Diamonds and Dirt
Encyclopedia
Diamonds and Dirt is the first solo studio album
by Scottish
guitarist Brian Robertson
, released in 2011. Robertson was previously a member of Thin Lizzy
, Motörhead and Wild Horses
.
Robertson recruited several experienced musicians for the recording of this album, including Treat
bass guitarist Nalle Påhlsson and Europe
drummer Ian Haugland
, who Robertson described as "the best rhythm section I've played with since Phil Lynott
and Brian Downey
". Robertson performed most of the vocals, but the album also features ex-Michael Schenker Group
vocalist Leif Sundin and Riverdogs
singer Rob Lamothe.
The album includes some tracks by Robertson's old group Thin Lizzy: "It's Only Money" from the 1974 album Nightlife
, and two versions of "Running Back" from the 1976 album Jailbreak
. Both songs were written by Phil Lynott, and Robertson has stated, "I think Phil would be proud of what I've done with those Lizzy songs." Robertson also recorded three songs written by his friend Frankie Miller
, including a bonus track, "Ain't Got No Money". Robertson initially sang the song himself, but Miller suggested it would suit a different vocalist, so Rob Lamothe was brought in.
* Bonus track
with
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
guitarist Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
, released in 2011. Robertson was previously a member of Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
, Motörhead and Wild Horses
Wild Horses (British band)
Wild Horses were a British rock band, active during the late 1970s and early 1980s.-History:Wild Horses was formed in the summer of 1978 by ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson and ex-Rainbow bassist Jimmy Bain...
.
Robertson recruited several experienced musicians for the recording of this album, including Treat
Treat (band)
Treat is a melodic-rock band from Stockholm, Sweden. In the second half of the 1980s they had national as well as international successes with songs like "Too wild", "Get you on the run", "Ride me high", "World of promises" and "Party all over"....
bass guitarist Nalle Påhlsson and Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
drummer Ian Haugland
Ian Haugland
Håkan Jan "Ian" Haugland is the drummer in the Swedish rock band Europe. When he was eight months old, he and his family moved to the Swedish suburb Märsta. He joined Europe in the summer of 1984, replacing Tony Reno. Previously Haugland had played in a number of bands, including Trilogy, where...
, who Robertson described as "the best rhythm section I've played with since Phil Lynott
Phil Lynott
Philip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
and Brian Downey
Brian Downey (drummer)
Brian Michael Downey is an Irish drummer.Downey is the drummer and a founding member of the rock band Thin Lizzy, and a friend from childhood of co-founder and frontman Phil Lynott. Along with Lynott, Downey was the only constant member of the pioneering hard rock group until their break-up in...
". Robertson performed most of the vocals, but the album also features ex-Michael Schenker Group
Michael Schenker Group
The Michael Schenker Group is a guitar-oriented hard rock band formed in 1979 by former Scorpions and UFO guitarist, Michael Schenker. In 1986, Schenker and vocalist Robin McAuley formed the McAuley Schenker Group, which lasted until 1992. After that, the Michael Schenker Group was reformed.The...
vocalist Leif Sundin and Riverdogs
Riverdogs
- Band members :The band has featured singer Rob Lamothe, several guitarists, bass guitarists and drummers at different times.Past and present Riverdogs musicians include:Guitarists: Vivian Campbell, Nick Brophy...
singer Rob Lamothe.
The album includes some tracks by Robertson's old group Thin Lizzy: "It's Only Money" from the 1974 album Nightlife
Nightlife (Thin Lizzy album)
Nightlife is the fourth studio album by Irish band Thin Lizzy, released in 1974, and produced by Ron Nevison and Phil Lynott. The album cover shows a panther-like creature in a city scene, and the panther was intended to represent Lynott....
, and two versions of "Running Back" from the 1976 album Jailbreak
Jailbreak (album)
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic described Jailbreak as a "truly exceptional album", with "a dimension of richness that sustains, but there's such kinetic energy to the band that it still sounds immediate no matter how many times it's played". Highlighting Lynott's songs as "lovingly florid.....
. Both songs were written by Phil Lynott, and Robertson has stated, "I think Phil would be proud of what I've done with those Lizzy songs." Robertson also recorded three songs written by his friend Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller
Frankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
, including a bonus track, "Ain't Got No Money". Robertson initially sang the song himself, but Miller suggested it would suit a different vocalist, so Rob Lamothe was brought in.
Track listing
- "Diamonds and Dirt" (Brian RobertsonBrian RobertsonBrian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
) - "Passion" (Robertson)
- "It's Only Money" (Phil LynottPhil LynottPhilip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
) - "Mail Box" (Frankie MillerFrankie MillerFrankie Miller is a Scottish rock singer-songwriter, who had his biggest success in the 1970s. Miller was raised at Colvend Street, Glasgow with his parents, Cathy and Frank, and elder sisters Letty and Anne. Miller attended Sacred Heart Primary school. He was an altar boy in Sacred Heart Chapel...
) - "Running Back" (Lynott)
- "Texas Wind" (Robertson)
- "Devil in My Soul" (Robertson)
- "Do It Till We Drop (Drop It)" (Miller, Jeff BarryJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Robertson) - "Blues Boy" (Robertson, Lynott)
- "That's All!" (Robertson)
- "10 Miles to Go on a 9 Mile Road" (Jim White)
- "Running Back" (Slow version) (Lynott)
- "Ain't Got No Money" (Miller)*
Personnel
- Brian RobertsonBrian RobertsonBrian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Leif Sundin – vocals
- Nalle Påhlsson – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Ian HauglandIan HauglandHåkan Jan "Ian" Haugland is the drummer in the Swedish rock band Europe. When he was eight months old, he and his family moved to the Swedish suburb Märsta. He joined Europe in the summer of 1984, replacing Tony Reno. Previously Haugland had played in a number of bands, including Trilogy, where...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration... - Liny Wood – backing vocals
- Rickard Jakobson – percussion
with
- Chris Antblad – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
on "Running Back" - Rob Lamothe – vocals on "Ain't Got No Money"
- Ola Gustafsson – dobroDobroDobro is a registered trademark, now owned by Gibson Guitar Corporation and used for a particular design of resonator guitar.The name has a long and involved history, interwoven with that of the resonator guitar...
on "Running Back" (Slow version) - Ellinor Alm – backing vocals on "Ain't Got No Money"
- Håkan Persson – drums on "Ain't Got No Money"