This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez

1960

Buy At Rough Trade
Joan Baez
Album Summary

Joan Baez is the debut solo album by folk singer Joan Baez. The album was recorded in the summer of 1960 and released the same year. The original release featured 13 traditional folk songs. Later reissues included three additional songs.In 2015, the album was selected for induction into National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress for special recognition and preservation as one of the sound recordings in over 130 years of recording history that has "cultural, artistic and/or historical significance to American society and the nation's audio legacy".

Wikipedia

Rating

2.96

Votes

10131
Genres
Folk
Singer Songwriter

Reviews

Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by: Top Date
View Author
Sun Feb 28 2021
1

Unlistenable. This sounds like Woodstock and the Renaissance Fair had a baby.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 15 2021
5

“Joan Baez” by Joan Baez (1960) I don’t know what you were doing in 1960, but with this album, Joan Baez was launching her career as a folk icon. Actually, she wasn’t. She was simply singing beautiful traditional folk ballads and laments with her inimitable voice and deftly executed acoustic stylings. Her ‘career’ was simply the loving conversation that the world had with her musical magic. This recording is both tasteful and tasty in its simplicity, its resonance, and its depth. Her lyrics, melodies, and chord structures are all, of course, features of well-selected traditional folk songs (Her songwriting would come later). But it’s what she did with these songs that yanked on the heartstrings of millions—and still does. Vocally, her characteristic rapid vibrato over an equally characteristic sonorous timbre wrings every drop of passion out of the poetry. When she attacks the melody in her upper register, she freezes the listener in his tracks, like the ears of a deer caught in the headlights. Her dynamic variation is frightening—going from soft and sweet to a powerful wail in the space of a skipped heartbeat. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she chooses and performs fingerings and fills that are perfectly suited to each composition. Beginning guitarists would be well advised to listen to her, learn, practice, and aspire—in that order. This was Joan Baez’ first album. Most tracks were recorded in one take, with voice and guitar together. No dubbing. No effects. No frills. Folks, this is as pure as folk music gets. 5/5

👍
View Author
Thu Jun 03 2021
2

i don’t hate it but it’s boring as fuck

👍
View Author
Sat Jul 17 2021
4

Beautiful in its simplicity is something I've said on previous albums but this is another perfect example. Folk that I can get behind. Nothing more beautiful than a person and their guitar. Great cover of House of the Rising Sun.

👍
View Author
Sat Aug 14 2021
4

This was a very nice folk album with such a clear and clean sound. I enjoyed how the guitar feels like it's just there to enhance her voice.

👍
View Author
Fri Jun 24 2022
5

Well, looks like I've fallen in love with a voice again. Joan, you have my heart. Don't tell my wife.

👍
View Author
Tue Sep 15 2020
4

Joan's voice is incredibly clear and bright. The album is mastered so well for something as old as it is. This is gorgeous, very stripped folk music that highlights an incredible voice.

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 23 2021
4

Such a beautiful first album from the goddess of folk. Totally forgot that House Of The Rising Son was on her debut. Hard not to get emotional on All My Trials or Girl Of Constant Sorrow, and have some peyote and run around like a kid in the fields of Walnut Grove as school lets out on Wildwood Flower. I would have loved to be on the hillside listening in at Woodstock when she was 6 months pregnant and missing her husband who was in a Texas prison for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War. There is a reason that a passion for folk songwriting is in my soul, and I know that Joan had something to do with it. Tip of the hat to present era folk troubadours like Colin Meloy who continue to water the flowers that Baez planted.

👍
View Author
Fri May 07 2021
2

Not as unpleasant as I feared.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 04 2021
2

I know what they are trying to do and I think they are doing it well. I just am not a fan.

👍
View Author
Fri Mar 26 2021
2

I just have never enjoyed her fluttery voice. Not my style.

👍
View Author
Mon Apr 19 2021
1

I thought this was going to be perfect listening for a slightly hungover Sunday morning but her voice is far too shrill for my tastes, I only made it halfway through.

