Winter 2007 - U.K./Europe (part two)
by Jim Stewart

It wasn't long after I arrived back at my room that the phone rang. It was Joan, who had just received the sad news from her sister Pauline in California that their father, Dr. Albert V. Baez, had passed away at age 94. The call was not unexpected, as Dr. Baez had experienced a lengthy illness that included several recent hospitalizations. Joan spent a good deal of time with her father before she left the Bay Area for the current tour, as they both knew his time on earth was limited. She asked me if I could advise the rest of the entourage, including manager Mark Spector who was traveling with the group for a week. All were concerned and offered to do anything that was needed by Joan. I suggested that a good warm hug would help whenever their paths crossed with Joan's, which meant a lot to our singing star and friend. Crook had arranged for a cab to take Joan to the venue later that day, while the rest of us would head out earlier on the bus for soundcheck and other show preparations, but Joan insisted on going with the group since she needed to be with her tour family. Despite her loss, Joan gave an absolutely stunning and powerful concert that night in Bielefeld's Stadthalle. It was obvious she was singing for her father.

We remained in Bielefeld after the show, which permitted Joan the opportunity to keep in close telephone contact with her family and friends for most of the next day, until she needed to get out and take a walk down the big hill behind our hotel into the lovely shopping area of town. I accompanied her, and we headed off to get fresh air and find treasures to mail to her granddaughter back in California.

The next day everyone piled on the tour bus for the 68 mile drive to Hannover's Kuppelsaal, where Joan substituted "Fennario," for "Wildwood Flower," and amused the audience when she explained that she'd sing a song in German, but with a Bavarian accent since she learned it from their legendary singer/songwriter Konstantin Wecker ("Wenn Unsere Bruder Kommen"). During soundcheck that afternoon, Joan commented that the venue's high-domed ceiling and lavish crystal chandeliers made it appear "otherworldly" and inspired her to do an impression of E.T., as she pointed to the dome and called out "E.T....phone home!"

Joan introduced more changes to the setlist during the next concert at Bonn's eloquent Beethovenhalle. The show's tribute to 1950s R&B classics, "Stand By Me," made way for Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World," which was well-received and featured tight vocal harmonies by Joan, Graham and Erik. "Long Black Veil" was suspended in favor of the upbeat "My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains" from Joan's 1969 Nashville sessions that resulted in David's Album.

After the Bonn performance the tour group experienced a long 600 miles trek to Verona, Italy. Most of us initially gathered in one of the bus' two entertainment rooms for after show snacks and a movie, then retired to our bunks to sleep the night away. The next morning I was awakened by a startling sharp poke in the ribs through the curtain that privatized by bunk area. I pulled the curtain aside to find Joan in the hallway, eager to show me the snow-covered Alps. We oooh'd and aaah'd for a couple of hours as the panoramic windows of the bus' upper level enabled us to watch the passing sights...country roads decorated with early spring snowfall, ski lifts that crossed over the highway, hikers leaving footprints, and massive ancient cathedrals and castles nestled in the numerous Alpine villages. When we started our descent out of the Alps the snow quickly vanished. Joan got to work reviewing Arthur Levy's liner notes for the upcoming Vanguard remastered edition of Carry It On, while I stumbled to the first level of the bus to get some coffee brewing.

Another classy venue awaited at Verona's Teatro Filarmonico, where remnants of opera productions where strewn around the backstage area and included huge gold and silver horses, fields of plastic poppies and a gigantic facial mask that must have been a refugee from a production of Phantom of the Opera. After Jason made all his unique audio preparations for Joan, the band and the audience, Crook sent me back to the hotel to get Joan. On my walk to the hotel I heard voices calling my name from a streetside cafe. There I briefly joined some Joan fans that came from all over Europe and the U.K. to enjoy their favorite singer. They showed me an article from that morning's newpaper featuring a lovely photo of Joan superimposed over an interior shot of the gold gilded classical venue. For this Italian audience Joan sang "Here's To You" (composed by Joan and film music legend Ennio Morricone for the film Sacco and Vanzetti). After the show Joan was greeted at the stage door by many applauding fans seeking autographs and photos, and offering hugs and kisses. This inspired Crook, bus driver Zippy, Jason and I to get in line for our share, which made joan laugh, but nonetheless, she complied! Before the bus left Verona, Jason and Erik recreated the poses of some massive Italian statues near the venue, while Crook snapped photographs of the outlandish models.

