The morning of Joan Baez’ Capitol Theatre concert was when the news broke that Bob Dylan had won the Nobel Prize for Literature. She responded on Facebook:


“The Nobel Prize for Literature is yet another step towards immortality for Bob Dylan. The rebellious, reclusive, unpredictable artist/composer is exactly where the Nobel Prize for Literature needs to be.
 His gift with words is unsurpassable. Out of my repertoire spanning 60 years, no songs have been more moving and worthy in their depth, darkness, fury, mystery, beauty, and humor than Bob’s. None has been more of a pleasure to sing. None will come again.”


I can’t rewrite half as eloquently the impact that Joan Baez has has on the American life. Many other writers has written about her counterculture past from the 60s, her gold records, her relationships with Dylan and others, her social and political views and stances, etc. Baez is a part of the fabric of our history, from 1960 to now. Her face, her political stances, her voice and her songs have been crafted well into the soul of our nation.

Baez went through her extensive catalogue of songs to a completely packed house. The audience burst out into song at times. The audience seemed to be her core base, who probably were at her sit-ins and protests of the 1960’s. This was a powerful moment for me to witness.

Joan was part of a trio – with a percussionist and a guitarist/bassist behind her. Her assistant, Grace, came out to play the high soprano parts, as Baez wasn’t able to hit them anymore. But at 75, this seemed to be the only issue. She looked like she was in great health, her guitar playing was perfect, and she really seemed to enjoy herself on the large Capitol stage.

You could tell this was a momentous occasion. Perhaps one of the last times Baez will be on tour. It seemed like the whole theater was excited to be there, excited to see her, and the memories were filled within the venue. With each song, she shared with us a small story about the memories and recollections.

She played a lot of covers:

Dylan’s It’s All Over Bably Blue, Guthrie’s Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos,) Antony & The Johnson’s “Another World,” Richard Thompson’s “She Could Never Resist a Winding Road,” Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee,” Aretha Franklin’s “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” and the list continues. She also sang her popular song, “Diamonds & Rust.”

The show sped by, and was over too quick for most of the audience. She started to prepare us by telling us she was “winding down,” and then surprised us all when she came out for not one but two encores.

Once again it was a very special time at The Capitol Theatre. Joan Baez brings a lifetime of experience, she’s seen so much, and she hails from a time where non-violence protests were OK to do. Time has passed, however, and this was also noted during the show. She never came straight out and said her specific thoughts, but the audience was behind her words, and her sarcasm, the whole evening. She left the stage, and the audience wanted more.

Encore: Lennon’s “Imagine” Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer”