Black Diamond (Kiss song)
| "Black Diamond" | |
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"Black Diamond" is a song by Kiss written by rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley. "'Black Diamond' was written almost exactly as it is," he said, "except that the riff wasn't there; Gene [Simmons] brought that part in… It's all about arrangement and embellishment. That's what you're supposed to do in a band: come in and add something. But that doesn't mean you wrote the song."[1]
The song is the closing track on the band's eponymous first album, Kiss, released in 1974. It begins with an acoustic opening sung by Stanley before a furious riff enters, accompanied by Peter Criss on lead vocals. It fades out with Ace Frehley's solo, in a sort of studio trick. The song is also characterized by its noticeable use of chorus, and its ending. The taped studio version was slowed down almost to a standstill. The live version is usually sped up in tempo, combined with stage pyrotechnics and a rising drum platform.
The band would often play "Black Diamond" to close their concerts. Even after Criss left the band, the song was still performed, featuring his replacements Eric Carr and Eric Singer on lead vocals during their respective tenures with the band.
Appearances
"Black Diamond" has appeared on the following Kiss albums:
- Kiss - studio version
- Alive! - live version
- The Originals - studio version
- Double Platinum - studio version
- The Box Set - studio version
- Kiss Symphony: Alive IV - live version
- Gold - studio version
- Kiss Alive! 1975–2000 - Alive! version
Cover versions
- The Replacements did a version on their 1984 album Let It Be.
- Yoshiki Hayashi from the Japanese metal band X Japan created an arrangement of "Black Diamond" for a 72-piece orchestra on 1994's Kiss My Ass: Classic Kiss Regrooved tribute album.
- Black Diamond Brigade, a group featuring Billy Gould of Faith No More and members of various Norwegian rock bands, formed for this cover only, did a short version of the song in 2003.
- Pearl Jam did a cover version of the song during their fan club member only show at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on August 2, 2007. Drummer Matt Cameron provided lead vocals.[1] They also covered it on June 25, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY with Cameron and guitarist Mike McCready on vocals and a special appearance by Frehley on guitar.
- Bathory did a cover version, released on the tribute album A Tribute to the Creatures of the Night and re-released on the compilation In Memory of Quorthon.
- Taking Dawn did a cover for their debut album, Time to Burn.
- Smashing Pumpkins included a cover of the song at some of their 2012 live shows with drummer Mike Byrne on lead vocals.
Credits and personnel
- Peter Criss - lead vocals/drums
- Ace Frehley - lead guitar/backing vocals
- Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar/backing vocals/lead vocals (intro)
- Gene Simmons - bass guitar/backing vocals
References
- ^ Kitts, Jeff: 'Back in black (and white)', Guitar World, September 1996, p79
- ^ Pearl Jam, retrieved (Feb. 16, 2008). Pearl Jam Set List, 8-2-2007 "Pearljam.com".