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 17 2021
5

this is one of those albums that are too good to rate I can’t tell you how much I love this kind of folksy music the vocals, the guitar, those nice melodies, it all comes together to create a beautiful, warm atmosphere it reminds me a lot of Vashti Bunyan’s album Just Another Diamond Day (one of my favorite albums ever) I would love to find more albums with this kind of sound Cottage Songs by Naomi Lewis is a pretty nice album, but the genre is a little too different, it still sounds incredible and I love that album, but it could use a little more one on one with her voice and some warm guitar anyway, this album is just too special for me to give a simple 10/10 I really need more music like this

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 01 2021
2

Baez isn't, and has never been, my kind of thing. She's too earnest.

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 06 2021
2

not really my taste in music. the singing was very high pitched and light and airy with a thin backing track. not really what i like

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 02 2021
5

Very calm and relaxing. Every song sounds like it should be in a Disney movie.

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 13 2021
5

Lovely and haunting, spare and magnificent.

👍
View Author
Fri May 20 2022
3

Joan does some good stuff with these songs, but I do find 30+ minutes of her warbling away a little testing.

👍
View Author
Sun Feb 25 2024
1

Just a girl and her guitar. Her guitar should be taken away. I prefer silence to her minimal style.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 17 2021
5

it's good in a weird way. me likes it.

👍
View Author
Sat Aug 14 2021
5

Casi 4, pero por El Preso Numero Nueve ...¡¡5!!

👍
View Author
Sun Oct 03 2021
5

tanto su voz, su música como sus letras son increíblemente bellas. este álbum se merece las cinco estrellas completas, y eso sin olvidar que es su álbum DEBUT.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 28 2022
5

My Mum played a lot of Baez when I was growing up, but, being 10, I never really saw the appeal. This album really clicked for me, though; it's very straightforward, but her pitch-perfect voice and skills as a guitarist elevate it to stratospheric levels. What's more is that it has a level of authenticity and sincerity that's sorely missed in modern music.

👍
View Author
Sat Feb 05 2022
5

Don’t sign love songs You’ll wake my mother

👍
View Author
Wed Apr 06 2022
5

Alllllll the scrumptious folky singing, jangly guitar and all executed perfectly by the effortlessly cool Joan Baez. Voice of an angel combined with epic guitar skills. Absolutely beautiful and flawless renditions of some traditional folk songs. Finally, an album to get really excited about again! I love the feeling an album like this gives me, the story telling is done in such a relaxing yet haunting way. I'm so drawn into a different time in history, even if the subject of the story is super mundane. Ugh the Spanish tooooo, incredible. In awe!

👍
View Author
Fri Jun 24 2022
5

Excellent example of why I think Folk Music may be the TRUEST form for music, no matter the origin. It feels Primordial and contemporary all at once.

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 16 2022
5

A true classic. She exemplifies true folk....a masterpiece. Joan, Janis Jopin, Joni Mitchell, Carole King.....the true greats!

👍
View Author
Thu Mar 09 2023
5

Such a beautiful voice. A must listen to.

👍
View Author
Mon May 22 2023
5

Absolutely incredible, transporting album. I adore her voice, and the songs were excellently chosen. The queen of folk to this day. Favs: Silver Dagger, House of the Rising Sun, Henry Martin, El Preso Numero Nueve, Girl of Constant Sorrow

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 13 2023
5

Nice to hear the first album from such a singer. While I will gravitate to her later more instrumentally complex albums, I very much enjoyed the simplicity of a beautiful voice with a guitar.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 13 2023
5

That was a nice dose of folksy music, not something that I am always into, but Joan’s voice was something special.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 13 2023
5

Here's another artist I was hoping to get to know better in this project, and I'm glad it was her debut album for us to start. This was so earnest and sincere that it's sometimes hard not to think about Bluto smashing a folk singer's guitar in Animal House. (Stephen Bishop!) But once I get my mind set to appreciate it, it's quite beautiful and wonderful and I enjoyed Joan Baez's unique voice and her selection of songs very much. As the child of parents who appreciated, played, and sang folk music, this was a nostalgic day.

