Joan Baez
London Royal Albert Hall
2nd October, 2008

View: stalls, mid-left

Marking 50 years of performing, Joan was on fine form, although she used less of her vibrato-laden upper range than she once did. Still, her voice is astonishingly warm and sultry, filling the Hall when she stepped away from the mic for an a capella Swing Low Sweet Chariot. She mixed old faves such as Lily Of The West and There But For Fortune with new material such as Scarlett Tide. Baez the activist returned with Christmas In Washington and With God On Our Side, while the joker reprised her crowd-pleasing Love Is Just A Four Letter Word. Save for minor mistakes like forgetting the words to God Is God, her performance was perfect.

Reviewed by Lynn Roberts
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