Play Me Backwards

Last updated
Play Me Backwards
Playmebackwardsbaez.jpg
Studio album by
Joan Baez
ReleasedOctober 1992
Recorded Nashville, 1992
Genre Folk-pop, country pop
Length36:19
Label Virgin [1]
Producer Wally Wilson, Kenny Greenberg
Joan Baez chronology
Speaking of Dreams
(1989)		Play Me Backwards
(1992)		 Rare, Live & Classic
(1993)

Play Me Backwards is an album by the American musician Joan Baez, released in 1992. [2] The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording. [3] Baez supported it with an international tour. [4]

Contents

In 2012, to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the album's original release, Play Me Backwards was reissued, digitally remastered, and including new liner notes; three bonus tracks—recorded during the original sessions, but not included on the original release—were included: "The Trouble With the Truth", "Medicine Wheel" and a cover of Bob Dylan's "Seven Curses".[ citation needed ]

Production

Recorded in Nashville, the album was produced by Wally Wilson and Kenny Greenberg. [5] [6] Baez sought out material after being dismayed with the songs pitched to her; she spent 14 months trying to find the right songs. [7] [8] The album's first single, "Stones in the Road", for which Baez shot a video, was written by Mary Chapin Carpenter. [9] [10] [11] "Through Your Hands" was written by John Hiatt. [12] "I'm with You" is about Baez's son, Gabriel. [13]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [14]
The Indianapolis Star Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [16]

The Boston Globe called Play Me Backwards "mostly an album of mature, surprisingly percussive folk-pop love songs that marks her finest work since her Diamonds and Rust album of 1975." [17] The Sun-Sentinel wrote that "Baez's erstwhile hyper-quivering soprano thankfully does not flutter so much, and has deepened marvelously with age." [6]

The Chicago Tribune deemed the album "a surprisingly relaxed, rhythmic and modern set that sounds like it could have been recorded by any one of a number of today's folk-and country-flavored pop female singer-songwriters." [18] The Indianapolis Star noted that "Baez's voice sounds as pure as ever." [15]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Joan Baez, Wally Wilson and Kenny Greenberg, except where indicated.

  1. "Play Me Backwards"
  2. "Amsterdam" (Janis Ian, Buddy Mondlock)
  3. "Isaac and Abraham"
  4. "Stones in the Road" (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
  5. "Steal Across the Border" (Ron Davies)
  6. "I'm with You" (Baez)
  7. "I'm with You" (Reprise) (Baez)
  8. "Strange Rivers" (John Stewart)
  9. "Through Your Hands" (John Hiatt)
  10. "The Dream Song"
  11. "The Edge of Glory"

Personnel

Musicians

Others

Related Research Articles

<i>Gone from Danger</i> 1997 studio album by Joan Baez

Gone from Danger is the twenty-third studio album by Joan Baez, released in September 1997. Rather than relying on her own songwriting, Baez instead selected work by younger folk and rock artists to perform. She included Dar Williams' "If I Wrote You", Richard Shindell's "Reunion Hill", and Betty Elders' "Crack in the Mirror", as well as two Sinéad Lohan compositions. Around the time of the album's release, Baez confessed that she no longer found herself able to write songs, and felt more comfortable reverting to her original role, as an interpreter. The one track for which she receives credit, "Lily", was a poem written by Baez, to which Greenberg and Wilson added music.

<i>Ring Them Bells</i> 1995 live album by Joan Baez

Ring Them Bells is a live album taken from Joan Baez' April 1995 shows at New York's The Bottom Line. In addition to her own solo set, the album featured collaborations with other female artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Mimi Fariña, Dar Williams, the Indigo Girls and Mary Black. Though Baez and many of the collaborating artists were admirers of one another, this album marked the first time many of them had worked together. Baez' manager, Mark Spector, served as producer.

<i>Stolen Moments</i> (John Hiatt album) 1990 studio album by John Hiatt

Stolen Moments was singer-songwriter John Hiatt's tenth album, released in 1990. It was his highest charting solo album upon its release, peaking at No. 61. Joan Baez later covered "Through Your Hands" on her 1992 album Play Me Backwards, and David Crosby covered it on his 1993 record Thousand Roads. Don Henley's version reached No. 33 on the US Billboard charts and appeared in the film Michael. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band covered "The Rest of the Dream" on a 1990 album of the same title. Ilse DeLange recorded "Child of the Wild Blue Yonder" on her live album Dear John.

