Diamond Joe is a 1995 Rounder Records compilation (CD 11537) drawing from the five studio albums Joe Val & The New England Bluegrass Boys recorded for the label. Val (born Joseph Valiante, 1926–1985), a Massachusetts mandolinist and soaring tenor, was the central figure in bringing hard-core Appalachian bluegrass to New England, shaped directly by the Lilly Brothers, who had played Boston clubs from the early 1950s onward. The compilation presents Val alongside his longtime ensemble, including guitarist Dave Dillon, banjoist Paul Silvius, and bassist Eric Levenson, in a program of traditional bluegrass built on the Monroe model. Val recorded his debut Rounder album, One Morning in May, in 1971 — among the label's earliest releases — and remained with Rounder until his death from lymphoma in June 1985.
Tracklist
- 1 Lonesome Road Blues alt version 2:28
- 2 Just Wondering Why 2:54
- 3 Not A Word From Home 2:30
- 4 T For Texas 2:54
- 5 Long Time Gone 2:55
- 6 Poor Ellen Smith alt version 2:16
- 7 Mother's Prayer 2:44
- 8 Diamond Joe alt version 3:08
- 9 I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling alt version 2:51
- 10 Wrong Road Again alt version 2:40
- 11 Sparkling Brown Eyes 3:24
- 12 Been All Around This World alt version 3:29
- 13 Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair 3:15
- 14 Yellow Rose Of Texas 2:34
- 15 Cold Wind 2:04
- 16 Don't Sell Daddy Any More Whiskey 3:24
- 17 Voice From On High 2:22
- 18 'Neath A Cold Gray Tomb Of Stone 2:36
- 19 Why Don’t You Tell Me So alt version 3:11
- 20 When The Cactus Is In Bloom 2:06
- 21 When The Golden Leaves Begin To Fall 3:32
- 22 Stormy Waters alt version 2:47
- 23 God Loves His Children 2:30
- 24 The Angels Rejoiced 2:40
- 25 Goodbye Old Pal alt version 2:14
