AMG Review of Death Defying Judy Henske: The First Concert Album

Richie Unterberger
All Music Guide

Jack Nitzsche, famed for his work with Phil Spector in the 1960s, arranged and conducted this live record (although some of the tracks sound like they may have been done in the studio). Henske's solo albums all suffered to some degree from too much versatility and too little direction. This is no exception: there's an attempt at White soul ("I've Been Loving You Too Long"), pop/rock numbers with light orchestration, a self-mocking gospel spiritual ("Saved"), a version of "Danny Boy," and semi-standup comedy routines. Henske's got a great down and dirty voice, even on L.A. pop tunes like "Nobody Knows" and the ballad "Sing a Rainbow" (both of which are among the best tracks here). But she really wouldn't find the optimum material for her considerable talents until she teamed up with then-husband Jerry Yester for their minor psychedelic pop masterpiece, Farewell Aldebaran.