Episode #028: A Conversation with Judy Collins
Listen Now (Duration 30 min.)
We spoke with legendary award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins about her good friend Richard Fariña. We also explored the importance of Judy Collins’ Fifth Album in introducing the dulcimer in the mid-1960s. With additional commentary by Neal Hellman and readings from Richard Fariña’s cousin Omar Lugones.
Guests:
Judy Collins
Omar Lugones (Fariña’s Cuban cousin)
Neal Hellman (dulcimer player)
Music:
• Pleasant Hill from the CD Emma’s Waltz Neal Hellman, dulcimer; William Coulter, guitar; Barry Phillips, cello; Shelley Phillips, English horn; Robin Petrie, hammer dulcimer; Susan French, violin
• Durango from the CD Oktober County Neal Hellman, dulcimer; Kim Robertson, celtic harp; Bruce Abrams, guitar; Joe Weed, mandocello
Website Resource Links:
Judy Collins' website
Judy Collins Fifth Album
Judy Collins’ Facebook post with photos about Richard and Mimi Fariña
Ed Freeman's 1965 WMBR radio interview with Richard and Mimi Fariña in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (no longer available on their site.)
Other Hearts of the Dulcimer podcast episodes about Richard Fariña:
Episode #004: Richard Fariña Tribute Part 1
Episode #005: Richard Fariña Tribute Part 2
Episode #022: Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 1: A Conversation with Rick Turner
Episode #023: Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 2: A Conversation with Ed Freeman
Photos and Videos
Omar Lugones and Judy Collins on Extra (June, 2016) Photo credit J. R. Thompson.
Omar’s post about Judy on Extra:
"Earlier this week, thanks to my friend,Adam Weissler, and my friends and colleagues at Extra, I had the opportunity to meet and interview music icon Judy Collins. Judy is very special to my family. My late cousin, Richard Fariña, was one of her dearest friends and I grew up hearing stories about how close they were. Richard was a folk singer and bestselling author who died in a motorcycle accident before I was born, but his father and I were very close. I remember my Uncle, Richard Sr., telling me how Judy sang “Amazing Grace” over his son’s grave at his funeral, and how her music helped him heal in the years after his son’s death. My Uncle meant the world to me and this rare opportunity to talk to Judy about him and about his son is a memory I will always cherish. This Saturday, my wife and I will be heading up to Monterey to watch Judy live in concert with the brilliant Ari Hest. I humbly asked if they would perform one of the songs Richard and his beautiful wife, Mimi, recorded in the early 1960s and they kindly agreed. Today, Judy shared some memories of Richard and Mimi on her Facebook page and announced they will indeed perform “Pack Up Your Sorrows” on Saturday. I know my Uncle, his son, Richard, and beautiful Mimi will all be there in spirit as we celebrate their music."
Omar Lugones giving his 2011 presentation, Remembering Richard Fariña, at the Carmel Valley Library in Carmel, California.
Omar Lugones and Patricia after his Carmel Valley Library presentation.
Richard Fariña's grave site in Monterey, CA. Dulcimer and Photo by Wayne Jiang.
Pack Up Your Sorrows from Judy Collins Fifth Album
Carry it On from Judy Collins Fifth Album
Hard Lovin' Loser from In My Life