Diamond Blue Shines
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CD
Review by Doug Perry Originally
published in the Blue Chip Review – October 2005 The
new CD from the local group Diamond Blue entitled "Facets", is a
delight to hear. The band offers a
unique blend of instrumentation and styles of music. Diamond Blue is made up of Jude Jones
on vocals, violin and guitar, Ron Sachs on vocals, electric and acoustic
guitars, bass, accordion, not to mention banjo, Jan Hunter does vocals and
Kevin Shaffer fills out the band with vocals, guitar and drums. The
twelve song disc opens with an easy going rocker called "Since
You". It has the happy sound of
sweet harmonies and banjo picking on top of a churning back beat. "Rain
Man" introduces violin and synthesizer.
It tells a story of the summer rains bringing love. "Jigsaw
Heart" laments of lost love, with the beautiful male, female harmonies of
the entire band and has a delightful twelve string guitar solo by Ron. "Talk
To Me" again showcases Ron's talents as a versatile guitarist. With a strong blues rock groove and gutsy
slide guitar, the song is about the age old problem of communication. "Corner
Booth" is a beautiful gentle balled with acoustic guitar finger picking,
violin and Jude singing of the memories of a special place in a little cafe'. "Pain
and Grace" picks up the pace a little with a haunting, atmospheric
vibe. Ron's raspy voice perfectly
tells a tale of pain and loss aside a beautiful background violin. There is also a Pink Floyd-esque guitar
solo that drives home the power of this tune. "Isn't
Love Crazy" offers a strong back beat and crunchy guitars amid Kevin's
unique vocal textures. "Cry
Dance" creates a beautiful mood with guitar, banjo, violin and Jan's
lead vocal. Again the band offers its
signature sound of a refreshing combination of instrumentation. Song
nine is entitled "Solitaire".
Kevin handles the lead vocal while Ron lays down a bluesy slide guitar
line. The song tells of a man playing
solitaire after love deals him a bad hand. "Get
it Over" is an upbeat witty tune about getting past any problem. "Get it over so I can get over
you". Ron's expressive picking is
also featured. "Let's
Drive" moves right along with a country rock, easy going back beat, a
catchy hook and the band's sweet harmonies. "Celtic
Aire" is a tender and lovely piece.
It is the only instrumental on the album. The wonderful textures and voicing of
guitar, violin and synthesizer weave a Celtic melody that is a beautiful
ending song for the CD. Diamond
Blue performs at many venues around Used by permission |
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