The Nashville Ramblers/Black Diamonds were (along with The Unclaimed) my favorite band from the '80s. Of course, The Black Diamonds (same lineup, Ron, Carl & Tom) continued to record and play throughout the '90s and I always felt that The Black Diamonds had a whole lot more to offer than most of the bands of the last 20 years, especially the fact that they could really sing; it's hard to find anyone who could match Carl and Ron's vocal blend, along with their selection of rare material. The Black Diamonds were able to hear subtle things in these records and create something out of it; inspired by the original records but also transforming the songs with arrangements that brought something like "The Color Of Love" to another level.
There was one gig that I booked for them during the prime, early '90's L.A. Rockabilly days at a club called The Blue Saloon (where Big Sandy & The Fly Rite Trio, Dave & Deke, Russell Scott and several others broke out of), and the audience dug 'em so much that The Black Diamonds did a return gig and were chosen for a Friday night "Pick Of The Week" by the LA WEEKLY (not easy in that highly competitive media center). So in this sense, they were able to thrill a really discriminating rock 'n' roll audience that was not particularly fond of mid-'60s stuff.
The Black Diamonds really brought me to a greater appreciation of bands like The Dovers, and led me to search for and interview Tim Granada for my new book (Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock 'n' Roll's Last Stand in Hollywood). There are several songs that I would really like to hear proper records of by The Black Diamonds. Perhaps this one tune, "Not One Thing" epitomizes how their talent plays out, in Carl's guitar tone and in their unique vocal blend. Then there are these great originals written by Carl like "The Trains", "No Other Girl" and a slew of others. Great songs, great arrangements, brilliant production on the recordings that exist, I can go on and on, I'd say these guys are still my favorite contemporary band.
Domenic Priore, author of Riot on Sunset Strip: Rock 'n' Roll's Last Stand in Hollywood and LOOK! LISTEN! VIBRATE! SMILE!