Baez Sings Dylan

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Joan Baez isn't the best interpreter of Bob Dylan's songs (Nina Simone and the Byrds come to mind). She has, however, been one of his most unwavering partisans. Indeed, the queen of JFK-era folkies first recorded Dylan songs in 1963 when she was the more celebrated of the two and she's repeatedly returned to him as a source of material. Baez Sings Dylan collects covers cut for Vanguard in the '60s, though all but five of the 20 tracks come from her 1968 two- record, all-Dylan set, Any Day Now. Baez's rather formal phrasing works best with the more stately songs. "Tears of Rage" and "Restless Farewell", for example, are lovely and graceful. And it's a treat to hear obscure tunes such as "Farewell, Angelina" and "Walls of Redwing". On the other hand, the Bard of Hibbing's wordier exercises fall flat; she misses the sarcasm in "Don't Think Twice It's All Right" by a mile. --Steven Stolder

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2006-04-08 rating:
Insights into Dylan's music
This is the closest re-release we have to Baez's 60's double set, "Any day Now", and includes a few numbers not on that set. At first appearances it might appeal most to those who find Dylan's singing voice at times mannered and irritating in his original or live recordings. However, the real virtue of this set, and the reason why it should be more popular with Dylan fans, is in the way it lifts a veil to reveal the superb quality of the musicality of Dylan's songs. Whereas Dylan himself frequently clips and flattens his music, all is revealed here, albeit at the expense of the some emotional content. An added bonus is a great performance of one of his finest songs, "Love is Just a Four-lettered Word", which he did not record himself. A gem of a gift to Baez.

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review by: Toypom date: 2004-11-28 rating:
Beautiful interpretations
This is an album of superb Dylan interpretations and it's enlightening to hear his songs from a female perspective. I heard some of Dylan's songs here first and only later experienced his own versions, for example I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine which is definitely very different (and more beautiful to me) in Baez's version. Other great tracks include I Pity The Poor Immigrant (still as relevant as ever), Love Is Just A Four Letter Word, the heart-breaking Walls Of Redwing (about inmates in a jail), One Too Many Mornings, Boots Of Spanish Leather and Restless Farewell. Everything about this album is just so right: her phrasing, the choice of songs and her elegant delivery. This is a classic folk album of the 1960s and also essential listening for Dylan fans. I love it.


review by: date: 2004-01-12 rating:
A truly splendid compilation from a wonderful singer!
With the passage of years, one can forget just how exceptional Joan Baez was. This is a very fine compilation from the '60s.

The songs need little comment, for me the highlights include Farewell Angelina, Boots of Spanish Leather, Restless Farewell (a superb song and - joy - new to me) and North Country Blues.

Buy something from a singer with a tremendous voice - and not just a 'sweet singer' (too often applied to the feeble and wispy).

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