Article which appeared in the Liverpool Review, September 28 - October 4, 2005 issue.
Spirited singing
Diamond Someday sparkles at church performance
By Russ Tarby
An appreciative audience of more than 220 applauded bluegrass songs old and new as the group Diamond Someday performed Sunday evening Sept. 25, at the Liverpool First United Methodist Church on Oswego Street in the village.
The seven-piece band fronted by Liverpool resident Shirley Stevens on guitar and lead vocals kicked off its first set with a line from "Old Chunk of Coal," the Billy Joe Shaver song which explains the band's name: "I'm just an old chunk of coal, but I'll be a diamond someday."
Then the group soared on the familiar gospel tune, "I'll Fly Away," followed immediately by the less-familiar but equally moving, "Last Old Shovel."
Not only does Diamond Sunday do justice to traditional bluegrass tunes such as Carter Stanley's "Baby Girl" and the Louvin Brothers' "If I Could Only Win Your Love," the combo contributes vibrant original tunes as well.
Mandolinist Lee Martin, for instance, wrote and vocalized a wonderfully reflective, pastoral composition, "Where the Blue Grass Grows."
'Lady in Red'
The high point of the band's performance, however, was Stevens' song about her grandmother's burial, "Lady in Red."
Some might think a tune about funeral arrangements for a loved one would be slow, sad and mournful, but Stevens' grandma was a special kind of woman, clearly ahead of her time. The lively, uptempo "Lady in Red" reflects the late lady's vivacious spirit.
"My grandma, who lived in Oswego County, taught me everything I needed to know about being a good Christian woman," Stevens told Sunday's audience. "And when death was near, she made it clear to us that she wanted to be buried in the brightest dress the family could find."
At the time of her grandmother's death the custom was for the deceased to be laid out in black. Stevens' grandma would have none of that "dreary" color, the singer explained.
She wanted to be decked out in festive finery as she lay still in her coffin, "because I'm going to meet my maker and I've got joy in my heart," she had told family members.
Three-part harmony
Like most of Diamond Sunday's songs, "Lady in Red" benefits from the group's specialty -- close three-part female harmony vocals by Stevens, Renie Pollman and Karen Campolieto -- as they repeatedly sing the chorus: "Bury me in my crimson gown!"
The group recently lost the services of six-time New York state champion fiddler Hal Casey who's busy with other musical projects, but has added a harmonica man, David Earl Foster. The mouth-harp player blew beautifully on the old gospel tune, "I Am Pilgrim," passionately sung by Stevens.
Banjo picker Tom Burr shone often throughout Sunday's show, as he and mandolinist Martin took most of the hot instrumental breaks. Upright bassist Robert Treat rounded out the group, playing simple but effective lines laying down a solid rhythmic foundation for the repertoire.
What sparkled the brightest, however, were Diamond Someday's three-part harmonies, especially on tunes such as "Aragon Mill," "Catfish John" and "Mama's Got the Catfish Blues."
No wonder those harmonies are so heavenly: Stevens has been singing since was was 4 years old, Campolieto has been a member of the Spirit of Syracuse Women's Barbershop Chorus, while Pollman has long been fascinated by Celtic music and works as promotion chairwoman for the annual CNY Scottish Games and Celtic Fest.
With those tremendous triple vocals and solid instrumental backing, Diamond Someday already shines brightly today.
For info, visit DiamondSomeday.com