The Lost Genius of Judee Sill (2014 BBC Radio Documentary)

"I coulda sworn I heard my spirit soarin'
Guess I'm always chasin' the sun
Hopin' we will soon be one
Until it turns around to me, then I try to run"
Ruth Barnes delves into the extraordinary story of the musician Judee Sill.
The first act signed to David Geffen's Asylum Records in the early 1970s, Judee Sill produced two astonishingly beautiful albums in her lifetime.
Seemingly emerging from the Laurel Canyon scene, her music wove a diverse tapestry of influences - from gospel piano to Bach, rhythm and blues to country, forty-part vocal harmonies blending into piano ballads...
So why did Judee Sill disappear from view? Ruth Barnes traces Judee's peculiar life story - hearing tales of armed robberies, reform school and addiction, alongside musical invention and heartstopping songs.
With contributions from family, friends, lovers and devotees of her music including JD Souther, XTC's Andy Partridge, Jim Pons, Tommy Peltier and 'Whispering' Bob Harris.
Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4

[@hahni7501]

As a teenager in the 70s I thought Judee Sill belonged to me alone. I never heard a whisper of her in any publications, and of course never on the radio. Years--decades--went by, and I never forgot her but I just imagined she was living in obscurity somewhere. She always had an edge to her that I couldn't put a finger on, and it didn't help that I knew absolutely nothing about her outside of her songs. That changed with the internet, and finally in the mid-2000s I found out the whole tragedy of her life as a counterpoint to the beauty of her music. I was stunned--it was like a knife through the heart, that this woman whose music I'd never forgotten had been dead for all of my adult life. I'm so pleased that her music has lived on and more people are discovering her. Bless you, Judee Sill. I wish somebody could have saved you.

[@justsaying8761]

About Judee: She didn't run away when she was 15. I met her in high school and she was my BFF..and was so smart and had a photographic memory. That school only accepted rejects from public school. I don't remember meeting Donna, her niece, but I did meet her father, Judee's brother, he was a herpetologist and died very young as well. I did know some of those interviewed in this video a long long time ago. She was so far ahead of her time we still haven't caught up.. Happy Birthday, Judee !

[@King_of_carrot_flowers]

Joanna Newsom recently cited Judee as 'a criminally underappreciated songwriter', and that's where I learned about her. Joanna was right.

[@RainbowWarrior903]

I knew Judy in the 70's. A friend of Lynn Blessings and I knew at the time she was an angle on earth. We were so sad when she died. God bless your sharing of this amazing women

[@lastrada52]

"The Kiss," and "Jesus Was a Crossmaker," -- astonishing songs by this singer-songwriter and how they were sung by Judee. Even her live versions with Judee at the piano were incredible. Her lyrical vocal pronunciation -- original. Absolutely marvelous. Many of her songs are wonderful but I keep coming back to those two. The female Nick Drake in some ways. Many never heard of her and when they do they wonder why she didn't have a wider following. Had she lived, I feel she would have become a major artist. Up there with Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell and Dory Previn. I find her work stunning -- still do, after all these years.

[@parsifal470]

I found a copy of Heartfood with the DJ sticker on it at a college radio station that was getting rid of a bunch of stuff it didn't play. I picked it up because it was on Asylum and Joni Mitchell and Jackson Browne were on that label. I wore this record out! For years, I picked up used copies at garage sales (her first album, too) and played them for innumerable friends WHO DIDN'T GET HER! I finally felt vindicated when her unreleased stuff was finally issued and Rhino reissued her two albums with extra tracks. When I lived in San Francisco, I actually tried to find her, so that I could tell her what an effect she had had on my life and music (I have never done this with/for anyone else, BTW). Years later, I learned that she had died around the time I was looking for her. Musically, my greatest regrets are that I never got to see her or Duke Ellington perform.

[@caryberkelhamer828]

Saw her in Chicago. Backing up Cat Stevens at the Auditorium Theater in January 1972. He was good. She was great.

[@marilynsamaniego4652]

why the heck have i not heard of her!!! i grew up in the 70's and had the radio on ALL DAY... i do not remember her. she is a wonderful song writer! def a genius. seems a voice and talent from God.

[@leroylang2453]

Pretty similar to Nick Drake's story in that she sold tiny amounts while she was alive but was rediscovered long after her death. Fortunately great music finds a way.

[@richardtofts8546]

she's was a darned good guitarist too..

[@stephenbell-booth2648]

Someone gave me Judee’s album in the ‘70’s. Never the same again. Pure genius.

[@paddymeboy777]

If Jesus was a crossmaker then Judee was a songmaker..RIP.

[@JamesScottGuitar]

"It's just too beautiful, it's perfect." -The Kiss

[@womaninthewave]

Legendary woman and musician whose work is truly timeless. She will touch more and more souls as the years go on

[@Robhalifax]

Andy Partridge is absolutely right about The Kiss. It had that same effect on me. I particularly like the OGWT live version.

[@jappychap]

I remember hearing her when I lived on the Isle of Wight. I haunted the girl in the local record shop until she got the LP's in. Although an atheist, I loved her music - so beautiful and spiritual, nearly converted me. But what a tragic story surrounding her. Died far too young.

[@louiseliu7972]

I have just discovered her through the Song for Judee by Laura Veirs in her new album with kd lang and Neko Case. The songs are so beautiful that I find myself in tears, especially when listening to The Kiss. The drug culture in the 70s has led to the death of a good number of musicians and singers. RIP Judee

[@superfuzzymomma]

Criminally unrecognized

[@allanbryans1004]

I have both original vinyl albums, my treasures. The vocal, the guitar the piano................. on ly Judee Sill could makr that sound. Just wonderful!

[@mrjburton]

I stumbled upon her in 2014 while searching for sandy denny stuff. what a find!