Voices/Shameless

Two lesser-known albums by folk-pop chanteuse Judy Collins are paired up on this special reissue. Released in 2005, Voices finds Collins revisiting some of her best and best-known compositions, performed solo with Collins accompanying herself on the piano. The performances on Voices find Collins in fine voice, and the spare, languid feel suits the tone of songs like "My Father," "Since You've Asked," and "Houses," and if these don't surpass the original recordings, they certainly confirm her continued strength as a performer. And 1995's Shameless is a unique project; that year, Collins had published a novel set against the backdrop of the music business (also titled Shameless), and this album features songs written for the characters in the book, in effect creating a soundtrack for the story. These songs are drawn from a more eclectic palette, ranging from moody ballads dotted with strings ("Risk") to contemporary pop songs with electronic flourishes ("Wheel Rolling") to new age-influenced meditations on life and nature ("Wind, Water, Fire and Stone"). While overlooked by many of her fans, Shameless is a brave experiment if nothing else, and demonstrates Collins' willingness to follow new paths with her music. ~ Mark Deming