Neil Diamond sounds like a drunken pervert lounge act. Slurry and deep and soaked in bourbon he sings songs at swarthy tempo with a weird sort of vocal reverb. Its pretty cool too. Its the sound that definitely had its time and that time has very much passed.
70's easy listening love songs are no longer in fashion which may be the reason I simply adore Neil Diamond. He is a Saturday Night Live parody act, not quite Lawrence Welk but giggle worthy just the same. The interesting thing is he is still very much in favor with many and is about to release a 40th anniversary album. Diamond is the mastermind behind so many 'hits and standards' that its hard to even fathom such reach.
On August 24, 1972, the 30 year old Neil Diamond took over the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles for a 10 night run. The album peaked at number 5 in the U.S. and spent 29 weeks at number one in Australia. So lets dust off that beauty and pop on some new tunes and get crackin'.
The new version of Hot August Night will be released on July 31, 2012. And dear God what is he doing in that album cover photo???
Track List:
Disc 1
Prologue
Crunchy Granola Suite
Done Too Soon
Dialogue
Solitary Man
Cherry Cherry
Sweet Caroline
Porcupine Pie
You're So Sweet
Red Red Wine
Soggy Pretzels
Gitchy Goomy (previously unreleased)
And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind
I Think It's Going To Rain Today (previously unreleased)
Shilo
Modern Day Version Of Love (previously unreleased)
Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon
Walk On Water
Kentucky Woman
Stones
Musician Intros (previously unreleased)
Disc 2
Play Me
Canta Libre
Morningside
Song Sung Blue
Cracklin' Rosie
Holly Holy
I Am.I Said
Soolaimon/Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show