<i>What About Me?</i> (Kenny Rogers album) 1984 studio album by Kenny Rogers

What About Me? is the sixteenth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released by RCA Nashville in 1984. The album's title track, "What About Me?", is sung in trio with R&B singer James Ingram and Kim Carnes, which reached number one on the AC charts and was also a pop and country hit, giving co-writer Richard Marx his first number one hit as a writer. Marx's second number one hit as a writer was the song "Crazy", which was included on the album.

<i>Stones in the Road</i> 1994 studio album by Mary Chapin Carpenter

Stones in the Road is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mary Chapin Carpenter, released by Columbia Records on October 4, 1994. It became Carpenter's first album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and first album to reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 10. It also contains her first No. 1 Hot Country Singles hit, "Shut Up and Kiss Me", which also reached No. 90 on the Billboard Hot 100. Other charting singles were "Tender When I Want to Be", "House of Cards", and "Why Walk When You Can Fly?" at.

<i>Martina</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Martina McBride

Martina is the seventh studio album by American country music artist Martina McBride. It was released in September 2003 by RCA Nashville. It was a number one on the country album charts and number seven on the US album charts. The album produced four singles on the country charts: "This One's for the Girls" at #3, "In My Daughter's Eyes" at #4, "How Far" at #12 and "God's Will" at #16. "This One's for the Girls", which featured backing vocals from Faith Hill, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and McBride's two daughters, was also McBride's first and only Number One hit on the Adult Contemporary charts. The album was certified 2× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Wally Wilson, is an American record producer and songwriter music publisher and concert producer based in Nashville.

<i>Voices in the Wind</i> 1992 studio album by Suzy Bogguss

Voices in the Wind is the fourth studio album by American country music singer Suzy Bogguss. It was released on October 6, 1992 via Liberty Records. It earned her a second straight gold record and her highest-charting single ever, the No. 2 cover of John Hiatt's "Drive South."

<i>Stages: The Lost Album</i> 1991 studio album by Eric Andersen

Stages is an album by folk rock musician Eric Andersen. The album was recorded in late 1972 and early 1973, as the intended follow-up to Andersen's successful Blue River album, but before it could be released, the master tapes were somehow lost in the Columbia vaults. It wasn't until 1990 that the tapes were discovered, at which time the album was finally released. In addition to the original 1972–73 recordings, Andersen included three newly recorded songs. Guest musicians from the 1973–73 sessions included Leon Russell on organ, piano and guitar, Rick Danko on bass and background vocals, and Garth Hudson on accordion, with Dan Fogelberg and Joan Baez supplying background vocals. Shawn Colvin was a guest vocalist on the 1990 sessions.

<i>Kenny Loggins Alive</i> 1980 live album by Kenny Loggins

Kenny Loggins Alive is the first live album by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. Released in 1980, it contains material from Loggins' three previous solo albums, as well as a previously unreleased song "All Alone Tonight", "I'm Alright" and a cover of The Beatles "Here There and Everywhere". A movie recording of the same title is available with different songs.

<i>Crazy Nights</i> (Lonestar album) 1997 studio album by Lonestar

Crazy Nights is the second studio album by American country music band Lonestar. Four singles were released from this album: "Come Cryin' to Me", "You Walked In", "Say When", and "Everything's Changed". "Come Cryin' to Me" reached number one on the Hot Country Songs charts. Also included is a cover of country rock band Pure Prairie League's single "Amie".

<i>Angels Running</i> 1993 studio album by Patty Larkin

Angels Running is an album by the American singer-songwriter Patty Larkin, released in 1993. Larkin supported the album with a North American tour.

<i>A Joyful Noise</i> (Jo Dee Messina album) 2002 studio album by Jo Dee Messina

A Joyful Noise is an album of Christmas music, released by American country music artist Jo Dee Messina. Her first Christmas album, it was released in 2002 on Curb Records. Its title track peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in 2002.

