Joan Baez, Vol. 2
Joan Baez · 1961
52 min · 17 tracks · country music
A haunting blend of traditional folk melodies and Baez's ethereal, emotive vocals that evoke deep storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Trees They Do Grow High — This track stands out for its intricate narrative structure, exploring themes of love and loss within its poignant lyrics and simple yet effective melody.
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Barbara Allen — A classic ballad delivered with Baez's haunting vocal style, this rendition showcases her ability to convey deep emotion through storytelling.
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Wagoner’s Lad — The lively arrangement contrasts with the darker themes of unrequited love, demonstrating Baez's versatility in interpreting complex narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends traditional folk with emotive vocals, creating a distinct sound while maintaining a solid yet conventional structure.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate intricate guitar arrangements that complement Baez's voice, enhancing the storytelling aspect.
- The sequencing alternates between slower ballads and more upbeat tracks, maintaining listener engagement throughout its length.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- contemplative storytelling journeys
- atmospheric background focus
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Baez's status in the folk scene and gained wider recognition.
- Career context
- Released in September 1961, Joan Baez, Vol. 2 is the second studio album by Joan Baez, following her eponymous debut from 1960. At this point in her career, Baez was rapidly gaining recognition as a leading voice in the folk music revival, showcasing her ability to interpret both traditional songs and contemporary issues through her performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Leonard Cohen· Odetta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wagoner’s Lad 2:14
- 2 The Trees They Do Grow High 2:59
- 3 The Lily of the West 3:20
- 4 Silkie 4:00
- 5 Engine 143 3:32
- 6 Once I Knew a Pretty Girl 2:55
- 7 Lonesome Road 2:23
- 8 Banks of the Ohio 3:09
- 9 Pal of Mine 2:50
- 10 Barbara Allen 4:16
- 11 The Cherry Tree Carol 3:29
- 12 Old Blue 2:36
- 13 Railroad Boy 2:31
- 14 Plaisir d’amour 3:10
- 15 I Once Loved a Boy 2:39
- 16 Poor Boy 2:54
- 17 Longest Train I Ever Saw 3:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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