Search - Vashti Bunyan :: Just Another Diamond Day

A Discovery 30 Years in the Making

Brian Tepper | PA | 09/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For certain people, music is more than some random noise to dance to or listen to while painting the bedrooms. Sometimes it can just stop you in your tracks. Vashti Bunyan does that for anyone that considers themself her fan. You won't find many casual Vashti fans as her music just seems too engaging to turn away. For those who listen to her are likely to love her regardless of anything. Sure, she might be too demure or at first sound too fragile and sensitive for bedrockheads who run through walls, people, and steel to get what they want out of life, let alone music. But others will suddenly sit still and scratch their heads wondering where this marvelous music has been hiding all their lives.



Most may have discovered it through a cell phone commercial in 2006; that would be this albums opening cut. Indeed, the sublime splash of Diamond Day introduces us to a world as provocative to us as it was to Vashti when she left the modern world for a rustic commune in 1967 until the album's recording in 1969. Throughout the album, the lyrics detail 2 years of experiences involving relationships, nature and the sudden happiness she discovered after a depressing and jaded stint through the pop market in the mid 60s. Sure, there is some world weariness sprinkled throughout and her voice can still relay a sense of despondency, but more often than not, as exemplified by songs like Come wind Come Rain, Jog Along Bess, and Where I Like to Stand, she hopes, yearns and quietly celebrates her life while the musicians move the songs in jaunty folk arrangements filled with recorders, Irish harps, mandolins and banjoes without effects or any progressive trappings popular at the time. The music is often a perfect compliment for her songs. Many of the musicians came from Producer Joe Boyd's contingent including the Fairport Convention, ISB and Nick Drake's string arranger Robert Kirby, all of whom Vashti had admitted were unknown to her when she showed up to record this album in 1969. The result is something that transcends its perceived folk genre. It is thankfully impossible to pigeonhole and that's probably what may forever endear it to those discovering her all these years later, whether through commercials or wandering by a club in early 2007 to hear her singing while she toured the world after years in obscurity. It has that much power to stop you on the pavement and check her out.



As a bonus, reissues have added some of her finest singles that she recorded in the mid sixties including her most morose song, a demo of Winter is Blue featuring the payoff lines, "I am alone, waiting for nothing. If my heart freezes, I won't feel the breaking." By the time her last single for Andrew Loog Oldham's Immediate label, I'd Like to Walk Around in You Mind was recorded, it wound up being shelved. This seemed to be the song to bridge the despondency of her sixties recordings with the world weary optimism of this album. She makes for a mischievous ghostly presence here, hoping and determined to cheer up the most iron-hearted cynic. Her delivery starts off tentative then becomes more assured as she finishes the verses. The approach is natural and simply brilliant. It's as assuasive as pop music could get and stands arguably as her greatest song; my favorite to say the least. It may have taken over 30 years for many to discover this, but it's worth it."

The female Donovan

Matthew W. Welch | Springfield, VA | 09/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually hadn't heard of Vashti until after that Reebok commercial with "Train Song", I completely fell in love with this album after hearing the song clips. I'm one who likes Donovan and the Incredible String Band, so I enjoy her pastoral themes and traditional melodies more than others might. But even if you're into good singer-songwriters with fantastic voice, I recommend this."

Wow

Hollythedylanfan | Wonderland | 03/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a huge fan of Folk music. I especially love Nick Drake, Donovan, the Incredible String Band, and Fairport Convention. A friend recommended Vashti Bunyan to me, and I am rather thankful. I bought Just Another Diamond Day last week and I cannot stop playing it. It's just gorgeous.



To better appreciate the beauty of this album, it is good to know the background story of it. These songs were written while Vashti was on a journey to the Isle of Skye to meet Donovan and live in a commune during the late 60's. Donovan sent her enough money to get a horse and cart, and she painted it lovely colors and took to the road with her animals and boyfriend. It took her a year to get to Skye, and by then Donovan and crew were leaving.



The songs are about the beauty she encountered on her way. Jog Along Bess is filled with real characters. Her voice is soft and magical, like sunlight shining through the trees. I simply love this album.



I cannot even name a song that is my favorite. They are all good. If you are a dreamer or a hippie at heart, you will love Vashti. It's a must for anyone who loves Folk music, although I don't think she considers herself a folk artist, much like Dylan."