By Madhuri Dey
Oct 15, (THAINDIAN NEWS) American Masters new documentary, ‘Joan Baez: How Sweet The Sound’ was aired on October 14, 2009 on PBS. The series,the first on Baez, focuses on the life and career of the legendary folk singer whose soulful music has stirred the nation and the entire world for decades.

Joan Baez began her singing career by performing in coffee houses and small clubs while still studying in Boston University. Her career took flight when she was spotted by Bob Gibson, who invited her to the Newport Folk Festival. She rocked the show. Ever since, her musical career has been on a roll.

The documentary chronicles important portions of Baez’s childhood. Her musical principles were mostly formed during this period. She was subject to extreme racial discrimination on account of her Mexican heritage, and the bitter experiences spurred her on to advocate for freedom and equality for all in her songs. The series then goes on to depict the various stages of her life as she continued to excel as a recording artist and performer.

The documentary also features other musical maestros like Dylan, Baez’s one time co-performer and later lover, David Crosby and ex-husband David Harris among others. They recount their experiences of working with Baez and also their comments and opinions of the great singer, adding value to documentary. With rare clippings of her earliest performances and never-seen-before footage of Baez’s heart-to-heart conversations with people whose lives she identified with, the show is a veritable treat for every Baez fan. The really captivating aspect of the show is, however, Baez’s own opinions of herself and personal tit-bits of her life.