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Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound

Play trailer Poster for Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound 2009 1h 23m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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Following folk musician Joan Baez on her extensive 2008-2009 tour, this film commemorates her career, which has spanned five decades. In addition to concert and archival footage are interviews with such disparate colleagues, friends and admirers as Bob Dylan, Jesse Jackson and David Crosby. In addition to the music, Baez's long history of global social activism is also touched upon, featuring footage of the singer visiting conflict areas such as North Vietnam and Sarajevo.

Audience Reviews

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william k Good overview of Joan Baez' life and career gives special emphasis on her activism as well and leaves enough room to present the artist in her own words. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review walter m At the beginning of the biographical documentary "How Sweet the Sound," Joan Baez remarks how many people think they know her but don't really know her. That could not be any more true. The documentary does an excellent job of correcting that while shining a spotlight on her life and times. For example, an archival clip has her saying she wants to be thought of as a human being first, pacifist second and folk singer third. As a folk singer, Baez had a variety of musical influences that also extended to include Harry Belafonte and Odetta.(Baez also does a spot-on impression of Bob Dylan.) They also influenced her political activism. That extended beyond simply writing protest songs and raising money. She was on the front lines of the peace and civil rights movements where she leveraged her front page Time Magazine celebrity to bring cameras where they would not ordinarily go. Along with the obligatory North Vietnam tour, that would also include escorting students to newly integrated schools in Mississippi and seeking to persuade draftees to desert before they got shipped off to Vietnam.(While the last risked jail time and physical violence, it is also where Baez met her husband.) That would not stop with the end of the sixties as she also traveled to Sarajevo while it was under siege to sing Amazing Grace in an open street. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member http://filmreviewsnsuch.blogspot.com/2012/02/joan-baez-how-sweet-sound.html Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member If I was more interested in Joan Baez... Wonderfully put together enough to capture an audience who is unfamiliar with many of her songs. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Audience Member A killer soprano voice that emerged during the dawn of the folk era. It was a good time to be young. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Audience Member Joan Baez, the queen of folk music. A gorgeous soul, that continues to grace this world with her shimmering essence. After seeing this film, one might feel more comfortable referring to her as "Joanie". What stands out the most about Joan Baez is her voice. Prominent, distinguished, yet soft & sweet. She will be remembered for her contributions to peace and pacifism. If Catholic, I'm sure her life's work would grant her sainthood when she dies. What a woman. <img src= "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UjJgEwVlPQs/SxT1uahJqtI/AAAAAAAADbs/A8uz682z5AY/s320/Joan%2BBaez.jpg"> Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Joan Baez: How Sweet the Sound

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Movie Info

Synopsis Following folk musician Joan Baez on her extensive 2008-2009 tour, this film commemorates her career, which has spanned five decades. In addition to concert and archival footage are interviews with such disparate colleagues, friends and admirers as Bob Dylan, Jesse Jackson and David Crosby. In addition to the music, Baez's long history of global social activism is also touched upon, featuring footage of the singer visiting conflict areas such as North Vietnam and Sarajevo.
Director
Mary Wharton
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 23m