Very Early Joan

• Artist: Joan Baez
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1983
• Total Time: 74:32
• Type: Live
• Genre: Folk

Review

This Vanguard release is a heartwarmingly intimate look at Joan Baez during her most influential period (1960-1963). The album's 22 tracks are all live, performed before audiences held in silent and rapt attention in packed concert halls. The singer's trademark politically tinged folk songs are charmingly blended with a few pop interpretations like the Jerry Ragovoy early soul classic "She's a Trouble Maker" and a fun version of the Diamonds' "Little Darlin'," revealing a rarely seen lighthearted side of the activist. Baez's voice never sounded better than during this era, and her live performances resonate with a confident honesty. The only detractions of this CD are in the production: the whole album is mixed very quietly (requiring the listener to crank up the volume) but the applause between songs seems brashly loud. The other nitpick is that, for some reason, the album's engineer fades Baez's voice from left to right within the songs; this isn't a tremendous problem but listening on headphones to the sound bobbing back and forth can create a feeling of seasickness. However, these minor flaws should not discourage anyone from picking up Very Early Joan, a shining example of the bridge from the traditional Weavers/Kingston Trio folk singing of the fifties and the youthful fire of the political folk of the '60s. ~ Zac Johnson, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream	Ed McCurdy	Joan Baez	(2:39)
Willie Moore	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:17)
She's a Trouble Maker	Van McCoy, Jerry Ragovoy	Joan Baez	(2:25)
Tears in My Eyes	Pauline Marden	Joan Baez	(3:26)
Somebody Got Lost in a Storm	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:13)
The Water Is Wide (Lyrics)	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:05)
Man of Constant Sorrow	Traditional	Joan Baez	(4:13)
Freight Train (Lyrics)	Elizabeth Cotten	Joan Baez	(3:03)
Lady Gay (Child Ballad No. 79)	Traditional	Joan Baez	(4:24)
Johnny Cuckoo	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:41)
Lonesome Valley	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:32)
The Riddle Song	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:47)
Railroad Bill	Traditional	Joan Baez	(2:12)
Little Darlin'	Maurice Williams	Joan Baez	(2:11)
In the Pines (Lyrics)	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:31)
Pilgrim of Sorrow	Traditional	Joan Baez	(4:30)
Where Have All the Flowers Gone?	Pete Seeger	Joan Baez	(4:30)
Rambler Gambler	Traditional	Joan Baez	(2:06)
Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies	Traditional	Joan Baez	(4:55)
Hallowed Be Thy Name	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:20)
Twelve Gates to the City	Traditional	Joan Baez	(3:47)
Silver Dagger	Traditional	Joan Baez	(2:45)

Credits

Marc Aubori (Engineer), Joan Baez (Vocals), Joan Baez (Guitar), Jules Halfant (Art Direction), Joan Baez (Liner Notes), Maynard Solomon (Producer), William Claxton (Photography), Joan Baez (Arranger), Jeff Zataya (Mixing), Jules Halfant (Design)