Black Diamond (Stan Ridgway album)

Black Diamond is the fourth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Stan Ridgway, released in 1996.

Production
"As I Went Out One Morning" is a cover of the Bob Dylan song. "Luther Played Guitar" is about the guitar player Luther Perkins. "Gone the Distance" addresses the death of Kurt Cobain.

Critical reception
The Washington Post determined that "the Dylan tune is one indication that Ridgway wants to be taken seriously, and he does tone down his arch vocal style on some of these songs." The Boston Globe wrote that the album, "though quieter and more spare than much of Ridgway's work, continues his pattern of writing moody story-songs, restless character studies imbued with dark, spooky undertones."

Personnel
Adapted from the Black Diamond liner notes.
 * Musicians
 * Stan Ridgway – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, recorder, Hammond organ, production
 * Ted Andersen – drums, percussion
 * Harlan Boddicker – bass guitar
 * Larry Grennan – recording, mixing, percussion, backing vocals
 * Bob Elmo – cello, violin, bass guitar
 * Todd Sharp – saxophone, woodwind
 * Pietra Wexstun – keyboards, backing vocals


 * Production and additional personnel
 * Ed Colver – photography
 * Fred Davis – design
 * Doug Schwartz – mastering