Neil Diamond's music comes in many colors because, both as a poet and as a performer, he is a master of emotion, exploring the spectrum of human response, demanding to be heard. His lyrics have been celebrated by a multitude of other artists and Neil Diamond, composer, has indeed been heard--and interpreted--and even imitated. So now Neil Diamond, singer, returns the tribute with a selection of 11 songs by other writers and other singers.
Leonard Cohen is primarily a poet, but his poems are songs; thus Neil performs the haunting "Suzanne." And Joni Mitchell's fragile, introspective lyrics are not unlike some of Neil's own compositions; "Chelsea Morning" is a rosy, airy tune, and "Both Sides Now" comes in a deeper shade of blue. Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing On My Mind" has been a folk tune; here it is Neil's tune. And "Everybody's Talkin'," composed by Fred Neil and featured in the film "Midnight Cowboy," was initially a hit song for Harry Nilsson; now Neil adds yet another dimension to the familiar lyrics.
Jerry Jeff Walker wrote and recorded "Mr. Bojangles," and Jacques Brel and Rod McKuen collaborated on "If You Go Away," a love song for any language--and a lovely song for Neil. Most of the selections were initially recorded by the people who rote them, just as Neil first recorded so many of his own songs, and, as with Neil's compositions, they are now classics of their kind, songs that are timeless in their appeal. So it is only appropriate that they be released again by an artist who understand the meaning of music--be it his own or someone else's.
Neil Diamond. Gold at the rainbow's end.

Cover Photo: Tom Bert
Liner Notes: Karen Shearer