Farewell, Angelina

Released in 1965, Farewell, Angelina is often cited as one of Joan Baez's most cohesive and artistically significant studio efforts. It marks a departure from her strictly traditionalist roots by incorporating subtle electric guitar and bass, courtesy of Bruce Langhorne, who also played on Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home. This subtle 'plugging in' makes the album a cousin to the folk-rock movement while maintaining Baez's signature 'purity.' The tracklist is notable for its heavy reliance on Bob Dylan compositions, including the title track which Dylan had not yet released himself. Beyond the Dylan covers, Baez showcases her linguistic range and political commitments with 'Sagt Mir Wo Die Blumen Sind' (Where Have All the Flowers Gone) and 'Pauvre Ruteboeuf.' Critics, including those at AllMusic, have praised the album for its vocal technicality and its successful balance between intimacy and social commentary, noting that it captures Baez at the absolute peak of her interpretive powers.