A Songbird’s Last Flight

Music legend Joan Baez’s “Fare Thee Well Tour” made a stop at the Arlington Theatre for a sold out Arts & Lectures concert covering her more than half century career, featuring most of her illustrious songbook: inimitable covers from many of the greats like Dylan (4), Ochs, Carpenter, Prine, Seeger & Waits, a sprinkling of her own songs, and some from her newest release “The Things That We Are Made Of.” A sort of update of one of her first recordings, “Silver Dagger,” was the dark and timely “Silver Blade” by Josh Ritter. Ms. Baez was joined for numerous songs by percussionist son Gabe Harris, multi instrumentalist Dirk Powell and for some stunning harmonies and solos, Grace Stumberg on vocals. Joan’s guitar playing was impeccable (she’s always been stellar) and while her etherial soprano has come down a bit from the stratosphere, it was still superb and took this listener back through those many years to a place of comfort and delight, with so many of the old familiars mixed with some new things to make this a very fond farewell, going both ways.