Tonight we have recommendation number three from my son, as I allotted him ten picks on my list of albums. Today’s selection is “Just Another Diamond Day”, by a relatively unknown British female folk singer named Vashti Bunyan.
I can certainly attest to the fact that prior to today, I had never heard of, or heard from Ms. Bunyan. This album was recorded as she was working to establish herself, with some assistance from the Rolling Stones’ manager and producer Andrew Loog Oldham. In a tale somewhat similar to the fable of American folk-rock artist Sixto Rodriguez, the album was initially a commercial flop, to the point where she effectively retired from professional music. Over the course of time, more and more people discovered this album and it ultimately became highly sought after as a musical piece and collector’s item. She eventually resumed her career, both as a recording artist and performer, many years after this initial album.
The album is a soft and gentle listen, her voice is easy to listen to and on the upper end of the range, not unlike Joni Mitchell. None of the songs really jumped out to me above the rest, although “Lily Pond” is recognizable as yet another deployment of the melody we know better as “ABC” or “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. The musical accompaniment is soft guitar by Bunyan, and also includes other musicians on piano, organ, fiddle, mandolin, recorder and banjo for a classic country folk sound.
Like this experiment as a whole, and in thanks in part to the diverse tastes of my son, I listened to a quality album I would have likely never otherwise heard, and I would encourage you to do the same. It’s good Sunday morning music, or late evening music, like it is now as I finish my writing for today. Goodnight all, and goodnight Vashti Bunyan.
A Lifetime-Plus of Music 