joni wrote plenty of songs "as good" or better. i'll bet if you asked judy she'd tell you the same and mean it. that being said, i've been a fan of both ladies since before most of you were born. i'm just an aging hippie, you see. 61 and it stinks but it's better than the alternative, i guess.
There is something so early eighteenth century about this song.This is some of the most haunting imagery I have ever heard. It sounds like Emily Dickenson with a little Anne Rice thrown in for good measure.
So i'm watching this movie in the late '60s early '70s and Albatross is part of the soundtrack. Can't recall the name of the film or what it was about. Just remember thinking, "I know this song. I listen to it a lot I really like this song." Thanks for the memory.
@uckbee You're right. Her voice was a few cartons of cigs purer back then. And it WAS on youtube three or four years ago. Seems to have disappeared. There was also a scene from a movie of a woman travelling on a bus through what looked like part of Scotland that had Albratross as a soundtrack, I think the Wildflower version or one close to it.
always a sublime song. still, I miss the incredible, oscillating string arrangement of the original. guess I gotta go dig out my old scratchy vinyl copy.
This is a song of dispair..."In the night the iron wheels rolling through the rain, down the hill through the long grass to the sea. In the night the heart bells ringing with pain...come away alone....with me!"
Thats the funeral procession. That inescapeable realization, that final destination, death. Some of us have faith that 2000 years ago Jesus Christ changed all of that replacing despair with hope!
in 9th grade for religion class we had to pick a song that we felt expressed our feelings. 1969. This was the song I handed in. No lyrics on the album. I wrote it all out. Catholic School. My instructor freaked. Judy Collins has always hit a chord in me. The Moons a harsh mistress is another one. Far away child is another. Although I have every album Joni and Judy have produced over the years, I think Judy is more to the soul in her depth. Joni seems more body depth.
Amongst all the mere cut glass of that time, Judy Collins' voice was pure crystal. I don't know how she combines power and grace at the same time but that's the feeling I get.
I discovered Judy Collins (but I knew her by name only) and the 1967 version of this song in the movie «The Subject Was Roses». Patricia Neal walking on a beach while this beautiful soft voice came on. Magical...
I always thought this was a beautiful song, with poetic lyrics. Unfortunately, can never figure out what it's about. A widow? A New England hermit? I kind of don't get "the story".
@HollywoodHillsCookie Hello. Here is a way to look at it -- the song is about herself. Judy is the lady dressed in lavender and leather. The people "thinking they have found you" are her fans, reporters and critics, men with romantic interest in her. She is getting all this attention, but still feeling lonely despite it all.
@HollywoodHillsCookie It's about life's duties and the search or meaning. It is about loss as much as it is about discovering and keeping going in the difficulty of existence. Quite Buddhist in some ways... see Joe Jackson's "Sentimental Thing" it's a lot alike in mood & meaning.
@HollywoodHillsCookie I see it as Collins contrasting the reality of her life ("iron wheels") with the romance that is inside her. The subject is expressed in the flowery, romantic style of the times (Donovan, Joni Mitchell). It's a musical poem. There was an issue back in the 60s as to whether there was a market for poetry set to music. This is Collins contribution to that effort. Another example of this would be Paul Simon's "Patterns".
@HollywoodHillsCookie Herself. Consider the isinglass (mica) jeu de mots. "Imprisoned in your bones behind the I sing glass windows of your eyes." What do you do? I sing.
its interesting to hear another interpretation of the song from the wildflowers version. the original and that whole lp had such an impact on me and still does as it evokes such a poetic romantic world not in a simplistic way, but is like experiencing something in a different reality. I would sometimes get up in the middle of the night to play it when I was 15 and get into trouble but it didnt matter at the time.
I have been begging for this post. MHO, the most beautiful of all of Judy Collins many, many beautiful songs. Sung as no one else ever could. Thank you so very much.
Thank you, Betahifi, and Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell. You tube "recommended" this for me, and I'd only known it by Joni Mitchell, who wrote it. The title wasn't ringing a bell with me, but once I heard the first phrase, I remembered it well.
@Cyallaire Hello. Well, thanks for the nice comment. But this song was written by Judy Collins. And Joni Mitchell has never recorded it. It's great that you remember it though . . . from somewhere in your past.
