Quick Q and A with Lucy Kaplansky
 by Kathy S-B  ·  13 March 2010

I first got to know Lucy Kaplansky by hearing her on early Shawn Colvin, Nanci Griffith, and John Gorka albums. I read the liner notes and discovered a new favorite singer and felt it was extremely cool when Shawn Colvin produced Lucy’s first CD. I’ve long been intrigued by musical friendships and relationships and think of that era as a very magical one.

Find out more about Lucy on her website. Check out this video of one of Lucy’s most requested songs, “Ten Year Night.”

Your biography states that you got your start singing in bars in Chicago. Were you singing original tunes back then or were you doing cover songs by your favorites?

I didn’t really write a real song till I was in New York in my 20’s, so back then I was singing covers and also songs written by the guy I was singing with, Elliot Simon. We called ourselves “Simon and Kaplansky,” what a wacky name!

When you arrived in New Yoirk, it seems as though you got to know all the young movers and shakers of the time. Do you recall who your first NYC musical friend was?

It might have been Cliff Eberhardt, I know I met him really early on.

Do you have any favorite tales to tell about that time in your life?

My husband, who was a fan of mine and who I hadn’t yet met, remembers watching me tending bar at Folk City, then being announced by that night’s performer, grabbing a handful of potato chips and stuffing them in my mouth, then going onstage to sing harmonies. I kind of remember that.

The short history and tour life of the trio, Cry Cry Cry (you, Dar Williams and Richard Shindell) has reached almost mythic stature. Has there ever been any talk about a reunion or some of other folk superstar “group” like this?

I don’t think there will be a Cry Cry Cry reunion, but it looks like I’m going to be making a trio album with 2 of my favorite singer songwriters, John Gorka and Eliza Gilkyson. The album should be out this summer. So I’m very excited about that!

I’m assuming that all of your recordings are like children and you hold them close to your heart . . . but do you have a favorite one?

Yes, I do have a favorite: The Red Thread. I think it’s my best.

If you were asked to make an all cover album of songs by one artist, who would that artist be?

Hard question: Maybe Steve Earle. Or Richard Thompson. It’s a toss-up.

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