![]() Her choice of cover songs are both intelligent and well performed. ![]() Lifted of her self imposed devotion to fighting the U.S involvement in the Vietnam War, it seems that Joan has a new found freedom to explore a different musical process, at her own pace, and without the issues that must have had added a negative outlook to some of the song writing process in the past, “Diamonds And Rust” sounds a pleasurable experience for both artist and band. Baez surrounded herself with a session band made up of some of the most coveted musicians, including Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Jim Gordon, David Paich and Larry Knechtel, who add their own abilities to make the album sound almost a group effort. Gone are the stark musings, the breathy innocence, replaced by pop, country rock, and jazzy mixes of both self penned, and cover songs. To appreciate Joan Baez, this is the place to start.If not for the recognisable Soprano voice, one would never have realised that this recording was from the same artist whose folk debut had come with her self titled release 15 years earlier. To understand Joan Baez, any of her early albums will do. It was a rare release where she took a break from her political agenda and the results were some of the best of her career. She reaches back in time for a wonderful medley of “ I Dream Of Jeannie/Danny Boy.” She even manages to pull off the Allman Brothers tune “Blue Sky.”ĭiamonds & Rust is an album of depth and conviction. She mimics Dylan perfectly on “Simple Twist Of Fate.” Her own compositions, “Children and All That Jazz” and “Winds Of Old Days,” continue to demonstrate just how good a songwriter she can be when she puts her mind to it. Her take of Jackson Browne’s “Fountain Of Sorrow” is impeccable. There are a number of other delights to be found here. Her poignant imagery is so clear I can virtually see her cold breath hanging in the air. It revolves around a phone call from an old lover which takes her ten years back in time. Her title track is practically worth the price of the album alone. Joan Baez was mainly an interpreter of other artists' compositions but here she stepped forward and wrote four of the tracks herself. Its beauty and intimacy makes it an album I still play with a degree of regularity. None of these releases would be as good as the 1975 album which preceded them.ĭiamonds & Rust is not only the best album in her vast catalogue but remains one of the better folk-oriented releases of the decade. The live From Every Stage, Gulf Winds, Blowin’ Away, and Honest Lullaby all had strong points as they fused pop and folk music. The mid to late '70s would find her releasing a series of excellent and well received albums. Her angelic and clear soprano vocals remained a formidable instrument. ![]() What did remain was one of the purest voices in music. As the '70s progressed her sound became slicker and more polished. Her '60s material revolved around traditional folk songs. She has constantly crisscrossed the nation in support of civil rights, her anti-war beliefs, and environmental issues. Today she is also known for her relentless social activism. ![]() She performed at Woodstock and is still active over a half century into her career. She would help introduce Bob Dylan to the world through the interpretation of many of his songs. 2, and Joan Baez In Concert all received gold record awards for sales. ![]() Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez Vol. She burst upon the national scene as a result of her performance at the 1959 Newport Folk Festival. Joan Baez was a seminal figure during the early '60s folk revival movement in the United States. ![]()
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