Recently
Joan Baez · 1987
41 min · 9 tracks · country music
A poignant blend of folk and protest, weaving personal stories with social commentary across varied musical landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Biko — This track serves as a heartfelt tribute to anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, merging Baez's emotive vocal style with a haunting arrangement that underscores the song's urgent message.
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Let Us Break Bread Together / Freedom — Combining traditional gospel elements with a modern plea for unity and freedom, this track showcases Baez's ability to fuse genres while maintaining deep emotional resonance.
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MLK — A reflective homage to Martin Luther King Jr., this track captures Baez's reverence for civil rights leaders and reinforces the album’s themes of hope and resilience amid struggle.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends personal and political themes with varied pacing but lacks a strong cohesive narrative.
What we noticed
- Each track showcases Baez's distinct vocal style, often accompanied by minimal instrumentation that emphasizes the lyrics.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some tracks like 'Biko' building intensity while others, such as 'Let Us Break Bread Together / Freedom', offer a reflective pause.
- 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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6/10
- 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 mid-tempo reflective moments
- socially conscious lyrical themes
- evocative vocals for quiet contemplation
- poignant storytelling for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone singles experience
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a return with poignant interpretations, showcasing continued relevance in her career.
- Career context
- When 'Recently' was released in 1987, Joan Baez was navigating a transition in her career after a period of relative quiet following her 1975 album 'Diamonds & Rust'. This album marked her return to the forefront of folk music, showcasing her enduring commitment to social issues and activism while exploring new musical influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joni Mitchell· Leonard Cohen· Odetta
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Brothers in Arms 5:05
- 2 Recently 3:06
- 3 Asimbonanga 4:49
- 4 The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress 3:08
- 5 James & The Gang 4:32
- 6 Let Us Break Bread Together / Freedom 8:47
- 7 MLK 2:55
- 8 Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 3:22
- 9 Biko 5:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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