Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

My Life in Music

By: Judy Collins

Narrated by: Judy Collins

A vivid, highly evocative memoir of one of the reigning icons of folk music, highlighting the decade of the ’60s, when hits like “Both Sides Now” catapulted her to international fame.

Sweet Judy Blue Eyes is the deeply personal, honest, and revealing memoir of folk legend and relentlessly creative spirit Judy Collins. In it, she talks about her alcoholism, her lasting love affair with Stephen Stills, her friendships with Joan Baez, Richard and Mimi Fariña, David Crosby, and Leonard Cohen and, above all, the music that helped define a decade and a generation’s sound track.

Sweet Judy Blue Eyes invites the reader into the parties that peppered Laurel Canyon and into the recording studio so we see how cuts evolved take after take, while it sets an array of amazing musical talent against the backdrop of one of the most turbulent decades of twentieth-century America.

Beautifully written, richly textured, and sharply insightful, Sweet Judy Blue Eyes is an unforgettable chronicle of the folk renaissance in America.

Critic reviews

“…a fascinating and even harrowing musical and personal reflection.” --Kirkus

“Collin’s improbable and utterly charming tale of assuming iconic status as a popular music star from the early 1960’s onward also proves a tremendously valuable chronicle of the early folk music scene…[A] forthright, radiant work.” –Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review)

She even sings!

A delightfully self revealing story of the life of one of my favorite singers. I got to know her in the late 60s and had not really realized how many of the "folks songs" I learned at camp in the early 60s were because my counselors were teens and listening to the new folk revival albums, including hers. She read this herself and sings from time to time which just delighted the heck out of me. The last few "chapters" are actually her singing 5 songs for us, including one of my favorites. Brava, Ms Collins!

Sweet Judy Blue Eyes!!! Honest and well written!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sweet Judy Blue Eyes to be better than the print version?

Never read it, but loved hearing Judy Collins tell her own story!!

What did you like best about this story?

Her honesty..... 3 generations of my family love her music!! I loved hearing about her life and her survival through everything!

Suite Judy a Little Too Sweet

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Ummnnnn... I might. It had it's moments.

Did Sweet Judy Blue Eyes inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I'm guessing that Judy Collins has stories about her life and friends that weren't so sweet. That most of her peers from her early beginnings are still alive might have inhibited some of the juicier, more real stories from hitting the page. But overall, a good listen, if only to see if there was going to be any truly meaty 411.
That said, the times she sings a cappella, are worth the price of the book. She is still in extraordinary voice.

Wonderful Journey

This audiobook is an amazing accomplishment. For one thing, Judy Collins reveals all her innermost hopes and dreams and where they took her in life. Secondly, she reads it herself and that gives the book a lot of meaning. It's an epic story. She made all these choices in life and it is mind boggling how it all turned out. She is famous and has accomplished so much. Now listen to what happened behind the scenes. I felt like I was there, from growing up in Seattle and Boulder, to getting married and moving on, it really brings you back into that place and time. Well worth listening to. I loved it! Songs at the end are wonderful too.

This was a WONDERFUL memoir!

I so enjoyed listening to this book. Judy is so authentic and revealing. You feel like a very close friend. Her life has been interesting and heartbreaking and wondrous all at the same time. She sings throughout the audio book which is a huge bonus! I actually went to high school with Judy, so it was especially interesting to me. But if you lived through the days of the birth of
folksinging, you will love it also.