On June 2nd, 2023, Judy Collins defies time to perform at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, bringing her sublime voice and bold songwriting at eighty-four years young.
By John Lavitt
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 05-27-2023
In the 1960s, Judy Collins became a luminescent presence in the American music scene, bringing an iconic sound to her recordings and performances that perfectly balances vulnerability and strength. Revealing the triumphs of her life right alongside the tragedies, she never backed away from creating an intimate, emotional space for her fans to celebrate her work. Now, with an incredible 55 albums recorded and countless shows played, Judy Collins brings her music to the Saban Theatre on June 2nd for another classic night in Beverly Hills.
With a lifelong commitment to social activism, the music of Judy Collins always has reflected her roots. Fighting with a steely determination against social and environmental injustices, she represents the very best of the ethos of the Sixties. Five decades later, Judy Collins continues to play music with an undeniable passion and purpose. Indeed, such energy opens the doors to old and new fans to experience the wonders of this longstanding creative powerhouse. Once again, Where Music Meets the Soul allows us to experience the very best.
Indeed, the spiritual discipline and mental discipline of Judy Collins are the key to her endurance. After all, it is not easy for anyone to thrive in the cutthroat music industry for half a century. However, this award-winning singer-songwriter has known the key since the beginning. Although she creates stirring original compositions, she also pays tribute to folk classics and popular standards, giving her audience the best from within and without. Honoring her compositions, music superstars like Rufus Wainwright, Joan Baez, and Dolly Parton paid tribute to her lifetime of musical achievement in the well-received cover album, Born to the Breed: A Tribute to Judy Collins.
Even with the brilliance of her original songs like “Open The Door (Song For Judith)” and “Someday Soon,” Judy Collins is best known for her remarkable covers. After all, her inspired version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” is celebrated by her close friend and entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The single reached No. 8 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and won Collins her first Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance. Judy’s brilliant version of the classic Stephen Sondheim ballad, “Send in the Clowns,” written for the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, won “Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. In addition, her versions of “Amazing Grace,” “Chelsea Morning” by Mitchell again, and Pete Seeger’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!” are cross-generational popular hits.
If you want to see Judy Collins live, now is the time to do it. As time passes, we lose one legendary performer after another, like Tina Turner, Gordon Lightfoot, and Harry Belafonte, in the past month alone. Thus, seeing a legend perform live is a rare gift that should not be ignored. As one of the pivotal voices of her generation, Judy Collins is a rare and gifted bird of peace and inspiration that continues to soar. On June 2nd, she lands at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.
Photo by Brian Ledgard