Bob Harris Country - 25/06/2009

Bob is joined by American folk singer and political activist Judy Collins. Since Judy Collins first emerged out of the Greenwich folk scene of the early 60s, she has become one of the most influential figures in folk music on both sides of the Atlantic. As a recording artist she championed songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Randy Newman long before they gained widespread musical acclaim. She had commercial success with her version of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, which earned her a Grammy award and a top ten hit in the US. She also recorded Sandy Denny's Who Knows Where The Time Goes, bringing Sandy's music to an American audience. Despite having her roots firmly in folk music Judy Collins has explored a range of musical styles over the years, and has had hits with Steven Sondheim's ballad Send In The Clowns and the hymn Amazing Grace, which she performed live at President Clinton's inauguration in 1993. Her years of political activism, particularly her close involvement with the charity UNICEF, were recognised by the Americana Music Association in 2005 when she was presented with their Spirit of Americana Free Speech award. She was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award earlier this year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Her musical legacy was recognised by other musicians last year with the release of the album Born To The Breed - A Tribute To Judy Collins, which included recordings by Dolly Parton, Jimmy Webb, Joan Baez, Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen. On tonight's show Judy talks to Bob and performs songs from her 50 year career.