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Day After Tomorrow
Fifty years after the start of her career, Joan Baez remains as committed to her twin muses of art and politics as ever. On Day After Tomorrow, her stunning collaboration with Steve Earle, she continues to find and interpret some of the finest contemporary songs of social injustice and spiritual salvation, often showcasing the work of others, much as she did Bob Dylan in his salad days. Earle, who sits in the producer's chair, plays guitar, sings occasional harmony, and contributes three songs (including the stirring "I Am a Wanderer"), has assembled a perfect clutch of players, yet all here, including Earle, stay out of the way and bow to Baez. 67 years old at the time of recording, Baez is always compelling, bringing the weight of her lifetime of activism to each song. She shines brightest on Tom Waits' heartbreaking title tune and on Jones's wrenching "Henry Russell's Last Words," the real-life tragedy of a miner. One of the beauties of this effort is that in keeping Baez utterly modern in the choice of material and the employment of acoustic instruments and simple production values, Earle has also made a record that returns her in spirit and message to her great albums of the '60s. Inspired, and inspiring. -? Alanna Nash
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Tracks| 1 | God Is God (Steve Earle) | | 2 | Rose of Sharon (Eliza Gilkyson) | | 3 | Scarlet Tide (Elvis Costello & Joseph Henry Burnett) | | 4 | Day After Tomorrow (Tom Waits & Kathleen Brennan) | | 5 | Henry Russell's Last Words (Diana Jones) | | 6 | I Am A Wanderer (Steve Earle) | | 7 | Mary (Patty Griffin) | | 8 | Requiem (Eliza Gilkyson) | | 9 | The Lower Road (Thea Gilmore) | | 10 | Jericho Road (Steve Earle) |
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