Joan Baez - Do I just not get it?

Goatboy- I am having a hard time understanding the difference between your take on B. Dylan "the main appeal of Bob Dylan is what he has to say" and J. Baez "popularity (past and present) stems moreso from her political messages communicated through her music than the actual music itself."
BTW, you and the other youngsters in the bunch may be interested to know that as far as I remember (great quote about remembering the 60s) Joan and Bob were lovers several lives ago.

Swampster -

The point that I was trying to make, perhaps ineffectively, was that even though Bob Dylan can't sing, he can't sing in a manner that doesn't bug me. In other words, it works for him. From what I've heard of Joan Baez so far, it doesn't work for her, as her voice is unlistenable.

Only my opinion of course, always subject to changing. Feel free to disagree with it.

swampthing,

I believe you're right on the Baez - Dylan thing. Joan discussed it briefly in the PBS special on Dylan. Sounds like she's still scratching her head wondering what happened.

Goat...some folks like rap & electro-synthpop hiptronica & I can't for the life of me imagine why..to each their own.

Swamp and Fish, in case you hadn't heard, Joanie is Lesbianese, and her relationship with Dylan, and marriage to Harris (I forget his first name just now) were, as far as anyone knows, platonic.

And for those of you who have apparently never listened to enough Dylan to actually hear him sing, I suggest Lay Lady Lay, or all of Blood on the Tracks and Slow Train Comin, just to name two albums. Perhaps, you have also not realized the man is not a songwriter, but a poet who sings (remember Leonard Cohen?) -- which is why only the bravest souls have tried to cover any of his material, usually with little success.

Bob Dylan has the most on-the-nose timing and delivery of any blues singer ever, from Muddy Waters on down, as any musician will tell you. Not only that, but he has perfect pitch and the most accomplished guitar technique of anyone according to none other than Johnny Cash (read Johnny's liner notes on the back of the Nashville Skyline album.)

Really you guys!!

Goatwuss- I guess you could say the same thing about Neil Young (can't really sing in conventional terms, but great songs and effective emotional communication). I for one like Baez' and Dylan's singing, but then I am one of those 60s headcases. Crystaline purity always does it for me. If she sounds thin, maybe its your gear ;~). And don't judge her by the present, she is not probably (gasp) 60+ and has had problems with her voice over the years. Her new Cd of duets with newer female singers is excellent, IMO. Obviously, YMMV.