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On this day, 8 March 2007, folk legend Joan Baez played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall.
In February 2007, Proper Records reissued her 1995 live album Ring Them Bells, which featured duets with artists ranging from Dar Williams and Mimi Fariña to the Indigo Girls and Mary Chapin Carpenter.
The reissue features a 16-page booklet and six unreleased live tracks from the original recording sessions. In addition, Baez recorded a duet of "Jim Crow" with John Mellencamp which appears on his album Freedom's Road (2007). Also in February 2007, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The day after receiving the honor, she appeared at the Grammy Awards ceremony and introduced a performance by the Dixie Chicks.
Joan Baez, St David's Hall, Cardiff. Review - South Wales Argus
By Alan Molloy
MENTION Joan Baez to people of a certain age and they think, folk singer, activist, civil rights marcher and they may even remember in 1967 her views saw her prevented from performing at America's Constitution Hall by the ultra-right Daughters of the American Revolution.
This legendary singer who toured with Bob Dylan in the 70s has lost none of her magic and still speaks and sings for solutions to violence in the Middle East and Latin America.
Was St David's Hall, Cardiff, ready for this rebel and would her haunting songs travel well across the years?
The answer is Yes' they were ready for her as the encores and applause testified and Yes' the songs are just as powerful.
"I can't believe I'm still doing this and I can't believe that you are still there,'' said Joan and the audience certainly were as they cheered their way through this thoughtful repertoire.
Her effortless performance included Wildwood Flower from her first album, Joe Hill, With God on our Side, Diamonds and Rust, Lily and There but for Fortune.
Accompanied by guitarists Graham Maybe and Eric de la Pena, her songs were interspersed with anecdotes and comments on politics in Washington.
The audience went home having been transported back to a time when talent was recognised and one-hit wonders and tribute bands were in the distant future.
