Joan Baez, Vol. 2

Untitled

Joan Baez, Vol. 2 was Baez's second album. Released in 1961, the album, like her self-titled 1960 debut album, featured mostly traditional songs. The bluegrass band The Greenbriar Boys provided backup on two songs. Joan Baez, Vol. 2 peaked at #13 on the Billboard album chart and was nominated for a Grammy for "Best Contemporary Folk Performance".

The Vanguard reissue contains three unreleased tracks, "I Once Loved A Boy", "Poor Boy", and "Longest Train I Ever Saw".

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic

In his Allmusic review, music critic Matt Fink wrote the album "The material chosen is truly exceptional... Without a doubt, Baez's version of "Pal of Mine" is every bit as vibrant as when the Carters recorded it, though here given a more bluegrass sound by the banjo and backup vocal accompaniment of the Greenbriar Boys. Baez is a true master of her craft, and though she hasn't always made the best choices for material, the 14 interpretations here are as timeless as the songs themselves... this is an album that all fans of traditional folk music should seek out."

Track listing

All songs are traditional except where noted.

1. "Wagoner's Lad"
2. "The Trees They Do Grow High"
3. "Lily of the West"
4. "Silkie" (Child No. 113)
5. "Engine 143"
6. "Once I Knew a Pretty Girl"
7. "Lonesome Road"
8. "Banks of the Ohio"
9. "Pal of Mine"
10. "Barbara Allen" (Child No. 84)
11. "The Cherry Tree Carol" (Child No. 54)
12. "Old Blue"
13. "Railroad Boy"
14. "Plaisir D'Amour" (Jean Paul Egide Martini alias Martini il Tedesco)

Reissue bonus tracks

1. "I Once Loved A Boy"
2. "Poor Boy"
3. "Longest Train I Ever Saw"

Personnel

• Joan Baez – vocals, guitar
• The Greenbriar Boys – vocals