Comments on: JET HARRIS AND TONY MEEHAN – “Diamonds”

By: Lena

Lena — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:04:19 +0000

I just wrote about the follow-up here: http://musicsoundsbetterwithtwo.blogspot.com/2011/06/woman-in-the-background-jet-harris-and-tony.html

By: wichita lineman

wichita lineman — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:49:47 +0000

I interviewed him once over the phone – by the end of the chat he’d invited me to stay as his house on the Isle of Wight whenever I liked. An incredibly nice man, and owner of the first electric bass guitar in Britain amongst other claims to fame. RIP.

By: Jimmy the Swede

Jimmy the Swede — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 17:04:13 +0000

Yes, sad news, this. I would suspect that his funeral will be well attended. RIP.

By: weej

weej — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:01:32 +0000

RIP Jet Harris – http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/8918784.Ex_Shadows_guitarist_Jet_Harris_dies/

By: Lazarus

Lazarus — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:46:19 +0000

This, to quote the Bee Gees on their last hit, is where I came in.

Didn’t know the song for years, though.

By: Chris Hughes

Chris Hughes — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:37:35 +0000

@17

Well I did! The three tracks of soprano sax in the middle… I honestly can’t remember, but I’m sure John Baldwin (John Paul Jomes) was on bass for that. Joe Moretti would have been the lead guitar.

By: Johann Haidenbauer

Johann Haidenbauer — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:13:32 +0000

Hello Chris,

did any of that mentioned state personnel also play on the Song
of Mexico single by Tony Meehan?

Johann

By: Erithian

Erithian — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:41:34 +0000

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.

By: Chris Hughes

Chris Hughes — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:24:05 +0000

“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

By: keith morris

keith morris — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:32:01 +0000

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

By: Peter W

Peter W — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:49:40 +0000

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 :)

By: SteveIson

SteveIson — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:16:01 +0000

Wonderfully atmospheric,strange and haunting..I can’t think of another instrumental like this either 8

By: Johnny Tunes

Johnny Tunes — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:07:30 +0000

From what I understand Jimi Page played the guitar when Diamonds
was recored.

By: Marcello Carlin

Marcello Carlin — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:14:43 +0000

Alas, you might be right there, Tone…

By: Tony Robinson

Tony Robinson — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 18:29:08 +0000

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 ???

By: norman pearson

norman pearson — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 12:04:41 +0000

Applejack ,and Scarlett O’Hara were equally as good . Never let them fade away .

By: Stewart Mills

Stewart Mills — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 21:40:00 +0000

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.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:29:50 +0000

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.

By: Marcello Carlin

Marcello Carlin — Thu, 24 May 2007 11:09:57 +0000

Among the supporting cast on the record: John McLaughlin, John Paul Jones, John Surman and sundry other future Brit improv gods.

By: Lena

Lena — Thu, 24 May 2007 10:30:30 +0000

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.

By: Marcello Carlin

Marcello Carlin — Thu, 24 May 2007 09:46:33 +0000

See, Tom, this is what you get for giving records good reviews.

By: keith morris

keith morris — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:13:48 +0000

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.

By: Mike Phoenix

Mike Phoenix — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 10:01:06 +0000

What movie from 1963 did “Diamonds” feature in?