Customer Reviews

How Sweet The Sound (DVD + CD)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

At long last! Those of us who've followed Joan Baez' career (some since her beginning 50 years ago at the Newport Folk Festival) have watched her evolve into a legend in the folk music genre, an iconic figure with unparalleled skills as singer/songwriter, musician, and interpreter of some of the most beautiful and evocative folk, country, blues and rock songs ever written. We've bought her albums, then her cassettes, then her cd's, but we've also watched, listened and read about her efforts on behalf of the most vulnerable, war torn, disenfranchised and persecuted throughout the world.

Joan has stood with only her guitar and her clear, luminous voice braving dictators and bullies, military henchmen and bigoted thugs who would try to silence her from speaking or singing, determined to bring comfort and solace where she could, and hope and inspiration where she might. She has sung, marched, written about and simply been present at some of the seminal events of the past century; she has seen the triumphs and tragedies close up.

And finally this remarkable life has been documented with a depth befitting the woman who has quite rightfully become known as the Queen of Folk! The PBS 'American Masters' film takes us inside Joan's family, provides unprecedented access to friends and colleagues, and reveals the influences for her activism and her music---all candidly intimate and not always flattering, but never less than fascinating and sometimes funny, often poignant and always enthralling.

I would urge anyone who is familiar with and appreciates Ms. Baez' music to see this extraordinary documentary, and enjoy the splendid cd of her music that accompanies the DVD and traverses her career from its very beginnings to her most recent release, produced by Steve Earle. It's been a long time coming, but it's here at last...THANK YOU, Joan Baez, PBS and the producers and filmmakers for this wonderful tribute!

I saw this program on Public Television and liked it so well that I wanted my own copy to watch. I have been a big Joan Baez fan since she first came on the scene in the 60"s and it was great to see her finally get her "due" for all of the years that she has spent in the public spotlight. It was sad to think of those early days being past and gone, however, as public sentiment no longer seems to favor music that has much of a "message" that motivates young people toward public service and involvement...the protest generation is passing away (love them or hate them), much like the aging veterans who have fought for our country are dwindling in numbers...sigh. Most music sounds the same today, and there are few who take my breath away as Joan Baez did when I heard her first song on the radio many years ago. As far as the CD goes, I have most of her releases so there wasn't much new on it for me, but it will be good for those who are just coming on board. Buy and enjoy!

This is a complete and clear presentation of the life and many accomplishments of a legend in the history of the world and in music. It depicts the many accomplishments and illustrates why she is a living legend. There are clips of her that even she did not know existed. They show her in her very early years through her current concert tour. I would recommend this program for people who share a generation with her. I would further recommend the program to teach the younger generation how a person can live the same life that they propose. It shows why Joan is referred to as a legend.
If there were more stars, it should be rated with a lot more.

A brilliant look back on Baez' life, music and activist past and present. Beautifully presented, combining footage from the times with comments from Joan today. Wow! She's still such an impressive woman in every way. It chronicles not just her music but also her part in the civil rights movement, her continuing involvement in social justice issues (including dangerous visits to both Hanoi and Sarajevo). But there's also fun and warmth; her humanity shines through - no perfect saint! A great DVD for Baez fans but also maybe to give to the younger generation who may not know the history or the songs. My daughter - 26 - loved it. I have now given it to 4 people who have all loved it!!

I always loved Joan Baez as I young person! She was one of my heroes in the folk era. I saw this piece on PBS a little while ago, and I was so moved that I had to have it for myself. Such courage and beauty in this artist and activist and also in those she built the movement with! I am grateful for them and all we owe to them!

San Rogers, Hagerstown, Md.

I would have bought any DVD featuring Joan Baez. So I did but it turned out to be one of the best DVD's that I own. The music and the understanding of it is great, but what I didn't know enogh about was what a powerful life that she has lived and her bravery in repeatedly standing up for what she believed in. Very touching and inspiring. We have watched it several times both for the good music and at other time listening more carefully for the commentary... Obviously I really liked it and would recommend it to anyone who has any interest in Joan Baez, her music and the events of the 60s to the present.

Bill Gore

This film is brilliant! I hope it inspires a new generation of protest folk singers/activists. We need to learn the lessons of the 60's generation. Activism isnt sitting behind a keyboard. They had some successes ie laws against racism etc which have been limited but better than nothing! At the same time, the 60's generation didnt go far enough. They needed to be better organised.Nowadays it may be a bit harder with big brother watching, but with a little imagination you can get around that. Today we need to reclaim democracy so that it is really by, for and of, the people, and not the multi-national corporations. Come on you young folk singers lets get it rolling!

"Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound" is a thrilling documentary on the life and 50 year long career of America's greatest folk singer. I have been following Joan's career for 42 years and have attended her concerts and bought her records since the 1960's. I define my self as a Joan Baez fan. I call her music the soundtract of my life. I have met her at stage doors many times over the years and I have read her books and all books written about her. Yet even I learned new things about Joan watching this documentary. It is a beautifully made movie. It is full of fascinating interviews with all the major folk music icons of the time -- Dylan included -- and it is such a lovely glimpse into Joan's thoughtful and gently personality. I treasure this documentary film and I am so happy to own the DVD. Michael McSweeney [...]

If you lived through the folk years of the sixties, this will bring back many memories. If you didn't, it is a great musical and social history lesson.

For those of us who lived during the 'hippie' years, we can appreciate Joan Baez's strength and courage in how she lived her life through her songs. This is a 'must' album to have in your collection.