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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having bought the single way back in the 70's when it was first released and heard what seemed the fashionable comment at the time that "some records were too good for the charts" I wanted to buy the album when funds permitted. No disappointments - this is a classic that doesn't waste a track. Different in style to other albums that Joan Baez has done but more than worth hearing and at a fantastic price. Buy, play, enjoy, you will not regret.
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49 of 52 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been mulling over the idea that "Diamonds & Rust" is the best folk album of the Seventies, and it has made me realize that I am always going to think of Bob Dylan as being a folksinger even when his guitar is electric. So I would still give the nod to "Blood on the Tracks," especially since that is where Joan Baez's cover of "Simple Twist Of Fate" comes from. But I have no problem with the idea that this is the best Joan Baez album and no doubt whatsoever that "Diamonds & Rust" is her greatest accomplishment as a songwriter...
Of course the song is about Dylan "the unwashed phenomenon"; what else would make more perfect sense? More importantly, the elegance of the dichotomy offered by those two words is simple genius, which inspires instant recognition on the part of the listener. My biggest compliment that would be "Diamonds & Rust" is the best Dylan songs not written by Dylan. Baez has never sounded any better than she does on this album. In addition to the title song my other favorites are "Hello In There" and "Jesse." The argument can certainly be made by armchair psychologists that the title song was an important catharsis for Baez, which could explain the dramatic improvement in both her songwriting and singing. The latter is probably less obvious simply because Baez and Judy Collins were the standards by which all female folk singers were judged in the Sixties and Seventies. But I think it is obvious that her rich soprano voice with its distinctive vibrato never sounded better. Still, that title song is just so impressive. I would have to say it is one of the ten best songs of the Seventies.
Of course the song is about Dylan "the unwashed phenomenon"; what else would make more perfect sense? More importantly, the elegance of the dichotomy offered by those two words is simple genius, which inspires instant recognition on the part of the listener. My biggest compliment that would be "Diamonds & Rust" is the best Dylan songs not written by Dylan. Baez has never sounded any better than she does on this album. In addition to the title song my other favorites are "Hello In There" and "Jesse." The argument can certainly be made by armchair psychologists that the title song was an important catharsis for Baez, which could explain the dramatic improvement in both her songwriting and singing. The latter is probably less obvious simply because Baez and Judy Collins were the standards by which all female folk singers were judged in the Sixties and Seventies. But I think it is obvious that her rich soprano voice with its distinctive vibrato never sounded better. Still, that title song is just so impressive. I would have to say it is one of the ten best songs of the Seventies.
Yes, "Tangled Up in Blue" would also be on that list on diamonds.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Masterpiece of moving love songs
This elegant album is a seamless blend of her own and others' literate but moving love songs and just a nod to her folk roots in the medley of I Dream Of Jeannie/Danny Boy. She covers songs by Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Dylan, John Prine and others, while contributing her beautiful own compositions like the title track, Children And All That Jazz, Winds Of The Old Days (reminiscent of Gulf Winds) and Dida. Her interpretation of Browne's Fountain Of Sorrow is particularly poignant, and so is Jesse, the Janis Ian song. Another classic is the reflective Winds Of The Old Days. Unlike some of her ventures into the art song in the 1980's, this album really works, as she sings with warmth and conviction and make the songs her own. Diamonds and Rust is a successful move away from her pure folk roots.
This elegant album is a seamless blend of her own and others' literate but moving love songs and just a nod to her folk roots in the medley of I Dream Of Jeannie/Danny Boy. She covers songs by Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, Dylan, John Prine and others, while contributing her beautiful own compositions like the title track, Children And All That Jazz, Winds Of The Old Days (reminiscent of Gulf Winds) and Dida. Her interpretation of Browne's Fountain Of Sorrow is particularly poignant, and so is Jesse, the Janis Ian song. Another classic is the reflective Winds Of The Old Days. Unlike some of her ventures into the art song in the 1980's, this album really works, as she sings with warmth and conviction and make the songs her own. Diamonds and Rust is a successful move away from her pure folk roots.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Memory Lane or what?
I have to confess that I have just purchased this off a well known rival site for a mere £1.86! It takes me right back to 1976 when I first heard the vinyl version and played it... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Richard J. Young
Great CD
great songs and a gem for those who either love Joan or want to discover her crystal voice. Highly recommended.
Published 5 months ago by John M. O'brien
Curate's Egg
The title track is sung excellently - I'm not all that convinced by the lyrics - but if the rest of the tracks matched up to it I would have no complaint. Read more
Published on 10 Mar 2010 by J. A. Collier
Joan Baez at her best
This is a superb CD that not only showcases Joan's distinctive soprano voice but also demonstrates her amazing versatility. Read more
Published on 6 Nov 2009 by Doug Liddell
Diamonds and Rust
OK, I had forgotton just how good Joan's voice was. This is a great album, great lyrics and wonderfull tone
Published on 1 July 2009 by Simon Springate
Not bad...
I'm listening to this more for the immaculate backing musicians rather than the OK choice of songs & Joan's warbling tremolodic voice. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by Fingerbar Fiddleston
Original better than Judas Priest cover (no mean feat)
Came to this from the Judas Priest cover version. This is so different but, if anything, the purity of her voice makes Joan Baez's original even more... Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by Mr. M. Green
A good introduction to Joan Baez
This is a brilliant record and if you've been thinking about delving into the world of 70s folk/political music then for £4 I recommend trying out Ms Baez. Read more
Published on 15 Feb 2009 by JuJuDollie
Raining diamonds....
Such beautifully poetic lyrics poignantly sung with crystalline precision. We are enjoying this no end.
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by R. Schweizer
DIAMONDS AND RUST DELIVERS...
This is an excellent CD from a more mature Joan Baez. Her own musical composition, "Diamonds and Rust", which is the signature song on the CD, is simply outstanding, both lyrically... Read more
Published on 19 Feb 2003 by Lawyeraau
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