It may not be a definitive collection -- after all, it bypasses all of her influential '60s recordings -- but the
Joan Baez installment of
20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection is a good overview of her recordings for A&M, featuring such highlights as "Diamonds and Rust," "Fountain of Sorrow," "Hello in There," "Dida," "Jesse," "In the Quiet Morning," "Gracias a la Vida," "Forever Young," and a live version of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down." There may be some good songs missing, but this isn't a bad choice for budget-minded casual fans. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine