OXFORD,Miss. American folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez performs April 12 at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi.
“Joan Baez is perhaps best known for her three-octave vocal range,but she is also known as a passionate activist,” said Norm Easterbrook,Ford Center director. “Many of her songs address crucial moments in America’s history.”
In fact,Baez’s passion for activism has often surpassed her voice. Joan Alderman of the Boston Globe recently wrote,”Baez’s name was synonymous with political activism in the ’60s and ’70s,and her sober,ringing soprano was the soundtrack.”
Many of Baez’s notable songs such as “There But for Fortune,” “Diamonds & Rust” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” are topical and deal with social issues in the areas of nonviolence,civil rights and,most recently,the environment.
This year marks Baez’ 50th anniversary in music,a career that has produced more than 30 albums,including her biggest seller “Diamonds & Rust,” released in 1975. Although regarded as a top songwriter herself,Baez is most often considered as an interpreter of other people’s work. She has covered songs by Woody Guthrie,Bob Dylan,the Beatles,Jackson Browne,Paul Simon,the Rolling Stones and Stevie Wonder.
In recent years,she has interpreted songs by diverse artists such as country-rock singer Steve Earle,rock ‘n’ roll performer Natalie Merchant and alternative-country star Ryan Adams. “Bowery Songs,” released in 2005,is Baez’s latest album and her first live album in 10 years. It chronicles her 2003-04 tour.
Tickets for the upcoming 8 p.m. Ford Center concert are $27 for general admission and available by calling 662-915-7411. Tickets are also available by visiting
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/tickets/,
the UM Box Office in the Student Union or the Ford Center Box Office.
For a complete list of concerts and other programs at the Ford Center,visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/tickets/.
For assistance related to a disability,call 662-915-7411.