Album Notes

During 2004 at age 65 singer / songwriter Claude Diamond released his debut CD "Diamond Dust" on the Vettset label. The CD reached #21 on the Roots Country airplay chart and # 51 on the Americana chart. Now he's released his second album "Highway of Life" and it reached #7 on the Roots chart,#36 on the Americana chart and #11 on the FAR chart.

"Highway" includes eleven original Americana / roots songs and is a diverse mix of musical styles including bluegrass, Cajun, blues and country. In the manner of Billy Joe Shaver and John Prine, he writes and sings about the realities of life using both humor and sadness to tell his unique stories.

Claude writes and performs the music you wish you could hear on mainstream country radio, but can't. If you're looking for some great original stories written in a fresh style, you'll love this album! Some are funny, some are sad and all are a pleasure to hear. Once you start listening you'll keep riding until the highway ends.

Claude started performing during the late 1950's in Mississippi honky tonks around Natchez and Hattiesburg. During those years he played rockabilly and blues. After graduating from college in 1960 he put the music dream on hold. Then in 2004 he decided to bring out his debut CD of original Americana / Roots Country music. He performs acoustic shows primarily in the Southeastern United States, Europe and the UK.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

Highway Of Life, consists of 11 of the finest country music I've come across for some time. Hard country with traces of Cajun, bluegrass and rockabilly....David Allen...Country Music People magazine

REVIEW: Four out of five stars....country music needs more Claude Diamond.....www.billybop.be

2005 #1 ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Comparisong with the great John Prine are not over the top in the least. One or two "Claude Diamonds" a year would be great but he is an artist who comes along every once in a while....Steve www.yesturdayandtoday.com

This guy is just simply amazing...he's profound when it matters and fun when it needs to be...www.takecountryback.com

SEVEN OUT OF TEN STAR REVIEW: Overall this is a gem of an album...it may not be too late for Claude to make his mark on the country music scene...many people with much less talent have already done so...www.americana-uk.com

REVIEW: 3 3/4 bottle caps out of five...If mainstream country radio sounded as good as this, there would be no alt.country...www.americanaroots.com

FOUR STAR REVIEW: I had already decided to love Claude Diamond when I read that he released his debut CD at the age of 65. I know that's biased but my instincts were proven right. Gentle western songs proving that you're never too old to make worthwhile music... Maverick magazine(UK)

You just have to be impressed with Claude Diamond. The 67 year-old has found his second calling: Country Music. Lo and behold the Ol'Duffer's got the goods. With a warm delivery that's somewhere between John Prine and towns Van Zant. www.cheezeball.net

WARMLY RECOMMENDED...www.ctlaltcountry.be

Little Copper Wire is in the 2006 top 25 song list for DCW Radio.

"Her Old Address" in top 50 songs for 2005. Country Special Radio

"Talking To Strangers" One of the most kicking new tunes on the nation's coolest dance floors...August 2006...Country Music People magazine.

His songwriting has been compared to John Prine, Guy Clark and Billy Joe Shaver and has earned him critical acclaim worldwide. Americana Tonight.

"Claude is proof It's never too late to follow a dream". The Musician Pub.

COMPLETELY PLEASING CD...www.iwde.com

Many times an artist has one album in them...that is not Claude Diamond. Highway Of Life proves that fact with each song....Mr. Wonderful..WJJC RADIO

The stories and voice are lived in, real, Diamond's own. And dammit, that's why we still turn our heads when classic old cars drive by, looking loved on back to new, windows down, and songs like these playing on the radio. www.freighttrainboogie.com