David's Album

David's Album is a pivotal, though often overlooked, entry in Joan Baez's discography, marking her significant shift toward Country and Americana. Recorded in Nashville during the same sessions that produced 'One Day at a Time', the album was a dedicated gift to her husband, David Harris, who was serving time in federal prison for draft resistance. This context imbues the traditional material - ranging from gospel standards like 'Poor Wayfaring Stranger' to country classics like Gram Parsons' 'Hickory Wind' - with a heavy, personal resonance. The production features the 'A-Team' of Nashville session players, including Grady Martin and Norbert Putnam, who provide a lush but tasteful backdrop that contrasts with the starkness of Baez's early Vanguard recordings. Critically, it is seen as a precursor to the outlaw country and Americana movements, showcasing Baez's ability to bridge the gap between political folk and traditional roots music.