| Artist | Neil Diamond |
|---|---|
| Cover | Beautifulnoise.jpg |
| Released | June 11, 1976[1] |
| Recorded | 1975–1976 |
| Studio | Shangri La Studio, Los Angeles; Kendun Recorders, Los Angeles; Village Recorders, Los Angeles |
| Genre | Folk pop · rock · R&B · soul |
| Length | 37:40 |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer | Robbie Robertson |
| Prev year | 1974 |
| Next year | 1976 |
Beautiful Noise is the tenth album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, released in 1976. Diamond's third album with Columbia Records, it was produced by Robbie Robertson, known for his work with The Band. Garth Hudson of The Band also contributed organ to several songs on the album. Diamond performed the album track "Dry Your Eyes" with The Band at their farewell show The Last Waltz, which was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a 1978 documentary of the same title.
History
Beautiful Noise marked a radical departure in production, style, arrangements and compositional diversity for Diamond. It was billed at the time of its release as something of a "comeback" album for the artist and did mark a new and highly productive phase of his recording and touring career.
The album produced three singles: "If You Know What I Mean", "Don't Think... Feel", and the title track, "Beautiful Noise". "If You Know What I Mean" was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on the US Hit Parade.[2] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] No. 7 in South Africa[4] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[5] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[6]
Cash Box said of the title song "orchestration begins the tune as Diamond steps in with his well-known vocal style includes a revolving carousel organ."[7] Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.[8]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Neil Diamond, except "Dry Your Eyes" by Diamond and Robbie Robertson.
Personnel
- Neil Diamond – vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, dobro
- Richard Bennett, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson – guitar
- Bob Boucher – bass guitar, ARP
- Larry Knechtel – piano, Fender Rhodes
- Alan Lindgren – piano, synthesizer
- Dennis St. John – drums, percussion
- David Paich – Fender Rhodes, piano
- Garth Hudson – Hammond organ, Lowrey organ
- Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel – drums
- Jim Gordon – drums, congas, harmony vocals
- James Newton Howard – ARP, synthesizer
- Joe Lala – percussion, tambourine, congas
- Dr. John – Hammond organ
- Bob James – piano, arrangement, Fender Rhodes
- Tommy Morgan – harmonica
- Bob Findley – trumpet
- Jerome Richardson – flute, clarinet
- Linda Press – backing vocals
- Nick DeCaro – arrangements, accordion
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[9] | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[9] | 5 |
| Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[10] | 6 |
| Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[11] | 4 |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[12] | 26 |
| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13] | 4 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[14] | 42 |
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[15] | 18 |
References
- ^ "125 Years of Columbia Records - an Interactive Timeline". Archived November 14, 2017 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 143. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 145. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ "INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20". Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ Hung, Steffen. "Neil Diamond - Beautiful Noise - swisscharts.com". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews". Cash Box. November 27, 1976. p. 20. Retrieved 2021-12-11.
- ^ "Single Picks". Record World. November 27, 1976. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated ed. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 428. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1976". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1976". Dutch Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1976 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
- ^ "Top 50 Albums of 1976". Music Week. December 25, 1976. p. 14. Archived March 9, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 30, 2021. – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.