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JOAN BAEZ
Joan Chandos Baez (born January 9, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and activist. Her contemporary folk music often includes songs of protest and social justice. Baez has performed publicly for over 60 years, releasing more than 30 albums. Fluent in Spanish and English, she has also recorded songs in at least six other languages.
Baez is generally regarded as a folk singer, but her music has diversified since the counterculture era of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk rock, pop, country, and gospel music. She began her recording career in 1960 and achieved immediate success. Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez, Vol. 2 and Joan Baez in Concert, all achieved gold record status.
Baez is generally regarded as a folk singer, but her music has diversified since the counterculture era of the 1960s and encompasses genres such as folk rock, pop, country, and gospel music. She began her recording career in 1960 and achieved immediate success. Her first three albums, Joan Baez, Joan Baez, Vol. 2 and Joan Baez in Concert, all achieved gold record status.
When she was 19, the singer-songwriter made her debut at that most Jewish of institutions — the 92nd Street Y................Over the years, Baez has credited educator and bookseller Ira Sandperl — a self-taught Gandhi scholar who was born into a leftist Jewish household in St. Louis, Mo., in 1923 — as her intellectual mentor. The two cofounded the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence in the mid-1960s, and he remained her guru of civil disobedience tactics for decades.
The daughter of a Mexican father and Scottish mother, Baez endured schoolyard taunts for being a “dirty Mexican.” She found strength, however, in her family’s devotion to the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly and informally known as the Quakers, distinguished by their belief in conscientious objection against fighting in wars, which she channeled into her activism against the Vietnam War and other subsequent military conflicts.
Baez has primarily been a song interpreter rather than a songwriter, although she has on occasion written her own songs, the best-known of which was the title track to her album, “Diamonds and Rust,” one of several tunes she has written about her relationship with Bob Dylan. Baez was an early booster of Dylan’s, taking him on tour with her as a surprise guest (often to the chagrin of her audiences) and recording dozens of his songs, including some of his most Jewish numbers, such as “I Shall Be Released,” “With God on Our Side,” and “Forever Young.” --Forward; The secret Jewish history of Joan Baez 1.9.23
The daughter of a Mexican father and Scottish mother, Baez endured schoolyard taunts for being a “dirty Mexican.” She found strength, however, in her family’s devotion to the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly and informally known as the Quakers, distinguished by their belief in conscientious objection against fighting in wars, which she channeled into her activism against the Vietnam War and other subsequent military conflicts.
Baez has primarily been a song interpreter rather than a songwriter, although she has on occasion written her own songs, the best-known of which was the title track to her album, “Diamonds and Rust,” one of several tunes she has written about her relationship with Bob Dylan. Baez was an early booster of Dylan’s, taking him on tour with her as a surprise guest (often to the chagrin of her audiences) and recording dozens of his songs, including some of his most Jewish numbers, such as “I Shall Be Released,” “With God on Our Side,” and “Forever Young.” --Forward; The secret Jewish history of Joan Baez 1.9.23
Joan Baez
"I think probably what held over was two things. One, the Quakers are really serious about not killing anybody. It is the only religion, including Buddhist, that doesn’t follow the call to arms and accept the consequences for refusing to kill. The other thing is the silence." -Joan Baez; on what she held over from the Quaker environment she was raised in; 11.2.11
I believe in prophecy |
“God is God” was one of the gospel songs of Joan Baez and it specifically talks about God and his capabilities. Sometimes we tend to forget who God really is and the mighty things that he can do. Even more, others who live on this planet don’t have any single idea who He is. It’s just a good thing that we have singers like Joan Baez who incorporates the wonders of the Lord through her songs...........Our life is like a test; sometimes we will encounter a rough and tough road. Hence putting our faith to the test but with the mighty power of the Lord, we can overcome anything. Eventually, at the end of a rough test, we will be rewarded, provided that we have been faithful. Joan Baez did not just interpret “God is God” for nothing. She wants us to know that we have this higher being that always looks after us. -Country Thang Daily; “God is God:” A Straight from the Heart Appreciation by Joan Baez; 10.30.22
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Just a Closer Walk With Thee (Joan Baez Version) Precious Lord, take my hand Lead me on, let me stand I am tired, I am weak I am worn Lead me on through the night Through the storm, to the bright Take my hand, precious Lord Lead me on Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, great God, let it be Well I am weak, but Thou art strong Jesus, keep me from all wrong I'll be satisfied as long As I walk, daily walk close to Thee Through this world of toils and snares, Jesus, Lord, who cares Well we our burden we will share Let it be, great God, let it be Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close to Thee Let it be, great God, let it be |
Joan Baez sings the traditional gospel song 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee' from her 1969 Vanguard album 'David's Album'. The song has been recorded by well over 70 performers. Musicians on the album are: Joan Baez – vocals, guitar, Fred Carter, Jr. – mandolin, Pete Drake – pedal steel guitar, Johnny Gimble – fiddle, Roy Huskey, Jr. – bass, Tommy Jackson – fiddle, Jerry Kennedy – guitar, Jerry Reed – guitar, Harold Bradley – guitar, dobro, Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano, Harold Rugg – guitar, dobro, Grady Martin – guitar, Buddy Spicher – fiddle, Norbert Putnam – bass, Kenny Buttrey – drums.
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One of the most interesting details for me about Joan Baez is the fact that her parents aligned themselves to the Quaker tradition when Joan was still fairly young. Since she was seen by many as Mexican, Joan was subjected to racist and other kinds of harassments. No doubt, this planted the seeds of her well-known work for peace and social justice. And of course, this fit well with her newfound Quaker faith. I like to call her a sister in the faith. Sadly, I have never met her.
I like to think about her music as her personal ministry. Quakers understand ministry in very broad terms. In fact Quakers would say that every one who comes to be a person of faith is also called to a particular kind of ministry. We understand the meaning of the word, minister, is to serve. Ministry is service to God by serving all of God’s creatures.
There are so many stories, so many songs, so many sit ins---too many to recount. Perhaps I can bring out one song that represents the many concerns of Joan Baez. The song is entitled, “All the Weary Mothers of the Earth,” written in 1971. It is a song of protest and of vision. It sees a time when there will be no more war. It begins with this line: “All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest…” Another stanza talks about “And the aching workers of the world again shall sing…’we shall no longer be the poor, for no one own us anymore…” -Alan Kolp; Faith & Life Inspirarional Message; For Joan Baez; 12.13.16
I like to think about her music as her personal ministry. Quakers understand ministry in very broad terms. In fact Quakers would say that every one who comes to be a person of faith is also called to a particular kind of ministry. We understand the meaning of the word, minister, is to serve. Ministry is service to God by serving all of God’s creatures.
There are so many stories, so many songs, so many sit ins---too many to recount. Perhaps I can bring out one song that represents the many concerns of Joan Baez. The song is entitled, “All the Weary Mothers of the Earth,” written in 1971. It is a song of protest and of vision. It sees a time when there will be no more war. It begins with this line: “All the weary mothers of the earth will finally rest…” Another stanza talks about “And the aching workers of the world again shall sing…’we shall no longer be the poor, for no one own us anymore…” -Alan Kolp; Faith & Life Inspirarional Message; For Joan Baez; 12.13.16
