She's real. She's remarkable. Her life story is
something those of us who lead lives of struggle, pain, joy and
heartache, can read and relate to. She is one of us. I believe I relate
to her most of all.
Her voice is warm, tender, and kind, filled with
longing and caring, I think it gets better and better and better, but
how can you improve something that's already stunning?! Her taste in
music is impeccable and so well suited for her message...
Her songs have carried me, like the rest of the
world, through generations of changes, social strife and personal
journeys of love and life. The "early" songs inspired the belief in
something bigger than ourselves and the beauty of "Memory," and "Send In
The Clowns," can send the soul into romantic realms, long forgotten. The
first time I listened to "The Blizzard," I remembered thinking that
somehow, in a burst of magic, Judy was able to bring all of the trust of
youth, the knowledge of adulthood, and the longing for eternity into one
song, quite a feat...
Back in the days when very famous people never
answered their mail, personally, I received a hand written letter from
Judy, of encouragement and caring, I will never forget that. I wrote her
recently and requested permission to record her wonderful song, "Come
Rejoice," on my Christmas Bells album, and she wrote back that she "was
honored." What a class act, again and again.
She continues today to inspire, instruct and lead us
with incredibly beautiful and contemporary music and even a few movie
and television appearances, like a feature in "Junior," with Arnold
Schwartzenegger.
Judy Collins remains and will always be a jewel in
the horizon of our era and inspiration for us all.