Ace Records has announced the release of “Highway of Diamonds – Black America Sings Bob Dylan” on 30th January 2026. It is the follow-up to the similarly themed 2010 compilation “How Many Roads”. Since he recorded his first self-composed song, ‘Song To Woody’, in November 1961, Bob Dylan has written and published more than 350 songs and is the third-most-covered songwriter in the history of popular music, with just short of 9,000 versions by more than 5,000 artists.
Black American singers and musicians were quick to identify with what Dylan was saying in many of his early songs, particularly those which spoke loudly on their behalf in segregated ‘60s USA. As Dylan’s songwriting evolved in other directions, many black Americans still continued to view his growing catalogue as a source of repertoire for their own singles and albums. “How Many Roads” ran the gamut of Dylan’s songs from the ‘60s to the ‘90s, taking in gospel, funk, southern soul, acapella and a whole lot more along the way.
Now “Highway Of Diamonds” strives to do the same, with another 20 versions of Dylan classics from an equally diverse range of artists, only a couple of whom are reappearing from the previous volume. Likewise, all but one of the songs are new to this collection, anchored by another take on the song whose opening line gives both sets their title, ‘Blowin’ In The Wind’. You can see Bettye Lavette’s take on ‘Everything Is Broken’ below.
“Highway of Diamonds – Black America Sings Bob Dylan” will be available on CD and 2LP gatefold. You can find the pre-order link here.
“Highway of Diamonds – Black America Sings Bob Dylan” Tracklist:
Side One
1. A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall – The Staple Singers
2. Everything Is Broken – Bettye Lavette
3. Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues – Nina Simone
4. Gotta Serve Somebody – Natalie Cole
Side Two
1. It Ain’t Me Babe – Maxine Welldon
2. It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) – Billy Preston
3. Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) – Solomon Burke
4. Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35 – Merry Clayton
5. Shelter From The Storm – Cassandra Wilson
Side Three
1. The Times They Are A-Changin’ – The Brothers & Sisters Of Los Angeles
2. Tomorrow Is A Long Time – Harry Belafonte
3. Baby, I’m In The Mood For You – Odetta
4. Don’t Fall Apart On Me Tonight – Aaron Neville
5. If Not For You – Sarah Vaughan
6. George Jackson – J P Robinson
Side Four
1. When He Returns – Jimmy Scott
2. I Threw It All Away – The Bo-Keys
3. Down Along The Cove – Johnny Jenkins
4. Every Grain Of Sand – Lizz Wright
5. Blowin’ In The Wind – The Caravans
