Judy Collins - Wildflowers

She began her career as a folk formalist. Her clear, clean diction and perfect pitch wedded to both age-old folk songs and modern upstarts (Dylan, Eric Andersen) cast her as an immediate authority. With In My Life and Wildflowers she began to shift away from pure folk and into art song. Arranged and conducted by Joshua Rifkin, the disc's orchestration adds a suitable grace to Collins's high seriousness. Joni Mitchell's two compositions are further softened, while Leonard Cohen's three songs sound positively biblical. Toss in a Jacques Brel piece and a 14th-century Italian ballad, and you have the perfect formation of Collins's aesthetic before it congealed in the middle of the road. --Rob O'Connor Amazon.com essential recording

Bring back the memories

Great transaction with Amazon! I had this CD in vinyl, back in the day. Loved it then, love it now. June 30, 2008

My favourite album of all time !

Someone once likened Judy Collin's voice to an amethyst - with beautiful hues and textures and as clear as crystal. It is always a wonderful experience to hear her sing yet this particular album is unique. Recorded in 1967, "Wildflowers" transcends time.
Usually, on practically every album there is often a favourite track which (now with the help of modern CD players) we can select easily and listen to again and again. Conversely, those tracks which we least like can be skipped. However, here we have a rare example of a collection of songs which is outstandingly beautiful. All are of a consistent quality. While Judy Collins could indeed be called a versatile singer, I am often put off by the word 'versatile' in the context of music. Rather than listen to a varied collection of ballads and up-tempo songs, I invariably prefer consistency. If I play music to enhance a certain mood then I do not want this mood to change from song to song. Judy Collins is not only consistent but true to her own style.
The world is often dark enough and through beauty and art one can feel refreshed by brief glimpses of colour and light. This collection is art. The melodies are hauntingly beautiful and the lyrics are poetry. While songs have been included from other great singer-songwriters, such as Leonard Cohen's "Hey, that's no way to say goodbye" and Joni Mitchell's "Michael from Mountains", perhaps my favourite pieces in this collection are Judy's own compositions - the melodic "Since You've Asked" which has an almost medieval sound, and the uplifting "Sky Fell" and "Albatross" which take you on a special, magical journey. The sad melodies are both soothing and comforting - and the words and music create a so many pictures in my mind each time I listen. March 11, 2008

wildflowers

I had this CD as a record in 1968 and someone asked if I knew the music of
Leonard Cohen. So I gave him this CD as a Christmas present. I loved this
record so much that I wore it out and had to buy another one. The strange
reaction I had was that it made me very sentimental and sad. January 12, 2008

Ripped off by Amazon

I never received this item. I've never received a refund from Amazaon. It's been weeks since I told them about a non-delivery. They've written to say they've had it returned, but I haven't received a refund.

Neal Kirby April 15, 2007

"WILDFLOWERS": JUDY COLLINS' ARTISTIC SUPREMACY

Judy Collins' "Wildflowers" is the epitome of avant-garde chic. It was released in 1967 and Judy obviously had the artistry, musicianship and nerve to release such an daring album, in the process paving the way for the modern "art-song", as "Wildflowers" straddles the gap between popular and classical music.

Recorded entirely backed by orchestral instruments, Judy Collins' "Wildflowers" contains songs which the artist presents with a classical aire yet still somehow have a popular music accessibility to them.

On "Wildflowers", the songwriting is particularly strong: Judy chose and combined material from a then unknown Joni Mitchell ("Michael From Mountains", about an elusive young man, opens the album and "Both Sides, Now", with it's glorious harpsichord arrangement, became a big hit single); Leonard Cohen ("Sisters Of Mercy", the trance-like "Priests" and the vocal harmony-layered "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye" are each one more beautiful than the other!); the legendary French composer Jacques Brel ("La Chanson de Les Vieux Amants", sung in French); and a traditional 14th century Italian chant ("A Ballata di Francesco Landini" - honestly, I don't know where she digs up some of these interesting pieces!).

At the advice of her fan, then friend, then ultimately mentor, Leonard Cohen, Collins had just begun songwriting herself; and the album is rounded out by her very own first three compositions: the abstract "Sky Fell", the imagery-laden "Albatross" and "Since You Asked", all three beautiful and polished, sounding like the works of a seasoned writer.

All of these songs are further enhanced by Judy's wonderful singing. While being technically proficient, her vocals have a warmth and sincerity which brings each song full circle by making them resonate with the truth of the subject matter, lending an understanding to the listener.

"Wildflowers" is a magnificent album which does, indeed, stand up to the test of time: it is still a fresh bouquet all these years later. December 14, 2006

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