Home Before Dark is the long awaited new album from legendary artist Neil Diamond. Home Before Dark was produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin who also produced Neil's critically acclaimed 12 Songs.
Remarkably Home Before Dark is the first US chart topping album of Neil Diamond's forty year career. It appears to repeat the formula behind 2006's acclaimed 12 Songs--relatively understated arrangements and a subtle Rick Rubin production. But Diamond, though sixty-seven years old and the oldest recipient of a Number One so far, is no Johnny Cash, turning his unique voice to some well chosen contemporary material. Instead Home Before Dark is a collection of new Diamond songs, and though they might not match the boomers in his back catalogue they are hardly stripped back. These are songs designed to fill large venues alongside the showstoppers in Diamond's still energetic live show. "Pretty Amazing Grace" is in the great tradition of Diamond songs that defy their corniness with sheer catchiness, as is "One More Bite of the Apple" while "Don't Go There" features bracing backing vocals and a delightfully dated wobbly guitar hook. The duet with Natalie Maines, "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", would fit comfortably on American country radio while "The Power of Two" sounds like another hit in waiting. In fact this is more a conventional Diamond collection than a Rick Rubin production, dominated by lightly understated country rock arrangements played by a crack team including Smokey Hormel, Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell and the usually experimental Matt Sweeney. This is a charming and consistently solid set, though Home Before Dark does lack the unexpected intensity that made 12 Songs stand out so. ---Steve Jelbert
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
The Man Neil Diamond:
I haven't heard Neil Diamond for years but he is the same. I bought this because of the song Pretty Amazing Grace but the rest of the cd is just as good. If you are not a Diamond u will be after this.
Excellent:
My husband and I received as gifts from our three children tickets to see Neil Diamond perform next week. I was eager to receive his latest CD as I knew he would perform some of the songs - it deserves to be NO. 1 on the charts - love it.
NEIL DIAMOND KEEPS GOING AND GOING......:
Neil just keepsgetting better nd better with each album. HOME BEFORE DARK
is the latest arrival in my ND collection...Neil looks great, sounds great, and like a vitage wine, he keeps getting better and better. Its a
good album. Check it out!!! Teri
"ND (aka THE BASHER):
This the One of the Best Of Neil Diamond. There are 4 Studios Videos with this and Let me tell you that at 67 Years Young Neil is the Most Talented Music and Songwriter, I can see and feel both. He is Beautiful/Sexy and has Aged Gracefully. His Voice Is and Always Will be Best. Thank You Neil Diamond and Everyone Involved in Making this Excellent Cd/Dvd.
It is Awesome!! I Love all the Tracks, But.... My Favs:If I Don't See You Again and Forgotten. See you Neil 8/23/08 at the... more info
Tracks:
If I Don't See You Again
Pretty Amazing Grace
Don't Go There
Another Day (That Time Forgot) Neil Diamond with Natalie Maines
