AllMovie

Surprisingly, before How Sweet the Sound, a full-length documentary had never chronicled decades in the life of Joan Baez, but this film corrects that oversight. This documentary delves into the career and impact of the musician and activist who helped define the 1960s and '70s. In its pursuit of capturing her varied life, this film combines archival footage, live performances, and interviews with major figures such as David Crosby, Bob Dylan, Baez's ex-husband David Harris, and Reverend Jesse Jackson. Baez's 2008-2009 tour for her Day After Tomorrow album is featured prominently, as is footage of her visit to Hanoi during the Vietnam War and her inaugural appearance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1959. With this selection of historical and contemporary footage, the film divides itself between her political and humanitarian work and her incredible contribution to music.