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.

Label
ACE Records
Genre
Pop & Rock 2LP
A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall - The Staple Singers
Everything Is Broken - Bettye Lavette
Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues - Nina Simone
Gotta Serve Somebody - Natalie Cole
It Ain't Me Babe - Maxine Weldon
It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) - Billy Preston
The Mighty Quinn - Solomon Burke
Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 - Merry Clayton
Shelter From The Storm - Cassandra Wilson
The Times They Are A-Changin' - The Brothers & Sisters Of Los Angele
Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Harry Belafonte
Baby I'm In The Mood For You - Odetta
Don't Fall Apart On Me Tonight - Aaron Neville
If Not For You - Sarah Vaughan
George Jackson - Jp Robinson
When He Returns - Jimmy Scott
I Threw It All Away - The Bo-Keys
Down Along The Cove - Johnny Jenkins
Every Grain Of Sand - Lizz Wright
Blowin' In The Wind - The Caravans

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