She Used to Wanna Be a Ballerina
Buffy Sainte-Marie · 1971
34 min · 11 tracks · country · electronic · folk
A vibrant fusion of folk, rock, and country, laced with poignant storytelling and social commentary.
Why this album works
This album is significant for its bold themes of identity and resistance, particularly through tracks like 'Moratorium,' which directly confronts the Vietnam War. It received positive critical reception and further solidified Sainte-Marie's role as an important figure in both the folk movement and indigenous representation in music.
- Best for
- steady mid-tempo reflective listening poignant storytelling and commentary short tracks for quick engagement
- Context
- By the time 'She Used to Wanna Be a Ballerina' was released in March 1971, Buffy Sainte-Marie had already established herself as a powerful voice in music activism. This album came shortly after her acclaimed work on 'Illuminations' (1969), showcasing her evolution into more mainstream sounds while maintaining her commitment to addressing socio-political issues.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cher· Elvis Presley· Neil Young· Bob Dylan· Cyndi Lauper· Willie Nelson· Bruce Springsteen· Prince
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Rollin’ Mill Man 2:28
- 2 Smack Water Jack 3:20
- 3 Sweet September Morning 2:54
- 4 She Used to Wanna Be a Ballerina Standout 2:14
- 5 Bells 4:33
- 6 Helpless 3:11
- 7 Moratorium Standout 4:16
- 8 The Surfer 2:33
- 9 Song of the French Partisan 3:08
- 10 Soldier Blue Standout 3:26
- 11 Now You’ve Been Gone for a Long Time 2:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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