Forever: An Anthology

Forever: An Anthology

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Though she's filed as a folk artist, Judy Collins is much, much more. She is a connoisseur of song whose intelligence of selection and grace of execution have been a model for interpretive vocalists for decades. This two-disc retrospective is not arranged chronologically but it hits all the high points of her journey from trad-folk priestess to art-song master. Along the way, she has helped acquaint us with the works of Bob Dylan, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Jacques Brel. And when, with the moving "My Father" in 1968, she began adding her own songs to the mix, there was no drop in quality whatsoever. --Ben Edmonds

Tracks:

Someday Soon
Who Knows Where The Time Goes
Chelsea Morning
Suzanne
Born to The Breed
Maid Of Constant Sorrow
Since You've Asked
Bread And Roses
In The Hills Of Shiloh
City Of New Orleans
The Fallow Way
Grandaddy
My Father
La Chanson Des Vieux Amants
In My Life
Marat Sade
Send In The Clowns

Tracks:

Both Sides Now
Desperado
Masters Of War
Fisherman Song
So Early, Early In The Spring
First Boy I Loved
Albatross
Hard Lovin' Loser
In The Heat Of The Summer
Pirate Jenny
Turn, Turn, Turn
Salt Of The Earth
Farewell To Tarwathie
Spanish Is The Loving Tongue
Nothing Lasts Forever
Walls (We Are Not Forgotten)
Bird On A Wire
Amazing Grace

Amazon.com essential recording

Though she's filed as a folk artist, Judy Collins is much, much more. She is a connoisseur of song whose intelligence of selection and grace of execution have been a model for interpretive vocalists for decades. This two-disc retrospective is not arranged chronologically but it hits all the high points of her journey from trad-folk priestess to art-song master. Along the way, she has helped acquaint us with the works of Bob Dylan, Stephen Sondheim, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Jacques Brel. And when, with the moving "My Father" in 1968, she began adding her own songs to the mix, there was no drop in quality whatsoever. --Ben Edmonds

Customer Reviews:

A Perfect Judy Collins Collection.......2007-01-21

JUDY COLLINS is one of the very few female folk soloists to not only retain a strong popular following, but who rose to the level of "superstardom". She realized her wish to sing "art songs" with an accompanying achievement of seemingly going from an alto to soprano. Compare her early work (Judy Collins, In My Life, etc.) to the music that followed. Her original material comprises much of her repertoire ever since the transition in the 70's. Calling Leonard Cohen a "mentor," Judy Collins often includes his songs on her CD's. Her latest, Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen is testament to that.

Wildflowers
Whales & Nightingales
Judy Collins Sings Leonard Cohen: Democracy
Judith
Who Knows Where the Time Goes

A fine collection of some great songs.......2005-10-30

These are some of Judy Collins' best songs. Collins actually began her professional singing career in 1959 and made her first album in 1961. Over the next few years, she became (in my opinion) the finest interpreter of folk music in the nation.

Many of the songs on this two-disc set are by Collins herself. But as I said, it is her ability to interpret the music of others (and her superb voice) that sets her apart.

Some examples of her interpretations on these discs that I particularly enjoy are:

Someday Soon (by Ian Tyson)
Suzanne (by Leonard Cohen)
City of New Orleans (by Steven Goodman)
In My Life (by John Lennon and Paul McCartney)
Send in the Clowns (by Stephen Sondheim)
Both Sides Now (by Joni Mitchell)
Masters of War (by Bob Dylan)
Hard Lovin' Loser (by Richard Farina)
In the Heat of the Summer (by Phil Ochs)
Pirate Jenny (Brecht-Weill-Blitzstein)
Turn, Turn, Turn (from Ecclesiastes but interpreted more recently by Pete Seeger)
Salt of the Earth (by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)
Amazing Grace (traditional, but interpreted by Judy Collins)

I highly recommend this lovely two-disc set.

Graceful and elegant.......2004-12-17

This superb compilation is a showcase of Collins as folk singer and interpreter of the art song. My personal favorites on disc one include the yearning Someday Soon, her version of Sandy Denny's poignant Who Knows Where The Time Goes and Leonard Cohen's Suzanne, plus the lilting City Of New Orleans (Steve Goodman) and the elegant Send In The Clowns (Sondheim).

Highlights on disc two are her versions of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, Cohen's Bird On A Wire and The Byrd's Turn! Turn! Turn! plus the beautiful and sad Spanish Is The Loving Tongue. Oh yes, and the gripping Amazing Grace, one of the biggest hits of her career, a tour de force of a cappella vocals.

Her pristine voice and the beautiful arrangements ensure listening pleasure on every track, including the nostalgic, autobiographical My Father and the gaelic folk song Farewell To Tarwathie. Her graceful and intelligent delivery is a joy to the ears as she makes all these memorable songs her own. Collins emerged as a folk singer in the 1960s but has transcended the genre and created a timeless and austerely beautiful body of work.

