Judy Collins at the Ford, Los AngelesWeb: judycollins.com

Players: Judy Collins, vocals, piano; Will Kjeer, piano

In 2016, this writer interviewed folk songbird Judy Collins and wrote that, “Collins performs about 129 shows each year and shows no signs of slowing down. She has a new book coming out next year, and she’s performing at SXSW this year, alongside new musical partner Ari Hest. The fact that she’ll be performing for a younger audience that may not be familiar with her work is exciting to one of folk’s all-time greats.”

Fast-forward a full decade and much of that is still true, though one key detail has changed: Collins is finally showing signs of slowing down. Of course she is—she’s 87 years old. She looks and sounds great, but age catches up with us all eventually. 

You don’t have to take our word for it; Collins’ tour this year was tagged Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour. Whether that means that she’s done with performing live altogether or just the arduous touring cycle remains to be seen. But on a gorgeous Friday in early August, The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, or The Ford for ease, provided the perfect setting to see Collins for potentially the last time.

The venue is stunning. Outdoors but just intimate enough, it’s like catching a show on the grounds of an old European castle. Meanwhile, the sound echoes beautifully off of the hillside. The Hollywood Bowl is across the street and that offers a bigger experience, but there’s something very special about a show at The Ford.

Maybe it was just the setting, or the celebratory mood around the place, but Collins seemed to float onto the stage before taking her place at the front and kicking off her set with her beloved version of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides, Now.” Her voice took a couple of minutes to warm up, but that opening number didn’t suffer. With Collins, it’s all about the feel, the emotion, and the love.

That said, by God can she sing. By the time she pours herself into Joan Baez’s “Diamonds & Rust,” she’s hitting the notes, giving us angelic vibes. Nobody can raise the hairs on the back of your neck quite like Collins when she’s in full flow, and she got there at the Ford. 

Her set weighed in at just 12 songs, though she was on stage for longer than you might think. Even after all these years, Collins appeared to enjoy herself immensely while performing, and she took her time. The grand dame of folk told jokes and got comfortable with an adoring audience, a crowd that was all-in from the start. Hanging on her every word, Collins’ congregation is quite happy to let her do this her way.

An acapella take on Bing Crosby’s “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is followed by two traditional numbers: “Barbara Allen” and “John Riley.” Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” meanwhile, is particularly timely right now.

We got Collins’ own “Spellbound,” before she sat at the piano for her beautiful “The Blizzard.” Still a lovely pianist, Will Kjeer stuck around and watched the show from the side, admiration etched on his face. It was great to see Collins enjoying the ivories.

Collins told us about a crush she used to have on the late, great Leonard Cohen before singing his “Suzanne.” Next came a change of direction, with Collins reciting some poetry from her recent Sometimes It’s Heaven book. 

The show ended with Collins’ impeccable version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns,” and then a rousing “Amazing Grace” that saw show opener Bruce Cockburn join her on stage. 

The whole night was spine-tingling. Collins radiated warmth throughout, the songs were performed lovingly, and everyone left happy. 

Photo taken at Tanglewood by Hilary Scott, 

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