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Diamond Rio - Diamond Rio
Diamond Rio brought their distinctive sound to the new traditional country wave in 1991 with a triumphant debut album that sparkles with a fresh, solid, new real country sound. With the jangle of Gene Johnson's mandolin, the steady beat of Brian Prout's drums, solid guitar work from Jimmy Olander, Dana Williams on bass, Dan Truman on keyboards, and Marty Roe's magnificent vocals, their music blended the strong tradition of the Nashville sound with a the combined flavor of country music drawn from their widely diverse backgrounds (the group hails from all points, from New York State to California).
With the release of "Meet in the Middle," their rise on the charts was assured. The strong single, pure country and glorious, was followed swiftly by "Mirror Mirror," the powerful ballad "Mama Don't Forget to Pray For Me" and the upbeat swing tune "Norma Jean Riley." Each tune gained the group more deserved recognition and accolades, and gained the new group the ACM 1991 Vocal Group of the Year, followed by the same award in 1992, as well as three years' consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year (1992 - 1994). Marty Roe may hail from Ohio, but his voice twangs.
Diamond Rio is a superb first album, a tremendous example of excellence, with 11 fine songs that prove Diamond Rio is not just a vocal group, but a superior country band. Their picking is every bit as good as their vocal harmonies. Their bluegrass influences show strongly, particularly in the delightful "Poultry Promenade." As they sing in the Monty Powell/Jimmy Olander "The Ballad of Conley and Billy," "He could play it high, he could play it low/He could make it cry, he could make it moan/He knows when push comes to show/The proof's in the pickin'." The recent re-issue of this disc makes it even more of a must-have.
Reviewed by Kathy Coleman.
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