Black Iris Dulcie Taylor’s “Diamond & Glass” has all the makings of a hardcore country album: tales of divorce, despair and death, along with occasional allusions to emotional abuse and reckless drinking. But Taylor, a Wammie-award-winning singer-songwriter, is more poet than honkytonker, and far too much of a romantic to let an album unfurl without conveying inspirational thoughts and comforting messages.

Besides, on “Diamond & Glass” she’s surrounded by musicians well known in contemporary pop and jazz circles, including pianist Brian Culbertson, guitarist Jeff Golub and saxophonist Steve Cole, who augment her acoustic guitar and dulcimer with a light instrumental weave that generally suits her appealing voice and often wistful phrasing. Taylor writes songs on an intimate scale, quietly summoning a child’s memories of her parents’ divorce (“I Have a Ring”), a woman’s sudden awareness that the hurt caused when love turns from rapture to rack isn’t divided equally (“Easy for You”), and a few words of advice for a friend in trouble (“It Ain’t Love”). On “You and Me,” she sums up a soured relationship and a bewildering situation with one swift blow: “This can’t be you and me/ Paying a third party to put our hearts together again.” When the album stalls, slight lyrics or fashionably atmospheric arrangements are to blame. (Actually, “Sometimes Love Ain’t Enough” is guilty on both counts.) But Taylor’s heartfelt vocals and sincere songcraft prevent the lulls from lasting.

Appearing Wednesday at Vic’s Music Corner at O’Brien’s Pit Barbecue. * To hear a free Sound Bite from Dulcie Taylor, call Post-Haste at 202/334-9000 and press 8129. (Prince William residents, call 703/690-4110.)

Original print article was / Mike Joyce | Washington Post, Aug. 23, 2002, page WE06