Read an article today saying that Mike and Benmont play on the new Neil Diamond Album.

http://www.tulsatoday.com/newsdesk/index.php?option=com...iew&id=1531&Itemid=2

It would be cool if they toured with him too. But it ain't gonnna happpen........

Played on his previous album, too.

Sweet Caroline.......ba..ba...ba......Good times never seemed so good......

^ You "sound" like Redsox Nation!
Neil's got some great stuff.
Seems I'm trying to hear his influence in some of today's bands. Could it be?

^ well, Neil Diamond is the guest singer/mentor on American Idol next week! Maybe we'll see Mike and Benmont there with him...

on second thought - don't think that's gonna happen!

Hey, that guest mentoring thing on AI is The Bomb. They aren't picking any slouches for mentors. Did you see last week when it was Andrew Lloyd Webber? Can you IMAGINE? Here you come to sing a piece from amazingly crafted work like Phantom of the Opera or even Jesus Christ Superstar...and there is the guy who WROTE them...counselling your every breath...providing insight and incentive. That is getting to be a must-see show.

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quote:

Originally posted by AmyLou:
^ well, Neil Diamond is the guest singer/mentor on American Idol next week! Maybe we'll see Mike and Benmont there with him...

on second thought - don't think that's gonna happen!

Oh NO, I love seeing HB's on TV, but please, not on American Idol

It's actually pathetic. Just because an artist is successful doesn't qualify him to coach others in singing.

bump

I was only kidding of course - I think this year's crop of guest "coaches" or whatever they call them, has been pathetic.

I used to watch that show when Simon Cowell was a bit obnoxious. He was an 'act' onto himself. I loved watching his reactions and expressions. Some of the things that would come out his mouth were hilarious. But, now he's too tame and now I'm bored with the show. If I want to listen to someone yodelling, I'll put on my CDs and listen to what I want.

bump.

Just watched Neil Diamond on American Idol. He still looks great and still has that uniquely beautiful voice. He sang "Pretty Amazing Grace" from his new album 'Home Before Dark'. Sounds great!

During the Intro of the Neil Diamond Part,
they were going through his career and Bits & Pieces, and there were 2 quick clips of him playing around other guitar Players, and
one of them had some Dreads Going.. I told my wife to Rewind that back and it had to be Mike
sitting over on the Side.

^ I'm pretty sure it was Mike, too!

I love me some Neil Diamond! New album out on Tuesday!

Well, ain't he smart! Mike and Benmont are THE BEST!!!!!

quote:

"Pretty Amazing Grace

If "Pretty Amazing Grace" is any indication of what we can expect from the rest of the album, it should be good.

A very favorable review:

Neil Diamond album shows a lot of polish
Producer Rick Rubin brings out best in singer-songwriter

Published on Sunday, May 04, 2008

HOME BEFORE DARK Neil Diamond
Columbia

Producer Rick Rubin was a crucial figure in country icon Johnny Cash's late-career resurrection, stripping his music down to its essence and steering him toward unusual but rewarding material. Rubin does some pretty amazing things as well with pop vocalist Neil Diamond on their second collaboration, Home Before Dark.

Comparing Cash to Diamond is like comparing apples to oranges, if you're being kind, or the Beatles to the Monkees if you're not. The Man in Black will always be considered the more serious artist, while Diamond is seen as a relative lightweight.

Whatever your perspective, you'd be foolish not to recognize Diamond's skills as a master craftsman in the art of pop songwriting. In that area, he has few peers.

As capable as he is of writing and singing some great tunes, too often Diamond leans so heavily on the vocal histrionics and saccharine sentimentality that he undermines much of his work. He happily leaves behind most of those mannerisms on Home Before Dark, which is filled with emotion but performed with great finesse and restraint by Diamond and a choice crew of musicians.

His band includes guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's band the Heartbreakers. The 67-year-old Diamond plays guitar throughout the album and sings his self-penned material in a voice that's become a bit deeper and grainier over the years but is still in remarkable shape.

Diamond's previous work with Rubin, 2005's 12 Songs, contained some fine moments, but Home Before Dark is far more powerful, from the gripping duet with Dixie Chick Natalie Maines, Another Day (That Time Forgot), to the poignant, complex title track. With their intimate tone and mostly acoustic instrumentation, the songs have a warm feel, with no overproduction or over-emoting in sight.

Diamond's lyrics are mostly serious as he takes stock of life, but he also makes room for lighter moments. The best is the blues-infused, cautionary tale Don't Go There, which will win you over with an outstanding combination of clever lyrics and a subtle, just-about-perfect arrangement.

— Martin BandykeDetroit Free Press

Home After Dark Review