Comparing the voices of Baez and Collins is like comparing apples to oranges or Roses to Lilies.
Who can objectively say that one is better than the other?


I've seen both at the height of their vocal abilities, leaving the theater absolutely exhilarated and inspired by their passion, art and humanity.
Unfortunately I've also been to a concert or two of both that, while still good, left me less than thrilled.

I appreciate both tremendously as artists.
I own all of the books that they both have written and every record and CD ever released on which they've performed.
I've seen Joan perform eleven times and I've seen Collins perform three.
I have been moved to tears by the poignancy of a particular song done by each in concert.

I've never left the theater feeling cheated, for both still are consummate professionals who take their performances and audiences very seriously. The durability of their voices is evidenced by their careers, which in both cases have spanned more than over half a century.

I'm sorry that unfortunately Collin's high notes on the night that you attended were "horribly shrill".
The way I look at it though, Collins (like Baez) is human and they both have had (and have) bad days just like you or I.

More importantly though as a folk musician myself,I still would have admired her great courage as a performer to even try and attempt to go way up into the "stratosphere" (now vocally easily surpassing Joan's upper range Soprano) in front of hundreds, if not thousands of people in concert.
Also, though the notes may have sounded at times "Shrill" to you, she obviously could still reach them.
To not only reach and sustain these extremely high notes, but also to hold these notes for a length of time with such volume, truly remains still awe inspiring to me as a singer, even after all these years.

The purity and clarity still found in Collin's voice remains.
Baez's voice has become more mellow, warm and dark, her voice becoming burnished over time.
They both for me have the ability to make an old song sound new and for the simplest of melodies to sound whole and complete.   
Collins,like Baez, has a voice that despite (or because of) the many changes it has gone through over the decades, has found within each new vocal formation a whole new direction in which it's beauty and passion can best be expressed.
Baez of course would be the more prominent example. Her "achingly pure Soprano" now has found new depth in her Mezzo Soprano and Alto ranges.
Regardless of any and all vocal changes though,a beauty of sound, a gift for expressiveness and the use of excellent vocal technique could (and still can) always be expected from both and still be found.

Their unwavering beliefs in positive social change and their calls for civil action have never changed and have remained sincere and unaltered throughout their personal and public lives,adding credence and credibility to not only the sincerity and emotive power of their music, but to the respect and love of many throughout the world who have found strength and hope within their songs, as well.    .   

In my estimation, Baez and Collins are without peer.
No one today or since has matched the quality of their voices, the longevity of their careers or has made the social impact that both have brought to this planet to make it a better and safer place to live.