What can be said about a group that has been on the road for 75 years.  Though many members have come and gone The Legendary Dixie Hummingbirds have stood the test of time.  From their very beginnings their sound has always been contemporary.  Simply put, the Birds have been able to adapt to the current trends of the times.  Though many of the mainstays have either passed away or retired from the road the great Ira Tucker still leads the current Hummingbird lineup.  Well into his 70s, Tucker is still able to capture an audience with his unbelievable vocal control and showmanship.  Like the Blind Boys of Alabama, the Birds have enlisted the help of some of the best in secular musicians to back them on this their 75th anniversary project "Diamond Jubilation". 

So what is so great about this new offering from the Dixie Hummingbirds?  For one thing, the fellas sound sweeter than ever.  Amazing enough, Mr. Tucker was able to find replacements for each of the voices that really made up the sound we all know as classic Birds.  Listening to the harmony blend you will definitely be plunged into a pool of  fond memories.  As with any project, there are those songs that will really jump at you.  This project has a few that I'm sure fans will love.  For starters, their are two classic Birds songs that make a long overdue appearance on this CD.  The first is the beautiful ballad "When I Found Jesus Christ" taken from their Peacock album "Gentlemen of Song".  In "Live" performance the Birds really take you back old school with this one as they huddle together and sing as if they were all around one microphone harmonizing. The other song "Rasslin' Jacob" really takes us back.  In fact, you have to go all the way back to the Apollo days in the year of 1947.  This song serves as a great capstone for this progressive project. 

Other songs of note include the addictive "He Watches Over Me".  This is defiantly one of those songs that you will hit repeat on.  Tucker's slurred phrasing is captured perfectly on this number.  In fact, this song is a perfect mixture of instrumentation, smooth background harmony, and clear lead vocals.  For those looking for a little bluesy feel the Birds present songs like the William Bright led "Too Many Troubles", and Tucker's "When I Go Away".  "Too Many Troubles" is one of the many songs that you will swear that the late Willie Bobo was still alive.  Fans like myself have longed for that bass sound that characterized the Birds for years.  This project brings back the bass voice in the Hummingbirds harmony on several cuts. 

When it comes to a hand clappin' number the Birds present a beautiful rearrangement of the classic Dorothy Love Coates song "I've Been Born Again". The number starts out with capable lead vocalist and former Sons of The Birds member William Bright and closes with Ira Tucker taking it up a few notches.  If you love numbers like the Birds classic drive number "Help Me" then you'll love this one.