We dream of better days............2004-08-23

After years of playing the recordings, I finally bought a CD with many of my favorite Judy Collins' tunes. Judy was a favorite performer for "wacko" feminists like me, as well as plenty of other brave souls who thought they could change the world way back in the enlightened ages. Collins was first and foremost on the front lines with the PEOPLE participating in the movements of the 60s and 70s. Large and small causes caught her attention. Disenfranchised groups including Women, People of Color, Small fishermen fighting the big interests, porters and engineers fighting railroad moguls, and many others could count on Judy. If you want to relive the joyful and hopeful tunes that inspired PROGRESS, this is the CD to buy. I listened to Carly, to Joan, and to Janice, but I wore out my Judy records. Judy's inspirational tunes have a new role during these bleak times, when all we gained seems threatened by the ignorant and greedy who dominate our country. `Bread and Roses' on this CD is as inspiring march tune as anything from `Les Miz'and `The City of New Orleans' is a treasure.

. . . exquisitely naked . . ........2004-07-13

I just finished listening to the entire compilation, and when I checked the listener reviews I was nudged to express a few ideas. Many of the reviewers make excellent points. Agreed, this is not the "perfect" collection from a reviewer's perspective, but I'm not sure that that kind of perfection was what Judy was aiming for. She is baring herself in this album, making herself strategically, exquisitely naked. How so? By letting us hear not just her most highly acclaimed songs (though most of them are indeed here) but also ones with other elements of her oeuvre, songs perhaps not as pleasing to our hyper-scrutiny, yet she reveals all, whether we get the aesthetic logic of her choices or not. Therein she is being both mature and honest -- "in the altogether." Maybe I'm wrong but I think that the song "Fallow Way" has some special significance that "unfleshes out" (to coin a phrase) this theme, leaving room for more crops to be planted in the musical territory she has already so beautifully plowed.

Return to the Seventh Galaxy: The Anthology

Average customer rating:

Corea 1967-1972
One of the Greatest Bands Ever to Me
Oh Yes!
Jazz Fusion at it's finest!!!
A Very Good Overview

Return to the Seventh Galaxy: The Anthology
Return to Forever
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic Warrior
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Where Have I Known You Before
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ASIN: B00000474W
Release Date: 1996-09-24

Tracks:

50 Miles High
Captain Marvel
Light As A Feather
Spain
After The Cosmic Rain
Bass Folk Song
Hymm Of The Seventh Galaxy
Captain Senor Mouse
Theme To The Mothership

Tracks:

Vulcan Worlds
Beyond The Seventh Galaxy
Earth Juice
The Shadow Of Lo
Where Have I Known You Before
Song To The Pharoah Kings
Dayride
No Mystery
Flight Of The Newborn
Celebration Suite (Part I & II)

Customer Reviews:

Corea 1967-1972.......2006-05-26

Music criticism being subjective, it's natural that each critic really only writes autobiography. I grew up with Corea and was especially focussed on the transitional period from the Vitous-Haynes trio to the Altschul-Holland trio and "Circle" with A. Braxton to the first, second and third incarnations of Return to Forever (with the ECM solo records on the side). Of all this material I must say that "Now He Sings, Now He Sobs" is my favorite acoustic effort: pure, driving and uplifting. "The Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" is far and away my favorite electric effort: edgy, harmonically and technically brilliant, this record shows what a true fusion of jazz and rock might look like. The later funky-disco flavor of WHIKYB and No Mystery were less profound, in places a bit silly. Romantic Warrior was the beginning of the end: the gate to later excess....

One of the Greatest Bands Ever to Me.......2005-12-04

it's been years but when I first all these Cats together playing as they did it Brought so much joy to my ears.I enjoyed the tones,arrangements&overall chord Progressions&the way there Harmonys talked directly to one another. it's great to hear all the Inceptions of this Band. my favorite overall is the run of Corea,Clarke,White&Dimeola.there brand of fusion truly had no limits.for me personally while i have dug other projects these cats have done as Solo Artists&in side Projects to me there is something just special about them during the RTF Era. right now I'm listening to "No Mystery"&enjoying all the Blends&Runs that are going on within that song.there Instrumentation,timing&Improv all compliment One another.true teamwork.

Oh Yes!.......2004-02-17

Excellent collection of RTF music. I listen to this quite a bit simply because it has the best flow. Not having to put on seperate cds looking for all the great ones is awesome! I disagree with the previous review about the sounds quality on the live stuff. It's pretty nice considering the period and the trainwrecks that happened during live performances in those days. Clean and clear. I have plenty of "bad" sounding stuff that makes these sound like gold. Great 2 cds! Now we need the RTF Old Grey Whistle Test on DVD!!!

Jazz Fusion at it's finest!!!.......2003-04-14

While I must admit that "Romantic Warrior" is a good listen, any REAL fusion lover will automatically know that this was definitely the beginning of the more "COMMERCIAL" sounding and/or "more easy listening" fusion that led the pack for so many BAD fusion acts to come. Diehard RTF fans definitely have WHERE HAVE I KNOWN YOU BEFORE and NO MYSTERY as their all-time faves. But don't get me wrong, I love all the RTF records. I just happen to have my own favorites. However, I totally disagree with the other reviews that sensationalize "Romantic Warrior" as the ultimate RTF record. Here's my advice: If you don't own any RTF music, then start here with the best of the best. In my opinion, the best RTF stuff is the mid-period years (74-75). What is disguised as FUSION nowadays is enough to make me want to vomit. HOORAY for the days when FUSION wasn't used as another name for SMOOTH "easy-listening music for the dentist office" JAZZ.

