The Best Of Joan C. Baez

The opening track, "Diamonds and Rust", is sheer haunting melancholy, an ode to the wreckage left by a departed lover; and it sets the standard for much of the album, walking a fine line between heartbreak and whimsy. "Love Song to a Stranger", "Sweeter for Me", "I Never Dreamed You'd Leave in Summer" all mine the same rich vein of romantic angst, while only the delightful "Please Come to Boston" provides a more hopeful side to love. These are strong, mature songs a world away from the teenage dreams (and nightmares) of the average pop chart. There is some revisiting of the Bob Dylan repertoire with "Forever Young" and "Simple Twist of Fate" (including an inspired pastiche of Dylan's own vocal style in the latter!), a breath of Latin fresh air in "Gracias a la Vida", and finally (and no Baez compilation could be complete without them) a couple of protest songs. Baez's "Imagine" is a world away from the hippie sentimentality of Lennon's original recording, and does much to reclaim the song from the territory of cliche. And "Billy Rose" is an impassioned outburst against the American penal system seen through the eyes of three of its victims, a song that never fails to wrench at my guts.

Anyone with an interest in the melodic and thematic territory of modern singer-poetesses such as Suzanne Vega or Jewel would be well advised to give this album a listen. Joan Baez was the first of her kind, and inspired a generation.


Her pop and rock hits   November 28, 2002
 43 out of 52 found this review helpful

This excellent album contains all Joan Baez's greatest hits, up to about 1976 when she stopped having hits anyway. This is not an album for folk purists though, as there's little here from her early career. It includes a very beautiful interpretation of John Lennon's "Imagine" and "Gracias A La Vida" from Joan's Spanish-language album. My favourites are Diamonds & Rust, Love Song To A Stranger, Forever Young, Gracias A La Vida and The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down. So this album is ideal for those who like their folk with a touch of rock or pop or for the casual listener just wanting an album of well-interpreted great songs in Ms Baez's warm and lovely voice.


She sings with the voice of an angel   April 1, 2001
 24 out of 26 found this review helpful

Joan Baez has possibly the most original talent I have ever experienced. Although many of the songs are not original, the way she sings them gives the impression that she herself has written the pieces. There is such a variety of musical styles on this CD it is likable to a wide range of people of differing ages and interests. The backing music is also bubbling with talent and the polished performances are to be wowed at. Her voice is unlike any other before her and she sings like a true professional. The more people that hear her music the better.