Close to the Edge (CD - 1992)

Diamond Rio: Marty Roe (vocals, acoustic guitar); Jimmy Olander (guitar); Gene Johnson (mandolin, background vocals); Dan Truman (keyboards); Dana Williams (bass, background vocals); Brian Prout (drums).

Recorded at Midtown Tone and Volume, Nashville, Tennessee.

On Close to the Edge, Diamond Rio took the cue of the debut's best songs and created an entire album cut from the same cloth. Diamond Rio's strongest material emphasizes the virtues of God, family and honest living -- traditional stuff, no doubt influenced by the members' bluegrass background. But while most folks who'd claim divine intervention in their relationship sound sappy at best, Marty Roe comes off earnest and convincing. Unfortunately, amid hits like "In a Week or Two" and "Oh Me, Oh My, Sweet Baby," Close to the Edge reveals such weaknesses as a penchant for bad puns ("This Romeo ain't got Julie yet"--ouch!). ~ Brian Mansfield minimize