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An Evening With Joan Baez

Venue: The Sage
Town: Gateshead
Date: 28th February
Website: http://www.joanbaez.com

This was the second time I had seen Joan Baez play Hall 1 of The Sage, and for the second time, it was a sell out. Dressed smart casual in jeans, a top, jacket and scarf, she came out on stage to huge applause, with a beaming smile, and the greeting; "Hello. I remember this place well. Some of you were here. It's good to be back." It immediately struck me that she looks nowhere near her age.

Launching straight into Steve Earle's God is God, she clearly started as she meant to go on. Farewell Angelina followed then the band came out to join her. Unusually it was simply a two piece band - the incredibly talented Gabe Harris and Dirk Powell, who, as the evening unfolded played more instruments than it was possible to keep track of. As Joan switched between guitars and the lights behind the stage changed colours, we were treated to over an hour and a half of Joan Baez singing her best songs; , I Need You Just The Way You Are, Scarlet Tide, and the rather exquisite Mary Magdalene, in which she wonders aloud about the relationship between Jesus and his only female disciple.

A stunning version of Steve Earle's Jersualem seemed as relevant now as it ever has; having been to Jerusalem many years ago, I find the lyrics very powerful. This song also prompted by way of Joan's talking about how Steve has turned his life around, her telling us ad hoc the rather beautiful story of her parents' second marriage - to each other. This really brought home how at ease she is with her audience; she chats as if to old friends. Even when she is singing of her many overseas accolades and incredible experiences, she is so down to earth; rather than being boastful, she is simply giving those friends an insight into her life. This also is seen in her connection with her band, they clearly all think the world of each other, and her guitar technician, Grace, whom she introduced us to by name, before thanking her and placing a kiss on top of her head. She is clearly very grounded - and to think that this is the woman who marched on the front line of the Civil Rights Movement with Martin Luther King; indeed she stood next to him as he made his iconic speech.

At one point she even joked how ridiculous she sometimes finds it that she's still here (ie on stage), quipping, 'The only thing even more ridiculous is that you're all still here too!'

Telling us that she had talked less than normal, she added in an extra song, one I hadn't heard before, live. Gracias a La Vida, inspired by her time in Chile, offered us all a chance to join in with her for the chorus. Every time we sang, she smiled; it was clear she was enjoying it.

Donovan's Catch The Wind, the fabulous House of The Rising Sun - made famous by local North East band The Animals - and a beautiful rendition of Bob Dylan's With God on Our Side led us, all too soon, into those chords which signified the final song of the night, Diamonds and Rust. Even the second time of hearing this live, I got the chills. Just stunning, even though she changed a couple of lines, for the benefit of the audience. Speaking of Dylan, it also struck me that despite their history, she speaks with absolute respect, of the man and his music.

Following a fully deserved standing ovation, the three returned to the stage and Joan asked us to sing with her. What followed was the best version I've ever heard of The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, raising her arms to invite us to sing the part of 'the people singing..' It seemed to me that everyone in that hall sang as one and Joan was beaming from ear to ear; maybe we all had the moment I did of thinking, 'Wow, I'm singing with Joan Baez!'

Another standing ovation followed, which prompted her to walk across the stage thanking everyone and blowing kisses, before she conferred with the band and signalled to us that she would sing one more. The audience erupted as she began to sing John Lennon's Imagine. Somehow, in that room, it came to feel like a prayer as much as a song. She spoke each line, to allow us all to sing it with her, and the meaning of the lyrics really stood out; maybe in relation to all she will have seen during Civil Rights protests, and how little the world has really changed, the words seemed more poignant. Yes, she finds the high notes a little more challenging, vocally, but she still pulls it off, and actually I enjoy her voice that bit lower as it is now; it takes on almost a raspy quality, which is gorgeous.

Following another standing ovation, Joan conferred again and signalled one more song, shouting, "Thank you, you deserve it." A very moving version of Dylan's Blowin' in the Wind followed, and again we were encouraged to sing with her. As she sang the words,'The answer my friends,' it was clear she was singing it to us as much as with us.

As she took her final bow of the night, to an unprecedented fourth standing ovation, she signalled 'sleep,' to let us know that was it, before again walking the stage to thank people in each section, before promising us she would be back soon.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Joan Baez was born to sing live and no one wanted the night to be over. In that room, we made memories; we all know what memories can bring and she certainly left us more diamonds than rust. The only question that remains is when she will be back, but I suspect that the answer to that is Blowin' in the Wind.

Helen Mitchell
Pic illustrative not taken at gig