After staying away from American record stores for eight years, Joan Baez became surprisingly prolific in the late 1980s, as Speaking of Dreams marked her third release in three years for Gold Castle Records and, actually, her second of 1989, following the live LP Diamonds and Rust in the Bullring, which had been issued in January. (The year, as she just happened to mention in passing in one of the songs, marked her 30th anniversary as a performer.) From the dramatic album cover depicting the singer decked out as if on her ...
Read More
After staying away from American record stores for eight years, Joan Baez became surprisingly prolific in the late 1980s, as Speaking of Dreams marked her third release in three years for Gold Castle Records and, actually, her second of 1989, following the live LP Diamonds and Rust in the Bullring, which had been issued in January. (The year, as she just happened to mention in passing in one of the songs, marked her 30th anniversary as a performer.) From the dramatic album cover depicting the singer decked out as if on her way to a bullfight to the album-closing Spanish-language adaptation of "My Way" featuring the Gipsy Kings, it seemed that Baez wasn't over her infatuation with Spain. Or maybe a better way of putting it would be to say that her perspective remained international, as she also rhapsodized about a romance with an under-30 Cameroonian in Paris in the self-written title song; sympathized with the plight of the students in Tiananmen Square in the self-written "China"; longed to be in Ireland in Van Morrison and Patrick Moloney's "Carrickfergus"; considered the various cock-ups in South and Central America due to U.S. interference in Greg Copeland's "El Salvador," a duet with Jackson Browne; and tried out South African mbaqanga courtesy of Paul Simon and his band on a medley of the traditional folk song "Rambler Gambler" and the doo wop hit "Whispering Bells." Still, Speaking of Dreams managed to combine the three elements that had been constants in Joan Baez albums for some time. There were the traditional, or traditional-sounding, songs, "Rambler Gambler," "Carrickfergus," and David Massengill's lovely "Fairfax County" (which, despite being a contemporary composition sounded exactly like a highwayman ballad dating back a century or two). There were politically oriented songs, often by contemporary songwriters, such as "El Salvador" and George Michael's poverty-conscious "Hand to Mouth." And there were Baez originals, in this case two also on political themes, with "Warriors of the Sun," an anthemic laundry list of concerns from civil rights to environmentalism joining the earnest handwringing of the timely "China." There may not have been much in the way of keepers for the Baez concert repertoire or songs for the hit parade, but Speaking of Dreams was a sturdy, craftsmanlike effort that showed respect for Baez's traditional approach and also brought her sound up to date through the production and the carefully chosen cameos by similar stars. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
Read Less
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $3.48, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $3.48, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $3.61, good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by EMI Distribution.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. Providing great vinyl and media since 1972. All used records are inspected and guaranteed. May have wear and minor issues from previous owner. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $4.95, good condition, Sold by ARC Foundation Thrift Store rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ventura, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good. YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THOSE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES TO LIVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE. Some sun wear, Disc has some marks, Case has some wearYour purchase benefits those with developmental disabilities to live a better quality of life.
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $5.31, like new condition, Sold by Streetlight_Records rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Cruz, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $7.37, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $8.25, like new condition, Sold by ARI Garage Sales rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $8.50, very good condition, Sold by insomniacsonline rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 5x4x0; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
Add this copy of Speaking of Dreams to cart. $10.49, very good condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1989 by Capitol.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Size: 5x4x0; All orders professionally packed and shipped from the USA within 24 hours. Multilingual, friendly, and intelligent customer service!
