It 1970 it wasn't really very cool to like Neil Diamond but
Thomas Lapins | Orlando, Florida USA | 07/11/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I really liked alot of his music. "Sweet Caroline" and "Holly Holy" were great radio tunes. "I've Been This Way Before" and "Be" told me something about poetry. And the LP's "Tap Root Manuscript" and "Beautiful Noise" were two of my favorite long plays. "Rainbow" was a little different from his other albums, this LP went a little deeper in a more subtle and serious way. "Everybody's Talking," "Mr. Bojangles" and "He Ain't Heavy" were already hits. He recaptured these established hits in his own way. "Mr. Bojangles" tells me about a "me" who is growing older and dearly misses his furry compansion (it hurts to hear this one). "He Ain't Heavy" has all the brotherly magic of the original. Only with a little more pain and longing. "Suzanne" is the kind of song he was made to do. Full of the wonderment of one who dances to a different drummer. "Both Sides Now" belongs to another but...also, belongs here. "Until It's Time For You To Go," "The Last Thing On My Mind," "If You Go Away" and "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today" were all introduced to me on this LP. Lush lyrics time has helped me to truly appreciate. All of these songs were brilliantly arranged. Some very simple and lovely orchestrations. I saw him twice in concert. My mother and I had a rock n' roll singer that we both liked. Almost thirty years later I think that was really cool. At least a great memory because of some great music."
A good but little known album of Neil Diamond's
historyone | Republic of Texas, USA | 09/25/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is truely a good but little known album of Neil Diamond's for some reason. Neil does a really good rendition of some popular 1960's and early 1970's songs. Songs such as "Chelsea Morning", "Everybody's Talkin" and "Mr. Bojangles" are just some of the songs he covers on this album (CD). It is a nice difference to hear his interpretations of other artists and writers songs and it is not disapointing. Of course Neil is a great song writer just as he is a great singer however, there are no original songs written by Neil Diamond on this CD.I enjoy this CD now just as I did when it first came out as an album back in 1973.Highly recommended."
This is one of my favorite Neil Diamond albums.
historyone | 09/24/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It's a different kind of album, he didn't write the songs he sings here, but I enjoy all the songs, especially Suzanne, that is a cool song & well done. I never get tired of this album."
Diamond provides creative interpretations of other songs
historyone | 09/14/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Diamond shows that he is able to provide eloquence and creative interpretations for songs written and sung by other artists. The last song, He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother, is particularly remarkable for his unique style. Anyone wishing to hear songs not usually associated with Neil Diamond is highly encouraged to check it out."
Long lost 70's classic
Michael D. Schultz | Portland, Or, USA | 10/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I used to listen to this record as a kid. It was a family favorite on long trips. Yes, it's a record of cover songs, but Neil completely makes these his own. The songs were very well chosen to fit within his style. This is the perfect record for when you just want to drift away from life and all of it's problems. It will put you into a sentimental mood. The highlights are Suzanne, Everybody's Talking, and Mr. Bojangles. This is an underrated record. Some of these songs should have been played on the radio, or included in his " best of " packages. Don't miss out on Rainbow..."