<i>Day After Tomorrow</i> (Joan Baez album) 2008 studio album by Joan Baez

Day After Tomorrow the twenty-fifth studio album by the American singer and musician Joan Baez, released in 2008. It was her first studio album in 5 years. The album features songs written by such composers as Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T Bone Burnett, Patty Griffin, Thea Gilmore and Steve Earle. Earle also produced the album. It was recorded in Nashville between December 2007 and March 2008. The album had the dedication "to my Mom in her 96th year".

<i>The Other Side</i> (Wynonna Judd album) 1997 studio album by Wynonna

The Other Side is the fourth solo studio album by American country music artist Wynonna, released in 1997 on Curb Records in association with Universal Records. The album, which was certified gold by the RIAA, produced three chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks charts: "When Love Starts Talkin'", "Come Some Rainy Day" and "Always Will" respectively reached #13, #14 and #45. A fourth single, "Love Like That", failed to chart. The album also includes "We Can't Unmake Love", a duet with John Berry, which was also included on Berry's 2000 Greatest Hits album.

<i>New Day Dawning</i> (Wynonna Judd album) 2000 studio album by Wynonna

New Day Dawning is the fifth solo studio album by American country music artist Wynonna, released in 2000. It produced only two chart singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks charts: "Can't Nobody Love You " at #31, and "Going Nowhere" at #43. Also included are cover versions of Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" and the Fabulous Thunderbirds' "Tuff Enuff".

<i>Christmas in America</i> 1989 studio album by Kenny Rogers

Christmas In America is the twenty-second studio and holiday album by Kenny Rogers released in 1989.

<i>Never Been Rocked Enough</i> 1992 studio album by Delbert McClinton

Never Been Rocked Enough is a studio album by the American musician Delbert McClinton. It was released in 1992 by Curb Records. The first single was "Every Time I Roll the Dice". McClinton supported the album with a North American tour.

Kenneth S. Greenberg is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and session musician. He is known for bringing a rock-and-roll sensibility to Nashville recording sessions.

<i>Im So Proud</i> 1983 studio album by Deniece Williams

I'm So Proud is an album by American singer Deniece Williams which was released in 1983 by Columbia Records. The album reached No. 10 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

References

  1. ↑ Brozan, Nadine (14 Oct 1992). "Chronicle". The New York Times. p. B8.
  2. ↑ Galvin, Peter (Nov 1992). "Play Me Backwards by Joan Baez". Interview. 22 (11): 44.
  3. ↑ "Joan Baez". Recording Academy. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Joan Baez Getting Active in Music Business Again". Orlando Sentinel. Reuters. 6 Nov 1992. p. A2.
  5. ↑ Holden, Stephen (24 Oct 1992). "Joan Baez Goes Back To Her Folk-Club Roots". The New York Times. p. 1:17.
  6. 1 2 Lannert, John (19 Nov 1992). "Baez Is Back". Sun-Sentinel. p. 3E.
  7. ↑ Catlin, Roger (20 Nov 1992). "With new album out, Joan Baez has plenty to play in Springfield". Hartford Courant. p. B4.
  8. ↑ Plotnikoff, David (17 Jan 1993). "Joan Baez: a folk singer not a fossil". Toronto Star. p. D6.
  9. ↑ Flick, Larry (27 Nov 1992). "New Baez album melds folk with rock". St. Petersburg Times. p. 11B.
  10. ↑ Barnes, Harper (21 Mar 1993). "Protest Still Hooks Baez". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 3F.
  11. ↑ Willman, Chris (22 Oct 1992). "Joan Baez Blends Old, New". Los Angeles Times. p. F7.
  12. ↑ Joyce, Mike (15 Nov 1992). "Joan Baez: 'Play Me Backwards'". The Washington Post. p. G9.
  13. ↑ Hentoff, Nat (13 Jan 1993). "On Disc: Baez is back". The Wall Street Journal. p. A2.
  14. ↑ "Play Me Backwards Review by Kelly McCartney". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  15. 1 2 Schoch, Eric B. (27 Nov 1992). "Joan Baez: 'Play Me Backwards'". The Indianapolis Star. p. B9.
  16. ↑ "Joan Baez Play Me Backwards". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  17. ↑ Morse, Steve (6 Nov 1992). "Joan Baez and Judy Collins are back on the move in the '90s". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 43.
  18. ↑ Heim, Chris (27 Nov 1992). "Joan Baez and James McMurtry". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. M.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.