Joan Baez Presents Concert at Spa for Audience of 12,000

by Peg Breen, The Glens Falls Times, August 8, 1967

At various times during the past few years, the position of Joan Baez in the hierarchy of American folk singers seemed threatened. Last night, however, before some 12,000 persons at the Saratoga Performing
Arts Center, Miss Baez again proved her claim to the title of “Queen of American Folk Singers.”

Joan Baez followers could remember previous concerts in which the repertoire consisted mainly of old English ballads and the outfit was a rather drab skirt and blouse.

The woman before them last night definitely expressed the
style and sentiment of the day. Dressed in a fashionable, bright dress, Miss Baez included songs by such contemporary performers as the Beatles and Simon and Garfunkel, as well as songs from her later albums. She only lapsed into a ballad once, “for old times sake.”

Always one to express her opinions, Miss Baez sang, also, of peace and brotherhood. She brought home the point that these were universal feelings by rendering “Blowin’ in the Wind” in Japanese and singing a recent Italian song about Vietnam. A quality of hope was noted in a beautiful version of “The Lord’s Prayer” backed with a calypso rhythm and in an apology for a line stating “nothing is given to man” which she felt was necessary “after watching a sunset.”

Her lovely, clear voice overcame temporary microphone difficulties and her humor displayed at various points, e.g. striking fake poses before a barrage of flashbulbs and remarking after a noise “I bet you’re the cat that took the jewels, too.”

Tumultuous applause from an audience ranging from sandal-clad youths to groups of nuns showed the approval of each number and the program in general. Radiant smiles and a wave from Miss Baez showed
her appreciation as she disappeared from the stage.