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Last week saw the release of Judy Collins’ “Paradise,” which is her first album since “Judy Collins Sings Lennon and McCartney” from 2007. “Paradise” is a collection of 10 new recordings from the 71-year-old folk legend whose career has spanned almost 50 years and whose voice remains rich and pure.

The album opens with “Over the Rainbow,” which Judy first sang live decades ago. It’s a nice rendition, but perhaps not the wisest choice as the lead track on the album because it neither matches the Garland original, nor succeeds in reinterpreting the song in the way that Eva Cassidy and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole did with their great covers.

Next we come to a duet that many folk music aficionados will be delighted to add to their collection. Judy joins Joan Baez on Baez’s “Diamonds and Rust” and the two voices merge pleasingly. The pair had already duetted on the song at last year’s Newport Folk Festival.

Judy Collins and Joan Baez – “Diamonds and Rust” (live at Newport Folk Festival)

Another welcome duet is with Collins’ former boyfriend Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills and Nash) on Tom Paxton’s much covered “Last Thing On My Mind.” The pair opt for a country arrangement and their harmonies are top drawer.

“Emilio” is another convincing duet, this time with Michael Johnson. The Spanish-flavoured track has a strong melody and fine acoustic guitar work.

Collins also delights with a captivating and haunting performance on the traditional celtic song “Dens of Yarrow.”

Collins has never shied away from political activism and this is to the fore in her covers of Tim Buckley’s “Once I Was” and Amy Speace’s “Weight Of The World.” The former is a soldier’s lament and the latter a poignant anti-war song from the perspective of a dead soldier’s sister. Both feature Collins in strong, clear voice.

“Kingdom Come” is the only original song on the album. It is a song that Collins wrote shortly after 9/11 as a tribute to the New York City Fire Department. Here’s a great live version from 2002.

Judy Collins – “Kingdom Come”

This is a highly listenable CD. There isn’t a bad track or a bad performance and Collins’ voice holds up much better than some of her contemporaries. If you are a fan of Judy Collins, it’s a “must have” album.

Judy Collins’ “Paradise” is available from the following online retailers:

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