Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins
List Price:
Our Price: $5.87
You Save: $12.11 (67%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.97 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more new music releases
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Music CD Cover
Edition: Music CDAudio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2008-10-14
Music Label: Wildflower
Free Music Notes for Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins
Free Music Review: What A Tribute Album Should Be
Hit: 5 Stars
There are some wonderful interpretations of original Judy Collins songs by very well known artists, most notably Chrissie Hynde on "My Father," the unexpected and truly gorgeous "Trust Your Heart," warbled by Bernadette Peters, and a dream come true, Baez doing my all-time favorite Collins song, "Since You've Asked." None other than Jimmy Webb himself croons "The Fallow Way," to roughly elegant effect. The younger generations offer their takes on Judy, too. Rufus Wainwright does a knockout quasi-classical rendition of "Albatross," and while staying faithful to the Collins arrangement, he manages to make it his own. Dar Williams, once mentored by Baez, has grown into a unique, contemporary folk artist, as has Shawn Colvin. Colvin's "Secret Gardens" felt rushed to me, but then I was comparing it to Judy's own version, surely one of her own finest recorded moments, to be fair I listened a few times; after a while Shawn's subtle and quicker version is growing on me. The little-known songs "Easy Times" and "Weaver Song (Holly's Song)," done by Jim Lauderdale and Dar Williams, respectively, are also highlights of this recording. Dolly Parton throws her hat into the ring with a spirited version of "Fisherman's Song," and Leonard Cohen himself shows up to recite a reprise of "Since You've Asked.
But the Judy cover that impressed me the most was not by a super famous act: that's "Fortune Of Soldiers," by The Webb Sisters, whom I think topped the Collins original (the only song representing the FIRES OF EDEN album). The unusual version of "Che" by James Mudriczki also deserves special note. I wonder how popular it will be with some Judy Collins and/or folk fans, but I like this one a lot. It is the one entry that truly took a risk. Sort of Clannad meets Gypsy Kings, gets mixed up with a Techno Lounge Lizard (think Cerrone), and surrenders to a DJ. Psychedelic, man.
Few tribute albums in recent memory, mine anyway, have as many fine performances. This is what a tribute record should be. Each of these artists did it their own way, and this meant that some of the tracks were relatively unchallenging. Doesn't matter, because most of them give it their all, too. Letting in some younger musicians was a good move, and while this may or may not be a Judy Collins vanity project (she's founder and CEO of the Wildflower music label, which released this), a wide range of interpretations and musical styles, with some artists totally hitting theirs out of the ballpark, combine to provide an insightful overview of an influential, iconic songwriter and vocal stylist.
I was only disappointed by two things about this fairly generous album (it's over an hour long): no one writing about Judy Collins. I would have liked at least a few brief sentences from each performer, and a nice little bio would have been good, too. The second thing is entirely subjective, and that's the absence of "Home Before Dark" and the title song from one of Judy's best (and underappreciated) albums, FIRES OF EDEN. "Song For Judith (Open The Door)" was another one I'd hoped somebody would do, and although this was a tribute to Judy the writer more than the performer, Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" would have made a fitting finale. Maybe somebody like Annie Lennox or k. d. lang could do that one - maybe together! And why didn't Joni Mitchell show up? Her "Both Sides Now" helped get Mitchell noticed, but it was also a HUGE hit for Judy... Okay, so much for wishful thinking - this is still a very fine tribute, so I'm giving it five.
Folk Music CDs
Music Genres
Top music charts in Folk Music CDs
Margie Adam - Another PlaceRelease date: 1994-07-26; Music CD
Best price: $16.99
Ann Reed - Road of the HeartRelease date: 1994-06-29; Music CD
Best price: $29.99
Ann Reed - Back & ForthRelease date: 1994-07-26; Music CD
Best price: $2.00
Price in other shops:
Kay Gardner - Rainbow PathRelease date: 1994-07-26; Music CD
Best price: $12.32
Price in other shops:
Joanne Rand - Grant Me EyesRelease date: 2001-08-02; Music CD
Best price: $9.96
Price in other shops:
Betty - Hello Betty!Release date: 1994-03-21; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Kay Gardner - AmazonRelease date: 1994-07-26; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Stage 2: Human HeartRelease date: 1997-04-11; Music CD
Best price: $14.95
Price in other shops:
Cyntia Smith, Ruth Barrett - Heart Is the Only NationRelease date: 1996-07-17; Music CD
Best price: $96.66
Giants! A Colossal Collection of Tales and Tunesby Jim Weiss
Greathall Productions, Inc.; Greathall Productions; Published: 1996-11-01; Audio CD; Book
Best price: $8.68
Price in other shops:
Top Rated Albums
Joni Mitchell - Court and SparkMITCHELL,JONI; Release date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $4.31
Price in other shops:
The Lost Notebooks of Hank WilliamsRelease date: 2011-10-04; Music CD
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops:
This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy ClarkRelease date: 2011-11-22; Music CD
Best price: $15.61
Price in other shops:
Judy Collins - BohemianRelease date: 2011-11-08; Music CD
Best price: $8.47
Price in other shops:
Alison Krauss, Union Station - Paper AirplaneRelease date: 2011-04-12; Music CD
Best price: $9.29
Price in other shops:
Death Takes a Holiday (Original Off-Broadway Cast)Release date: 2011-10-11; Music CD
Best price: $10.52
Price in other shops:
Gillian Welch - The Harrow & The HarvestRelease date: 2011-06-28; Music CD
Best price: $9.50
Price in other shops:
Judy Collins - ParadiseRelease date: 2010-06-29; Music CD
Best price: $7.25
Price in other shops:
Rave On Buddy HollyRelease date: 2011-06-28; Music CD
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
A Tribute To Joni MitchellRelease date: 2007-04-24; Music CD
Best price: $6.83
Price in other shops: