Gone From Danger - Joan Baez

Advantages: Expressive and emotive folk songs. Sung from the heart.
Disadvantages: The cover is unispiring and does not reflect the album's intent..

...mandolin, bazooka, Accordion and Wurlitzer. Gone From Danger opens with “No Mermaid” by composer Sinead Lohan. A tremolo guitar chord and a dreamy tinkling high-keyed piano played by Kenny Greenberg and Dennis Berrndide respectively introduces the haunting lyrics, “I am no mermaid, no fisherman’s slave” accompanied by a determined drum and pedal steel guitar beat. Joan Baez herself provides the background vocals for this song together with fellow ...
...a lament relating a woman’s anguish as she waits and hopes for her husband’s return from the Civil War, “I won’t forget our sad farewell”. Joe Spivey’s mournful fiddle opens and sets the pace. Baez’s yearning tone is augmented by the Bazooka and Mandolin. “Crack In The Mirror” by Betty Elders is a powerful emotional story about childhood abuse. A soulful saxophone, played by Jim Hoke, adds to the song’s poignancy and creates a “blues” impression. ... Read review

Advantages: Modern folk with profound lyrics and beautiful melodies.
Disadvantages: Not widely available

...I first became aware of Dar Williams when I bought the Joan Baez CD, Gone from Danger. Dar Williams had written a number of tracks on the CD and also provided backing vocals on some. I was very impressed by this singer / songwriter and promised myself I would seek out more of her work. It took me some time but I finally came across this CD, "The Green World". The CD is the fourth of Dar Williams solo albums released in 2002 by Razor & Tie and I was not disappointed. The CD is enjoyable for many reasons. Each of the songs is a delight to listen to instilled with the folk-song storytelling quality. Dar's voice is pleasing and clear; at times wistful, at others mournful, sometimes childlike and sometimes whimsical. The lyrics are amazing and original; they are catchy yet the underlying sentiment is often profound; somewhat ambiguous... Read review

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