Neil Diamond – Serenade (1974/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Serenade (1974/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 32:51 minutes | 1,39 GB | Genre: Soft Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

One in a string of platinum and double platinum records Neil Diamond released in the 1970s, Serenade came on the heels of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and marked a return to Diamond’s more conventional pop sound. The album cracked the top five in the US as did the single Longfellow Serenade.

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Neil Diamond – September Morn (1979/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – September Morn (1979/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 38:00 minutes | 1,70 GB | Genre: Pop, Soft Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Released at the dawn of the 1980s, „September Morn“ is very much an update of Neil Diamond’s 1960s roots, with a (perhaps ill-advised) disco version of the Motown classic “Dancing in the Street” and a remake of his own “I’m a Believer,” heard here complete with faux-reggae rhythm and synthesized steel drums. The album also looks to the past in cuts like producer Bob Gaudio’s timeless “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” and the vintage blues song “Stagger Lee.” But Diamond shows he’s still a master of sentimental balladry in his delivery of songs like the title track and “The Shelter of Your Arms,” with an almost chanson-like delivery that blends classic Tin Pan Alley schmaltz with French-style romance.

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Neil Diamond – On The Way To The Sky (1981/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – On The Way To The Sky (1981/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 42:21 minutes | 1,91 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond, in the opinion of many critics and fans, went into an artistic decline in the mid- to late- ’70s. It turns out that he still had a number of good songs left in him, though, and the inconsistency of his later efforts should be viewed in context. That is to say, even Diamond’s most respected albums had their share of oddball experiments and misguided moments, and the argument could be made that those peculiar detours make him a more interesting songwriter overall. On the Way to the Sky is typically uneven with a handful of strong songs that were big adult contemporary hits: “Yesterday’s Songs,” “On the Way to the Sky,” and “Be Mine Tonight.” The character of these songs is no different from his earlier adult pop efforts, but the production may be too slick for many listeners’ tastes. Throughout the album Diamond revisits some of his favorite themes – rambling, traveling minstrelsy, the transcendent power of music – which he sings about in his dramatic, gravelly style. Dedicated fans will find much to like, but those who take a more conditional approach to Diamond’s music will be put off by the ultra-commercial sheen. The album even has its own “Knackelflerg” with the unusual “Fear of the Marketplace.”

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Neil Diamond – Melody Road (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Neil Diamond – Melody Road (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 46:24 minutes | 1019 MB | Genre: Pop Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Capitol Records

Leaving behind Columbia Records along with his latter-day collaborator producer Rick Rubin, Neil Diamond sets up shop at Capitol — which now belongs to Universal Records, who owns his classic recordings for Uni and MCA — and teams with producer Don Was for 2014’s Melody Road. Diamond may have left his label of 40 years, but in an odd way, Melody Road is a return home after his stark wanderings of the 2000s. Rubin encouraged Diamond to be spare, sometimes recording him with little more than an acoustic guitar, but Was — who is assisted by Jacknife Lee — coaxes the singer/songwriter to bring back the schmaltz, an essential element of Neil’s glory days that was largely ignored on the Rubin records. Was and Lee retain a hint of that new millennial intimacy — it’s never once as overblown as his ’70s records — but the songs themselves alternate between stately ballads, effervescent bubblegum, and self-important pomp. As on his best ’70s records, which Melody Road often resembles in both construction and consistency, Diamond is best when he keeps his ambitions relatively simple. There’s majesty on the title track and haunting splendor on “Alone at the Ball,” and they find their counterparts in the joyous “Something Blue” and “Marry Me Now,” along with the spirited ramble of “First Time.” Each of these songs evoke memories of Diamond’s peak — a little bit of “Solitary Man,” a little bit of “I Am…I Said,” a little bit of “Cherry Cherry” — while the tedious socially aware slog of “Seongah and Jimmy” and endless ballad “(OOO) Do I Wanna Be Yours” bring back the Diamond that’s often forgotten, the Diamond whose LPs often got bogged down in middlebrow aspirations. As much as these weigh down Melody Road, it’s also true that there’s never been a Neil Diamond record where he doesn’t stray into this murky territory. What makes a difference here is the general lightness of his new songs and Was and Lee’s sympathetic production; the two play off each other perfectly, turning this into the first latter-day Diamond record to feel quintessentially Neil Diamond.

