something with traditional folk beauty will be seriously surprised by the intensity and darkness found in her performances. The opening track, the title tune of her first album "A Maid of Constant Sorrow" sets the tone with its quite un-nerving acoustic guitar and Collins' deep voice. The first side of that album is quite remarkable in its dark depths, especially in the intense murder tale "Tim Evans", where Collins' throaty vocals creates an atmosphere that approaches one of rage. "The Prickleye Bush" is almost as good, and even the seemingly upbeat "O Daddy Be Gay" on the second side possesses emotional intensity in an era when artistry was considered more significant.

Her second album, "Golden Apples of the Sun", covers the last half of the tracks here and is not quite so intense as "A Maid of Constant Sorrow". Nonetheless, it makes up for this slight deficiency with its heartbreaking sadness that announces itself from the opening title track. Quieter than Judy's first album, it is hard not to cry when listening seriously, and the heartbreaking character becomes even more apparent on "Tell Me Who I'll Marry" and "Twelve Gates to the City" which sound like nightmares if you try to imagine yourself in the position of the characters being sun about.

All in all, this is traditional folk music at its absolute darkest and most intense. These are songs that truly told the stories of ordinary people from the times they were written in a way hard to comprehend for people today.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great traditional folk songs, April 15, 2010

By 

Caroling Birdsong (Tennessee USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Maid of Constant Sorrow/Golden Apples of Sun (Audio CD)

I forgot the folk heritage that began before the acid rock era in the 60s. Great to hear these tunes beautifully sung by Judy to play traditional instruments like dulcimers to. My dulcimer loved hearing this CD.