Southampton - Folk icon Judy Collins will perform at The Stephen Talkhouse on August 7, including tracks from her new CD "Paradise."

Singer, songwriter, author and activist Judy Collins. (mouthpublicrelations.com)

The collection of songs selected for Collins' latest project reinforces her lifelong commitment to quality songwriting and worldwide reputation as one of the finest interpretative singers in any genre. "Paradise" is a collection of songs with universal themes, desires, and cries of a human being searching for paradise here on earth. There are 10 heartfelt songs with tales to tell about finding love, losing love, personal freedom and redemption. Collins teams up with the legendary Joan Baez and Stephen Stills on two tracks.

Collins spoke via telephone this week on a number of issues regarding the new book "Over the Rainbow," which she performs the song of the same name, her new CD, "Paradise," and her career:

Are you looking forward to performing in The Hamptons again?

Judy Collins: I have performed in The Hamptons many times over 50 years. I just love it out there and really love working at The [Stephen] Talkhouse.

Speaking of Stephens - how was it to work with Stephen Stills?

JC: Stephen wrote 'Sweet Judy Blue Eyes' for me and during the time we were together he was playing guitar and wasn't singing, and I was singing, but we had never sung anything together before, although it's something I have wanted to do for a long time. It was fun to do and seemed like the right time to do it.

Any comment on today's contemporary vocalists?

JC: I try to keep up, especially since I have my own record label as to what's around and who is doing what. I love Josh Groban, and I happen to be a great fan of Lady Gaga. She was on 'The Today Show' the other day and among her rather bizarre performance she sang quite a beautiful, old American songbook song, which she sang beautifully. I was quite impressed I must say - she is an impressive artist, and I think anybody who takes the talent they have and revs it up to as high as it can go is to be admired. I don't listen to certain kinds of music, but once in a while I'll find something that is kind of wonderful.

New CD "Paradise" from Judy Collins.

"Paradise" provides a modern take on the times, with brand new renditions of archetypal songs made fresh with Collins' striking arrangements and intimate, breathtaking vocals. The material here is drawn from great sources such as Jimmy Webb, Tom Paxton, Tim Buckley, and Stan Jones, to name a few.

Collins, a world-renowned singer and songwriter, has had albums certified platinum numerous times, and her version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Her rendition of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns" won Grammy's Song of the Year in 1975. She is the author of several books, including "The Artist's Way," the inspirational memoir "Sanity & Grace," and the novel "Shameless." She is also co-director, with Jill Godmillow, of an Academy Award-nominated film about Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct major symphonies around the world - who happened to be her classical piano teacher when she was young.

You were named after Judy Garland?

JC: That's correct - in 1939. My father was in the radio business and sang all the great songs of the great American songbook. He was a wonderful singer and I was exposed to all of that. When Peter Yarrow invited me to sing 'Over the Rainbow' on his new children's book I was thrilled. I got to record one or two other songs, such as 'Diamonds in the Rust' and others, so it was just a great opportunity for everyone.

As a writer yourself, and a businesswoman, performer and activist, how do you keep it all together - you must be exhausted!

JC: Well, sometimes I am but I like to keep it together - I take a nap when I have to, I eat well, I travel with my own food. I take my vitamins - I'm not perfect but I try to pay attention, besides it's such a great treat to me to be an artist and get paid for it while doing something I love and making a living at it.

Regarding Judy Garland, and the number of artists who have covered "Over the Rainbow" is there any version that you have found particularly moving?

JC: My intention on this was to sing it like Judy Garland, so I didn't listen to other people. I believe this song in particular is such a part of our culture and I think the number one thing is to be true to the song, and the contribution and collaborative effort that went on here turned out beautifully.

In 2000, Collins founded her own record label, Wildflower Records.

With your own record label, are you actively involved with the artists who are signed and emerging artists?

JC: Oh yes - I have to be for approval and other reasons. I've done some work with Amy Speace - she's a terrific songwriter and she is on my new album. I think she is a great writer, and it's not just because she's on my label. Kenny White is a fine, fine songwriter, and we have about 10 artists now on the label, and just added a brand new artist from the U.K., among others, and they are all incredibly talented with a broad range of tastes.

As a businesswoman, how do you find the industry to be today versus when you were doing the majority of performing and recording?

JC: I think you have to determine that you are going to win, no matter what the odds are, and keep track of what you do. I think life is complicated enough and now with the internet it can be even more complicated, but there is also this incredible opportunity that did not exist before. Try to keep control, that is why I started this label. Most people coming into this business as an artist - any artist - visual, vocal, performance - whatever, must be involved in the marketing of who they are - they have to direct the traffic so to speak, and that is not something that should be thought of as distasteful at all. As a mattter of fact, it is part of growing as an artist. I haven't done as well perhaps as other artists but I try to think things through, work hard every day and act on it.

With regard to "Paradise," what was your incentive and motivation to do this particular CD, with these songs at this time?

JC: I needed to do another album, and needed to do an album that would cross over with something else, so when recording 'Over the Rainbow' I said let's lay down some other tracks because chances are there will be something there. It actually came together rather quickly, so I sent it to Nashville and Jimmy Webb put on these wonderful orchestrations, the duet with Joan Baez and by the time we were done I had an abum together. I had this signed Annie Leibovitz photograph which she had sent to me a few years ago, and I happen to run across it going through some files, and I thought, Wow, that will make a great cover - so thanks to Annie as well.

The duet of Collins and Baez singing "Diamonds and Rust," Baez's 1975 hit single, is stunning as you listen to their angelic harmonies revealing sincere feelings on the complexity of love in haunting words and melody. And, with the often-recorded Tom Paxton song "Last Thing on My Mind," Judy Collins pairs up with Stephen Stills to create a fresh and sweetly melodic track, beautifully weaving their complementary voices together with soft and jangly guitars of a song reminiscing a couple's breakup. The poignant duet from these two former lovers, singing "I could've loved you better…didn't mean to be unkind, don't you know that was the last thing on my mind" make for a wonderfully lilting and bittersweet tune.

Renowned for her activism and performing socially relevant material Collins' "Paradise" includes the recording "The Weight of the World," by emerging artist Amy Speace, an anti-war song with powerful and personal lyrics. Singing about a brother unthinkably heading off to fight, Collins' voice is a plaintive, universal cry of the unspeakable senselessness of losing a loved one to war. "Paradise" concludes with a song of hope and wonderment as you listen to Collins' enchanting recording of the #1 movie song of all-time "Over the Rainbow." Her recording of this song is also included on a CD insert to her new children's picture book project, also titled "Over the Rainbow."

Given your hectic schedule writing, performing, recording, and running a record label, are you still able to devote as much time as you'd like to the causes you have been associated with over the years?

JC: I am still very much involved in the organizations and community events I have always been concerned about, and will continue to stay involved.

Of all the songs you have recorded over the years, do you have a particular favorite?

JC: Right how I'd have to say 'Over the Rainbow.' Recording for 50 years you do have some favorites but I do love this song - always have.

At 70 years old, with a career spanning 50 years, recording more than 40 albums, including gold and platinum-selling albums, numerous Top 10 hits, plus Grammy nominations, 'Sweet Judy Blue Eyes' continues to claim her legendary status as an artist to reckon with.