Fans of sweet-voiced Judy Collins know that Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, the Crosby, Stills and Nash gem, is a tribute to the 1960s singer with the azure eyes. Collins, above, began singing folk music, uniquely interpreting tunes written by the talented folks she knew. Most famously, Collins scored a huge hit with a beautiful reading of Both Sides Now, and to this day, many don't know that Joni Mitchell wrote the song.
Collins moved on to theater music - or haven't you heard her version of Stephen Sondheim's Broadway ballad Send in the Clowns? Collins later settled into her own music, and compositions such as My Father and Born to the Breed showed she had the knack for songwriting. However, 1993's Judy Sings Dylan: Just Like a Woman proved that Collins still loves to tackle the art of interpretation and that she hasn't lost her touch.
Judy Collins performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive. $39. (727) 587-6793.
The wonderfully kooky Tom Rush
Tom Rush got his start, like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, playing the Cambridge folk music circuit back in the 1960s. His repertoire, composed of his own smart songs and beautiful interpretations of others, is rich in folk and blues influence.
Fans know that Rush, 62, has always been a champion of new talent, and, for a while there, he was one of the few artists singing songs by an unknown Joni Mitchell. (Oh, sure, sure, now everyone loves Joni!)
Rush doesn't get nearly the attention he deserves for his stellar acoustic guitar playing and wry sense of humor. Good thing he recently released Trolling for Owls, a CD of comedy songs and stories available from his Web site, with favorites such as Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian. It truly demonstrates Rush's kooky attitude, something that comes across in a live setting.
Tom Rush performs at 8 p.m. Friday at the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine St. $16 general, $14 student or center member. (727) 942-5605.
