Music review: Joan Baez – 鈥榃histle Down the Wind鈥�
For her first studio release since 2008鈥檚 鈥淒ay After Tomorrow,鈥� Joan Baez lends her compassionate voice to a stirring set of arrangements penned by other notable artists such as Josh Ritter, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Eliza Gilkyson, Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan.
鈥淲histle Down the Wind鈥� finds the 77-year-old folk icon reflecting on a satisfying life鈥檚 journey and confronting her own mortality on the opening title track written by Waits and Brennan by confessing, 鈥淭here are places where they never sleep/And the circus never ends/So I will take the Marley Bone Coach/And whistle down the wind.鈥�
The voice that fueled riveting anthems of protest relating to social injustice during the 1960s still rings as strong and true today as Baez continues to focus her attention on topical issues that are emotional and thought-provoking.
From the gripping 鈥淭he President Sang Amazing Grace,鈥� written by Zoe Mulford about the tragic 2015 Charleston church shootings to Joe Henry鈥檚 鈥淐ivil War鈥� detailing how aggression and violence ultimately divides and separates, Baez once again delivers songs that make us think, feel and act.
Other album highlights include Ritter鈥檚 timely theme of treating others with compassion and respect with 鈥淏e of Good Heart,鈥� Carpenter鈥檚 moving love ballad 鈥淭he Things That We Are Made Of鈥� and Gilkyson鈥檚 powerful day-of-reckoning tune 鈥淭he Great Correction.鈥�
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, the Staten Island native鈥檚 career took flight when the 18-year-old performed at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. The following year, Baez would release her self-titled debut album featuring a haunting cover of 鈥淭he House of the Rising Sun.鈥� Her interpretation of this classic number is simply remarkable.
In addition to her new album, Baez has announced that this year鈥檚 tour will serve as her fond farewell from the road. Unfortunately, there are no plans for a stop in Pittsburgh. If you wish to catch the legendary singer in person, I would suggest planning a short road trip to Philadelphia on September 26 or to Cleveland on October 3. I can guarantee it will be well worth it.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.