Blowin' Away
Joan Baez · 1977
42 min · 10 tracks · country music
A melodic tapestry woven with Baez's haunting vocals, rich folk storytelling, and subtle orchestral arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Sailing — This track showcases Baez's ethereal voice against lush instrumentation, becoming a defining song of her later career and highlighting her transition towards more contemporary sounds.
-
→
I'm Blowin' Away — The title track encapsulates themes of freedom and change, featuring a dynamic vocal performance that resonates with listeners seeking both introspection and liberation.
-
→
Miracles — In this song, Baez's heartfelt delivery reflects vulnerability and hope, offering a poignant contrast to the more upbeat tracks on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends rich orchestration with Baez's storytelling, though it doesn't fully stand out in her discography.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features more upbeat tracks, while the second half shifts to slower, introspective songs.
- Baez's vocals are often layered with orchestral strings, creating a lush sound that complements her storytelling.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- reflective listening moments
- gradual builds and payoffs
- mid-tempo flow for relaxation
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Features the hit single 'Sailing', marking a commercial resurgence for Baez.
- Career context
- By the time 'Blowin' Away' was released in 1977, Joan Baez was a seasoned artist navigating her post-1960s career. This album followed her previous release, 'Diamonds & Rust,' which had reinvigorated her popularity and showcased her ability to blend personal narrative with broader social themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Leonard Cohen· Odetta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Sailing 4:22
- 2 Many a Mile to Freedom 2:58
- 3 Miracles 5:24
- 4 Yellow Coat 3:37
- 5 Time Rag 5:25
- 6 A Heartfelt Line or Two 3:23
- 7 I'm Blowin' Away 3:18
- 8 Luba the Baroness 7:06
- 9 The Altar Boy and the Thief 3:29
- 10 Cry Me a River 3:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.