Between Elvis and The Beatles, folk music was the sound of youth. Artists like Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary and groups such as The Kingston Trio were what captured the ears of the late 50s cognicenti. The most important lady of the canyon at the time was Joan Baez, friend of Dylan and possessor of a haunting voice that rang like a bell. This two disc set covers here first albums, by far her best.
Before here first solo album, she did a casual album with Bill Wood and Ted Alevisos, recording “Kitty” and “Careless Love” in a basement. Her first “real” album from 1960 is a thrown down gauntlet, with deliveries of “Silver Dagger”, “House of the Rising Sun” and “Wildwood Flower” that still startle the uninitiated. Her sophomore release in 1961 is just as riveting, taking traditional pieces like “Pal of Mine” or “Banks of the Ohio” and making them sound like a clarion call for a new generation. There is something new and fresh in the air here, or as they said, it was blowing in the wind. You can change the world without plugging in.