Joan Baez sets new round of U.S. tour dates

Folk legend Joan Baez, who recently kicked off the New Year with a tour of the U.K. and Ireland that runs through early February, has lined up a new series of U.S. dates for March.

The outing so far is scheduled to make stops at theaters and clubs in Washington, Oregon, Utah and California. Additional dates will be added, according to Baez's official website.

Baez continues to support last year's "Dark Chords on a Big Guitar," her first album of new material in six years. The set features Baez's interpretations of songs by well-known songwriters, including Steve Earle ("Christmas in Washington"), Gillian Welch and David Rawlings ("Elvis Presley Blues"), Ryan Adams ("In My Time of Need"), Natalie Merchant ("Motherland") and Greg Brown ("Rexroth's Daughter").

Mark Spector produced the 10-track set, which was recorded in upstate New York in December of 2002. Baez's core band consisted of Byron Isaacs on electric and acoustic bass guitars; George Javori on drums and percussion; and Duke McVinnie on guitars and electric bass.

Spector is also overseeing the production of Vanguard Records' "The Joan Baez Original Master Series," which is billed as "a series of chronological reissues that celebrates Baez's Vanguard catalog." Four albums have so far been reissued: "Joan Baez," "Joan Baez Vol. 2," "Noel" and "Baptism."

Meanwhile, Universal last year issued the boxed set "Joan Baez - The Complete A&M Recordings (1972-1976)." It includes six albums, as well as previously unavailable bonus material.