Portrait of an American Girl cover

Portrait of an American Girl

Judy Collins · 2005

53 min · 13 tracks · folk

A tapestry of folk-infused storytelling infused with Judy Collins' hauntingly beautiful vocals.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • haunting vocals for reflective moments
  • storytelling that evokes nostalgia
  • for cozy evenings
  • gentle waves of melodic beauty

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking quick, energetic songs
  • prefer standalone tracks over albums

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Reflects Collins' continued relevance and ability to reinterpret classic songs.
Themes
American girlhood· folk music legacy· personal growth journey
Career context
By the time 'Portrait of an American Girl' was released in 2005, Judy Collins had established herself as a prominent figure in folk music since her debut in the early 1960s. This album came after a series of critically acclaimed works and showcases her enduring vocal prowess and artistry, adding to her extensive catalog.
Stylistic neighbors
Joan Baez· Linda Ronstadt· Carole King
If this clicks, go next to
Judy Collins Sings Lennon and McCartney — Continues the folk-infused storytelling with fresh interpretations of classic songs.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Diamonds & Rust by Joan Baez — Shares a similar folk storytelling style and emotional depth in lyrical content.
Pink Moon by Nick Drake — Both feature haunting vocals and introspective lyrics, creating an intimate listening experience.
Come On Come On by Mary Chapin Carpenter — Explores themes of love and loss with rich melodies, akin to Collins' narrative style.

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Singing Lessons".

  • 1 Singing Lessons Start here 4:05
  • 2 That Song About the Midway 4:09
  • 3 I Can't Cry Hard Enough 3:18
  • 4 You Can't Buy Love 3:13
  • 5 Pacing the Cage 4:02
  • 6 Sally Go 'round the Roses 3:27
  • 7 Voyager 3:01
  • 8 Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me) 4:03
  • 9 Wedding Song (Song for Louis) 3:51
  • 10 Checkmate 6:07
  • 11 Liberte 3:08
  • 12 Lincoln Portrait 7:13
  • 13 How Can I Keep From Singing 3:53

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata