Joan Baez is one of the most recognized artists in American folk music. She famously said, “If you’re gonna sing meaningful songs, you have to be committed to living a life that backs that up,” and Joan is one of the rare artists to do just that. The 2023 documentary “I Am A Noise” is an intimate look into the life of the singer, reflecting back on her career at the time of her farewell tour.
Blessed with a clear, pure voice, Joan was ideally suited for haunting traditional melodies. A natural beauty with long flowing hair and bare feet, the public and press treated her as a kind of “Virgin Mary” at the start of her career. Joan admits that, at times, it was tempting to give in to the hype; however, a life of fame was not fulfilling enough for her.
The daughter of a Quaker mother and a pacifist father, Joan felt a calling to the causes of equality and non-violence. Her ideals aligned at the right moment to provide a soundtrack to the Civil Rights movement. Her voice is heard ringing out “We Shall Overcome” the day of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famed “I Have a Dream” speech. Her commitment to these causes saw Joan jailed twice, but she remained defiant in her convictions.
Joan’s collaboration with Bob Dylan was a bittersweet one. In her words, he gave her the songs that were needed for her crusades (“Blowin’ in the Wind”), but after initially helping to bring him to a larger audience, he in some ways eclipsed her, and they moved in different directions. However, the documentary also sees them briefly reunite for a tour later in their careers.
The format of “I Am A Noise” sees us moving back and forth through her life, the concert stage where she finds herself now, and key moments in her life, including entries in her diary or letters she has written. Joan is honest about her own failings, melancholia, and that she put her causes before her own son, Gabriel Harris. The two have since found some reconciliation, and Gabriel is seen playing drums on her final tour. The relationship with her sister, Mimi Fariña, was also marred by competition; Mimi struggled in finding her own place in Joan’s shadow.
Fast forward to the present, we see Joan with a vocal coach seeking to find more freedom. She says, “My voice now is a struggle, it’s a daily struggle to keep it up. Gravity has begun to fight the vocal cords the way it does with everybody. So I have a vocal therapist, and we record the sessions and I use them on tour every day.” However, at 79, there still can be found the clear and simple truth that has drawn listeners over the years. Joan struggles with the idea of retirement but acknowledges it is inevitable and states that this period, out of all her life, is her happiest.
“I Am A Noise” takes an unexpected turn from other biographies, such as American Masters’ “How Sweet the Sound.” We hear Joan’s work in therapy through tapes, and the subject of abuse and reconciliation in the family is vaguely addressed. She also briefly mentions her struggle with quaaludes and her difficulty connecting with others. Joan says, “The easiest kind of relationship for me is with 10,000 people. The hardest is with one.”
Perhaps the most accurate way to sum up Joan is through her own words when she penned, “I am not a saint. I am a noise.” And what a memorable noise she has been. A noise that has touched millions and inspired a generation.
Stream “I Am A Noise”
