Personnel: Joan Baez (vocals, guitar); Norman Blake (guitar, dobro); Pete Wade (guitar); Buddy Spicher (violin); Charlie McCoy (harmonica); Norbert Putnam (bass); Kenneth Buttrey (drums); The Nashville Strings, The Memphis Horns, The Holladay Singers, The Town And Country Singers.

Recorded at Quadrafonic Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Norman Blake (guitar, dobro); Pete Wade (guitar); Buddy Spicher (violin); The Memphis Horns (horns); David Briggs (keyboards); Kenny Buttrey (drums).

Liner Note Author: Arthur Levy .

Recording information: Quadrafonic Studios, Nashville, TN (1969); Woodstock Festival (1969).

Arrangers: David Briggs ; Norbert Putnam.

Perhaps Joan Baez's best-known album, 1971's BLESSED ARE is a double-album-length example of Baez at the point where she was moving away from pure folk into a more pop-oriented sound. Featuring her hit cover of the Band's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," a version which outraged many Band fans because they felt Baez misinterpreted the lyrics, the record also includes several other country-tinged rock covers, including the Stones' "Salt of the Earth," the Beatles' "Let It Be" and Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through the Night," alongside an impressive set of Baez folk-rock originals. "Fifteen Months" and the seven-minute ballad "Three Horses" are particular highlights. This remastered CD reissue includes a bonus CD single, "Plane Wreck At Los Gatos (Deportee)" and "Maria Dolores," two songs from a 7" which was included with early copies of the vinyl album.

Genre:

• Folk

Music Categories:

• Rock & Pop: Folk Rock