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Let me admit upfront that I hadn't listened to a Joan Baez studio album proper in ages. "Scarlett Tide" is a cover of an Elvis Costello/T-Bone Burnett song, and almost surpasses the original (sung by Alison Krauss). Boy, am I glad I did."Day After Tomorrow" (10 tracks; 37 min). Given that Baez has been touring with Earle in recent years, none of this should be a surprise.
When this came out last September, Joan Baez was 67, and this album truly belies her age. The title track is a beautiful acoustic song, just Joan and her guitar. "Mary" is a nice Patty Griffin cover. Not unlike, say, her contemporary Bob Dylan, who himself is coming out later this month with a highly anticipated new album, "Together Through Life". The stand-out track on here, though, is the album closer: a cover of Earle's "Jericho Road" (from his 2003 "Washington Square Serenade" album), which I find frankly better than the original song, and that's saying something.In all, I can't emphasize enough how pleasantly surprised I've been by this album. So when I heard bits and pieces of this album not long ago, I was really surprised at what I heard and decided I really needed to check this out in more detail.
"I Am a Wanderer" is another of the Earle-songs, a whistful yet playful tune. Meanwhile, "Day After Tomorrow" is highly recommended. has Steve Earle's fingers all over it: he produced the album, and also contributes 3 tracks (2 of which were specifically written for this). "God Is God", one of those Earle-songs, opens the album beautifully.
This is a little departure from her former albums but fresh and unmistakably "Joan" a Great Listen. Joan Baez still has "it" Her voice just keeps improving with age.
Joan Baez can't sing a "lousy" song. Another offering from a voice of perfect clarity.
Unfortunately she no longer has the sweet bell like range she once had. Very glad I bought this for my collection.
it is not a point for any listener to stumble on (and woe to those who shut it off because she mentions god in a positive way).Musically, she recorded this with Steve in what sounds like a "folk-punk" style of a bit of rough-around-the-edges sounds that totally works and adds edge.I love this record and I am buying it and sending it all around. it is growth. she gently moves me.she is very bold about her faith on this record (yes, maybe a bit more than usual, but she has always been boldly catholic), yet she still questions. it is good.
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