Sweet Judy Blue Eyes

One of my most prized possessions is an autographed copy of Judy Collins' book "Singing Lessons."

I had the opportunity to meet the folk icon at a book signing in Ridgewood after the 1998 release of the autobiography, which she wrote to explain how she dealt with her grief after the suicide of her son.

What impressed me most about her presentation is just how naturally singing comes to her. As she related stories of how her musical family always sang together, she segued from talking to singing "Danny Boy" in that voice that has been compared to "liquid silver" without missing a beat.

A few years later I got to see Judy in a Christmas concert at Ramapo University's Berrie Center (no relation, sadly). A highlight of the concert was her performance of "Kingdom Come," her tribute to the firefighters lost on 9/11. She was accompanied by the Ramapo student chorus, and the arrangement had a surreal, almost nightmarish quality. You could almost feel the horror of being trapped in the burning World Trade Center.

Judy is performing next Friday, Feb. 19, at Princeton's McCarter Theatre Center, and "Backbeat" columnist Lisa Rich's preview is the cover story in this week's Good Times section. Unfortunately the concert is sold out, but you can still get tickets through the Coalition for Peace Action, and for $100 you can not only see the concert but meet this lovely lady at a reception afterwards. See Lisa's story for information on how to order tickets.

Mike Mancuso's cover design features a black and white photo of Judy, with those stunning blue eyes that inspired onetime boyfriend Stephen Stills to write "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" in color. Unfortunately, some might say it makes her look possessed, or like a resident of the "Village of the Damned!"

Several other columns in Good Times this week follow a romantic theme in connection with Valentine's Day. "Fine Arts" columnist Janet Purcell writes about an exhibition of wedding photography mingled with romantic bridal suite decor at the Tomato Factory in Hopewell. Classical music columnist Anita Donovan previews the Riverside Symphonia's concert, "From Heart to Heart," Saturday night in Lambertville, and the VOICES Chorale concert, "In the Key of Love: A Valentine's Day Cabaret," Sunday at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts in Princeton.

Theater writer Ted Otten interviews members of the cast of Bristol Riverside Theatre's production of the screwball comedy, "The Foreigner," and dining critic Susan Yeske reviews the No. 9 Restaurant in Lambertville.

Newhouse newspapers film critic Stephen Whitty gives a thumbs-up to "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief," a so-so review to the remake of "The Wolfman," and despite its timely title, a "bah humbug" to "Valentine's Day."

Hope your own Valentine's Day earns more than the one and a half stars that Steve gave the movie!