Search - Joan Baez :: Complete A&M Recordings

A Welcome Addition to the Baez Catalog

10/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"At last, the albums "Where Are You Now, My Son?" and "Gulf Winds" on CD. The deleted "Come from the Shadows" is also included. Unfortunately, all six of Joan Baez's A&M albums are crammed onto 4 CDs. It is convenient to have "From Every Stage," previously released as a double set, on one disc; but the combination of fragments of other albums is less than ideal. Song titles and track numbers are not listed on the discs, only in the booklet. The package seems designed for an epic listening session. The presumably-reduced price can be considered a plus for this configuration.The sound is much improved from the earlier CD releases. Baez's voice is captured in all its middle-period shimmering richness and still-soaring purity. The instrumental details sound bright and clear. The liner notes are informative, and accurate (not always the case with A&M's Baez compilations). The author may make too much of Baez's re-connection to Bob Dylan during this time. The over-riding theme of her A&M years was political activism--from protest of the Vietnam war to involvement in the human rights movement. This was much more explicit than in her Vanguard years. As for continued relevance, the title song of "Where Are You Now, My Son?" can sadly apply to the current Iraq situation. This is not to ignore Baez's increasing skills as a writer and interpreter of non-political songs during this period. "Gulf Winds" is comprised of solely self-written material. New interviews with Baez and her producers were conducted. It would have been interesting to get Herb Alpert's take as a label founder on these years of her career. Most of the booklet photographs a fan will have already seen, but they are attractively presented. The original credits and liner notes are also included, but not the song lyrics.One disappointment is the lack of previously-unreleased material. Of the three non-album singles: two are already available on other compilations. "Where's My Apple Pie?" is the only unheard song a die-hard fan will find here. I guess I'm spoiled by the Vanguard reissues with their--so far--generous bonus tracks. Were there no unreleased songs from the "From Every Stage" concerts? Combined with the new "Dark Chords on a Big Guitar" CD, this box set showcases the talent of a singer and songwriter not only engaged with the world, but willing to try in her way to make it better for others."

Joan Baez is timeless

dree85 | Cambridge, MA United States | 06/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I must admit I haven't even listened to every song on this 4-disc set yet. It just arrived today and I had to get on here and write a review right away. I grew up listening to Joan's tapes and records with my mother and her parents (and I'm only 19, which proves that her music has and surely will continue to span generations). I bought this CD in order to have the songs from the album Gulf Winds (previously unreleased in the US) on CD. I had it on a record and a tape, but both were obviously worn, and I'm absolutely delighted to now have it to keep for all time, and digitally remastered no less. Few people in the world have such a beautiful voice that you could listen to it forever and never get tired of it. Another select few have the ability to write lyrics that have all the eloquence and imagery of poetry, but with a down to earth message that make you feel as if she read your mind. Joan Baez is blessed with both gifts, as self-penned songs "Diamonds and Rust", "Time Is Passing Us By", and "Gulf Winds" indicate. As several other reviewers have pointed out, the packaging is a bit poor, but this is vastly overshadowed by the insightful liner notes (and of course the songs themselves). I would give this amazing album 6 stars out of 5 if I could, but for now I'm satisfied just to be able to listen to it every night."

Incredible collection, awful packaging

11/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a joy to hear all of my old albums again on CD, remastered no less. A wonderful collection, BUT as noted by another reviewer, there is no play list whatsoever included! It is beyond bizarre, considering there are four discs included in this collection so one has no idea what is contained on each! Like the reviewer before me, I had to print out Amazon's (thank you Amazon) play list page to insert into the packaging so that I can actually find a specific song I want to hear. Come on A&M Records, how clueless can you folks be?"