Customer Reviews

Recently

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

 

 

"Recently" brings the listener Joan Baez's beautiful voice in full and glorious maturity. This is not an album of rearranged and previously recorded hits or traditional favorites, but a beautiful compilation including 2 written by Joan."Recently" is one of 2 superior efforts by one of our greatest contemporary Folk singers. The other great album is "Come From The Shadows". Both albums contain the social consciousness that Joan champions, but also are masterful musical assemblages. If you are only going to own 1 or 2 Joan Baez albums, let it be these. Enjoy!

Recently is one of the finest pieces of work Joan Baez has ever done. The songs are timelessly relevant and will have everyone reminiscing as they listen to the words. A touch of eloquence from the "Madonna of Folk". Truly an asset to anyone's collection.

Although I love the music of Joan Baez, I'm not so sure of this 1987 album. Like 1989's Speaking Of Dreams, it lacks the passion of her 60s and 70s work and seems to be an attempt to marry her "art-singer" style of the 1980s with her earlier political consciousness. As such, it doesn't really gel. I like her interpretation of the Johnny Clegg song Asimbonanga (a Zulu tribute to Nelson Mandela) and her version of Peter Gabriel's Biko, whilst her own composition, the title track Recently, is competent enough. As for the rest, the singing is good but the album lacks some spark somehow. Perhaps I am just conditioned to the simplicity and beauty of her characteristic style of folk music. This is still a good album with memorable songs.

Although I love the work of Joan Baez, I'm not so sure of this album. It lacks the passion of her 60s and 70s work, and seems to be an attempt to marry her "art-singer" style of the 1980s with her earlier political consciousness. As such, it doesn't work. I like her interpretation of the Johnny Clegg song Asimbonanga (Zulu for "We haven't seen him") and her version of Peter Gabriel's "Biko," whilst her own composition "Recently" is competent enough. As for the rest, the singing is good but the album lacks some spark somehow. I disagree with the other reviewer: I think Joan Baez has made many classic albums besides "Come From The Shadows," like "Farewell Angelina", "From Every Stage", "Diamonds & Rust", "Any Day Now", "Gracias A La Vida" and many more.