Customer Reviews

Honest Lullaby

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
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A surprisingly effective excursion into pop for Baez, with a set of melodic songs gracefully interpreted. The lilting reggae of No Woman No Cry works well - she tweaked the lyrics (Trenchtown becomes Boystown) for a more universal application. Song At The End Of The Movie and Before The Deluge are magnificent sad songs without being despairing, whilst Honest Lullaby is autobiographical and reminiscent of the earlier Gulf Winds. An accomplished album then, with strong material and sophisticated delivery.

I am trying to collect all of Joan Baez's recordings. The first time I really listened to her was when Diamonds and Rust came out, and I've been a fan ever since. I would have to say that Honest Lullaby and Gulf Winds are by far my favorites. I even cross stitched the chorus to Honest Lullaby and it is framed and hanging on my daughter's wall: "If you should ever wonder, how the years and you survived; Honey, you've gotta mother who sings to you, dances on a string for you, opens her heart and brings to you, an honest lullaby."

This album is distinctive in many ways. First, it was a brilliant coupling of cover material and original songs. Baez's original songs ("Honest Lullaby," "For Sasha," and "Michael," an ode to her boyfriend and early career) stand out amongst cover material by Jackson Browne, Janis Ian, and the Bellamy Brothers. Second, it was recorded at Muscle Shoals Studio and produced by Barry Beckett. Need I say anything about the quality of the musicianiship? Third, the mix on the vocals highlight Joan's lower register, which is beautiful and earthy and bears little resemblance to the ethereal sounds of Joan's early recordings.

The U.S. CD release included the single-release edited version of the title song, a mistake that always boggled my mind. I don't know if the import version includes the entire song, but, if not, the original album version is included in Baez's box set collection "Rare, Live and Classic." For "Honest Lullaby," Joan used the theme from the 50s hit "Little Darlin," and I remember seeing her in concert once where she interspersed lyrics from that song in the bridge.

I think the two performance highlights on "Honest Lullaby" are the program's final two songs: "For All We Know" and "Free At Last." I remember reading somewhere (her autobiography, maybe?) that Joan learned "For All We Know" from a Nina Simone album. Joan contributes a bravura vocal performance with piano accompaniment. "Free At Last," co-written by Joan, is a gospel-flavored number written about Martin Luther King, Jr., her buddy in the civil rights movement. The song will have you singing along and playing it again and again.

An amazing recording from an amazing artist. And the cover photography by Josef Karsh perfectly encapsulates the beautiful music.

P.S.: While recording this album at Muscle Shoals, Joan contributed vocals to the Amazing Rhythm Aces track "Homestead In My Heart" (from the 1979 "Amazing Rhythm Aces" album).

Joan had steadily been releasing albums since 1960. By 1979, she had gone from the folk of her debut to this pop album voice intact. Due to a despute Joan's contract was terminated and no new albums would be released in the states until the mid-80s. By then music had changed and her chance to stay relevant in the 80s was squandered. This really is an important album in her catalog since it truly is the end of her prime era. A must own IMO!

In addition to being a great civil rights advocate, exquisitely beautiful and having the voice of an angel, Joan Baez is also a fine songwriter as this CD illustrates. Here she sings three of her own songs: the title cut, "Honest Lullaby", "For Sasha", and "Michael", all of which are exceedingly well-done. But the words: "For all we know/We may never meet again/Before we go/Make this moment live again" from "For All We Know" are vintage Baez. Her vibrato is instantly recognizable and will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. The piece de resistance, however,-- for my vote at least-- is Jackson Browne's "Before the Deluge." I am not aware of another singer's having recorded this song other than Browne himself. It remains my favorite Jackson Browne song. Baez's version is spectacular. Barry Beckett plays mean keyboards on many of these cuts as well.

This is a beautiful CD that you will play over and over.

I have collected every record from this amazing woman, this one is one of my favorites. I guess that's because of the time it was released. It has a very moody tone to it. Beautifully sung, the songs are upbeat, reflective, honest, and moving. It is a hard to find recording, but worthy of a place in your CD library, even for hardcore folkies.

Joan Baez continues to demonstrate her songwriting skills on this album. The title track is first rate, followed by two other strong compositions of her own on Side Two. Like her previous album "Blowin' Away", her own songs are the highlights.

While the inclusion of out and out pop songs like Let Your Love Flow is questionable, especially as an album opener, Janis Ian's Light A Light and Jackson Browne's Before The Deluge work effectively - the two songwriters actually making a second appearance on a Baez album, first time being on Diamonds & Rust: "Jesse" and "Fountains Of Sorrow" respectively.

The album cover is beautiful: showing an attractive, mature and intelligent woman. The remastering is typical of an early 90's job...quite harsh with not enough bottom end, but at least all album information is faithfully reproduced.

I have to admit that I find this album patchy, but it is lifted to brilliance by three songs. The title track is one of Joan Baez's best compositions, For Sasha is profoundly moving, and For All We Know is a wonderful performance. The rest I can take or leave, but those three songs alone make this CD worth owning.

Joan Baez is one of the most prolific of the female folksingers. She can cover any ones songs and make them her own. I love her version of Light a Light and Let the Love Flow. But the best song that she covers on this album is For All We Know. Only accompanied by a piano her voice shines beautifully. This is definetly my favorite song onb this c.d.