Someone asked Judy Small why so many of her songs are about women.
"Ask Eric Bogle why he sings so many songs about men. Women make up half the population of the world - why should it be remarkable for songs to be written and performed about them?"She has many controversial political views. She's not in her youth. But the Australian folk singer coming to Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 7, has a powerful, beautiful voice - and a brand new album called "Second Wind."
Judy Small is described as "a voice that haunts and cheers," "the finest folk singer in the country (of Australia)," a warm-hearted, wisecracking favorite sister.
After graduating in psychology, Small earned a law degree, while singing fulltime. She spent time working in rape crisis centers and in drug and alcohol counseling. While singing backup vocals in folk clubs around Sydney, Small realized there were few songs being sung from a female perspective. She started to write her own.
Now, six albums later, she tours internationally while owning and co-managing an Australian record company.
She calls her musical mission "food for the soul." She sings no mindless ditties, although she loves to sprinkle humor in and around her songs. Her music speaks about the rights of oppressed people, environmental issues, violence, peace and love.
"Folk enthusiast or not," says Mike Davies (of "What's On," a British publication), "go and see Judy Small and have your ears blessed or never again claim to be more than a savage Philistine."
The music begins at 8 p.m. in the University of Utah's Behavioral Science Auditorium.
Tickets are available at Raspberry Records & Tapes at Foothill, Smokey's Records, A Woman's Place Bookstore at Foothill and Acoustic Music.