Diamonds & Rust (Gate)

Ms. Baez's most successful album, artistically and commercially... and she recorded it on her own terms and direction. The material she chose to cover includes songs originally by Jackson Browne, Stevie Wonder, her forever love Bob Dylan and the Allman Brothers. But it was the title track that must have brought her the most satisfaction, as it was self-penned. An ode to her fabled affair with Dylan, it speaks from the heart frankly, affectionately and unapologetically. She was rewarded with it becoming a Top 40 hit (something that had eluded her since the 1960's), one of the biggest in her career. Musicians include Crusaders Wilton Felder and Joe Sample along with Larry Carlton, as well as Joni Mitchell (with Tom Scott & the L.A. Express) who duets on "Di Da". Produced by David Kershenbaum and Baez, it's simply one of her best albums ever.