JET HARRIS AND TONY MEEHAN - “Diamonds”
(2nd February 1963)
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. 6
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Mike Phoenix on November 28th, 2006
What movie from 1963 did “Diamonds” feature in?
keith morris on May 24th, 2007
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.
Marcello Carlin on May 24th, 2007
See, Tom, this is what you get for giving records good reviews.
Lena on May 24th, 2007
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.
Marcello Carlin on May 24th, 2007
Among the supporting cast on the record: John McLaughlin, John Paul Jones, John Surman and sundry other future Brit improv gods.
Tom on May 24th, 2007
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.
Stewart Mills on July 11th, 2007
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.
norman pearson on July 29th, 2007
Applejack ,and Scarlett O’Hara were equally as good . Never let them fade away .
Tony Robinson on November 6th, 2007
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 ???
Marcello Carlin on November 7th, 2007
Alas, you might be right there, Tone…
Johnny Tunes on February 1st, 2008
From what I understand Jimi Page played the guitar when Diamonds
was recored.
FT's SteveIson on July 21st, 2008
Wonderfully atmospheric,strange and haunting..I can’t think of another instrumental like this either 8