Neil Diamond
12 Songs
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Decrease Font SizeEditor's Review:
For those born, raised and more than likely conceived to Neil
Diamond’s music, his material has always been a beloved pop
culture touchstone; but at times, it has also been something of
a guilty pleasure. While you can’t hold a candle to Diamond’s
earlier years, somewhere along the way “Solitary Man” gave way
to “Love on the Rocks,” and the leather of his youth matured
into a Fat Elvis-inspired infatuation with sequins. Even in his
schmaltzy years there was still much to celebrate, but cuts like
“September Morn” or “Heartlight” were better enjoyed outside
of
earshot from friends. Diamond had trailblazed a path into the
clammy heart of adult contemporary, eschewing the rock ‘n’ roll
simplicity that launched his career; his hair grayed, as did his
music. And then Rick Rubin walked into his life…
Much like what he had done with the late Johnny Cash’s
American IV: The Man Comes Around, legendary producer Rick
Rubin has redrawn Neil Diamond in stark black and white.
Overbearing string sections, horns and heavy handed, sappy
ballads have been pushed aside in favor of Neil hunched
over an acoustic guitar, his rich, plaintive voice taking its
proper focus above spacious, careful musical arrangements. 12
Songs’ forthright title is indicative of the music’s direction:
Diamond’s lyrics and melodies, buffed and unashamed in their
nudity, are silhouetted by dry 12-string strums, supportive
piano, tasty slide guitar and organ licks from the skillful fingers
of Billy Preston, Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike
Campbell, among others. Plus, he includes a song titled “Hell
Yeah” (no comment necessary). The resulting mesh of celebration
and introspection is what originally cemented Diamond’s
legacy as one of America’s finest songwriters. Swaggering and
swinging with raw gusto, Diamond reminds us that even in his
winter years, the roots live on.
— Maurice Spencer Teilmann
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 Record Label American/Columbia Released November 2005 |
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