Forever: An Anthology is a good but flawed double-disc overview of
Judy Collins' long, prolific, and productive career at Elektra/Asylum Records. Over the course of 35 tracks, nearly all of
Collins' best-known songs are showcased ("Someday Soon," "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," "Send in the Clowns," "Both Sides Now," "Hard Lovin' Loser," "Amazing Grace"). Scattered throughout the collection are four new songs -- including, inexplicably, a re-recorded version of "Chelsea Morning" -- that may not live up to the quality of her classic songs, but still are quite strong. It might have been more appealing if the songs were sequenced in chronological order, and if "Chelsea Morning" were present in its original version, but
Forever: An Anthology remains an ideal compilation for the serious
Collins fan. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine