By Jonathan Leyser and Andrew White, Jayplay contributors
Joan Baez has been a pivotal American singer/songwriter and activist for more than 40 years. On her political agenda are civil rights, gay rights, environmental protection and the protest of both the Vietnam and Iraqi wars. Baez follows political acts Le Tigre, Electrelane and Saul Williams, all of whom visited Lawrence earlier this semester. Joan Baez graciously stole the Liberty Hall stage on October 5th, kicking off an early date on her nationwide fall tour.
An onpour of graying boomers, dressed more formally than the average concert crowd, filled Liberty Hall (at $42.50 to $60 for a ticket). Beer sales were low. Old, long-lost friends reunited with a hugs and hellos before the concert began. Baez took stage approximately 8:15 p.m., and her presence was warmly welcomed with an ovation. The crowd sat content, silent while Baez sang, but quick to sing-along when
prompted. The seemingly unsure Baez pointed the microphone to the audience at the end of the first song, and the silent crowed erupted a harmony of "Na, na, na, na," Joan paused. "Perfect," she said, clapping for her audience, who in return clapped back. She shined with confidence reminiscent of a legend.
She spoke about days past, spent in a relationship and performing with Bob Dylan. From the audience, a man bellowed, "You look a hell of a lot better than Dylan." The audience roared with laughter and Baez took a minute to blush and run her fingers through her short-length grey hair, before responding, "Getting older. It's just an art...Gimmie my paintbrush." As the night continues, she sang beautiful variations of Elvis Costello, Woody Guthrie and of course, Bob Dylan.
Her camaraderie with the audience continued throughout the show, maintaining the intimate atmosphere within Massachusetts Street's largest concert venue.
Stringed instruments including a steel guitar and mandolin accompanied her set. But it was the dynamic harmonies and powerful political messages that were focal points of the evening.
She commented on her stay at Cindy Sheehan's Camp Casey, just outside President Bush's Texas ranch. She explained they gathered at Camp Casey to deliver their anti-war plea to the president and the country. "Everybody came for a day and stayed a week. Me too," she said.
She lectured on compassion and told the story of George W.'s sister's death. President Bush was seven at the time and, according to Baez, the Bush family suppressed a lot of grief thereafter. After George senior and Barbara received the news of her death, Baez explains,
"they went golfing." Baez followed with a soprano ballad of "Swing Low, Swing Chariot" with an added verse for the president. She sang, "send even him home." The crowd cheered and laughed.
From their numbered seats, the crowed rose for a standing ovation, demanding an encore — twice. Beez reemerged and satisfied the audience with her 1975 best selling release, Diamonds & Rust (a song about her relationship with Bob Dylan).
Her recent live release, Bowery Songs, features covers of her friends in folk music, four original and never-before heard arrangements of traditional songs.
Following two encores, Baez declined an interview, opting for a massage.