Dave Stewart’s The Blackbird Diaries was cut in Nashville and co-produced by Mike Bradford. The Blackbird Diaries is a collection of all-new material, and musically distant from Stewart’s usual pop/rock fare. Instead, its songs are rooted in rock, country, and blues, with more narrative and nakedly autobiographical lyrics. It features a slew of special guests, including duets with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, and Colbie Caillat, as well as backing vocals by the the Secret Sisters. Studio players include guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, pianist Michael Rojas, bassist Michael Rhodes, and pedal steel guitarist Dan Dugmore. “Magic in the Blues,” a skittering, polished, rocked-up country number, is the album’s first single, while “Worth the Waiting For,” was co-written with Bob Dylan., Rovi – Thom Jurek