Judy Collins - Fifth Album (1965)

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter.

Judy Collins' 1964 live album had been dominated by the work of contemporary songwriters. Her appropriately-titled followed the same trend, with only two folk traditionals to be found among songs by Bob Dylan, Richard Fariña, Eric Andersen, Gordon Lightfoot, Phil Ochs, Malvina Reynolds, Gil Turner and Billy Edd Wheeler, making her a champion of the rising singer-songwriter movement. Backing musicians on the album included Richard Fariña (playing dulcimer on his own "Pack Up Your Sorrows"), guitarist Danny Kalb (who was soon to form The Blues Project), John Sebastian (on harmonica) and bassist Bill Lee.

The album turned out to be her last 'folk' album, at least in terms of overall sound and stylistic approach.

The Judy Collins Concert (1964) <|> In My Life (1966)
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Judy Collins - The Judy Collins Concert (1964)

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter.

Judy Collins released her first live album in 1964, recorded in New York with backing from Steve Mandell (guitar & banjo) and Chuck Israels (bass). It was another step forward for Collins, as she almost entirely abandoned the traditional folk repertoire and turned to the compositions of new rising songwriters. As well as familiar numbers by Fred Neil, Bob Dylan and Ewan McColl, the album featured three songs from Billy Edd Wheeler, and another three from Tom Paxton, both of whom were relatively unknown artists at the time. It also feautured "Me And My Uncle" by John Phillips, which would years later become well known as a staple of The Grateful Dead's repertoire - Collins was the first to record it (apparently Phillips didn't actually remember writing it until he started getting royalty cheques!).

Judy Collins #3 (1963) <|> Fifth Album (1965)
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Judy Collins - Judy Collins #3 (1963)

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter.

Judy Collins' third album was another collection of acoustic folk songs, though it is notable for turning away from traditional material and featuring more songs by contemporary songwriters. Included there are two by the then-emerging talent of Bob Dylan, two by the partnership of Jim Friedman and Shel Silverstein, one by Mike Settle (later a member of The First Edition), and some older numbers by Woodie Guthrie, Ewan McColl, Pete Seeger and Fred Hellerman (a band-mate of Seeger's in The Weavers). Instrumental backing came from Bill Takas (acoustic bass), Walter Raim (banjo & guitar) and a young Roger McGuinn (also on banjo & guitar). It's worth noting that the two Pete Seeger songs here ("The Bells Of Rhymney" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!") would both be later taken by McGuinn and transformed into folk-rock masterpieces with The Byrds (and the latter of course would give them a #1 pop hit).

Golden Apples Of The Sun (1962) <|> The Judy Collins Concert (1964)
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Judy Collins - Golden Apples Of The Sun (1962)

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter.

Judy Collins' 1961 debut album was followed the next year by Golden Apples Of The Sun, which was much the same in terms of style and repertoire - acoustic guitar-based folk (again with help from guitarist Walter Raim and bassist Bill Lee), featuring mostly traditional material (including "Fannerio", "Lark In The Morning" and the Irish number "Shule Aroon"). Outside the traditional songs, she included Reverend Gary Davis' "Twelve Gates To The City", "Crow In The Cradle" by English poet Sydney Carter, and "Sing Hallelujah" by contemporary songwriter Mike Settle (later a member of The First Edition). The inclusion of such songs hinted at the eclecticism her music would come to be known for, as over the years she would move further and further away from the traditional American folk she at first relied on.

A Maid Of Constant Sorrow (1961) <|> Judy Collins #3 (1963)
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Judy Collins - A Maid Of Constant Sorrow (1961)

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter.

Born and raised in Seattle, Collins began her musical career as a student of classical piano (at which she proved to be somewhat of a young prodigy), before she discovered folk music and took up the guitar. In the early 60s she made the move to New York City, and became emersed in the folk scene of Greenwich Village. She was soon signed to Elektra Records, and her debut album came out in 1961. A Maid Of Constant Sorrow is typical of early 60s folk, and owes alot to the pristine female folk-singer sound that Joan Baez had perfected a few years earlier. The traditional songs include "Wild Mountain Thyme", "John Riley", and a gender variant of "Man Of Constant Sorrow". It's not all performed solo, as there is sparse acoustic backing throughout from Bill Lee on bass, Erik Darling on banjo and Walter Raim on second guitar.

> Golden Apples Of The Sun (1962)
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