Now I will begin by admitting that country music, in its purest form, is not my favourite genre of music. I am however a big fan of many of the off shoots of country such as bluegrass, americana and blues. I was hoping that Diana Jones would have her fingers in all of those afore mentioned pies and that I could add another ‘stand out’ CD to my collection.

So I settled in and expected to be pleasantly rocked to and fro by soft bass and quick strummed mandolin strings, the way only music from the Tennessee Hills can do. The album begins with a new release and the name of this compilation ‘Better Things to Come’. Cynically I thought, for her and my sake let’s hope so. Needless to say it didn’t grab me immediately. There are some pleasant harmonies though and my prediction of bass and strings came true, but nothing special. I didn’t fall in love with Jones’s voice either.

There are good things about this album. Her moving song ‘Appalachia’ about the Appalachian Mountains and surrounding lands is a fantastic bit of songwriting and beautifully arranged. This was the first time my ears truly pricked up as this song contains within it a melody that although country at its origin, was infused with originality and contemporary blues. Plus a beautiful violin in harmony compliments the lyrics and just about masks the speculative low notes that Jones attempts to croon out.

And of course no country album would be complete without the subtle presence of an electric guitar. ‘Evangelina’ gives us this very cliché and for a moment I was tempted to reach for my big belt buckle and red, blue and white sparkly line dancing boots. In all seriousness though, the instrumentalists on this album are a shining light. Simple arrangements and a great sense of solidarity as a group give each song a firm footing. Plus I have to admit my enjoyment of some haunting Mandolin fills and especially the short solo during ‘The Day I Die’, probably my favourite song on the album.

I think the problem with the album for me though unfortunately is Diana Jones’s voice. It is very sonorous and perhaps it is the southern drawl that comes through too strongly in her singing that put me off. Although, she grew up in New York until the age of 15 so perhaps not. I know it sounds churlish but the one thing that I kept stumbling on was her lead vocals. I was caught under the spell of this CD on several occasions and then she would attempt a note that was just too low or give a word just too much vibrato and I would snap out of it.

A technically flawless album, recorded well and arranged as well as it could’ve been. I admire the honesty that seeps out of Diana Jones’s lyrics and believe her songwriting should be praised. I would just like to hear someone else sing her songs.