(editor’s note – no ex post facto proof for Aztec Two-Step)
Judy Collins convincing at Saratoga
by Steve Webb, The Knickerbocker News, July 25, 1979
Lines from two songs stick out from Judy Collins’ concert Tuesday at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She sounded as if she was emphasizing them when she sang — certainly their conviction was the most convincing — and their content recurred during the 1’½ hour show.
The first was from Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now,” a hit for Ms. Collins in 1968: “Something’s lost but something’s gained from living every day.”
The second was from Leonard Cohen’s “Bird on a Wire,” with which she closed the regular part of her show: “I have tried in my way to be free.”
The folk-pop singer clearly pleased the 4,463 in the audience, singing in a richer, far more tuneful voice than on her recent television appearances. At times, however, she tried the imagination with her use of a stylish four-piece band and three background singers to give her music the feeling of nightclub pop.
This is probably no more incongruous than Bob Dylan’s recent touring band, but the effect of Ms. Collin’s rendition of “City of New Orleans” with this band sounded eerily like a cut from the movie “Nashville,” rather than redefining her version of folk music.
That’s a little harsh. Much of the concert consisted of pleasant, sometimes moving music. She did a medley of Stephen Sondheim songs ending with her Grammy-winning performance of “Send in the Clowns,” which was chilling. Despite the very questionable content of its lyrics, her recent single “Hard Times for Lovers” sounds much better live than on record.
And the two songs quoted earlier were very impressive. The band was perfect for “Bird on the Wire,” and her voice was perfect on both.
The Post-Star, July 24, 1979
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