Review ... Neil Diamond's "12 Songs"


Neil Diamond
“12 Songs”

It only took 35 years, but Neil Diamond has finally released the singer songwriter album that we would get the occasional glimpse of. “12 Songs” offers the proverbial journey back in time when Neil delivered unplugged style, scaled down songs regularly. Think … “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Now” … “Brooklyn Roads” … “Solitary Man” … and you get the idea. “12 Songs” is an exceptional recording and is Neil’s best work since 1988’s “The Best Year of Our Lives” and his most listenable since 1996’s “Tennessee Moon.”

“12 Songs” finds Neil writing about his usual topics of love, vulnerability, and relationships … but from the point of view of a 64 year old man who is knowingly in the autumn of his years. The overall mood that is created is similar to Frank Sinatra’s “September of My Years” … Sinatra’s coming to terms with his life and marriage to Mia Farrow upon his turning 50 years old. In the album opener, “Oh Mary,” Neil gently asks, … “Oh Mary, can you hear my song/Does it make a mournful sound?” In “Create Me” Neil pleads, … “How many seasons have we endured?” “Save Me a Saturday Night” finds Neil pondering, …”How did I ever find you?”

The stripped down instrumentation, Neil’s closely miked vocals, the aging of his singing voice, and the directness of his lyrics make for a moving, emotional listen. There is no mistaking this album for the over the top theatrics of his live arena shows. For the fan of “Love on the Rocks” and “Hello Again,” this is the album for you.

So much of the buzz surrounding “12 Songs” centered on Rick Rubin acting as the producer. Rubin had worked with Johnny Cash during the last decade of his life and was instrumental in bringing out the brooding, creative artist from inside of Cash, which was sometimes overlooked with his outlaw image. Suffice it to say, Rubin has worked his magic here and has created the space for Neil to re-invent himself. Treat yourself to “12 Songs” … easily one of the ten best albums of 2005.

Required Listening – a half dozen of Neil’s best recordings

Classics (Columbia – 1990)
The Best Years of Our Lives (Columbia – 1988)
And the Singer Sings His Songs (MCA - 1976)
Serenade (Columbia – 1974)
Hot August Night (MCA – 1972)
Gold: Live At the Troubadour (MCA – 1970)
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I don't think the DRM stuff affects audio gear like CD players, pre-amps etc...it would be a factor if played on a computer
I'm gonna buy it just to hear what all the hype is about. My Aunt Bernice who past away a couple of months ago just loved Neil Diamond and I bought her albums from Ameoba in Hollywood so she could sit and listen to them after she lost her sight. I would visit her and we would listen on an old stereo system but what did i care it made her happy. i'll let you know what i think guys.
You guys are gonna chase me down and break my legs but, here goes...Bruce Springsteen always reminded me of a "trying to be hipper" Neil. Both had that overwraught emotional stage activity and gesticulations. Neil's lyrics often seemed so forced and precious, that is, after about 1969. The 70s did trap a lot of people. Anyone remember The Jazz Singer?

Anyway, I'm off to the Caribbean for a week so fire away.
Tom and/or Ryan:

Nothing to fire away about. Neil's original 60's persona ... singer/songwriter; black jeans; boots; guitar slung over the shoulder ... has long been viewed as the predecessor for the young Springsteen; young Billy Joel; etc. It's actually a compliment when considering the Neil Diamond circa "Cherry Cherry."

After awhile though, I think that that persona does trap a performer. How does a solo musician keep the audiences engaged over the years in venues like Madison Square Garden or the Meadowlands arena without the full blown theatrics? Look at the cover of the original Hot August Night (1972) ... it looks like Neil is masturbating for Christ sakes!

"The Jazz Singer" had some fairly decent music ("Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again"), but the movie did make me want to poke my eyes out. It just wasn't the 70's, it's anytime that an artist becomes a caricature of himself (Eddie Murphy comes to mind).

This may be the real talent that Rick Rubin has ... his ability to draw out the real artist in these performing caricatures (like Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond).

Enjoy the Caribbean. When you come back give "12 Songs" a listen.

Regards, Rich
I have had this CD for a few weeks and love the music, but I'm bothered by some of the sonics. Is it my system, or is this the way the CD was recorded. There seems to be a "roughness" , almost some siblance, on the leading edge of the words being sung on some songs. I notice this , for example, on the very first song on the CD. This may be the way his voice sounds, but I'm curious if others hear this.
Thanks..