The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #140255   Message #3222788
Posted By: GUEST,jeff
13-Sep-11 - 07:06 PM
Thread Name: Joan Baez 2011 and 1961
Subject: RE: Joan Baez 2011 and 1961
"...what a fine guitarist she is..."

While respecting her political stances and humanistic beliefs her voice was not to my taste. Not a big fan of a rapid vibrato. ALWAYS thought she was a GREAT guitarist, though. Learned a great deal about understatement in arrangements and never oversinging the narrative from what little I DID listen to her. Her right hand fingerpicking and left-hand chord clarity are as good as anyone in the business.

Like the Beatles it wasn't until I began to become an accomplished musician myself that I began to awaken to HOW great was her musicianship. She was always 'submitted' to the song. Never 'used' the song to get her licks in or show off her chops.