Neil Diamond. Yup, that’s right. He’s got a new CD coming out on Tuesday. Ordinarily, Neil’s not really my cup of tea. However, this new CD of his merits note by virtue of the fact that it’s produced by Rick Rubin. Rubin is, without a doubt, the most important producer of the last 20 years. He founded Def Jam Records and has worked with a wide variety of artists such as Run DMC, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, The Beastie Boys, Slipknot, Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Johnny Cash. Neil Diamond is next to benefit from Rubin’s unique producing style, which doesn’t emphasize a sort of signature sound, but rather relies on his love of music and sort of filling in the pieces without unduly altering the artist’s vision. The result? Well… in 1985, Rubin produced LL Cool J’s debut Release titled Radio. Rubin took a minimalist approach, stripping down the songs to just LL Cool J’s voice and some beats. The album credits read “reduced by Rick Rubin.” This is what he did with Diamond’s new album. It’s stripped down, bare and, dare I say it, raw? I don’t know, this is all so strange, but whatever, it works. You can hear it now for free before the release date. Yeah. Neil Diamond is using Myspace to promote an album. What a friggin hipster. Make up your own mind but prepare to be surprised.
Check out Diamond’s official Web site for the last dates of his current 2005 World Tour.
BuckRashi
11/6/2005
Geez, Earl Kruger got snuffed in prison yesterday and so far since then you guys have posted threads about the new Spielberg movie, the new Neil Diamond album, and some New York….thing. C’mon, I thought you guys were cutting-edge and all that….Kruger doesn’t even get a mention? I mean, not that I’m not dying to talk about the new Neil Diamond albu-zzzzzzz….*wha? who?* oh, sorry, I dozed off for a second. Uhh, I’ll be right back.
grandmuffti
11/6/2005
Muffti hates Neale Diamond but for one fact: he wrote a song so ridiculous in lyrical content which paved the way for one of hte Muff’s favourite bands, Killdozer, to do a fantastic cover. That son, of course, is ‘I am, I said’. Please read the lyrics below and explain to Muffti:
L.A.’s fine, the sun shines most the time
And the feeling is ‘lay back’
Palm trees grow, and rents are low
But you know I keep thinkin’ about
Making my way back
Well I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I’m lost between two shores
L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home, but it ain’t mine no more
“I am,” I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am,” I cried
“I am,” said I
And I am lost, and I can’t even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still
Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of bein’ a king
And then became one
Well except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the story’s the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I’ve tried, but it won’t let me go
And I’m not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared for the sound of being alone
“I am,” I said
To no one there
An no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am,” I cried
“I am,” said I
And I am lost, and I can’t even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still
esther
11/6/2005
He had me until “frog.” But I found the feeling of being lost between two shores to be (maybe not so) surprisingly relevant, actually.
themiddle
11/6/2005
Buckrashi is correct.
Chutzpah
11/6/2005
i guess this is jewlicious because rubin is Jewish? Kermit is doing a 50th Anniversary tour to promote the heck out of the Muppets…now that’s a friggin hipster. Would anyone care to hear about my panty thowing at Tom Jones this Tomilicious weekend in Atlantic City…I’m Jewish.
taltman
11/7/2005
Kermit is doing a 50th Anniversary tour to promote the heck out of the Muppets…now that’s a friggin hipster
No, that’s a froggin’ hopster.
chutzpah
11/7/2005
good one
Chutzpah
11/11/2005
CK..thanks for introducing me to myspace!!!! Now I’ll be able to just say no to Jdate and maybe find a man who can rock my world all nite!!! You may be hearing from me less…but I am eternally grateful.
Alan Green
11/17/2005
Well I happen to like friggin hipsters who KNOW how to write music, even if they are old geezers.
Good for Uncle Neil!
melanie
11/18/2005
way to go neil! I’ve been a fan since the early 70′s. What a wonderful singer and song writer. his list of writing top hits for other artists and himself is endless. 12 songs is long overdue and fantastic. Thank the lord for the night time and for neil diamond!