The Infinite Dark – Jane Yolen & 3 Ravens (2018)

“…my line drawn ‘tween me and the infinite dark…”- Feral (Yolen/Collins)

THE INFINITE DARK travels the lands of fairy tale with one of the genre’s masters, Jane Yolen. Called “America’s Hans Christian Andersen,” Yolen holds two Nebula Awards and was named the 2017 Grand Master of Science Fiction and Fantasy by the Science Fiction Writers of America.

The 3 Ravens band (Philo/Green Linnet artist Lui Collins, guitarist Max Cohen & fiddler Donna Hébert) brings Jane’s otherworldly poetry - from Selchie songs to Grimms’ Fairy Tales - to life in a collection of readings, songs, and instrumentals. 

Lui has been setting Jane’s poems to music since the moment she first read Jane’s “Ballad of the White Seal Maid” in 1984 (previously recorded on There’s a Light).  This album contains a new version of that song and “Mermaid’s Lullaby” (Moondancer) plus 3 new songs she created from Jane’s poems specifically for this project.  In addition to two other Yolen poems that Donna and Max set respectively, The Infinite Dark includes two of Max’s originals plus a number of Scots and Irish tunes and a traditional Irish air sung in Gaelic by Donna’s daughter Molly.

“Just gorgeous!” – Wanda Adams Fischer, WAMC – NPR, Albany, NY

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Closer (2006)

Richard Cuccaro, in Acoustic Live of NYC, describes Closer as "a shimmering set of jewels, celebrating every aspect of her crossing to the hopeful place she has found for herself." He calls the final poem, Hanging Up the Snowshoes, "staggeringly beautiful," – and the entire album "a keeper."

Lui was joined by Rani Arbo and Anand Nayak of Daisy Mayhem on this recording.

Produced by Anand Nayak

*Sample Audio Clip

**Spoken Poem
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Leaving Fort Knox (2000)

"Quite simply, this is the best Lui Collins recording, ever."

"Her gorgeously poetic lyrics are wrapped around a solid bed of traditional- and old-timey-influenced music, which is at once simple and perfect for conveying the mood and subtleties of her words."—Dirty Linen, October-November 2000

Read Michael Devlin's review of Leaving Fort Knox in Music Matters Review.

Things to Do*
Loose the Ties
Saudade (sau-DAH-gee)*
Rarest Rose
Leaving Fort Knox*
Spark/Wings
The Dark Silkie
Green Light
Song of the Waters
Mystery Play
Won't Miss You Darlin'
Swimming to the Other Side*

Produced by Dana Robinson

*Sample Audio Clip

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Stone by Stone (1997)

"one of folk's most magnificent albums to date"
—Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen

"The... album weaves together all the best aspects of Collins' previous work, gathering both an excellent group of backing musicians and an outstanding set of new songs, that explore love, friendship, spirituality, and earthly concerns such as her deepening of ties with Native Americans and her work with prisoners."
—Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen

Produced by Doug Kupper

*Sample Audio Clip

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North of Mars (1995)

A bunch of kids' songs!

Winner of the 1995 Parents' Choice Honor. "Parents' Choice Foundation's panels of educators, scientists, performing artists, librarians, parents and, yes, kids themselves, identify the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels."

"beautifully rendered"—NPR's All Things Considered

Peace on Earth*
Storyteller
Bearline
Red Creek Rising
Ms. A. Hulas*
Joyful Noise
Sedna
Two Stones, One River / Reflection
Waltzing With Bears*
Maggie's Reel / Raven Song
Two Pterodactyls
Poppa Bear's Hum

Produced by Russ Landau & Lui Collins

*Sample Audio Clip

Out of print
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Moondancer (1993)

- The Journey of the Child Within

"Nothing short of brilliant."—Sing Out
"An extraordinary accomplishment"—Dirty Linen

"...one of Collins' most intense works, [it] is not without its lighter moments; "Mermaid's Lullabye", (...co-written with [Jane]Yolen), and the jubilant title track offset the album's darker moments."
--Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen

Produced by Darleen Wilson.

*Sample Audio Clip

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There's a Light (1985)

Awarded the OMAR - One of the Best Folk Albums of 1985
by WOMR, Provincetown, MA

"Produced by ex-Silly Wizard member [the late] Johnny Cunningham... Collins' originals, with additional material co-written with fantasy/children's book author Jane Yolen ("Ballad of the White Seal Maid"), and a stunning version of Bob Franke's definitive "For Real"."
--Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen

Dance Me 'Round*
All You Can Do
The Ballad of the White Seal Maid*
Leaf in Winter
There's a Light
For Real*
Midwinter Night
The Enfolding
Ecstasy
Lullabye

Produced by John Cunningham & Lui Collins

*Sample Audio Clip

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Baptism of Fire (1981)

"...musical good taste, and a projection of warmth and authenticity... captured fresh and undiluted... [Lui's] music is an unqualified and unreserved affirmation of life, and a powerful antidote to the rampant cultural alienation that seems to be afoot in our times."
-- Dave Beauvais, Gemini Full Moon

Produced by Horace Williams Jr.

*Sample Audio Clip

Out of print
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Made in New England (1978)

"Collins' first album on Philo contained some of her most cherished material for years to come including compositions by Mike Heron, Robin Williamson and others as well as several outstanding originals."
-- Lahri Bond, Dirty Linen

The Mushy One*
Wake Up Time
Distance
Love is Losin' Hold*
The Silkie
Jealous Lover
The Endless Mile*
You Are the Songbird
I'll Know the Time
Everything's Fine Right Now
Almost (Eiderdown Quilt)
Born and Bred
Vermont is Afire in the Autumn

Produced by Lui Collins, Bill Lauf Jr., Horace Williams & Guy Wolff

*Sample Audio Clip

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With Dana Robinson

Paired Down (1998)

Lui Collins - vocals and guitar
Dana Robinson - vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and banjo

Produced by Dana Robinson and Lui Collins

Produced by Dana Robinson and Lui Collins

Moon of Ripe Berries:
The Ashfield Poems (2001)

"It is the moon of ripe berries
plump orbs
bursting with summer rains
and sweet with sunshine
drop heavy into my eager fingers..."

—excerpt from Moon of Ripe Berries

Blessed Choral Arrangement

For mezzo-soprano soloist and SATB (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) w/ piano accompaniment

"Halleluiah, halleluiah, oh blessed are we this day."

Lui has created a four-part choral arrangement for this much-requested song, which is now available by download in two pdf's.