Judy Henske Tribute

Here is a song performed in her terrific style by the great Judy Henske.
Judy Henske (born in 1942, in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin) is an American singer and songwriter, once known as "the Queen of the beatniks". She moved to California in the early 1960's, singing in coffee houses in San Diego and Los Angeles, and working with the likes of Lenny Bruce. Moving on to Oklahoma, she worked with ex-Kingston Trio member Dave Guard and the Whiskeyhill Singers, recording an album. After they disbanded she returned to Hollywood, gaining the attention of Jac Holzman and Elektra Records, for whom she made three solo albums. The first of these highlighted her offbeat humour in her live performances; the second featured the song "High Flying Bird", a minor hit later covered by many bands of the era including the Jefferson Airplane. During this time she worked extensively as a solo singer in New York, working among others with Woody Allen (with whom she had a relationship - the character Annie Hall, born in Chippewa Falls, was allegedly inspired by her). After a failed attempt in the mid-60's by Mercury Records to present her as an all-round entertainer, she returned in 1969 with her husband Jerry Yester, making the remarkable baroque / psychedelic folk album "Farewell Aldebaran" for Frank Zappa's Straight Records. The pair then formed a band, Rosebud, making a further album before they separated and Henske returned to domestic life with new husband, musician Craig Doerge. Henske returned to performing in the late 1990's, releasing two subsequent albums "Loose In the World" (1999) and "She Sang California" (2004). Crime writer Andrew Vachss is a fan of Henske, and has promoted her music in some of his novels.
Enjoy Judy's hot and bluesy voice!

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Music

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• Judy
• Henske

[biturbat]

Someone add a video of Judy singing High Flying Bird

[tkutsaar]

I have been a fan of Judy Henske since 1963. I was always disappointed that she never became generally famous. She has a territic voice and a great sense of humor. Her voice has not changed much over the years. I would bet in a blind test if you play a cut from her 1960's albums and compare with a cut from her 1999 "Loose in the World" CD most people would think these recordings were of similar age and not 35 years plus apart

[Drillin4Oil]

Linda Ronstadt commented that when she first arrived in Los Angeles in the mid 60s to begin her singing career, Judy Henske stated firmly to her, "Honey, in this town there are 4 sexes: men, women, homosexuals and girl singers!" Haha!

[nypoet22]

an old acquaintance first played me the high flying bird album sometime in the 90's and it absolutely blew me away. i wrote judy an e-mail about it, and she responded directly with appreciation and more than a little sass. she asked me to send her a poem. i can't remember whether or not i did, but it was a memorable exchange.

[Yehudittx]

@AdamHeilbrun Apparently Henske and Woody Allen were good friends, and hung out together in that early 60s Greenwich village scene.

[ryanpoole]

I actually found out about Judy Henske after buying one of the Judy Garland show dvd's where she was a guest performer. and now I have about 3 cd's of hers. although it's hard to find others.

[aunatrl]

Her version of "Some of These Days" ends with maybe the best last phrase ever recorded! When she cuts the time in half and just lets 'er rip -- wow.

[ianjcameron]

A chacun son goût, but I think she has a great torch voice. Her rendition of 'Until the Real Thing Comes Along' is THE definitive torch song.

[AdamHeilbrun]

Little known fact:

The character of "Annie Hall" is directly modeled after Judy Henske's mannerisms.

[RolandDeschain1]

Damn!! What a voice.

Now I know what Andrew Vachss has been talking about!

[dtlusk]

I so hope that somebody has some early, live performances. Hooka tooka would be GREAT!!!