The specific reference of Black Diamond Bay is to the Conrad novel
called "Victory". In the novel, Black Diamond Bay is a disused coal
port/depot on an island in the far east (Indonesia/Borneo area). There
are elements in the novel that reappear in the song (a hotel, a
volcano, gambling, a somewhat enigmatic woman, BDB itself of course)
but the song is not a 'song of the book' by any means. In some ways its
a bit like a dream version of the book with everything mixed up and in
the wrong places. There may be elements from other Conrad novels in
there as well - some themes doubtless reappear in many of the novels.
The specific reference of Black Diamond Bay is to the Conrad novel called "Victory". In the novel, Black Diamond Bay is a disused coal port/depot on an island in the far east (Indonesia/Borneo area). There are elements in the novel that reappear in the song (a hotel, a volcano, gambling, a somewhat enigmatic woman, BDB itself of course) but the song is not a 'song of the book' by any means. In some ways its a bit like a dream version of the book with everything mixed up and in the wrong places. There may be elements from other Conrad novels in there as well - some themes doubtless reappear in many of the novels.