True Stories & Other Dreams

Judy Collins | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B000002I2W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,595 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lyrical Sample Of Judy Collins In Her Prime!, August 18, 2000

By 

Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: True Stories & Other Dreams (Audio CD)

This CD is a wonderful introduction to anyone unfamiliar with the amazing range of Judy Collins talents as a singer, songwriter, and arranger of her own work. Early in her career she sang songs written almost exclusively by others, with occasional surprises like "My Father" or "Albatross". Yet here she shows just how accomplished a songwriter and lyricist she became over the span of her career. From the homespun gentleness of the opening "Cook With Honey" to the wistful "So Begins The Task" (written by Stephen Stills) to the maudlin and searching lyrics of "The Dealer (Down and Losing)", this song cycle stands as a timely reminder of why Judy has a place reserved in the pantheon of folk greats. Much more is here, from the highly autobiographical trio of "Secret Gardens", "Holly Ann" (about her younger sister), and "Song For Martin (a friend who committed suicide). In each of these Judy plumbs the depths of contemporary folk music, taking her leave with the remarkable, provocative, and evocative tale of "Che", a consideration of the fabled Cuban revolutionary's final years in Bolivia. This is a terrific album that is often overlooked because of it has no top forty hits on it (although "Cook With Honey" did get some air play). Remedy that mistake by listening to this a few times. I'm sure it will quickly find its way to your favorites. Enjoy!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Secret Gardens Await Inside. . ., December 2, 2000

By 

J Keistler "[e-mail]" (Lake Jackson, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: True Stories & Other Dreams (Audio CD)

I always thought of this as Judy Collins's saddest album, now I don't know why, unless it's the cover photo! This is indeed an album of its times. "Cook With Honey" is certainly catchy, fitting right in with other 'nature-pop' songs of the era. I can remember years ago seeing her perform the "Fisherman" song on the Muppets!

For me, the landmark song on this album is "Secret Gardens". Even after all these years, the poetry of this song, the perfect melding of music and lyrics, still stuns me. It truly reads as well as it sounds! I've always been surprised at the minimal notice this recording received.

I learned, many years later when reading her memoirs, that at the time of the recording of this album Ms. Collins was suffering from a growth in her throat and had surgery shortly afterward. Apparently this was only one of many stressors in her life at the time. I think many of the songs on here reflect that.

Another jewel in the Collins anthology.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Beautiful Collins Music, July 11, 2005

By 

H. F. Corbin "Foster Corbin" (ATLANTA, GA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: True Stories & Other Dreams (Audio CD)

I bought the LP of TRUE STORES AND OTHER DREAMS years ago when it was first released but recently had been humming "Secret Gardens" and purchased the CD. The song, written by Ms. Collins, is as beautiful now as it was 30 years ago when she first sang it. I have never understood why it hasn't received more praise. It's theme is so universal: no one grows old in our memory and flowers bloom forever. The CD also has "Cook with Honey" by Valerie Carter, sometimes included on "Best Of" recordings, along with "So Begins the Task" by Stephen Stills. The creme de la creme, however, is the music written by Ms. Collins, herself. In addition to "Secret Gardens," three other songs are included: "Holly Ann," a moving song about Ms. Collins' younger sister, "living north of San Francisco;" "Song for Martin," Judy's lament for a friend who committed suicide--"I know I let you down"-- and finally "Che," an anthem-like song in praise of Che Guevara that will put chills on your spine: "You have it in your time/You have it in your hands/To own your lives/To own your lands."

Ms. Collins has the rare talent of taking ordinary words and making them into something magical and beautiful. Her very personal lyrics-- though never maudlin-- achieve the universal. But then, that's what good poetry does; isn't it?

Another fine Collins CD.