Joan Baez to release new album

NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Legendary artist Joan Baez will release her first album in six years, "Dark Chords on a Big Guitar," on KOCH Records.

The album features contributions from a group of songwriters including Steve Earle, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Ryan Adams, Natalie Merchant and Greg Brown.

She adds her signature interpretation to the likes of Welch and Rawlings's meditative "Elvis Presley Blues," Brown's ethereal "Rexroth's Daughter," and Earle's "Christmas in Washington."

Produced by Mark Spector, the album was recorded in upstate New York in December 2002 at Allaire Studios with a core band consisting of Byron Isaacs on electric and acoustic bass guitars; George Javori on drums and percussion; and Duke McVinnie on guitars and electric bass.

A U.S. tour has been announced and will begin Oct. 3 in Charlotte, N.C.