Joan Baez, Vol. 2
Studio album by
Joan Baez
ReleasedSeptember 1961
Recorded1961
StudioVanguard Studios, New York City
GenreFolk
Length44:15
LabelVanguard VSD-2097
ProducerMaynard Solomon
Joan Baez chronology
Joan Baez
(1960) 		Joan Baez, Vol. 2
(1961) 		Joan Baez in Concert
(1962)

Joan Baez, Vol. 2 is the second studio album by Joan Baez. Released in 1961, the album, like her self-titled 1960 debut album, featured mostly traditional songs. The bluegrass band The Greenbriar Boys provided backup on two songs.[1] Joan Baez, Vol. 2 peaked at #13 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Contemporary Folk Performance".

The Vanguard reissue contains three unreleased tracks, "I Once Loved A Boy", "Poor Boy" and "Longest Train I Ever Saw".

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]

In his Allmusic review, music critic Matt Fink wrote of the album:

"The material chosen is truly exceptional... Without a doubt, Baez's version of "Pal of Mine" is every bit as vibrant as when the Carters recorded it, though here given a more bluegrass sound by the banjo and backup vocal accompaniment of the Greenbriar Boys. Baez is a true master of her craft, and though she hasn't always made the best choices for material, the 14 interpretations here are as timeless as the songs themselves... this is an album that all fans of traditional folk music should seek out."[2]

Track listing

All songs traditional, except where noted.

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Wagoner's Lad"Traditional; arranged by anonymous2:14
2."The Trees They Do Grow High"Traditional; arranged by anonymous2:59
3."Lily of the West" 3:21
4."Silkie" (Child no. 113) 4:01
5."Engine 143" 3:32
6."Once I Knew a Pretty Girl" 2:56
7."Lonesome Road" 2:23
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
8."Banks of the Ohio" 3:09
9."Pal of Mine" 2:50
10."Barbara Allen" (Child no. 84) 4:17
11."The Cherry Tree Carol" (Child no. 54) 3:30
12."Old Blue" 2:36
13."Railroad Boy" 2:31
14."Plaisir d'Amour" ("The Joys of Love")Jean-Paul-Égide Martini alias Martini il Tedesco3:11
Total length:44:15
2001 reissue bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
15."I Once Loved a Boy"2:39
16."Poor Boy"2:55
17."Longest Train I Ever Saw"3:15

Personnel

Certifications

Certifications for Joan Baez, Vol. 2
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[3] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Joan Baez - Joan Baez Vol. 2 (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b Fink, Matt. "Joan Baez, Vol. 2 > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
  3. ^ "American album certifications – Joan Baez – Joan Baez, Volume 2". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
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