VIA PRESS RELEASE | Diamonds & Rust, Joan Baez’s introspective, poetic, and musically lush 1975 album, returns in a definitive 180-gram 45 RPM edition to be released July 11 via Analogue Productions, the esteemed imprint of Acoustic Sounds.
Strictly limited to 2,000 individually numbered copies, this collectible reissue is cut from a ½” flat tape copy of the original analog master tape by Matthew Lutthans at The Mastering Lab and pressed at Quality Record Pressings. It delivers the most vivid, tonally rich listening experience of Baez’s timeless classic to date.
This deluxe reissue is housed in a tip-on old-style gatefold jacket with textured stock, crafted with care by Stoughton Printing, offering both a stunning visual and tactile presentation to match the sonic excellence within. The 45 RPM format allows for deeper grooves and greater fidelity, capturing Baez’s pristine voice and evocative arrangements in their most natural and immersive form.
Originally released at a pivotal point in her career, Diamonds & Rust bridges Baez’s folk roots with the sophisticated production of the mid-’70s, bringing a new sonic dimension to her songwriting and interpretations. Anchored by the iconic title track—a bittersweet reflection on her past relationship with Bob Dylan—the album finds Baez at her most personal and expressive, balancing intimate storytelling with bold sonic ambition.
The record also showcases Baez’s interpretive power on tracks like Jackson Browne’s “Fountain of Sorrow” and Stevie Wonder’s “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer,” both rendered with striking emotional clarity and nuance. “Winds of the Old Days” and “Dida” reveal Baez’s evolution as an artist and her willingness to explore new textures and lyrical perspectives.
