Legendary folk singer Judy Collins has serenaded us with some of the most amazing songs since the 1960’s. Now, we have the chance to listen to her newest album Strangers Again. On this album, she is joined by a variety of singers, including Willie Nelson, actor/singer Jeff Bridges and Jackson Browne. These songs will warm your heart and make you wish you were singing with Ms. Collins.

As Ms. Collins sings, “this is when the magic really starts.” The harmonious duet and soft guitar and piano in the title track Strangers Again, with Ari Hest, make this song so beautiful and heartfelt.  Miracle River, with Michael McDonald, combines two musical legends to create an amazing track. The slow drum beats and soft guitar make this song a sweet and peaceful melody. Belfast to Boston, with Mark Cohn, has the perfect touch of jazz. The guitar solo, the piano and strings make this song absolutely breathtaking.

When I Go with Willie Nelson has a southern rock sound to it. Make Our Garden Grow, with Jeff Bridges, has a classical feel to it, but it’s also a romantic melody. Feels Like Home with Jackson Browne, is a lovely song that a bride and groom could dance to for the first time. Ms. Collins’ duet with Thomas Dybdahl in From Grace combines the artists’ creative musical stylings to create a delightful melody. Ms. Collins and Bhi Bhiman put a softer spin on the Leonard Cohen hit Hallelujah. Someday Soon, with Jimmy Buffett, is upbeat and fans will want to sing along with this wonderful song.

Stars in My Eyes, with Aled Jones, is beautiful and dreamy. Ms. Collins and Don McLean sing her classic hit Send in the Clowns with such soulful voices that it makes the song memorable and lovely to hear. The final track Races,with Glen Hansard is truly a wonderful song to listen to and has a sound that’s as warm as sunshine.

I loved how Ms. Collins performed duets with a variety of artists on her album. It was amazing to listen to each artist contributes their own sound to Ms. Collins’ album, especially with her renditions of Hallelujah and her song Send in the Clowns. Ladies and gentlemen, go get this album. You’re going to love it.

Final Grade: A

About The Author

Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

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