👍
View Author
Sun Jul 16 2023
5

Such an excellent folk album I’m just going to give it a 5. Engaging guitar playing, singing and moments of quietude that keep you focused until the end, after which you’ll want to go back for more

👍
View Author
Fri Jul 28 2023
5

Folksy guitar-and-vocals covers of classic folk songs.

👍
View Author
Mon Aug 21 2023
5

Pure, pure folk, of the purest kind. Just Joan on her guitar, and that voice. John Riley is utterly captivating. The guitar on Silver Dagger.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 12 2023
5

Flawless folk record. Beautiful voice, great guitar and ambience. A joy to listen and a wonderful piece of history.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 19 2023
5

Voice like an angel. No skips whatsoever.

👍
View Author
Fri Nov 10 2023
5

Pekne to je, mozno v jednej pesnicke sa trosku opustila

👍
View Author
Wed Nov 15 2023
5

Was ready to knock a star off regardless of the score knowing that these were all covers of folklore tracks...lesson learned. Joan elevates many of these classics. Beautiful, haunting, and pure. From the first measure, voice and guitar blend incredibly for close to an hour, invoking a wide range of emotions. The sound and mix is incredibly refined for 1960, just a masterpiece from every angle. Favorite track: Mary Hamilton (and it takes a LOT for House of the Rising Sun to not be my fave)

👍
View Author
Fri Dec 08 2023
5

Warm, soft, haunting. While listening to this record, I feel like I'm listening to someone telling old ghost stories around a campfire. There’s just a wonderful simplicity to it all. Just a guitar and vocals, and yet Baez and her guitar are able to tell some wonderful stories. This is another one of those folk albums that absolutely would not have interested me a few years ago, and it probably wouldn’t mesh well with me at the height of summer either. But I’m well and truly an adult now, and it’s a cold and unpleasant winter. It’d be a perfect one for exploring the great outdoors, embracing nature and the elements even at this time of year, but it’d also be great for snuggling up under a blanket with a hot chocolate in the warm comforts of home. This self-titled debut is a perfect winter companion, mostly comprising of arrangements of traditional folk songs. I’ve never heard Baez’s performances of these songs, and most of these I don’t think I’ve heard in any form, with the exception of House Of The Rising Sun (Which I forget was originally a traditional folk song) and Henry Martin (My first exposure to it was by self-proclaimed “Pirate Metal” band Alestorm!) This was an excellent record. It’s one of those sorts of albums that makes me want to move far away from society and go and live in the forest. Who needs all these computers and cars and stuff? Just give me a cabin, a campfire, a guitar and some interesting friends who are good at telling stories. I can dream. Favourite: Henry Martin

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 05 2024
5

I absolutely LOVED this album! Her voice is beautiful and impactful. At times it felt like she was singing me folklore stories but I guess some of her songs were based on biblical stories. So, makes sense. She loved talking about “Mary’s and Maidens”. I also liked her version of “House of the Rising Sun”, seemed more genuine coming from her”. Then she sang Spanish to me which solidified my rating! 10/10

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 31 2024
5

Casi 4, pero por El Preso Numero Nueve ...¡¡5!!

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 20 2024
5

Casi 4, pero por El Preso Numero Nueve ...¡¡5!!

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 06 2024
5

Beautiful debut album from Joan Baez. Just her acoustic guitar and her angelic voice. So many gems here, but my favorites are House of the Rising Sun, Donna Donna, Mary Hamilton, Henry Martin, and El Preso Numero Nueve.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 15 2021
4

1960. Key Songs: Fare Thee Well, Donna Donna

👍
View Author
Tue Oct 20 2020
4

Great mix of genres, like social part of the songs

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 16 2021
4

Great voice. Had memories of the Carpenters with more a country/folk twist.

