The Contemporary Ballad Book cover

The Contemporary Ballad Book

Joan Baez · 1974

73 min · 20 tracks · country · folk · traditional folk music

A tapestry of folk storytelling woven with melancholic melodies and poignant reflections on love and loss.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady pacing for reflective moments
  • melancholic storytelling with depth
  • poignant reflections on love
  • ideal for quiet introspection
  • narrative flow across tracks

Maybe skip if you want

  • seekers of upbeat tempos
  • prefer standalone singles

Where this album fits

Career context
By 1974, Joan Baez was already a prominent figure in the folk music scene, known for her activism and impactful voice. 'The Contemporary Ballad Book' came as her first album after a brief hiatus from recording, showcasing her ability to reinterpret classic ballads while maintaining her signature emotional depth.
Stylistic neighbors
Joni Mitchell· Leonard Cohen· Odetta

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 North Country Blues 5:02
  • 2 It Ain't Me, Babe 3:22
  • 3 Children of Darkness 3:56
  • 4 C'Era Un Ragazzo Che Come Me Amava I Beatles E I Rolling Stones 3:15
  • 5 Poor Wayfaring Stranger 4:33
  • 6 Birmingham Sunday 4:01
  • 7 San Francisco Mabel Joy 4:28
  • 8 Be Not Too Hard 2:51
  • 9 Restless Farewell 5:47
  • 10 Ranger's Command 3:17
  • 11 Long Black Veil 3:28
  • 12 Hickory Wind 3:37
  • 13 The Lady Came From Baltimore 2:33
  • 14 I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine 3:15
  • 15 The Tramp on the Street 3:28
  • 16 Saigon Bride 3:16
  • 17 Donna Donna 3:09
  • 18 Song in the Blood 4:27
  • 19 The Magic Wood 2:24
  • 20 Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You 2:51

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata