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| Artist: Neil Diamond
Label: Sony
Category: Music
New (39) Used (5) from £7.64
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 6437
Format: Cd, Import
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.4 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 728078
UPC: 886972807829
EAN: 0886972807829
ASIN: B0015D3Z3U
Release Date: May 12, 2008
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| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
The Power Of Simple May 14, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
It cannot be denied that Neil Diamond is a damned fine songwriter and possessed of a striking baritone voice that make his melodies and lyrics even stronger. But too much of his work has been shadowed by chronic over production; a glitzy, Hollywood style from a man in a sequinned jumpsuit more suited to, well anyone, but not to a man capable of writing and performing such compelling songs and who performed with The Band in The Last Waltz.
Enter Rick Rubin with 12 Songs who cut the arrangements to the bare bones just as he'd done with Johnny Cash. The effect was startling as the stark emotion in Diamond's voice was allowed to take centre stage. It is understandable then that Neil Diamond would want to reprise this partnership in the hope of receiving more critical acclaim than he could have otherwise expected. Since Rick Rubin must share much of the credit for this re-invention of Diamond into an icon for serious rock fans, it is strange that in the candid liner notes Diamond makes only passing acknowledgements to him.
He doesn't disappoint with "Home Before Dark" an album with much the same group of musicians who played on "12 Songs". But it is not quite as bare bones as the first album. It has a richer, more intense sound without detracting from the "bare emotional statement" of the songs.
In the liner notes, Diamond observes that that since there were no music charts, only his lyrics and chords, the musicians would have to improvise. That they'd started to do so, on many songs, before he'd finished his first run through, irritated him. Then he realised that they were doing so out of enthusiasm for the music. So, a 67 year old man baring his soul to the enthusiastic approval of seasoned session musicians and the enthusiasm shines through. It is not a cynical re-enactment for commercial purposes but a beautifully crafted testament to the abilities of the participants: Singer/songwriter, producer, musicians and engineers.
Neil's own enthusiasm manifested itself with his no holds barred technique on his Martin guitar. He earned himself the nickname, Basher!
 Very disappointed May 14, 2008
2 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have been a Neil Diamond fan since the 1970s and, until 12 Songs, liked just about everything he produced.
Unfortunately, I think "HOME BEFORE DARK" is a very sad reflection on what Neil has become: dated and jaded. There are times when I can hear old motifs (intended?) in certain tracks. There's no pleasing everyone, and that's a good thing; but this album has been on my played around 6 or 7 times since it arrived yesterday and it's STILL not doing anything for me.
I bought the DeLuxe version, and watching the DVD i was almost embarrassed.
It's not his age, it's his lack of energy. Willie Nelson is 75, but he performed in London this week and is stil ahead of Neil in his presence.
Sorry, Neil, I love you; but I DON"T love the new CD
 Fine cut Diamond May 14, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
As the years slow down with age, many things - and many people - mature.
This latest offering shows Neil Diamond has matured, but he hasn't forgotten where he came from. This is his return to his musical roots, just him, his voice and lyrics, and a guitar. Nothing else needed, this is grown-up Diamond - as he says "Even Einstein reclined doing his theory". This is easy-listening at the highest point of acheivement, a marriage of music and lyrics that hasn't been over-polished. Neil's throaty voice excels when accompanied by just a guitar, and as always he produces some musical gems. I liked the evocative Home Before Dark, and adored Whose Hands Are These. Quite simply I can't find anything detrimental to say, and this album will be in my cars player whenever I drive - and I'm hoping for some long rides. The Bonus tracks on the special edition DVD are also wonderful for a quiet night by the fireside with a glass of wine and someone special!
A Deeper Cut May 13, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Deep, profound, intelligent and mature. Diamond has never been better under the laser gaze of producer Rick Rubin. A 5 star treat for the ear and the emotions...
Career Revival: Part Two May 12, 2008
20 out of 23 found this review helpful
The recent fashion for easy listening seemed to stop at the water's edge when it came to Neil Diamond. The loyal fanbase that had followed him since The Jazz Singer (back in the 1980s) barely increased in the intervening years, and even the appearance of "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" in Pulp Fiction did little to restore his credibility with a younger audience. Few, then, could have foreseen the good critical notices that attended 2005's Rick Rubin produced comeback album, Twelve Songs. Home Before Dark is the second volume of Diamond's Indian Summer.
If you've forgotten why people disliked Diamond in the first place, begin with his essay in the booklet, which is full of the pomposity and self-congratulation that epitomised his stage presence. If, however, you've forgotten why people liked Diamond, playing this disc should quickly remind you. Pared back (in Rubin's trademark production style) Diamond's skills as a singer-songwriter are no longer concealed behind a choir of backing singers and a sequined jumpsuit. Like Twelve Songs, this album harks back to the glories of the past - even individual runs of chords have their precedent in older songs - but in the context of a relaxed acoustic environment these tricks work afresh.
Sceptics may not be entirely won over. The slow-burn vibrato of Diamond's voice (trembling with barely suppressed passion) has always been a love-it-or-loathe-it thing, and the lyrics of some of these songs could have benefitted from rethinking. (Try on "Song writing / It's just a little bit frightening / Like playing with lightning" for size.) The more brazen borrowings (such as "Forgotten", which has much of the flavour of Manfred Mann's "Pretty Flamingo") can grate. Equally, some of the defiant simplicity in the arrangements and melodies is self-defeating: raising the suspicion that far from being heartfelt this album is deeply and cynically contrived.
Nevertheless, although this album is far from perfect it remains a notable achievement. For an album of acoustic love songs Home Before Dark is surprisingly inventive, with melodic and harmonic tricks deployed with an easy familiarity that should have most younger songwriters gnashing their teeth with envy. Don't be surprised if - by the time you've heard these songs two or three times - you find yourself liking them quite a lot.
Moreover, this is a long album: in its deluxe version, you get over seventy minutes of music (or over an hour in the regular edition). The deluxe version also includes a DVD with performance videos of three of the songs plus a version of Paul Simon's "The Boxer" that they did very well to leave off the main album. It seems to me that the vocals are mixed into the rear speakers on the DVD, which struck me as odd, and as a bonus it's probably the sort of thing that you will leave in the CD case. By contrast, both the bonus tracks on the main disc are well worth having: a strong reading of Harry Nilsson's "Without Her" and a cover of Dylan's saccharine "Make You Feel My Love" which certainly bears comparison with that on Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque. Overall, this special edition is better than many others that I've encountered, and worth the higher price.
If you can face liking Neil Diamond, I'd definitely suggest giving this album a try. If the thought of liking his work makes you nervous, steer well clear, because you just might.
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