JET HARRIS AND TONY MEEHAN – “Diamonds”
The saturnine Harris and fresh-faced Meehan were ex-Shadows, and even though they didn’t write “Diamonds” its curious structure makes it sound like the work of people keen to cram as much as they can into a short time in the spotlight. The record switches between extended drum solos (Meehan), lonesome country atmospherica driven by moody bass runs (Harris), and an incongruous chunk of horn-led jive. Frankly it’s a bit of a mess, but a very entertaining one, with a character and bite their former band were beginning to run out of.
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Tom in Popular • 3,346 views • Share/Save
What movie from 1963 did “Diamonds” feature in?
Dear Tom,
What a load of rubbish! ‘Diamonds’ is one of the great instrumentals by two of Britains finest
musicians. Superb technicians. Tony Meehan’s drumming on all his recorded music was
just fantastic. A drummers drummer! His rythmns and fills were exclusively his. Keith. No
one could match him.
See, Tom, this is what you get for giving records good reviews.
Jet Harris sounds like an interesting guy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_Harris
This was one of the UK’s many #1 singles that never made a dent in the US, though.
Among the supporting cast on the record: John McLaughlin, John Paul Jones, John Surman and sundry other future Brit improv gods.
I think 6 may have been a bit harsh – I have played this “out” a few times since and it’s a winner! Crazy man crazy.
I can’t agree with Tom. Clearly not a mess. very extreme comment. Meehan’s drumming was good probably some of his best. Much tighter than when with the shads and Harris excellent as ever and he still is.
Applejack ,and Scarlett O’Hara were equally as good . Never let them fade away .
First heard Diamonds in 1963 and thought it was easily the best guitar instrumental ever – nothing before or since has changed my mind although Jack Bruce of the great Cream is fantastic but a different style.
Every note is perfect and the tone and timing is brilliant.I saw Jet recently in Worcester and he still sounds great.
Everybody to their own taste – I bet you like Boy bands hey Tom ???
Alas, you might be right there, Tone…
From what I understand Jimi Page played the guitar when Diamonds
was recored.
Wonderfully atmospheric,strange and haunting..I can’t think of another instrumental like this either 8
I recently saw Jet at Shadowmania 2008 and got to talk to him in the interval and get his autograph. He is a bloody nice bloke and very funny yet he came across very modest.
I first heard “Diamonds” when i was a little’un in the 70’s when my dad used to play it and it is a tune that has always stuck in my mind. hearing him play it live was absolutely brilliant as were the other tunes he played like “Scarlet o Hara” and “Applejack” he is very talented and If I had one ounce of the talent he has i’d be very happy :)
The drums in this track are amazing and just fit so well, alas Tony is no longer with us but he still shines.
Personaly I would give the track 10 out of 10 but then I love this sort of music and it rightfully deserves more than 6 but each to their own opinion :)
Jet Harris & Tony Meehan were together for too short a time. Unfortunate circumstances meant the great duo couldn’t record again. As I have said before Tony had a wonderful and original style of drumming, no one could really match him. He really swung The Shadows and likewise as in the Jet & Tony duo. I don’t think enough has been written on him which is a little sad for such a great drummer. Jet equally has his unique style going back to Besame Mucho and right up to today’s albums. I would love to see him record a ’standards’ album. Probably acoustic. Would be fantastic. Jimmy Page played rhythm guitar on ‘Diamonds’.
‘Diamonds’, ‘Scarlett O’Hara’ and ‘Applejack’ what a triumvirate!
Keith, Sydney, 07.12.08
“Among the supporting cast on the record: John McLaughlin, John Paul Jones, John Surman and sundry other future Brit improv gods.”
John McLaughlin only came into the act after Jet pulled out following a car accident. JPJ joined once Diamonds had been recorded and the stage group was put together for touring.
I think I may have been the only member of that group that was on the recording, playing saxophone.
The stage personnel was Tony, Jet, Joe Moretti, John Baldwin (JPJ), Glenn Hughes and me.
“From what I understand Jimi Page played the guitar when Diamonds
was recored.”
No — that is Jet on Diamonds.
Chris Hughes, 15/06/09
Always good to hear from one of the participants in a number one, Chris – more reminiscences welcome!
Tom – are you keeping track of the number of writers/performers who have contributed to this site? We’re getting a good list going.
Hello Chris,
did any of that mentioned state personnel also play on the Song
of Mexico single by Tony Meehan?
Johann