One of the leading artists of the 1960s folk 1 rock music scene was Judy Collins. Along with
Joan Baez,
Joni Mitchell,
Bob Dylan and Tom Paxton, the magical voice of Judy Collins found success on the pop chart in 1968 with her top ten hit "
Both Sides Now". This was a far cry from the classically trained child prodigy days of playing with the Denver Symphony
Orchestra at age thirteen. Her musical training on the piano began at the age of five and her love of Broadway show music was instilled in her by her father who was a local Denver area radio personality. She nev
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er forgot her roots and as her musical career progressed she would return to the music that she loved many times for inclusion in her live shows and on record. In 1971 she would find the top twenty once again with her starter ling rendition of "
Amazing Grace", a solo performance that beat all the odds of becoming a hit song against the California rock sound that was dominating the charts at the time. Judy was in constant demand for live appearances and blended her love for nature and the environment and human rights as causes she supported with her music. Her collaboration with singer 1 songwriter Stephen Stills in the late sixties resulted in his tribute to her with the song "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" that is a classic track from the
Crosby, Stills & Nash catalog of hits. As the seventies turned to a harder rock sound and disco came into fashion, Judy returned once again to the sound of Broadway for her next hit. Steven Sondheim had written the play A Little Night Music and one of the leading tracks from the show was "
Send in the Clowns". Judy's version became a huge hit in
Europe and climbed all the way to the #19 position on the U.S. pop chart as well. While it would be her last major success on the charts, Judy continued to record music that she loved and her loyal fan base supported her album sales. She would write an autobiography in 1987, Trust Your Heart, in which she detailed her struggles with alcoholism and in 1992 she would loose her son to a suicide that shook her world for several years. Thanks to the help of former U.S President Bill Clinton who proclaimed in 1992 that Judy Collins album "Colors of the Day" was his all-time favorite recording, her career received a boost and Judy began a phase that found her busier than ever. She would release an album and a novel, "
Shameless" and tour non-stop in support of both. There is no doubt that Judy Collins is one of the most talented artists to have evolved from the 1960s and to continue to find success in a wide spectrum of the arts. From folk to pop, from Broadway to the book shelves, she has proven over and over again that she is truly an icon in the music industry for all to admire. This incredible collection of some of her favorite music in all genres, including hit songs of her won as well as those of her favorite composers and songwriters is a treasure for all her loyal fans.
