Play Me Backwards
Encyclopedia
Play Me Backwards was a 1992 album by Joan Baez
. In addition to her own work, she included songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter
and Janis Ian
. The album marked the first time Baez worked with producers Kenny Greenberg and Wally Wilson
, with whom she would continue to work throughout most of the '90s. Also significant was her recording of the Mary Chapin Carpenter song, "Stones in the Road", for which Baez produced her first ever music video
. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.
For the making of this album, Baez worked in Nashville
for the first time since recording 1972's Come from the Shadows
.
and Kenny Greenberg; except where indicated
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
. In addition to her own work, she included songs by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
and Janis Ian
Janis Ian
Janis Ian is an American songwriter, singer, musician, columnist, and science fiction author. Ian first entered the folk music scene while still a teenager in the mid-sixties; most active musically in that decade and the 1970s, she has continued recording into the 21st century...
. The album marked the first time Baez worked with producers Kenny Greenberg and Wally Wilson
Wally Wilson
Wally Wilson , is an American record producer and songwriter based in Nashville.-Career:Wally Wilson has worked with artists as diverse as Leon Russell, Bo Diddley, the Neville Brothers, Junior Wells, Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Lone Star, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Rick Trevino, Rascal Flatts...
, with whom she would continue to work throughout most of the '90s. Also significant was her recording of the Mary Chapin Carpenter song, "Stones in the Road", for which Baez produced her first ever music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.
For the making of this album, Baez worked in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
for the first time since recording 1972's Come from the Shadows
Come from the Shadows
Come From the Shadows was a 1972 album by Joan Baez. 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...
.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Joan Baez, Wally WilsonWally Wilson
Wally Wilson , is an American record producer and songwriter based in Nashville.-Career:Wally Wilson has worked with artists as diverse as Leon Russell, Bo Diddley, the Neville Brothers, Junior Wells, Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Lone Star, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Rick Trevino, Rascal Flatts...
and Kenny Greenberg; except where indicated
- "Play Me Backwards"
- "Amsterdam" (Janis IanJanis IanJanis Ian is an American songwriter, singer, musician, columnist, and science fiction author. Ian first entered the folk music scene while still a teenager in the mid-sixties; most active musically in that decade and the 1970s, she has continued recording into the 21st century...
) - "Isaac and Abraham"
- "Stones in the Road" (Mary Chapin CarpenterMary Chapin CarpenterMary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
) - "Steal Across the Border" (Ron Davies)
- "I'm With You" (Joan Baez)
- "I'm With You" (Reprise) (Joan Baez)
- "Strange Rivers" (John Stewart)
- "Through Your Hands" (John HiattJohn HiattJohn Hiatt is an American rock guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He has played a variety of musical styles on his albums, including New Wave, blues and country. Hiatt has been nominated for several Grammy Awards - although he has never won- and has been awarded a variety of other...
) - "The Dream Song"
- "The Edge of Glory"
Personnel
- Joan Baez - Guitar, Vocals
- James A. Ball - Engineer
- Greg Barnhill - Background Vocals
- Richard BennettRichard Bennett (guitarist)Richard Bennett is a touring sideman, session veteran, and record producer. As a touring sideman, he performed with Neil Diamond for 17 years, and Mark Knopfler since 1994. As a session player, he has worked with artists ranging from Billy Joel and Barbra Streisand to Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill...
- Electric Guitar - Ashley Cleveland - Background Vocals
- Peter Coleman - Engineer
- Chad CromwellChad CromwellChad Cromwell is an American drummer, best known for his work with Neil Young and with Mark Knopfler.- Personal life :Cromwell was born in Paducah, Kentucky, and three years later moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee...
- Drums - Tom Dolan - Design
- Jerry DouglasJerry Douglas (musician)Jerry Douglas is an American record producer and resonator guitar player. Called "Dobro's matchless contemporary master," by The New York Times, and lauded as "my favorite musician" by John Fogerty, Douglas is one of the world’s most renowned Dobro players.-Career:In addition to his twelve solo...
- Dobro, Guitar, Lap Steel Guitar, Weissenborn - Roy Gamble - Engineer, Second Engineer
- Aaron D. Jacoves -A&R/Executive Producer
- Carl Gorodetzky - Violin
- Eric Gorodetzky - Engineer, Second Engineer
- Kenny Greenberg - Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Producer
- Mick Haggerty - Art Direction
- Vicki Hampton - Background Vocals
- Mike Lawler - Organ, Synthesizer
- Bob LudwigBob LudwigBob Ludwig is an American mastering engineer.He is a well known and respected figure within the music industry. His name is credited on the covers of albums released across the world, and he has won numerous awards....
- Mastering - Bob Mason - Cello
- Edgar Meyer - Upright Bass
- Jonell Mosser - Background Vocals
- Steve Nathan - Organ, Wurlitzer
- Melanie Nissen - Photography
- Greg Parker - Engineer, Second Engineer
- Cyndi Richardson - Background Vocals
- Jerry Roady - Percussion
- Tom Roady - Percussion
- Chris Rodriguez - Background Vocals
- Ed Simonton - Engineer, Second Engineer
- Pamela Sixfin - Violin
- Kevin Smith - Mixing
- James StroudJames StroudJames Stroud is an American musician and record producer who works in pop, rock, and country music. In the 1990s he was the president of Giant Records and held several credits as a session drummer...
- Drums - Marcos Suzano - Percussion, Berimbau
- Willie WeeksWillie WeeksWillie Weeks is an American bass guitarist. He has gained fame performing with famous musicians in a wide variety of genres. He has been one of the most in-demand session musicians throughout his career. Weeks has also gained notoriety touring with many of rock's heavyweights throughout his career...
- Bass - Kristin Wilkinson - Viola
- Wally WilsonWally WilsonWally Wilson , is an American record producer and songwriter based in Nashville.-Career:Wally Wilson has worked with artists as diverse as Leon Russell, Bo Diddley, the Neville Brothers, Junior Wells, Amy Grant, Trisha Yearwood, Lone Star, Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Rick Trevino, Rascal Flatts...
- Synthesizer, Piano, Producer - Glenn WorfGlenn WorfGlenn Worf is one of the premier Nashville session bassists. He was born in Dayton, Ohio but grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and has concentrated on the bass guitar since he was thirteen. He majored in music at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Inevitably his talents forced him to abandon the...
- Bass - Taylor York - Engineer