Wildflowers (CD - 1967)

Soothing. Unique. Natural. These are clear adjectives used best when describing the style and grace of Judy Collins and her album Wildflowers. Her blend of folk and meditative music paints a tapestry of soft, nurturing colors that transcends the mind of the listener and seeks one's soul. Much of the material feels uplifting and full of spirit, or even spiritual to some degree. Yet other parts of the record can be viewed and felt as sad and morose, which gives the record some dexterity and variety among its ability to appeal toward contrasting moods. Collins makes a well-earned statement in her original tunes "Since You Asked," "Sky Fell," and "Albatross," that deep, meditative, and subtle can be effective within the realms of music as an art form. She is certainly artistic with her approach, staying away from the clichéd folk and pop music that flooded much of the '60s radio-friendly airwaves. Collins also includes her favorite melodies from the songbooks of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. This can benefit one as a pleasant listen, easy to sooth the mind and body, and release the burdens of everyday stress in society. ~ Shawn M. Haney

With her pure, silky voice and ornate, stately arrangements, Judy Collins appealed to the mainstream pop and folk audiences of the '60s. But there was a fair amount of subversion on her agenda. She did more than anyone to popularize the work of then-unknown songwriters like Leonard Cohen, giving their music access to masses they could never have otherwise reached. Paying homage to the darker side of her muse, Collins covers three Cohen songs here (including one Cohen never recorded), as well as Jaques Brel's "Song Of Old Lovers." This album helped establish her as a major figure in the '60s folk scene. minimize