In the late '50s, prior to signing with Vanguard,
Joan Baez recorded this album in a basement, sometimes performing with
Bill Wood and
Ted Alevizos. It wasn't wholly
Baez' album, as only six of the 13 tracks were
Baez solo performances. On two she performed with
Wood, and on one she performed with
Wood and
Alevizos; two of the tracks featured
Wood solo, and two
Alevizos solo.
Baez was already handling traditional material such as "Black Is the Color," and her voice was a little less strident than it would become when she rose to national visibility. It's a basic recording that is primarily of historical interest, although -- as those things go -- it has definite value. In 1963, it was issued by Squire Records as The Best of Joan Baez, but was withdrawn after it had made the Top 50, when
Baez took legal action against it.