Artist: Judy Collins
Album: White Bird
Label: Wildflower/Cleopatra
Release Date: 5.7.21
The new album from folk singer Judy Collins is a collection of her favorite songs from throughout her career. Fans will be familiar with most of the songs except for the track that is the album title, which was first recorded in 1969 by hippie rock group It’s A Beautiful Day. Collins loved it the first time she heard it and decided to record it and release it as a single in March.
The album is a treasure, not only for the songs on it but also her guests – Willie Nelson. Stephen Stills and Joan Baez. Six of the songs are taken from previous recordings: “Blackbird,” “When I Go,” “Last Thing On My Mind,” “Both Sides Now,” “Diamonds and Rust” and “Send In The Clowns. Newly recorded are “Chelsea Morning,” “Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is A Season),” “Pack Up Your Sorrows” and “I think It’s Going To Rain Today.” Stills, who was linked romantically with Collins for a couple years in the late 60’s, is featured on guitar and vocals on “Last Thing On My Mind,” while Willie Nelson joins her on “When I Go.” Joan Baez harmonizes on “Diamonds & Rust.”
“Send In The Clowns” is a haunting version in collaboration with the United Kingdom Symphony Orchestra with vocals by the Stephen Hill Sings and the Trinity Boys Choir. She and Stills deliver a blend that only two long-time friends with their unique history could offer on “Last Thing On My Mind.” The sound of the dobro offers just the right element to “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season).”
Collins gave newcomers the opportunity to have their songs heard and was an inspiration to other artists. The singer recalls the time in 1967 when Al Cooper of Blood Sweat & Tears called her at 3 a.m., saying he had followed a girl home who was a songwriter. He put Joni Mitchell on the phone to sing “Both Sides Now.” Collins had never heard of Randy Newman when someone sent her his song “I Think It’s Going To Rain Today.” She immediately loved it and recorded it. She was always open to songs that moved her.
-—Vernell Hackett
This one has my attention, as I was around and listening closely during the start of her career, caught many of her live shows like those at Carnegie Hall and Central Park. Another fun fact regarding Al Kooper. It was Judy who called Steve Katz and suggested he & Bobby Colomby go uptown to ” The Scene” andcheck out this singer David Clayton Thomas when BS&T was looking for Al’s replacement