Search - Joan Baez :: 20th Century Masters: Collection

Great Songs but Unnecessary Repackaging

Mark R. Thivierge | Brighton, MA United States | 12/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While these songs are all classics, it is unfathomable why A&M seems intent on repackaging the same dozen or so Joan Baez songs every couple of years under a new title. They would have better off to have reissued COME FROM THE SHADOWS (1972), WHERE ARE YOU NOW, MY SON (1973) and GULF WINDS (1976), all three of which are out of print, and the latter two never issued on CD in the US, than to have repackaged this "best of" collection for the gazillionth time. That said, this is a great collection of classic songs by one of the most talented and courageous artists of our generation, and a good selection to purchase, if you're a new or casual fan, as it has all the "hits.""

Joan Baez--Forever Young

H. F. Corbin | ATLANTA, GA USA | 03/11/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bob Dylan lullaby for his child, "Forever Young", which Ms. Baez sings on this collection, is an appropriate description of her. Though now in her 60's, she is more beautiful than she was at twenty. And that instantly recognizable voice is still transparent and otherworldly.In addition to the beautiful "Forever Young", Baez sings five more of my favorites: Jackson's Browne's "Fountain of Sorrow", "Jesse" by Janis Ian, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", John Prine's "Hello In There." (I can never decide whether I'd rather hear Ms. Baez or Bette Midler do that sad, mournful song about the isolation of old people.) Finally, there is her love song to Bob Dylan, "Diamonds and Rust." I wish the record company had included "Joe Hill" on this release.When I play this CD, I find myself humming these songs for days, a sure sign that they indeed are favorites of mine. My complaint about this CD has nothing to do with the singer but rather with A & M Records. There are already a half dozen or more "Best Of" and "Greatest Hits" and "Classics" of Baez out there. Enough already."

So many beautiful songs here...

Feral Sirensong | Hallowell, ME USA | 08/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"But my all-time favorite is Love Song to a Stranger. Baez supposedly wrote it for Bob Dylan, when they were involved. And the song remains utterly haunting and gorgeous today. It is definitely on my top ten songs of all time list.



Of course, Diamond and Rust and Forever Young are classics and beautiful in their own right. Even now, I sing Forever Young to my daughter when she is settling down for the night."