Mother Folker

Dubbed the Queen of the Beatniks, Judy Henske ruled the roost on High Flying Bird.

- JIM CAMPILONGO

JUDY HENSKE HAD a diverse recording career, and the folk-blues High Flying Bird appears to be something of an anomaly within her catalog. I have two other records of hers that are nothing like it: A Little Bit of Sunshine is a big-band vocal record, while Farewell Aldebaran is a psychedelic record that enjoys a cult following. Me? I didn't get it. That said, High Flying Bird is an outstanding album I've enjoyed for 30 years.

Released on Elektra in 1963, High Flying Bird overflows with great performances by Judy and her group, which includes guitarist Jack Marshall, the man who wrote The Munsters theme song. This being a folk record, Marshall plays acoustic throughout, and while he won't make you throw away your Eddie Van Halen records, to my ears he's simply fantastic on this record, with every lick and phrase perfectly placed. And while the entire group supports Henske like a gospel choir backing up a preacher, there's a not-toosubtle interplay between Jack's guitar and Judy's vocals. I like to imagine his playing aims to seduce her.