JOAN BAEZ ~ The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down ~.wmv

Joan Baez ~ THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN ~

"Joans original 1971 recording of this enduring song by Robbie Robertson (the Band) took on a new life when Nashville producer Norbert Putnam invited about 20 people (most of whom were drunk) into the studio to sing as a choirl Every folksinger deserves at least one gold-selling hit single - and what "Amazing Grace" did for Judy at the beginning of '71, "Dixie" did for Joan that summer. 24 years later, the reverenial Bottom Line crowd intones the chorus like a chant, as Joan`s "a cappella" convocation brought each night`s set to a close."

Frankly, when they decided to make a hit of Joan`s new single, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" way back in 1971, I felt it just wasn`t Joan singing from the heart. For me, the first time I heard Joan sing it, I knew Joan had compromised and I never thought the song suited her. I didn`t believe Joan really meant the words she was singing. She was no longer a folksinger the way Pete Seeger was and still is, but I understood she needed to sell her records. It`s a silly song about nothing, and ever since she left Vanguard, she`s been compromising ever since. A true folksinger is someone singing accompanied by only one instrument, most often just a guitar. You can tell them I said that.

But Joan always had a sense of humor. A long time ago, Joan came down to Hawaii to do a concert and I went to see her. She sang for two hours and she was just learning the song, "Forever Young" She wrote the words on a piece of paper and stuck it to the microphone with some gum she was chewing. Anyway, when Joan started to sing "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", the crowd began to clap, and Joan being the good humored person she is, she told the crowd, "Ah, all you teeny-boopers!" I`m glad I got to see her in concert at least once, and I had good memories of that concert!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• JOAN
• BAEZ
• The
• Night
• They
• Drove
• Old
• Dixie
• Down

[bobo7813]

It's a sad state of afairs when I see posts declaring that this song is "racist"

Apparently many ignorant people feel that since the "N" word has lost it's power, they need a new "R" word is necessary to further their radical views>

Sorry state of affairs!!!!!!!

[RNParamedic03]

Great Job by Joan Baez singing acapella.

[yrbam3]

@dreamcatcher2398

Well put, dreamcatcher

[yrbam3]

@dreamcatcher2398

Good call bobo7813, Good Call

[newspapertaxis1]

WHY WHY WHY THAT SHOT OF JOAN!!!!!!

[dreamcatcher2398]

@bobo7813 Racist? Really?? I've taught history for many years and it's the same sad state I've been lecturing about: learn your history. The "ordinary" Southerner suffered so after the War, listen to what Ms. Baez is singing. The people of the South had nothing, really nothing but the earth they stood on, and for most of them it WAS simply that plot and, maybe, a tiny bit of pride in their heritage which, for the great majority, didn't include slaves, just a family heritage.

[skiprydell1]

Joan shoze more talent the older.....

[ppetal1]

whatever happened in that studio in 71, the result was stunning. Is stunning. this is pretty good too. The licentiousness of the political left never fails to amaze me. The defences and reactions against it are even worse. Think Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Pol Pot and Patrick Sky.

The song is about the cruelty and injustice, not to mention Vainglory, of War. Buddy Holly is amazing and Pete Seeger can be hard work, on occasion. Yes, Joan is in the biz. So am I, busking on the street.

[MichaelMcKimmey]

say

Saw The Band sans Robbie in 82'...the crowd in st louis requested...but they refused to perform this song...

[MrDoober1954]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[Helivz]

@mickchick01 Very good maintenance after all these decades. She sounds 99% the same , just the pace is a tad bit slower. Five Star Performer / Performance!

[mickchick01]

Superb!!!