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Neil Diamond – Lovescape (1991/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Lovescape (1991/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:00:46 minutes | 2,77 GB | Genre: Pop, Soft Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Lovescape frames Neil Diamond’s typically strong, if a little over-dramatic, vocal style with plinking keyboards, cooing backup singers, and hissing, breathy synthesizers. It’s all drenched in the kind of reverb that screams “lite rock radio sap.” Fortunately, Diamond’s wine-stained voice is still full of emotion and more than capable of closing the album’s gaping holes with a just-right emphasis here and a plaintive growl there. “Mountains of Love”‘s sanitized world beat groove and keening horns would shrivel in anyone else’s hands. But when Neil sings “Come on let’s go/We’ve got room on that mountain of love,” you want to believe in his feed-the-world message and follow him right to the top of the peak (how does he climb in those ankle boots?). A strummed acoustic guitar slows down the Hammond/Warren composition “Don’t Turn Around,” letting it breathe like the classic “Red Red Wine” – Diamond’s take has none of the mechanization of Ace of Base’s later hit version. He has written or co-written 11 of Lovescape’s 15 tracks, and it’s his lilting, bruised heart duet with Kim Carnes that’s the obvious standout. Elsewhere, he covers “One Hand, One Heart” from West Side Story, refueling the ballad with his typical message of unification and peace, and buoys the faint country feel of “When You Miss Your Love” with a deft vocal touch, never letting it drift into dangerous Elton John territory. Although heaping helpings of synthesizer do their worst to slow him down, Diamond does his best with Lovescape’s material, and salvages a handful of memorable moments for longtime listeners or the casual fan.

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Neil Diamond – Love At The Greek (1977/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Love At The Greek (1977/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:05:49 minutes | 2,90 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Produced by the Band’s Robbie Robertson, who had also helmed the previous year’s „Beautiful Noise“, 1977’s „Love At The Greek“ is a document of Neil Diamond at the height of his fame, performing hits like ‘Kentucky Woman’ and ‘Sweet Caroline’ before an audibly awestruck crowd. The musicianship is impeccable throughout, while the arrangements update and in some cases improve on the originals, injecting freshness and vitality into Diamond classics like ‘Holly Holy’ and ‘Song Sung Blue.’ The medley from the songwriter’s ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ opus is a particular highlight.

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Neil Diamond – Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 43:27 minutes | 1,87 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond puts himself into the shoes of a character, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, writing and singing music compelling and rich in texture and melody, to fit the portrait perfectly in a movie under the same name. Recorded in 1973 for CBS under the pop/rock style genre, Diamond had much help in order to make this into reality. Commend Tom Catalano for the musical direction and Lee Holdridge for the splendid and compelling orchestra and string arrangements. Though Diamond only sings on a few tracks, he does it so with the grace and smooth flair that brings enchantment only like he can. Romantic, fresh, and lively, this album fits the piece of the puzzle the motion picture needed so perfectly. A word of praise and thanks also goes out the hundred-plus musicians rallied to perform orchestral duties.

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Neil Diamond – I’m Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight (1977/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – I’m Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight (1977/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 39:17 minutes | 1,36 GB | Genre: Soft Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

One of the most successful adult contemporary artists in the history of the Billboard chart.

“I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight” is the eleventh studio album by Neil Diamond, released on Columbia Records in 1977. It includes a solo version of the song “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers”. Diamond would score a #1 hit with a new version recorded as a duet with Barbra Streisand the following year.

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Neil Diamond – Hot August Night III (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Neil Diamond – Hot August Night III (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:22:33 minutes | 3,12 GB | Genre: Pop Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Los Angeles – June 22, 2018 – On August 17, Capitol/UMe will celebrate one of the century’s most electrifying live albums, with the release of Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night Ill, a live concert DVD/CD Blu-Ray multi-disc set. Hot August Night Ill chronicles Diamond’s triumphant return to the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in August 2012.The magical evening was Diamond’s 40th anniversary celebration of the original multiplatinum-selling Hot August Night collection that was recorded at the very same venue in 1972.

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Neil Diamond – Hot August Night II (1987/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Hot August Night II (1987/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:12:57 minutes | 3,28 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Geffen

Hot August Night 2, is the follow up album to Hot August Night 1 which was one f the best and highly acclaimed live albums in the 70’s.The sequel recorded in the Greek Theatre in LA, maybe not as good as the original, but still contains some of Neil’s early greats like Cracklin Rosie, Sweet Caroline and I am I Said amongst others.

Over all this album is ok but as it gets going Neils voice begins to get tired and very rough indeed spoiling some of his great tracks, however this is a bad thing its just putting more of Neils emotion into the tracks, something wich Neils live perfomances are famed. If you like Neils Live albums then get this one, it may not be his best but Its very good all the same.

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Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark (2008/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark (2008/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:02:59 minutes | 1,23 GB | Genre: Pop Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Home Before Dark is Neil Diamond’s second collaboration with producer Rick Rubin. It follows the fine but ill-fated 12 Songs, which was sabotaged by Sony’s “Rootkit” program scandal: a nefarious bit of “copy protection” software that invaded the operating system of PCs and wreaked havoc. 12 Songs had to be recalled from store shelves just as Diamond received better reviews than he had in a decade. Sony reissued it in 2007, but the damage was done. Diamond, disappointed but undaunted, sought out Rubin. Rubin enlisted Heartbreakers keyboardist Benmont Tench and lead guitarist Mike Campbell, studio guitarist/bassist Smokey Hormel, and former Chavez guitar slinger Matt Sweeney. There are no drums. David Campbell did some skeletal string arrangements, but that’s it. In addition, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks duets on the track “Another Day (That Time Forgot).” Home Before Dark is a more exposed Diamond than listeners have ever heard. He’s out there, bashing on his guitar and singing from a position of extreme vulnerability; he’s on a wire without a net. His musicians understand what is so dynamically and poetically evident in the songs, and use painterly care in adorning them. Diamond is not a young man anymore and, thankfully, he doesn’t write like one — though he sounds lean and hungry for something just out of reach. “Forgotten” has a rock & roll progression worthy of his Bang singles. Its lyric reflects the travails of a protagonist whose heart bears hurt without the grace and wisdom that age is supposed to bring. The grain in his voice is fierce; it quavers just a bit in the refrain, and Sweeney’s electric guitar nails it to the wall. It follows “One More Bite of the Apple,” another rollicking rocker, but this one is about reuniting with his true beloved — songwriting itself.

