Vanguard Sessions: Baez Sings Dylan

Vanguard Sessions: Baez Sings Dylan

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
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

Tracks:

Love Minus Zero/No Limit
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
It Ain't Me Babe
I Pity The Poor Immigrant
Tears Of Rage
Love Is Just A Four-Letter Word
I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
Farewell, Angelina
Dear Landlord
One Too Many Mornings
I Shall Be Released
Boots Of Spanish Leather
Daddy, You Been On My Mind
Restless Farewell
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
Walls Of Red Wing
Drifter's Escape
Walkin' Down The Line
North Country Blues

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

mostly bad.......2007-01-19

Joan Baez has the wrong vocal quality for most of these songs, and the arrangements make little sense. I don't believe one can sing "St. Augustine" worse than Ms. Baez does here, four-square and lifeless, and, gee, if that song screams "Nashville" to an arranger, that person needs another line of work.

Joan Baez Sings Dylan.......2007-01-15

No record store in town carried this item, but I was delighted that Amazon allowed me to purchase it for a Christmas gift!

I love her voice and these songs.......2006-09-01

I saw them together at Forest Hills in the summer of 1964 and fell totally in love. His words are as on point today as they were then. Her interpretations caress the words as his hammer them home.

Nice Way to Hear Joan's Beautiful Vocal & Guitar Instruments.......2005-12-24

I disagree with the statement that Joan Baez isn't the best interpreter of Bob Dylan's compositions. She has made "Love is Just A Four Letter Word" her song. I don't think Mr. Dylan has ever recorded the song and don't know if it shows up on any bootlegs or concert playlists. Joan's version of "Boots of Spanish Leather" is my favorite. I didn't really think it was a special song until I heard her interpretation of it on this record. She has of course recorded more Bob Dylan songs than these but this is a special collection.

A bolt!.......2005-11-03

This CD is staggering. Also buy "Any Day Now" to get the almost 12-minute version of "Sad Eyed Lady" not on the "Baez Sings Dylan"
Two astounding albums,
Patrick

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