Sharp and thin is about it to these ears. |
A lot is time-related and, as JD notes... the lyrics no longer strike the direct emotional chord as before, perhaps. Without the direct emotional & situational context, what's left is the music & that vibrato. That, I concur, hasn't aged very well. Nor have my ears: ...(A)... song from Joan Baez I love is Diamonds & Rust So do I -- but now that I'm a few months older, I prefer the version by Judas Priest! Go figure... |
I do own the MoFi D&R and love it. But I understand different female voices appeal to different folks. Me?? I can't handle Patricia Barber--go figure.__ |
She was a messenger for a very troubled time. Equal rights, the assassination of Kennedy, Vietnam, riots in our cities and collage campuses created some very troubled youth who believed they could change the world. The messages from Dylan, Baez, Guthrie and so many others was change.
These "leaders" speaking through their words help an entire generation change the world. Think about that, none were older than you Goatwuss, yet the world stopped for a time, and great changes happened.
It's one of those "guess you had to be there" things. emotion and energy of generations are portrayed in music, it's not always good however.
jd |
Goatwuss - nothing wrong with your hearing, she's dreadful.
Her star rose during the period of self-flagellation in the 60's when an insipid PC tactic to be non-judgemental no matter how offensive the material, project or performance started.
Joan Baez is a lot like a root canal - only feels better when it's over. Bob Dylan's next. And Stevis Nicks - please, don't get me started. |
Please excuse Ray, it seems he just woke from a nap ;-} DJRD is Joni Mitchell, not Joan Baez. I also don't believe anything on Audiogon is free anymore. I also grew up during the 60's and Joan did have a beautiful singing voice, albeit an acquired taste. She is not a long-term listen for me either. |
A friend of mine describes Neil Young's voice as sounding like a cat caught in a fan belt. I think Slipknot1's got it, it is the whole package. |
ray, Don Juan is Joni Mitchell but I agree it is terrific and I love Jaco too... |
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I suggest you listen to;Don Juans Reckless Daughter,Which has Jaco P. on bass,very good stuff!Im not a fan of most live albums ,,,,maybe you could sell that LP in the classifieds here,think the ad is free! |
I used to work for Joan back in 1976 (Stage lighting designer). We were touring on her Gulf Winds album. She would do a two part show. No opening act.The first half was just her. The second half she had a great band backing her. Elliot Randal on guitar (he did the solo on Steely Dan's Reelin' in the Years). She could really rock too.
She was using more of the vibrato by then. Early on she didn't use it as oftem. Still, when she was singing solo her voice was magical. Totally crystal like even with the vibrato. She did a show at the Academy Theater (hope I remember the name correctly) in Philadelphia that was so heartwrenchingly beautiful that the goosebumps on your arms never faded. I look back on that show as one of a highlight of thousands of shows I did for many top acts throughout fifteen years of touring.
Her albums just hint at what she was capable of live. Still, you get a good sense of what kind of vocal chops she possessed. I also suggest her earlier Vanguard recordings show her at the top of her form. I guess she sounds quaint now and a modern listener would take some time to appreciate her talent. In today's world of female corprate lip syncers and overprocessed no-talents, her pure voice would take a few listens to get into. |
Diamonds and Rust is a really great album and recording. I have the Nautilus pressing and it is worth it. She does have that vibrato but it doesn't bother me that much on this offering. I have'nt heard the piece you're talking about so I can't say, but these modern "diva" singers around today have that EXTREME african-american R&B modulation style that I find affected and overused. Joan Baez is refreshing to me in light of these current MTV "singers" |
Joan Baez did us a great favor in finding, restoring, and performing a huge range of authentic folk songs...ballads which actually tell a story. Her voice is authentic, generally not backed up by other singers and a studio band. She actually played her own guitar while singing.
For vintage Baez, try Vanguard CD VMD-2027 and VMD-2097. On the second CD is one of the most beautiful love songs I know, "Plaisir d'amour".
Just don't get me started about her politics. |
If you remember the 60's-70's then you weren't there...
Baez's 'sound' is the sound of those times that became her style...or is it the other way around?
I saw her on the recent Bob Dylan PBS special..she's aged well.
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The "In Concert" record is relatively early in her career (1962). What you describe is simply her voice and singing style. For some, the absolutely crystal clarity of her voice is totally enchanting; for others, her voice is sharp and thin and not very pleasant. And, as you describe, her use of vibrato can be off-setting. But so many of us who grew up in the 60s grew up with folk music, protest songs, and Joan Baez. She's an icon of her generation.
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If you want to hear great Baez, try and find some of hear early albums on Vanguard -- even in mono. A voice like a clear bell, no vibrato. You'll understand what all the fuss was about. |
The only song from Joan Baez I love is Diamonds & Rust. Purchased the Cd for just that song, don't care for the rest. Keep in mind these songs were recorded during a time period when the average gear was more bass heavy then it is today so it could sound a little flat without equalization. Notoriously music that is recorded live never sounds as good & or dynamic as a studio recording in my opinion. |
Give a listen to her performance at Woodstock. Same thing, only 36 years younger. Just her style I suppose. Bob Dylan: if you take him only at his voice... I guess it's the whole package. |
Actually you do get it.
I feel the same even though she is of my generation (50). |
I'm forty seven and attribute a lot my wrinkles to music like hers!! |
