Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM
The latest single from Finland’s slide guitar ace Erja Lyytinen DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD is the third to be lifted from Erja’s forthcoming double live album Diamonds On The Road – Live 2023 which is due for release October 6th.
Recorded 11th March 2023 in her native Finland during a run of ten shows (eight of which were sell-outs) the album is Erja’s first live release to capture a post-Covid live set in front of a starved audience of blues rock loving fans.
Erja is a prolific live performer having released three previous live albums, it’s in this setting that Erja and the band truly comes to life, captured perfectly here thanks to the recording skills of Olli Huttunen.
Mixed by Matias Kiiveri at Helsinki’s Hollywood House and mastered by Svante Forsback the quality of this release is outstanding.
A track that first came to light on 2022’s studio release Waiting For The Daylight DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD serves as a mere morsel, an appetizer for the main course to follow when the full album is released.
Erja eases us into proceedings with the opening lyric setting the scene sung in her distinctive accent. ‘The baby’s crying, whole night awake, her daddy’s far away, raindrops fall on the lake’.
The storm is coming, … hear a hurricane’ the background effect of howling wind makes us feel as if we are amidst that very storm. Petri Rahikkala’s impressive keyboards to the fore alongside Erja’s guitar.
‘The road is long…but I won’t be turning around’ a determined Erja continues relentlessly as she ‘follows the diamonds on the road’. Ramping things up as she provides a gleaming jewel herself by entering into one of her trademark slide guitar breaks.
The storm has truly gathered pace now. Not to be outdone Iiro Laitinen (drums) and Tatu Back (bass) provide concrete foundations in the rhythm section as Erja dazzles us with her skill on the slide guitar whilst Petri shares the spotlight with his tantalising keyboard work.
A well deserved round of appreciation follows from the packed crowd eager for more delights from the Finnish sorceress. ‘Diamonds’ is the opening track from the forthcoming live album.
Let Erja and the band satisfy those hunger pangs come 11th March when the full 13 track live set is released for your consumption.
DIAMONDS ON THE ROAD – NOVEMBER 2023 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM ERJALYYTINEN.COM/TOUR
