Customer Rating: 
Summary: The First Two From Judy Collins
Comment: Many years ago, I owned both of these LP records. It is GREAT to see them re-issued on CD. The first four recordings are perhaps the very best from Judys' "folk period". (see my review of 3 & 4)
There are some minor technical problems on the first record (not bad, but noticeable), no doubt due to the age of the original tape. If you are a fan of folk-era music, this CD is a must !
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Judy's first two
Comment: It is a pleasure to listen to this album once again and to realize that Judy Collins' musical success has been based all along on her solid musical roots and training.
The songs on this CD, which remasters and transfers her first two albums (with a short bonus song, recorded later), are, with one or two exceptions, traditional folk material, sung in a strong, occasionally chesty alto voice that might surprise listeners used to the higher, lighter soprano heard on her later, folk-rock and pop albums. From the beginning, though, Collins had an ear for quality material--these folk songs hold up well after four decades, and at least one of the composed numbers, Ewan McColl's bitter anti-death penalty ballad "Tim Evans," has lost none of its bite or relevance, especially here in Texas.
Other highlights for me include rousing versions of venerable tunes such as "Fannerio" and the gospel-tinged "Twelve Gates to the City." The guitar playing throughout is superb, both from Collins herself and her collaborating musicians. As the notes to the album itself concede, the remastering of the analog original reveals some deficiencies in the original recording--also, the increased clarity exposes some sloppy tuning that was not so apparent on LP. Still, this is a CD that will provide much pleasure to those who remember Judy Collins' beginnings with fondness.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Reissuing the first two Judy Collins albums on one CD
Comment: This import CD reissues the first two Judy Collins albums from the early 1960s when she was singing traditional folk material with her crystal pure soprano voice accompanied by acoustic guitar. Collins had been trained as a classical pianist and when she turned to folk music she brought along the sensibilities of a classicist as she became one of the main interpreters of folk songs in the Sixties (choosing between Collins and Joan Baez as your personal favorite was the question of the day, not that you could go wrong with either selection). "A Maid of Constant Sorrow" was released in 1961 and listening to it will surprise her fans because this is not the Judy Collins they are used to hearing. In retrospect it is clear that Collins is still learning how to use her voice to her advantage; she tends to stay more in her lower register at this point and the glorious high notes we associate with her singing is seen only in spots (e.g., "Wild Mountain Thyme"). But even in these early days there are some nice little gems, such as "The Pickilie Bush," "Tim Evans," and especially "John Riley." I especially liked her sea shanty "Sailor's Life," where her youthful enthusiasm helps carry the song along.
Her 1962 release "Golden Apples of the Sun" shows significantly more confidence as a singer. What is interesting to me is the obscurity of these traditional folk songs, although she does branch out into some other genres, such as gospel with "Twelve Gates to the City." The best tracks on this second album would be the title song, the ballad "Fannerio," and "Crow on the Cradle." Note: Spike Lee's father, Bill Lee, plays bass on this album.
These two albums are more of historical interest at this point, because you are not going to find them to be quintessential Judy Collins. However, if you remember the times you can appreciate that this was a period when folk music did not mean commercially viable songs but more "authentic" music. The bottom line is that fans of that voice are going to appreciate hearing it at the beginning of one of the celebrate careers in folk music.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Traditional folk songs
Comment: People who think of "Both Sides Now" when they hear the name of Judy Collins will be disappointed by this CD. It contains only traditional folk music that is by nature very simple and primitive (in the non-judgmental meaning of the word.) Fans of traditional folk music will enjoy these recordings. Others will prefer the "Very Best of Judy Collins" CD which was released at the same time as this one.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Maids and Golden Apples
Comment: Thanks to Judy Collins and Wildflower Records for liberating these wonderful recordings. While I have loved many of her later efforts (and disliked a few others), Ms. Collins' early albums have always remained among my very favorites. I had become concerned that they would never be released as CDs and have been obsessively guarding my vinyl copies.While Judy never had the purest folk voice or most authentic provenance for her songs, she was still the most compelling folk singer of the sixties. In listening to these wonderful songs again, I was reminded that her ability to project emotion through a recording was just magnificent.
For Judy Collins fans, these are a great chance to hear her fresh and direct. For folk revival fans, they are absolute treasures.
So let's have the other two lost abums!
