|
Her recordings of "Silver Dagger", "East Virginia","All my Trials", "John Riley", "Mary Hamilton" and "Henry Martin" are standards in folk music that I've never heard equaled. Here in this first album are songs that still find there way into my AOR MP3 compilations. I had transferred the vinyl to CD, filtering with noise reduction, but here were crystal clear recordings of songs I have never tired of and couldn't resist. I came to listen to Joan Baez somewhat later than this first ablum, I had a double vinyl titled "The Ballad Book" that included some of the songs from this album. I still listen to and love her interpretations of Bob Dylan's songs(Any Day Now)and really didn't care much for Dylan's early stylizing, but Joan brought "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" and others to become lifelong favorites. Her voice both beautiful and powerful.
Don't have much to say, other than this is a classic: Joan's voice is thrilling; wonderful songs and many of them. Great value.
Joan almost makes you cry with these songs. Too bad they haven't figured out how to make music this good with all their high tech stuff. I've listened to Eric Burden's version of this song a lot, it's darn good, but Joan does it better. Folk music isn't the Blues, but these are story songs too. According to Joan, this record was recorded in a hotel in upstate New York, just Joan and a couple mics.
Joan Baez does too, but in a different kind of way. These songs were given a new life when this record came out, because there is nothing in the world as pure as Joan's voice and her golden voice alone would make this one of the ten best records of 1960."Silver Dagger" tugs at your heart, as does "East Virginia". But if you're strong and you're not crying yet, and if you make it through "Fare Thee Well," "House of the Rising Sun" will surely make you well up with tears. A far cry from the way they record music now. Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald tear into your heart and soul with their voice.
Songs of love and hope, pain and despair. "Donna Donna" is a classic folk song that Donovan would put on his debut record a few years later, but Joan does it better.
I am so gratified that this album has been reissued. What bittersweet memories of the early sixties it brings back. I have seen her in concert and her presence and charisma are striking. She was performing barefoot long before Cesária Évora. I was smitten with Joan Baez the minute I heard her impeccably pure voice and have been a life long fan ever since. Could it possibly be nearly fifty years since I first heard this album. No other performer has gone to as many far corners of the earth (and faced death threats in Brazil and Argentina) to promote peace and human rights. In terms of her impact on world peace and non-violence, I put her in the same category as Martin Luther King and Ghandi.
You won't know folk or what the fuss was about without this album. .nearly every girl singer to come out of the 60s was inspired by Joan Baez and countless singers covered these songs after her. Very essential.
|
