Diamonds & Dirt

• Artist: Rodney Crowell
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1988
• Total Time: 34:54
• Genre: Country

Review

Of the four records Rodney Crowell cut under his name before 1988's Diamonds & Dirt, three of them are still regarded as classics of the progressive country genre. The Houston native was well established as a songwriter (Emmylou Harris cut a slew of Crowell songs on her first five records), producer, and performer. Along with then-wife Rosanne Cash, he brought elements of new wave and early rock & roll into the genre, giving it a much needed kick in the rear. But as good as those albums were, Diamonds & Dirt put him on the map for good. In the 21st century, Crowell makes his living primarily as a hit songwriter, though he still records independently, cutting one critically acclaimed album after another. Co-produced by Crowell and Tony Brown, Diamonds & Dirt yielded five chart-topping singles, including "It's Such a Small World," a duet with Cash (who provided backing vocals throughout the set); a burning rockabilly version of pal Guy Clark's "She's Crazy for Leavin'"; the switchblade swagger of "Crazy Baby" (which sounds like Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe backing Jerry Lee Lewis); and the stellar ballad "After All This Time." That said, there is something else afoot here, too. A listen to "I Know You're Married" reveals that Crowell was a real fan of the early Beatles, and, on "I Didn't Know That I Could Lose You," of Roy Orbison. The only other cover on the set is a stellar swaggering honky tonk cum pub rock version of Harlan Howard's "Above and Beyond (The Call of Love)," which could have been recorded by England's Brinsley Schwarz. The remastered Legacy version of the album also includes three previously unreleased demos from the Diamonds & Dirt sessions and a wonderfully intimate set of liner notes. For contemporary country fans, this disc is such an important part of the development of modern music that it has virtually influenced everything that's come after it, making it impossible to ignore. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Crazy Baby (Lyrics)	Will Jennings, Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:06)
I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried (Lyrics)	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:18)
She's Crazy for Leaving (Lyrics)	Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:16)
After All This Time	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(4:28)
I Know You're Married	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:31)
Above and Beyond (The Call of Love)	Harlan Howard	Eddie Bayers, Rodney Crowell, Steuart Smith, Russ Kunkel, Paul Franklin, Barry Beckett, Michael Rhodes	(2:28)
It's Such a Small World	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:21)
I Didn't Know That I Could Lose You	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:21)
Brand New Rag (Lyrics)	Will Jennings, Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:07)
The Last Waltz	Rodney Crowell, Will Jennings	Rodney Crowell	(5:21)
I've Got My Pride But I Got to Feed the Kids [#][*]	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(2:28)
It's Lonely Out [#][*]	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:40)
Lies Don't Lie [#][*]	Rodney Crowell	Rodney Crowell	(3:04)

Credits

Rodney Crowell (Liner Notes), Bill Johnson (Art Direction), Ken Criblez (Recording Assistant), Will Jennings (Liner Notes), Ken Criblez (Assistant Engineer), Glen Duncan (Fiddle), Steuart Smith (Guitar), Mark O'Connor (Fiddle), Rodney Crowell (Producer), Guy Clark (Liner Notes), Mark O'Connor (Mandolin), Howard Fritzson (Art Direction), John D. Loudermilk (Liner Notes), Eddie Bayers (Drums), Michael Rhodes (Bass), Paul Franklin (Guitar (Steel)), Rosanne Cash (Duet), Rosanne Cash (Harmony), Rosanne Cash (Vocals), Susanna Clark (Liner Notes), Bob Irwin (Producer), Vince Santoro (Vocal Harmony), Preston Smith (Harmonica), Vince Santoro (Vocals (Background)), Vic Anesini (Mastering), Harlan Howard (Liner Notes), Russ Kunkel (Drums), Renée Bell (Personal Assistant), Steve Marcantonio (Mixing), John Jackson (Product Manager), Rosanne Cash (Liner Notes), Vince Gill (Vocal Harmony), Donivan Cowart (Engineer), Barry Beckett (Piano), Russ Kunkel (Performer), Randall Martin (Design), Rosanne Cash (Vocals (Background)), Barry Beckett (Organ), Emmylou Harris (Liner Notes), Keith Odle (Mixing Assistant), Nick Shaffran (Series Consultant), Martha Wood (Personal Assistant), John Christiana (Packaging Manager), Steve Marcantonio (Engineer), Larry Willoughby (Production Assistant), Rodney Crowell (Guitar (Rhythm)), Vince Gill (Vocals (Background)), Ken Criblez (?), Preston Smith (Vocals (Background)), Preston Smith (Vocal Harmony), Tony Brown (Producer)

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)