JOAN BAEZ ~ Amazing Grace ~

Joan Baez ~ AMAZING GRACE ~ Recorded in concert for the King Biscuit Hour, 1982. Joan says: In 1985, I gave a concert in Montpelier, Vermont and ended the show with "Amazing Grace". This occured during that not-so-happy- time in my career in the States when it became apparent to me that I would have to work to re-establish myself musically. It took me a long time to realize that the only person who could do anything about that was myself. for awhile I blamed the media, the record companies, and even the audience and during that time I didn`t get my act together. What happened was the audience started to sing with me, and they sounded so beautiful. Then something clicked, "This is why I`m here." When people sing like this and become a community, I`m doing what I was meant to be doing best. It was a turning point for me, a reminder that there were other things to remember besides my commercial career. It was proof that there was a greater meaning for people and myself about what I do on stage. The commercial considerations were there, of course, but it was a great joy because they sang so beautifully." I went to pieces; I don`t know how I got through it. One can`t cry and sing at the same time. It was a bit of an ethereal experience on stage."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• JOAN
• BAEZ
• Amazing
• Grace

[christophe76382]

Thanks Didi !

[Scout4Me1]

Merci Christophe!

[9duryea9]

@johnnyjemimah

You haven't a clue, youngster. There was a begining. Neither of us were there.

Try being 'learned' by this proclamation.

[dissimulate666]

@johnnyjemimah This is called "lining" or "call-and-response." It's in the style of a Negro spiritual. This is how you do it when you don't have a song book or don't know how to read. It is just as it should be. Authentic. Beautiful.

[LittleDragon2000]

@Chiczaro I really don't know much. I just read a lot. And listen.

[elizag100]

thanks for that explanation JB

[Chiczaro]

@LittleDragon2000 Thanks, you taught me something. I have heard songs done like this before, and I liked it - but I did not know what I was listening to. Too bad these comments have such limited space. If you knew this, you probably know a lot of interesting things about music.

[Chiczaro]

@sayasukaso Great observation. I agree. Listen to her sing "Guantanamera" if you are not already familiar with it.

[vagaickie]

OMG! I've just got goosebumps listening to this & tears in my eyes! I'd give anything to see Joan in concert!!

[sayasukaso]

Beautiful voice! This is the real singer... her voice could melting the iceberg!

[skiprydell1]

beautiful....as is the singer

[TheJdgmar]

@johnnyjemimah

There was a you tube rendition of Amazing grace by Joan posted about four years ago in a stadium where she sang the song without speaking the words. The stadium crowd stood and you could have heard a pin drop. It gave me chills and I have been looking for it ever since and have yet to find it. All I can tell you about it is that it was in a stadium and was the most beautiful rendition of this song that I evet heard. Hopefully, one of these days we will be priviledged to hear it

[ktakw]

@johnnyjemimah That's the traditional way of singing hymns, so the average person knows the words, in this case it's so the audience can sing along.

[LittleDragon2000]

Joan's way of singing the song - outlining the song before she sings each line - is the traditional way of singing the songs in the time of John Newton. Especially among Quakers and Shakers.