@mickigoe I disagree. Joni Mitchell wrote some fabulous songs, including "Both Sides Now," which Judy Collins made famous. Another favorite of mine is "Tin Angel." All in all, I think Joni Mitchell's compositions are superior to Judy Collins' and the latter would most likely admit as much. However, I prefer Judy Collins' singing to that of Joni Mitchell.
@meltzerboy I respect your opinion. In my view Mitchell excelled at writing catchy shallow commercial songs.
Collins wasn't as prolific a writer but has a depth of soul which makes her far superior. But all musical taste is subjective - so neither of us can win here. Best wishes.
joni wrote plenty of songs "as good" or better. i'll bet if you asked judy she'd tell you the same and mean it. that being said, i've been a fan of both ladies since before most of you were born. i'm just an aging hippie, you see. 61 and it stinks but it's better than the alternative, i guess.
sgtstardust 1 month ago
Comment removed
LillePotter 1 month ago
There is something so early eighteenth century about this song.This is some of the most haunting imagery I have ever heard. It sounds like Emily Dickenson with a little Anne Rice thrown in for good measure.
drex23100 1 month ago 2
So i'm watching this movie in the late '60s early '70s and Albatross is part of the soundtrack. Can't recall the name of the film or what it was about. Just remember thinking, "I know this song. I listen to it a lot I really like this song." Thanks for the memory.
brotherman10 5 months ago
@brotherman10 . i have seen the movie too . but cant for the life of me remember the name . when i do i will send it u .
hrhrae1959 3 months ago
@brotherman10 name of the film:The subject was roses
setsnooker 2 months ago
@brotherman10 the movie was"the Subject was Roses" with Patricia Oneal Jack albertson and a very young martine Sheen.
taradash1 1 month ago
Is there anyone out there who can upload the original, from Wildflowers? That is the masterpiece.
uckbee 5 months ago
@uckbee You're right. Her voice was a few cartons of cigs purer back then. And it WAS on youtube three or four years ago. Seems to have disappeared. There was also a scene from a movie of a woman travelling on a bus through what looked like part of Scotland that had Albratross as a soundtrack, I think the Wildflower version or one close to it.
FirstUsedBooks 5 months ago
I also first heard this on Wildflowers in 1967 . I can't remember why but at that time
it was generally thought it was based on the poem The lady of Shalott by Alfred
Lord Tennyson .The mind pictures it paints are very similar.
bggrice 6 months ago
always a sublime song. still, I miss the incredible, oscillating string arrangement of the original. guess I gotta go dig out my old scratchy vinyl copy.
jackhillty 7 months ago
It's all part of the game of conformity...God forbid you should want something different!
lneasy2 7 months ago in playlist Judy Collins
This is a song of dispair..."In the night the iron wheels rolling through the rain, down the hill through the long grass to the sea. In the night the heart bells ringing with pain...come away alone....with me!"
Thats the funeral procession. That inescapeable realization, that final destination, death. Some of us have faith that 2000 years ago Jesus Christ changed all of that replacing despair with hope!
yorinty 7 months ago
I've always loved this song. Haven't heard it for many years, until now... It's like a visit from an old friend. Ah, yes... I remember...
10nineRom 7 months ago
in 9th grade for religion class we had to pick a song that we felt expressed our feelings. 1969. This was the song I handed in. No lyrics on the album. I wrote it all out. Catholic School. My instructor freaked. Judy Collins has always hit a chord in me. The Moons a harsh mistress is another one. Far away child is another. Although I have every album Joni and Judy have produced over the years, I think Judy is more to the soul in her depth. Joni seems more body depth.
aukseklis 8 months ago
Amongst all the mere cut glass of that time, Judy Collins' voice was pure crystal. I don't know how she combines power and grace at the same time but that's the feeling I get.
MusicMadMaurice 8 months ago
would love to hear version from widflowers again,orchestration was superb.
Johnclewes 8 months ago
I discovered Judy Collins (but I knew her by name only) and the 1967 version of this song in the movie «The Subject Was Roses». Patricia Neal walking on a beach while this beautiful soft voice came on. Magical...
Ravel0167 8 months ago
@Ravel0167 it happened to me too.exactly the same
setsnooker 2 months ago
I always thought this was a beautiful song, with poetic lyrics. Unfortunately, can never figure out what it's about. A widow? A New England hermit? I kind of don't get "the story".