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Neil Diamond – Heartlight (1982/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Heartlight (1982/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 40:29 minutes | 1,84 GB | Genre: Pop, Soft Rock, Singer-Songwriter
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Although Diamond has continued to sell healthy quantities of his albums and to fill arenas for his concerts, Heartlight and its title song, which was a Top Ten hit, were his last record releases as what might be called “a front’line artist,” one who makes contemporary music for a contemporary audience and sells a million copies on release. It’s a typical album for Diamond at this point, full of romantic sentiments rendered in highly produced settings and employing the cream of L.A. studio musicians, but lacking the excitement of his early work and the ambition of his middle period.

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Neil Diamond – Headed For The Future (1986/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Headed For The Future (1986/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 39:53 minutes | 1,73 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

Having stumbled with Primitive, Diamond attempted, with Headed for the Future, to re-establish himself as a contemporary artist, co-writing with Stevie Wonder, recording songs by Bryan Adams and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire, and employing nine producers and nine recording studios. The result was a slight upturn in sales and Diamond’s last singles-chart entry with the title track. But the album was also overblown and unfocused, record-making by committee, and Neil Diamond as an individual artist was getting lost in the process.

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Neil Diamond – Dreams (2010/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Dreams (2010/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 55:05 minutes | 2,05 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Neil Diamond

After two excellent collaborations with Rick Rubin, Neil Diamond can’t resist taking the production reins himself for this collection of (mostly) covers. His liner notes claim these songs as some of his favorites from the “rock era” implying it’s over. While this set is more intimate than most of his overblown production of the last 30 years, it is a step away from the simplicity of his work with Rubin, featuring full strings, chamber reeds, winds, and brass on various cuts. As a vocalist, Diamond’s dramatic rather than involved authority is his trademark; he imposes it on almost every track. It works well here sometimes: the reading of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” is excellent for this reason, more like a playwright’s look than a lover’s. The fiddle in Lennon and McCartney’s “Blackbird” adds warmth to Diamond’s declamatory vocal. Randy Newman’s “Feels Like Home” is a set high point: it so intimate, naked, and desperate uncharacteristic of the ultra-private Diamond it can stop the listener in her tracks; it feels unintentionally included on this collection. The restrained narrative storyteller’s presentation of “Midnight Train to Georgia” is, despite its simple delivery, more empathic than passionate. The reading of Leonard Cohen’s transcendent “Hallelujah” is not definitive by any means, but it best illustrates Diamond’s intention to pay homage to the song it’s an excellent version to add to the bunch that already exists. Lesley Duncan’s “Love Song” (Elton John’s reading on Tumbleweed Connection is the classic) is quietly yet exotically treated with layered acoustic guitars, a spare piano, and King Errisson’s imaginative hand percussion. Harry Nilsson’s “Don’t Forget Me,” which bookends the album, is another high point with a celebratory horn chart underscoring the romantic world-weary irony in Diamond’s delivery. Some tracks just don’t work. Gilbert O’Sullivan’s “Alone Again (Naturally)” sounds like the maudlin, trite novelty it is. Diamond’s “I’m a Believer” is rendered with far more drama than necessary. Here it’s not an iconic pop song. It comes from the back end of the story illustrated by acoustic guitars, cello, and vibraphone, its joy is displaced by resolve, as if the singer is trying to convince himself the song’s lyrics are true. Like most covers sets, this is a mixed bag, and it’s for the hardcore Diamond fan more than those who admire Home Before Dark, 12 Songs, or his work from the ’60s through the mid-’70s.

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Neil Diamond – Classic Diamonds With The London Symphony Orchestra (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Neil Diamond – Classic Diamonds With The London Symphony Orchestra (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 59:40 minutes | 2,00 GB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Capitol Records

The 14 classic song collection ‘Classic Diamonds’ features new vocals from Neil Diamond paired with a new interpretation of Diamond’s most celebrated chart-topping hits performed by The London Symphony Orchestra. Recorded at both the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London and Neil Diamond’s studio in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Grammy-winning producer/arranger Walter Afanasieff and co-arranged by Afanasieff and Grammy winning conductor/arranger William Ross, who also conducted The London Symphony Orchestra for the recording. Neil Diamond is simply one of the most important vocalists and songwriters in the history of popular music, and this majestic new album shines a beautiful spotlight on some of his greatest works.

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