Lucy Kaplansky

Lucy Kaplansky

Lucy Kaplansky is a folk singer-songwriter from Chicago, United States. Born in 1960, she moves to New York City at 18 and becomes involved in the Greenwich Village folk scene. Alongside her music, she trains as a psychologist, enrolling at Yeshiva University in 1983 and completing a PhD while continuing to perform. She later works in private practice and as a staff psychologist at a New York hospital before returning to music full-time.

Early career

Kaplansky first gains notice through a duo with Shawn Colvin. When record companies show interest, she chooses not to pursue that path at that point and instead focuses on psychology. During this period, she still contributes as a session vocalist, including backing vocals for Suzanne Vega.

Albums and recorded work

Her debut album, The Tide, appears in 1994 on Red House Records and combines original material with cover songs. She follows it with Flesh and Bone in 1996. Ten Year Night comes out in 1999 and receives strong reviews, increasing her visibility and leading to television performances on CBS. She releases Every Single Day in 2001, The Red Thread in 2004, and Over the Hills in 2007.

Groups and collaborations

In 1998, Kaplansky joins Dar Williams and Richard Shindell to form Cry Cry Cry, a folk group that makes an album and tours widely after an initial six-week tour proves successful. She also works with Shawn Colvin early in her career and appears in the studio with Suzanne Vega. Verified group associations also include Red Horse, The Pine Hill Project, and On a Winter’s Night with Cliff Eberhardt, John Gorka, and Patty Larkin.

Personal themes in her songs

The Red Thread includes songs about adopting her daughter Molly, whom she and her husband Rick bring home from China in late 2003, as well as songs reflecting her experiences living in downtown Manhattan during the September 11 attacks.