A Very Good Overview.......2002-09-19

Let's say you got rid of your LP collection sometime in the '80s and now you're thinking about replacing those lost RTF albums, but you're not sure if you want to buy them all. Well, this compilation makes a very good substitute. Most of the band's albums are covered, starting with the eponymous 1972 debut and ending with "No Mystery." I'm not sure I agree with the decision to include the live radio versions of 'Spain,''After The Cosmic Rain,' and 'Bass Folk Song,' as the sound quality is somewhat poor, but, on the other hand, where else can you hear rare tracks featuring Steve Gadd and Mingo Lewis? It's probably worth having this glimpse into the group's evolution, as well as the intensity of their live performances. But as the previous reviewer says, the real gold is on Disc Two, with its generous portions of "Where Have I Known You Before?" and "No Mystery."

If you're familiar with RTF and are simply rebuilding your collection, buying this along with "Romantic Warrior" will cover a lot of ground.

If this is your first experience with 1970s fusion, you might be better off buying one of the following CDs: Rockers, check out the original "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy" album and work your way forward. Jazz fans, try the very first album, or "Light As A Feather," and then move on to "Where Have I known You Before?" There's quite a difference between the various incarnations of RTF and not everyone is going to like everything, but I'm betting you will like one or the other.

Forever's No Time At All: The Anthology 1967-2004
Average customer rating:

What can I say?

Forever's No Time At All: The Anthology 1967-2004
Billy Nicholls
Manufacturer: Castle
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Listen, Listen: The Definitive Collection

Would You Believe

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Memory Almost Full [Deluxe Limited Edition]

ASIN: B0007W0KIS
Release Date: 2005-05-30

Tracks:

Would You Believe
London Social Degree
Being Happy
Always on My Mind
Daytime Girl
Umbrella Song
Come Again
Happiness Song
Girl from New York
It Brings Me Down
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Travellers Joy
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Hopeless Helpless
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Tracks:

Can't Stop Loving You (Though I Try)
Without Your Love
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Dying Star
Dancing Shoes
Got It in One
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Velvet Rut
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Album Description

Subtitled - The Anthology 1967-2002. First-ever career overview of critically acclaimed singer/songwriter and long-time Pete Townsend/Who musical director. 2-CD set compiled and annotated by David Wells, the liner notes feature exclusive interview material. Castle Music. 2005.

Album Details

A Gifted Songwriter and an Accomplished Harmony Singer, Billy Nicholls Must have Had the Cheek of the Devil. In 1966, at the Tender Age of 16, He Approached Beatle George Harrison for Advice on Getting his Songs Recorded. In Due Course this Led to an Introduction to the Mighty Andrew `loog' Oldham, who Certainly Recognised Talent When He Heard it and Promptly Signed Nicholls to the Immediate Label as a Staff Singer/Songwriter. After Working on Sessions with the Likes of the Nice and the Small Faces, Nicholls Debut Single, `would You Believe', Appeared in January 1968. An Album of the Same Name was Completed and Scheduled for Release, but Due to Immediate's Cashflow Problems was Shelved, and Only Test Pressings have Ever Surfaced. A Rich, Opulent Production, Described by One Noted Rock Writer as "the British Answer to Pet Sounds", Its Very Scarcity Lent it Neo-legendary Status and Over the Years Collectors have Spent Vast Sums of Money Seeking Out Said Promo's.

Customer Reviews:

What can I say?.......2005-07-17

Being a casual Fan of 60's Psycadelia. My Wife had spotted "Record collectors. 100 Greatest Psycadelic Records"
Whilst reading through it I came across the Entry for Billy Nichols. Of whom I had heard nothing.(Unsurprising it would seem as His Album "Would you believe" is one of the Genres extreme rarities.
I had to seek this out!
On searching Amazon.Com It was fantastic to see that not only has the original Album been re-released.
You could also get this Anthology from Castle Records.
43 Tracks!
Was prepared to expect the tracks from the 60's to be the only ones I'd be interested in. IE. Most of the Original Album.
But no! This whole Anthology(Right up to present day).
Is absolutely brilliant.
This is not background music. It is serious listening music. From someone. Who I can only describe as probably the most unheralded Singer/songwriter on the planet!(For the last 40years I may add)(Apart from writing Phil Collins,s 2002 US No1 "Can't stop loving you).
There are no fillers on this 2 disc anthology Every track is memorable.(Trust me. You don't need to hear samples)
I cannot give you favourite standout tracks.(Everyone is a GEM!).
Buy the album.Read the sleeve notes and I can guarantee. You will write a fantastic review.
I was prepared to try it out without hearing a note.
For this money.You could not possibly be dissappointed If you are into listening to excellent songs/music craft.