Oh, Joan...

Subject: Oh, Joan...
From: Barbara
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 12:21 PM

"If I had to sit through an 'old folk' show, I'd die of boredom."
-- Joan Baez
--The legendary folk icon of the '60s and '70s admitted that she is trying to go in new musical directions, and listens to contemporary pop as well as John Hiatt, Bela Fleck and Alison Krause. AP, 9/8/98

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Jon W.
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 12:38 PM

I've seen it happen over and over - an artist or group starts out doing pure folk, blues, or whatever. When they get real good, they start feeling confined by the simplicity of the "real" folk music and want to start developing in broader directions. They turn from craft to art. I guess I can't blame them but it's always disappointing to me. As for me myself, I've never gotten good enough at even the simple stuff to feel I need to move on.

Jon W.

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Earl
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 01:26 PM

Is this really news? Didn't she record an album in Nashville nearly 30 years ago with an electric band and no traditional songs?

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 01:49 PM

Well, there has always been a narcissistic side to Joan Baez. I went to a Baez concert a couple of years ago. She started to say, "In my humble opinion..." then she stopped herself and said, "I've never had a humble opinion in my entire life." I'm sure she's used that line many times, but it's nice that she recognizes that trait in herself. I can't say I enjoy her recent recordings as much as the old ones, but she still makes good music. I really liked her "Ring Them Bells" CD, with I think came out in 1995 or so - that one was mostly traditional-style music, though.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 07:34 PM

yep..Joan was a pretty good singer who did use some traditional material...but she never made much pretense about being 'truly' trad...and never would have made much money if she had.
....The truth is, many singers who like traditional folk find that they MUST do more pop-like versions and material to avoid having to get a day job!

I talked once to Malcom Dalglish and Grey Larsen about the way they had changed the way they performed "Shawnee Town"..("..haul on the Beech oar, we moves too slow...")...and they said, essentially, that the college audiences wanted it faster and more up-beat than the more 'trad' way...and they felt compelled to adjust...*sigh*

I guess I can't blame them....or Joan...it just means I have to look harder and more carefully when I buy records-- I still prefer 'most' of my music to tend toward the older, simpler styles...

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Jenny
Date: 09 Sep 98 - 08:12 PM

Re Joan Baez ... I recently bought "Ring Them Bells" and really like it ... I like the various female musicians who are singing with her, e.g., Indigo Girls, Janice Ian, Mary Chapin Carpenter. I truly wish I could find tapes/cds of her early recordings; mine were ruined in a "move." I can empathize with her because as much as I love trad songs, I like other genres as well, and I like singing them. When folk music started to wain in the 70's, I ventured into alternative rock, e.g., Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Eric Kaz; then it was show tunes, and torch songs, then nothing for a while. Now, almost 30 years later I'm back singing what I love best ... folk music. I think it's that "circle game" thing ... Jenny

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From:
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 06:01 AM

Yes, wanting to branch out into other directions and genres is understandable, but it's no reason to do down 'old folk'! Not a nice trait, much as I like Joan's singing. - Susanne

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: Jenny
Date: 10 Sep 98 - 09:32 PM

Perhaps we need some clarification as to what Ol' Joan meant by "old folks show?!?" To whom or what was she referring. Anyone got the answer? Jenny

Subject: RE: Oh, Joan...
From: takeo
Date: 11 Sep 98 - 12:18 AM

i think what joan said is 'dont regard me as i was before'. that means 'old folk show' is her vanguard era in 60s as queen of folk song. some book tell me she is deeply annoied about her label as a genuin, protest, or even clear volced angel image that have been asked by audience. one of her close friend or lover, bob dylan, changed his style into more pop style in middle 60s, but she could not change like him. continued her protest song, or trad song as revival folk era. bob made attention to her about such a style of her, but she insisted of her style at that time, so they were really aparted about 10 years until bob's 75 tour. -takeo