Search - Neil Diamond :: 12 Songs

Diamond in the rough

Dr. Emil "Tom" Shuffhausen | Central Gulf Coast | 11/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, as has been noted, do not ignore the problems with the Sony "copyright protection" that automatically downloads onto your computer when you try to play this CD on it. Play the CD elsewhere and complain like crazy to Sony for this fiasco. However, let's not penalize Neil Diamond artistically for something that his record company did; what about the actual music?



This is Neil Diamond like we haven't heard him since the 1960s, or maybe ever. Paired brilliantly with Producer Rick Rubin, music legend Diamond is corralled with his guitar, a microphone, and a batch of stellar songs, and the result is more intoxicating than red, red wine.



Stripped down and roughened up, Diamond comes off less as "The Jewish Elvis" and more like a biblical voice of old (see Johnny Cash, the Rubin years). There is wisdom, grace, and power in Diamond's voice and words, recapturing a vitality and dynamic that he has not displayed in seeming aeons. He sounds warm, yet defiant and fiesty also.



"Oh Mary" is a simple song who's power is in its very understatement...the longing and pathos in Diamond's voice is palpable. "Hell Yeah" is a triumph, it's Diamond's "My Way," but you get the sense that Diamond still has more life left in him, rather than being simply an epitaph. Other highlights include "Evermore," with it's building intensity, and the giddy, swinging "Delirious Love." I loved the simplicity, spirituality, and conviction of "Man of God," and the directness of "Face Me."



There is no filler here on this CD; no false moves or phony moments. Here is the sound of a seasoned, successful artist re-discovering the joy of daring and risk-taking and KNOWING that somehow it's really, really working well. While some of the songs have serious themes, there is an underlying sense of pleasure throughout; for Diamond as he performs and the listeners as we take it all in .



Musically, the sound here is spare...Diamond's acoustic guitar, with the occasional light orchestral flourish or soulful organ or spritely piano. But make no mistake; simplicity is by no means uninviting here. Quite the contrary--12 SONGS by Neil Diamond draws in the listener and doesn't let go even long after the disc has finished spinning."

Very disappointing

Robin C. Westmiller | California | 12/08/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This is the most depressing 12 songs I've ever suffered through. Is Neil getting older, or is it the audience? Not one of his new tunes is upbeat. He's written his own obit in "Hell Yeah", his own version of "My Way" which should be followed by "who cares?" and what's up with his new found religion? The lyrics are trite, dull and boring and certainly not what we fans would have expected from someone who's insight was so inspiring in "Don't Look Down" and "I Believe in Happy Endings" from his last album. We're all getting older, we don't need 12 songs to remind us. I think it's time Mr. Diamond hang up his guitar."

Vailtrail.com/ weekly shuffle/ CD Review by Samantha Donen

Samantha Donen | Denver, Colorado | 11/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Neil Diamond,12 Songs

After a long absence, Neil Diamond is back to inspire us to love again. Diamond's new album, 12 Songs, is at once deeply reflective as it is uplifting, from the somewhat melancholic "Oh Mary" to the exhilaration of "Delirious Love." Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin, who has worked with the likes of Johnny Cash and the Dixie Chicks, 12 Songs embraces the natural sounds of Diamond's acoustic guitar and vocals with the use of traditional instruments, like the Hammond organ. Web link: [...].

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