Pros: Eloquent, gentile and moving (in parts). Good for contemplating and visualizing the lyrics.
Cons: Some production faults. You need to be in the right mood.
The Bottom Line: An under rated recording. Sometimes found in the "bargain bin". Gentile, and thought provoking lyrics with beautiful yet (in places) very simple melodies played by accomplished, sensitive musicians.
atombaum's Full Review: Whales & Nightingales by Judy Collins
Judy Collins was never a real favorite of mine but this recording is a collection of very gentile songs which she selected from a wide array of artists. It was Judy's 10th album, and it came out in 1970. I received it as a gift on Christmas Eve of that year. I was 10 years old at the time. I had one other "LP" record in my collection. It was the Beatles "Rubber Soul". Hey, you have to start somewhere.
Song for David: A Joan Baez song. Seems to drift and fade in from nowhere. Nice way to introduce the album side. Clear voice with nice vibrato. The instrumentation builds up in layers over time. Tempo increases as the drums are added.
Sons Of: I know of no other song like it anywhere. A Jaques Brel composition. Really beautiful lyric. Strong voice, nicely accented with piano, wind instruments, some strings. Waltz-like tempo. Judy's voice hits some nice strong notes, then goes very quiet and sensitive again.
The Patriot Game: An Irish recruiting ballad with a strong moral. Speaks to the horrors of war. A cautionary tale for sure. Mandolin with accordion? and guitar. Learn these lyrics for when you go to the pub in Ireland and have to "give a song". Again, this shows how her voice can change emotions through a song. It weaves strong sections with more quiet ones.
Prothalamium: Off beat lyric, weird time signatures and quirky chord changes. Oboe, and other wind and string instruments.
Oh, Had I a Golden Thread: A Pete Seger song. I've heard of him, but this is the only song of his that I know. Excellent selection. Something funky happens with the recording as it speeds up slightly near the beginning. Starts with piano and voice. A beautiful lyric, again.
Gene's Song: Not sure what instrument this is, but it's solo. Sounds like a nautical tune. Perhaps designed to put you in the mood for the whaling song next.
Farewell to Tarwathie: An lovely melody sung slowly in A cappella style mixed with the sound of whales "communicating". It creates an ethereal and haunting sound. Story is about leaving home (in Greenland) to hunt whale.
Time Passes Slowly: Bob Dylan tune. Sweet. Maybe the most up-beat tune on the record. Memorable melody.
Marieke: Jaques Brel, again. Sung in Flemish. Nothing compares. Sweeping. Picture meadows filled with wild flowers?
Nightingale I: Song about losing faith. The final line (of the lyrics) always seems so brutally honest to me. Wonderful bridge between lyric and melody.
Nightingale II: Orchestrated version of the previous song. Takes it to a completely new plane. Contemplative.
Simple Gifts: I have heard several variations on these lyrics. A Christmas time song. Guitar, penny whistle and vocal.
Amazing Grace: What can I say, A cappella singing in a cathedral. The choir comes in after she sings a verse or two. Not my favorite song on the record.
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