Search - Joan Baez :: From Every Stage

A Diamond with very little rust

A. Hogan | Brooklyn, NY USA | 01/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First off, I simply love this album. Ms. Baez voice always an instrument of crystaline purity,is simply lovely here. From Leonard Cohen covers{suzanne} to the haunting love song to a stranger part 2, Joan Baez is in top form. The obligatory Dylan covers are here[I shall be released, lilly rosemary and the jack of harts,blowin in the wind} and her classic 's {the night they drove old dixie down, swing low, amazing grace}though the gem for me is Natalia, telling the story of the Russian poet Natalia Gorbenevskya, imprisoned,tortured, still going,still writing luminous poetry. Taken together, Ms. baez has fashioned a sweet, lyrical live recording, that sums up{up until the 1980's] of this great artist and woman."

BRILLIANT PORTFOLIO OF HER EARLY CAREER

Pieter | Johannesburg | 06/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't like most live albums, but this one's dynamite, showcasing a powerful selection of songs from her 1960s and early 1970s heyday. I think it was recorded during the tour for the "Diamonds & Rust" album, and the atmosphere is electric. I love her between-song banter, and the choice of material is superb. The sound is also great throughout, on both the acoustic and electric sides. My favourite is Emmylou Harris' "Boulder To Birmingham" and "Stewball", but I also love her hits The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Forever Young, Leonard Cohen's Suzanne, her version of Amazing Grace, and the political songs Natalia, Ballad Of Sacco & Vanzetti and Joe Hill. But there's no need to single out any tracks, the album as a whole is a wonderful listening experience and shows her at the height of her powers."

Her best, my favorite!

Mr. IT | 04/12/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of the more than 20 albums of Joan's which I own, this is far and away my favorite, capturing her at her height of strenght and popularity. The live recording captures Joan performing both accoustic sets and with a full band. The songs are well-chosen and diverse, from classic folk balads, original compositions, and some of her choicest Dylan covers."