HollywoodHillsCookie 10 months ago
@HollywoodHillsCookie Hello. Here is a way to look at it -- the song is about herself. Judy is the lady dressed in lavender and leather. The people "thinking they have found you" are her fans, reporters and critics, men with romantic interest in her. She is getting all this attention, but still feeling lonely despite it all.
This, at least, is my interpretation.
betahifi 10 months ago 3
@betahifi Works for me. This is a terrific song. "Making up your memories and thinking they have found you." is a great lyric.
TedMichaelMorgan 4 weeks ago
@HollywoodHillsCookie It's about life's duties and the search or meaning. It is about loss as much as it is about discovering and keeping going in the difficulty of existence. Quite Buddhist in some ways... see Joe Jackson's "Sentimental Thing" it's a lot alike in mood & meaning.
composer369 8 months ago
@HollywoodHillsCookie I see it as Collins contrasting the reality of her life ("iron wheels") with the romance that is inside her. The subject is expressed in the flowery, romantic style of the times (Donovan, Joni Mitchell). It's a musical poem. There was an issue back in the 60s as to whether there was a market for poetry set to music. This is Collins contribution to that effort. Another example of this would be Paul Simon's "Patterns".
Ardalla555 7 months ago
@HollywoodHillsCookie Herself. Consider the isinglass (mica) jeu de mots. "Imprisoned in your bones behind the I sing glass windows of your eyes." What do you do? I sing.
FirstUsedBooks 5 months ago
Comment removed
thepaintasketch 11 months ago
its interesting to hear another interpretation of the song from the wildflowers version. the original and that whole lp had such an impact on me and still does as it evokes such a poetic romantic world not in a simplistic way, but is like experiencing something in a different reality. I would sometimes get up in the middle of the night to play it when I was 15 and get into trouble but it didnt matter at the time.
puddypuss 1 year ago
I will always think of Patricia Neal when I hear this song. Judy captures depression in brilliant lyrics! A talented actress; an amazing songwriter.
epituchano 1 year ago
I have been begging for this post. MHO, the most beautiful of all of Judy Collins many, many beautiful songs. Sung as no one else ever could. Thank you so very much.
S2
ShotX2 1 year ago
@ShotX2 You've said it all for me.
mickigoe 1 year ago
VERY BEAUTIFUL. thank you !!
MichaelDinaswirled 1 year ago
Comment removed
puddypuss 1 year ago
There are no superlatives to decribe how i feel when i hear judy sing!! Thank you so much for posting all these wonderful recordings...
poohsmate 1 year ago 2
Thank you, Betahifi, and Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell. You tube "recommended" this for me, and I'd only known it by Joni Mitchell, who wrote it. The title wasn't ringing a bell with me, but once I heard the first phrase, I remembered it well.
Cyallaire 1 year ago
@Cyallaire Hello. Well, thanks for the nice comment. But this song was written by Judy Collins. And Joni Mitchell has never recorded it. It's great that you remember it though . . . from somewhere in your past.
betahifi 1 year ago
@Cyallaire Joni could never write anything this good - Judy is different class.
mickigoe 1 year ago 5
@mickigoe I disagree. Joni Mitchell wrote some fabulous songs, including "Both Sides Now," which Judy Collins made famous. Another favorite of mine is "Tin Angel." All in all, I think Joni Mitchell's compositions are superior to Judy Collins' and the latter would most likely admit as much. However, I prefer Judy Collins' singing to that of Joni Mitchell.
meltzerboy 1 year ago
@meltzerboy I respect your opinion. In my view Mitchell excelled at writing catchy shallow commercial songs.
Collins wasn't as prolific a writer but has a depth of soul which makes her far superior. But all musical taste is subjective - so neither of us can win here. Best wishes.
mickigoe 1 year ago 2
@Cyallaire One of the most powerful songs I know. "Making up your memories and thinking that they have found you. . . ."
TedMichaelMorgan 10 months ago 2
thank u!
rshnrvrrbrt 1 year ago
Judy Judy Judy. Can't ever tell where my soul stops and her singing starts.
therarub 1 year ago 9
@therarub
SOOOO well said .
Neves376 3 weeks ago