Search - Joan Baez :: Speaking of Dreams

JOAN BAEZ "SPEAKING OF DREAMS" IS A DREAM COME TRUE!

William S. Rothstein | St. Petersburg, FL USA | 03/23/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not since her landmark triumph with "Diamonds and Rust" has Joan Baez created such a personal and stellar work as "SPEAKING OF DREAMS." This album starts off in traditonal Baez style, with the political song "CHINA", which chronicles the massacre in Tiananmen Square. The stirring chant "China Shall be Free" leads the listener to the next cut..a joyous "greenpeace" song called "Warriors of the Sun" and its ascerbic lyrics "we're killing everything on dry land, why can't we just let the fishes be..." The political messages ring through loudly, with such works as "El Salvador", where Joan is assisted bt Jackson Browne, and George Michael's winning "Hand To Mouth." However, where this album truly reaches new heights is with the title cut, "Speaking Of Dreams." Against a lush, rich background of strings and acoustic piano, we are treated to one of Ms. Baez's most personal, instrospective love songs, detailing her relationship with a much younger partner. Baez sings "You were not yet born, when my career began in '59, we're a sign of the times, who cares if you are a breath of Spring and I am vintage wine." This album masterpiece concludes with an utterly rousing Spanish rendition of "My Way-A Mi Manera", where Joan melds effortlessly with The Gypsy Kings. "Speaking of Dreams" shall forever stand out as one of Joan Baez' greatest works."