Joan
Joan Baez · 1967
44 min · 12 tracks · country music
A haunting blend of traditional folk melodies and contemporary storytelling imbued with Baez's ethereal voice.
Top tracks — play these first
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Eleanor Rigby — Baez’s interpretation of this Beatles classic strips it down to its poignant essence, highlighting themes of isolation and longing through her emotive delivery.
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Dangling Conversation — The track showcases Baez's unique ability to convey complex emotions, with lyrical imagery that resonates deeply while reflecting on disconnection in relationships.
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If You Were a Carpenter — This song exemplifies Baez's folk roots while also emphasizing social themes, as her rendition transforms it into an anthem of love and sacrifice.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Baez's vocal strength through reinterpretations of contemporary songs, blending folk and emotional storytelling.
What we noticed
- Several tracks, such as 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'If You Were a Carpenter', reinterpret well-known songs, adding a distinct folk flavor.
- The pacing varies significantly; the first half maintains a reflective tone while the second half introduces more varied tempos and emotional dynamics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- poignant storytelling through song
- wave-like pacing with climaxes
- intimate moments of reflection
- thoughtful listening during solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
- dislike slower, contemplative tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases Baez's artistic depth and reinterpretation of contemporary songs.
- Career context
- In 1967, Joan Baez was already a prominent figure in the folk music scene, having achieved significant acclaim with previous albums like 'Farewell, Angelina' in 1965. 'Joan' serves as her sixth studio album during a time when she was transitioning from commercial success to more personal, introspective songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Leonard Cohen· Odetta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Be Not Too Hard 2:52
- 2 Eleanor Rigby 2:20
- 3 Turquoise 3:18
- 4 La Colombe (The Dove) 5:21
- 5 Dangling Conversation 2:47
- 6 The Lady Came From Baltimore 2:33
- 7 North 2:51
- 8 Children of Darkness 3:54
- 9 The Greenwood Side 7:44
- 10 If You Were a Carpenter 2:10
- 11 Annabel Lee 4:59
- 12 Saigon Bride 3:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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