By David O’Neill
‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 1’ got a lot of play in my Spotify list over the past year due to its wide variety of musical styles in the eight tracks. Is volume two going to be similar in variety, especially given they were both recorded at the same time in the iconic Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama?
Well, ‘…Volume 1’ gave some serious groove across the album with typical southern style, reggae rhythms and a laid back vibe to the whole album, which also included a cover of ‘Saturday Night’s ‘Alright For Fighting’, with great use of the famous horn section and then there was the so-laid-back-it-was-horizontal version of ‘Ease My Worried Mind’: what was not to like?
‘DOTM2’ kicks off with the upbeat opener ‘I Got A Woman’ which suddenly gives an impression that this is going to be a more upbeat rock album. Once again, the Muscle Shoals Horns arre judiciously (and deliciously) used throughout, no more so than on ‘The Middle’: a real toe tapper, with a really funky feel to the guitar solo at the breakdown.
‘My Guitar Is Crying’ really slows the mood with the languid guitar riff and emotive lyrics, before ‘Long Way Down’ picks it up again and the horn section carries the chorus well throughout the track to the guitar solo in the breakdown.
If ever there was a tour song, then ‘Never Made It To Memphis’ is it, extolling the virtues of a tour across the ÜS before obviously falling for someone en route rapidly leads to a sublime solo prior to the final chorus/outro.
‘Watch You Go’ has a 12 bar blues rhythm to it with another supporting horn section delivering a real toe tapper that would get some real line dancing going in any bar in the Midwest. More funky horns open up ‘Pressure’, a lyrical swipe at people telling you what to do, with another great solo.
Last up is the second 12 bar blues track on this album, ‘She Loves My Automobile’: there is a great blues solo at the breakdown and carried through to the outro. It’s a superb two minutes 30 listen.
Altogether, this album, together with its predecessor, is a sublime combination of the utility of iconic studios and musicians to their maximum effect.
Brilliant, just brilliant.
- ‘Dirt On My Diamonds Volume 2’ is out now.
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