Description
Ace’s small but ever-evolving “Black America Sings…” series has been quiet of late, but it springs back into action this month with the 2-LP and CD releases of “Highway Of Diamonds” – a second dip onto the catalogue of Bob Dylan, as reimagined by some of the foremost African-American artists of the 20th century.
From almost the start of his songwriting career, Dylan’s words and music have impacted on black American music, with ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’, speaking to an America that was still mostly segregated and becoming an anthem for all colours and creeds. As Dylan’s own career progressed, so did the number of covers he received, with a significant amount coming from what might be termed ‘non-traditional’ sources such as those heard here.
The 20 songs on “Highway Of Diamonds” continue the story that was told in part on the earlier “How Many Roads” compilation, with an almost entirely different selection of artists lending their voices to some of the best songwriting of the 20th century, and an almost entirely different selection of songs (with the exception of ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ itself, which provides a common thread linking the story told across the two sets).
Big names from the worlds of soul, gospel and jazz, timeless songs and, for many, new ways of appreciating ever-durable material make “Highway Of Diamonds” as essential a purchase as its predecessor.
As ever, the great audio is complemented by a handsomely illustrated package on both CD and double vinyl, with a plethora of illustrations and in depth song-by-song-and-track-by-track annotation by Ace legend Tony Rounce.
Tracklist
| Side | # | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | A Hard Rain's A-gonna Fall |
| 1 | 2 | Everything Is Broken |
| 1 | 3 | Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues |
| 1 | 4 | Gotta Serve Somebody |
| 1 | 5 | It Ain't Me Babe |
| 1 | 6 | It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) |
| 1 | 7 | The Mighty Quinn |
| 1 | 8 | Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 |
| 1 | 9 | Shelter From The Storm |
| 2 | 1 | The Times They Are A-changin' |
| 2 | 2 | Tomorrow Is A Long Time |
| 2 | 3 | Baby I'm In The Mood For You |
| 2 | 4 | Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight |
| 2 | 5 | If Not For You |
| 2 | 6 | George Jackson |
| 2 | 7 | When He Returns |
| 2 | 8 | I Threw It All Away |
| 2 | 9 | Down Along The Cove |
| 2 | 10 | Every Grain Of Sand |
| 2 | 11 | Blowin' In The Wind |
Good to know
Want to know more about vinyl? Read our vinyl guide .
Product details
| Product name | Highway of Diamonds - Black America Sings Bob Dylan (2LP) |
|---|---|
| Album | Highway of Diamonds - Black America Sings Bob Dylan |
| Categories | |
| Format | Vinyl |
| Edition | 2LP |
| Release date | Friday 30 January 2026 |
| EAN | 0029667028615 |
| Market operator | View market operator |
