Il Rock 10

AMG Review of Il Rock 10

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

Joan Baez's 1980 European concert album, recorded during her tenure on the CBS Records Portrait label, was never released in the U.S., but it appeared in Europe under different titles in different countries. It was variously called European Tour, Live, Live in Concert, and Live in Europe. (It is not to be confused with a subsequent European concert album, Live in Europe '83: Children of the 80s, released in Europe only on Ariola three years later.) This Italian version was part of the Il Rock series of albums by major rock stars. Whatever its title, the album provides a valuable look at Baez during a time when she was entering a long period without a recording contract and depending on just this kind of live performing to maintain her career. Her set is varied, including such old favorites as "Donna Donna" and "Blowin' in the Wind" (on which she is accompanied by a Dylan-ish backup singer), as well as the more recent "Diamonds and Rust," some interesting choices among recent material, such as versions of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" and "The Rose," and an excellent new original called "Cambodia." She is in typically good voice, and as usual connects well with her audience, whom she alternately educates and entertains.