Joan Baez: Hopeful, haunting new songs and old from a folk legend

Joan Baez closes out a 22-city international tour, which features songs from her new album, "Day After Tomorrow," Monday night at the Moore.

The tour not only celebrates the new recording — her 24th studio album, and the first to land in the Billboard Top 200 chart in 29 years — but also the legendary folk singer's 50th year in show business.

The acclaimed 10-track disc was produced by Steve Earle, who also plays guitar, sings harmony and wrote two new songs for it, "God Is God" and "I Am A Wanderer." The title tune was written by Tom Waits. Notable tracks include the Academy Award-winning "The Scarlet Tide," written by Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett for the film "Cold Mountain"; "Henry Russell's Last Words," a moving mining-disaster song written by Diana Jones; Eliza Gilkyson's haunting "Rose of Sharon"; and "Mary," a Christian allegory written by Patty Griffin.

Backed by a three-piece band, Baez's set lists have spanned her career. She's been getting laughs with an imitation of her former lover, Bob Dylan.

In reviews of shows earlier this month, the Chicago Tribune said her performance was "steeped in hope and compassion," The Washington Post noted "she can still sound like an angel" and The Toronto Sun opined, "her powerful voice was in fine form."

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312

or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com