Come from the Shadows


Come from the Shadows is the thirteenth studio album by Joan Baez, released in 1972. After recording for the independent label Vanguard for more than a decade, Baez signed with A&M and attempted to point her career in a slightly more "commercial" direction. In addition to her own compositions such as "Prison Trilogy", "Love Song to a Stranger", "Myths", and "To Bobby", Baez included John Lennon's "Imagine", Anna Marly's "Song of the Partisan", and Mimi Fariña's "In the Quiet Morning ".
"In the Quiet Morning" and "Love Song to a Stranger" were released as singles. The album was recorded at Quadrafonic Sound Studios in Nashville. The cover photo features an elderly couple being arrested at an anti-war protest, holding hands and flashing peace signs as they are led away.
The album's liner notes feature a Baez quote: "...In 1972 if you don't fight against a rotten thing you become a part of it."
The album peaked at No. 48 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tape and at No. 41 on the Canadian album charts.

Critical reception

Noel Coppage from Stereo Review was underwhelmed by the album, finding much of it "merely generally pleasant" and "poorly constructed". Robert Christgau gave Come from the Shadows a "C+" in Creem magazine. He mocked Baez's attempt at populist politics and her cultivated vocabulary, singling out the lyrics to "Myths": "I don't know about The People, but just plain people say 'scattered upon the four winds,' not 'upon the four winds scattered.' Actually they don't say 'scattered upon the four winds' either". AllMusic's William Ruhlmann later gave it three out of five stars.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Joan Baez; except where noted.
  1. "Prison Trilogy " – 4:23
  2. "Rainbow Road" – 3:03
  3. "Love Song to a Stranger" – 3:55
  4. "Myths" – 3:19
  5. "In the Quiet Morning" – 2:58
  6. "All the Weary Mothers of the Earth " – 3:34
  7. "To Bobby" – 3:53
  8. "Song of Bangladesh" – 4:49
  9. "A Stranger in My Place" – 3:07
  10. "Tumbleweed" – 3:32
  11. "The Partisan" – 3:17
  12. "Imagine" – 3:27

Personnel