I saw Joan at a free, 5pm concert on a Friday in the Georgetown U gym in March or April, 1964. I think it was just before the NY Concert lp (my favorite) came out, and she did some of those songs. No intro - no back-up, she just walked out, barefoot, played fair guitar and sang with the greatest voice I ever heard for about an hour. By then, I had seen Rambling Jack and Mississippi John and knew the difference, but she still was - and is - a great singer of folk songs.

Just wish her politics were a bit more open-minded after all these years - see the Instapundit post on her "minstrel show" performance last night.

As for her leftist political value - compare Joan with Emma Goldman and Emma comes up shining. Let's keep Emma's grave clean.

Had a late dinner once with Oddetta after her concert - one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. Not a bone of pretension in her. I liked the story about how Chicago singer, Jo Mapes, introduced her to folk music in high school.

Chris in Wheaton