THE OTHER NIGHT...

Lots had been going on here recently, but the other night we managed to get away for a few hours, to Copenhagen and saw Joan Baez in concert, which was a really nice experience.

I had been to her concerts before, years ago... but they were very, very different: thousands of people, outside, in an amphitheater, next to the big station in Berlin. The concert we've just been to, on the other hand, was a very intimate one and her very first on Danish ground.

After albums like "Dark chords on a big guitar" and "Play me backwards" I must say I had expected a lot more bite and political push from her, but she had more or less returned to folk and there was a certain peace of mind, almost a state of serenity which seems to be surrounding her these days. It's not that she had all of a sudden had surrendered to a meaningless existence. No she still carried the message through alright: "Don't give in, don't give up and we shall overcome..." but she appeared to have found her inner peace and her own little world which she seemed to be able to share with those who genuinely wished her well and shared her ideals on a more personal basis.

And that was another really nice thing about this concert: the people who were with her, the musicians as well as the people who were helping her, were very nice and good people, clean and decent intentions, the real thing, how people should really be. And that meant a lot to me. For one thing just to see that this isn't just a thing of the past, there are still a few among us who dare to be themselves, who have integrity and are true to what they believe in and don't get temped to take short cuts in life. But the other aspect is also that now that she isn't the youngest anymore it's good to know that she's surrounded by those who genuinely care, like f. ex. her musical director, John Doyle, and who are devoted to both the music and the cause.

As far as the musical experience is concerned they were all very professional - amazingly professional. And that is interesting, because it wasn't like that 30 years ago... she had a very relaxed attitude back then, didn't mind singing the wrong lyrics or having a little mess-up here and there or have the concert turning into an improvised jam-session... Don't get me wrong, that also had its charm and the audience seemed to love it as well, but today she's just top professional, gets it out perfectly the first time around. And there aren't many artist who can do that!

The performance was beautiful, sophisticated, classy and it was a pleasant, intellectual experience.

But I wished she had played some songs from "Play Me Backwards", since this is perhaps her most distinguished album. It's amazingly creative, rich and original in the musical sense and the lyrics do definitely call for a more aware and educated audience, since they are not just politically challenging, but mainly philosophically and socially. I hear that the songs from this album are about to come out on a new double-album. And this is definitely the one to look out for! My husband called "Play Me Backwards" on several occasions "the best album" in the history of rock - and he is neither a fan, nor does he like folk music!

But he does appreciate great art and decent, honest people who live what they believe and practice what they know to be right. And here no one fits the profile better than Joan Baez.

After the concert we drove a little through Copenhagen and looked at the house where we first met, about 30 years ago. It had been completely renovated, with a fancy restaurant in the basement and I bet the prices must be sky high there today, even though it once used the be the quarter of the working man.

Oh one last thing:

As for young people carrying on the legacy. Here's a link that takes you to Linus and Dino. Wonderful chaps, really decent people, not just them but the entire family - and check them out! They are great musicians and carry the hope for the future in so many ways!

http://www.myspace.com/linusdino