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 23 2021
4

Well produced cover album, not my usual style but quite nice.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 18 2021
4

Interesting sound, love the House of the Rising Sun cover

👍
View Author
Thu May 27 2021
4

Simply good, great classic songs and arrangements

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 30 2021
4

A modern folk touchstone. Those pipes!

👍
View Author
Sun Jun 20 2021
4

Obviously a pinnacle talent in this genre, though I think her style meshes better with some songs (Silver Dagger, John Riley), but can't quite carry others (House of the Rising Sun) where her singing is just too refined and frankly pretty for the content of the lyrics.

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 09 2021
4

I've enjoyed it, calm and nice.

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 09 2021
4

Fav: East Virginia, Donna Donna, Henry Martin

👍
View Author
Mon May 03 2021
4

Beautiful renditions of some classic songs. Interesting to read about how it was recorded in a hotel with just Joan and an acoustic guitar. Highlights: -East Virginia -House of the Rising Sun -I Know You Rider

👍
View Author
Mon Apr 05 2021
4

I very much enjoyed it. Didn’t know House of the Rising Sun was a Baez jam.

👍
View Author
Thu May 20 2021
4

Love her or not, Baez is definitely one of the foundational pillars of modern folk in America.

👍
View Author
Sat Feb 06 2021
4

Love her. Her voice is haunting and so gripping. I've only heard this first album a couple of times, so it's a nice revisit.

👍
View Author
Sun Feb 28 2021
4

Joan Baez has a beautiful voice. this is a great collection of folk covers

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 27 2021
4

goodone, very nice record, the spanish track was a great find

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 29 2021
4

Proof that simplicity does not mean something has to be dull or uninspiring.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 29 2021
4

I was very surprised when I heard woman of constant sorry and house of the rising sun on this album. She has a beautiful voice that fits so well with the genre she was playing

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 29 2021
4

A very soft and intimate album... Like you're sitting in someone's living room or around a fire and listening to them tell you stories. Thoroughly enjoyed. Favorite Tracks(s): "Silver Dagger," "House of the Rising Sun," and "Henry Martin"

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 17 2021
4

The Queen of folk according to sam's dad

👍
View Author
Sat Jul 17 2021
4

What a beautiful guitar player with a stunning voice.

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 16 2021
4

j'aurai jamais ecouté ce truc et quelle perte ça aurait été, 4/5

👍
View Author
Wed May 26 2021
4

Joni Mitchell vibes with all the story telling

👍
View Author
Wed May 26 2021
4

I thought I wasn't gonna like this but you know what? First song is really pretty. I like her voice. I feel like Mandy Moore probably loves the hell out of this woman. But seriously I'm surprised I've never really listened to her. This is lovely. Makes me very calm. Sometimes she veers into sea shanty vibes lol. Bitch even sings in Spanish! This is dope. I'm gonna give it a 4/5 not cause it was one of my favorite albums but it's really good for the genre I think.

👍
View Author
Thu May 06 2021
4

Sets the tone from the beginning. Wasn’t expecting an album of ballads, and wouldn’t expect to like one, but this is interesting. House of the Rising Sun was great. All in all an enjoyable, relaxing listening experience.

👍
View Author
Mon May 17 2021
4

This is the first time I've ever listened to Joan Baez. I surprisingly enjoyed it. She has a very pleasant voice and impressive guitar skills. Some of the songs are depressing but musically engaging. I'll check out some more Joan Baez someday. Wren liked it too.

👍
View Author
Fri May 21 2021
4

Fantastic folk songs / covers. Can easily come back and listen again

👍
View Author
Sun Aug 29 2021
4

I wish I could say that this was a revelation for me. Maybe it would have been if I were a teenager when it was released but I have to listen through the spectrum of my already established tastes. 4 🌟 just for her angelic voice and the intimate recording.

👍
View Author
Thu Sep 30 2021
4

A little low keyed for my tastes. But I can see where Joan was impressing folks.

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 22 2021
4

malinconico, ma si distingue. grande voce

👍
Load more reviews