Now 65, Judy was born in Seattle where
her father, Chuck Collins was a singer and radio composer. The family
also lived in Colorado about which she sang The Blizzard - one of her own compositions. This was excellent but I found
her own songs paled compared to her exquisite choice of classic material. She is a master interpreter of songs by others such
as Dylan, Ian Tyson, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen of course.
An early piano prodigy, Judy played acoustic
guitar, grand piano and a Korg keyboard throughout the show. Russell Walden assisted on piano and keyboards . When Judy forgot the name of her latest album – she was
reminded by Walden. Judy joked “Its like Irish alzeimers – you just remember the grudges!”.
Judy told us about her own label, Wildflower
- her latest release however is a Rhino resissue of two 60’s albums, FIFTH ALBUM/ IN MY LIFE.
Joni Mitchell‘s Both Sides Now (re-recorded as a duet with Dolly Parton recently) kicked off the first set and Chelsea Morning came after the interval. Ian Tyson’s Someday Soon
was delightful. Judy is a highly polished and professional performer, albeit
too close to easy listening for my taste rather than the folk origins she likes to portray.
She first played London at the Conway Hall in 1965. She was thrilled to hear it still exists! Her first album was recorded in 1961,
age 22.
Cats
in the Cradle by Harry Chapin was another terrific cover. Another highlight
was Wild Mountain Thyme , the traditional
Scottish song. Its lovely chorus goes “And we'll all go together, To pull
wild mountain thyme, All around the purple heather. Will you go, lassie, go?”
Her fervant fan following called out
several times for example “Hows your Persian cat (fine, since you ask)”,
“That was fantastic” and “You’re better than ever, Judy”.
Suzanne
and Bird on a Wire were two Leonard Cohen classics brilliantly performed. Judy explained how Cohen encouraged her to perform her own songs.
Before singing Barbara Allen, another traditional song, Judy said she had first heard it by that well known folk singer Jo Stafford
!
Times for the show were clearly signposted
, two sets at 8 pm and 9.20 pm (no support).
The second half began considerably later however , perhaps leading to the unfortunate absence of Amazing Grace. The single encore was Stephen Sondheim’s Send in the
Clowns, immaculately performed. Judy’s weathered voice is still
superb in the same way as Johnny Cash sounded on his latter albums.
