7 images in the Judy Collins at SKARTS album
At 70, folk legend, cultural icon Collins, is one part glamour, one part burlesque, shaken up with plenty of talent and life experience. Beyond her elegant “butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth” 21 century evolved Gibson girl persona, she’s essentially an old-fashioned show business person with surprising star quality.
“I was a storyteller,” she said, “I never intended to make a record.”
She told stories about her daddy’s radio show, the folk scene in Denver and then Manhattan, quoting the likes of Dorothy Parker and Mae West with a few one liners of her own.
“I’m glad to be here,” she told the audience, “I’m glad to be anywhere these days.”
Arriving in Skaneateles
Earlier in the day the Arts Council held a brunch in her honor at Dr. Robert Kiltz’s house, which was catered by Mirbeau Inn and Spa. Neighbors Mary and Craig Humphrey arrived with a Newport Folk record album in hand. Craig said Collins was partly responsible for getting him his first girlfriend – as she was a singer and he went to school on Collins and learned to play some of her hits on the guitar. It worked and he got the girl. This many years later he was able to thank Collins and to top it off she autographed his album complete with a heart.
A magical introduction
Skaneateles’ Holland “Holly” Gregg, an accomplished musician in his own right, and actress, comedian, Laura Austin introduced Collins to her audience on the lawn at Stella Maris.
Gregg took the crowd back to 1965 when he was a 15-year-old and listening intently to music in his second floor bedroom off of East Lake Road. Remember back when your room was the center of your world? He described the music scene of the 60s mentioning that “There was this kind of undercurrent of folk music happening.”
He had captured one of his older sister’s Judy Collin’s albums, and oddly enough, it was a Randy Newman song, “I Think It Is Going to Rain Today.” Gregg said when this came on; it totally spoke to him, cutting right through all the clutter. “This was one of those things that got me on the path (musically).”
Austin prepared the audience by saying “This is a voice that transcends … it’s magic.”
On stage
Collins, in a glittery black bellbottom pantsuit, eyes sparkling and hair in a topknot, took center stage with guitar in hand. A lone pianist accompanied her on a shiny black grand piano. She acknowledged Gregg’s introduction by singing a verse a cappella of Newman’s song helped a tad by her well-versed pianist. She followed it with another nod to Gregg, as earlier in the day he had mentioned Lennon and McCartney were his favorite songwriters when she inquired. After “I Think it is Going to Rain Today,” and thankfully it didn’t, she performed the Beatle’s “Lovers and Friends.”
Expectation exceeded
There was a general consensus that after all this time what was Judy Collins going to be like? People shared memories and favorite songs, but still how had she evolved? Had she evolved?
Pretty much from the moment she arrived on stage, on one of the few clear nights CNY has experienced this summer, she took the audience by storm. Beyond her stage presence of a mature woman, complete with lithe body and luminescent eyes, there was the unusual singing voice, songwriting ability and grasp of the guitar, then she was charming and witty and slightly rowdy. In essence, utterly fascinating.
As much as we like listening to Collins, she’s a sight for sore eyes and a joy to behold – and that’s no blarney.
