Album Review: Joan Baez – Whistle Down The Wind

Joan Baez, “Whistle Down The Wind” (Proper Records)- Joan’s very belated follow-up to 2008’s Grammy nominated “Day After Tomorrow” could well prove to be the legendary acoustic balladeer’s final album, and the 77 year old performer’s musical farewell serves up a fine batch of carefully selected covers exploring the twin themes of mortality and regret. The contents find her searching for a glimmer of hope in troubled times as this protest singer par excellence tackles songs penned by luminaries such as Tom Waits and Mary Chapin Carpenter, although the undisputed stand-out track is “The President Sang Amazing Grace,” Zoe Mulford’s stunning reflection on the tragic 2015 shootings in Charleston, South Carolina.