Next on our itinerary was Rome, where we arrived at the massive Auditorium Parco Della Musica venue early in the morning to find welcome signs posted with arrows that led us to showers and food. Sadly, just like in Florence, there was no time for sightseeing since we'd be leaving immediately after the concert. The Roman audience was absolutely exquisite, and despite Joan offering four encores and resting her head in her hands to demonstrate that she was tired, the people remained in the venue applauding wildly, stomping their feet and singing "We Shall Overcome" until Joan returned to the beautiful stage to finish the classic anthem with them.

Everyone was delighted to have some time off in the splendid ancient city of Prague that was untouched by both World Wars, and still held its old-worldly European charms and treasures. Joan disappeared with her many friends from the Czech Republic, while the rest of us explored the glories of Prague. The fantastic Charles River Bridge was a destination for all, and our hotel, the Savoy Hotel, was located high above the town and not far from the city's main castle, which was now the seat of local government. I walked down the steep slope into town where I took a little river cruise and met some wonderful people from Latvia, with whom I exchanged cultural stories. In the town's magnificent central square, I ran into Jason and Crook, and we located a gelato shop, after which Jason took me to an outdoor food vendor and showed me a rather unappealing whole cooked pig that was being sliced up for sandwiches and seemed to have a rather wicked smile on its face! That night I attended a wonderful concert of Vivaldi music in an abbey of the central castle with perfect, natural acoustics, and Graham returned to town to attend a performance of Gerswhin tunes.

I was delighted to be reunited with good friends Catherine Turek and her husband Dieter, who had attended many of the tour's concerts and are always a big help at the various merchandise tables. Catherine and I have fun competing to see who will sell the most copies of Joan's three CD box set Rare, Live and Classic. Crook was presented with the challenge of where to sit Joan's 30 invited guests at the sold-out show, including former president Vaclav Havel, who later took the tour team out to dinner! Joan's Prague appearance was obviously an extra special event for the city and resulted in at least 25 press photographers packed in front of the stage snapping away during the first three songs. Earlier that day Joan had asked for some CDs to present to her distinguished guests, so Jane and I spent a little time on a Prague sidewalk by the bus, tying several different CDs together with colorful ribbons, so Joan could present them to her guests.

After the show, it was time to pack all the gear and prepare for homeward bound flights the next day. The remarkably organized team of Crook and Jason had musical instruments and concert equipment under control in a very short time. They even found a safe spot for the old time "crooner's" microphone that Jason bought for Erik to use on this tour. It's a modern replica of the large microphones big band vocalists like Frank Sinatra used decades ago! It was a unique and appropriate prop for our gifted and fun singer/songwriter on stage.

The next day Jason headed out for an early flight, followed by Erik, Graham and I, who were flying together to Frankfurt, where we split up for various flights back to the U.S. I found a handful of euros in my pocket that I didn't want to take home, so Erik and I headed to an airport sandwich stand for some nourishment. We both agreed it was the worst sandwich we'd EVER had, but the pleasant company and conversation made up for it. Crook would be flying later to the U.K. to tour manage Art Garfunkel and his group, while Joan remained in Prague for a few more days with friends.

And so another successful tour ended, while preparations continue for more summer shows in the U.K. and Europe. That tour will, sadly, not include our dear friend and marvelous musician Graham Maby, who is committed to touring with Joe Jackson at that time. Kill Henry Sugar will serve as Joan's band on the upcoming tour, meaning it will be Erik Della Penna, Dean Sharenow (drums, percussion, vocals) and bass player Michael DuClos. On days off from the Joan Baez concerts, Kill Henry Sugar will present their fantastic solo shows at various venues along Joan's summer tour route to promote their brand new CD that will be released in June, which includes the stunning "This Is The Kingdom," and other new gems. For more details, visit Kill Henry Sugar.

The tour group looks forward to seeing all the wonderful fans who keep us supplied with gifts and goodies along the tour trails. Be sure to check the tour schedule regularly to see if the gang will be in a city near you. Or, like so many fans, you can make travel plans to catch Joan in concert around the world!

Click here to read part one of this report.

Photos by Crook Stewart, 2007

Be sure to take a look at the many other photos and fan photos from this tour. Enjoy!

Latest News - Tour Schedule - Biographical Info - Discography - Lyrics - Band and Crew - Photo Gallery - Joan on the Internet - Links - Contacts