True Stories and Other Dreams

In between her phases as folk heroine and pop chanteuse, Judy Collins recorded a series of albums built around well-chosen art songs by herself and other writers. 1973’s True Stories and Other Dreams comes late in this period and reflects the disillusionments that many ‘60s-era artists and activists felt during the Nixon Years. The tunes here touch upon both intimate family topics and broad political themes. Among the former are such Collins originals as “Secret Gardens,” ”Holly Ann” and “Song for Martin,” finely etched numbers dealing with homespun happiness and lingering sorrow. At the other end of the spectrum are the dramatic ballad “Che” (depicting the Cuban revolutionary’s death and its aftermath) and a spirited cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Hostage.” Sonically, the album is a tasteful blending of acoustic guitars, strings, woodwinds and Collins’ own stately piano. Her iconic voice — crystal-pure with a tinge of melancholy — catches the right quality of longing. Though not one of her biggest sellers, True Stories ranks among Collins’ most heartfelt and thought-provoking works.