''Home Before Dark'' is the twenty-seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter
Neil Diamond. Released on May 5, 2008, it was the artist's second album for
American Recordings.
''Home Before Dark'' received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release and topped the national albums charts in the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...
, the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, and
New Zealand
New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. It has since been accredited with
album certifications in several regions.
In May 2008, at the age of 67, Neil Diamond was the oldest performer to have a number one record. This mark was previously held by
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
in 2006 with his ''
Modern Times'' album, released when he was 65. However, Bob Dylan's 2009 album, ''
Together Through Life
''Together Through Life'' is the 33rd studio album by singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on April 28, 2009, by Columbia Records. The release of the album, which reached number 1 in multiple countries, was unexpected and surprised fans. Dyla ...
'', earned Dylan that position again, because Dylan released his most recent work at 67 years and 11 months compared to Diamond's releasing ''Home Before Dark'' at 67 years and 3 months.
The album is Diamond's second to be produced by
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay Rubin (; born March 10, 1963) is an American record producer. He is the co-founder (alongside Russell Simmons) of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records.
Rubin helped popula ...
, a producer of
hip-hop and
heavy metal music, who had discovered a talent for re-invigorating the careers of musicians when he produced
Aerosmith and a string of albums with
Johnny Cash. After Cash's death, Diamond became the next artist to find his career given a shot in the arm via Rubin's production on his 2005 album ''
12 Songs''. The album consists of original works and some remakes and was mixed by
Dana Nielsen. The orchestral parts were arranged and conducted by
David CampbellDiscogs 'Home Before Dark'
/ref>
Track listing
All songs were written by Neil Diamond, except where noted.
# "If I Don't See You Again" – 7:13
# "Pretty Amazing Grace" – 4:53
# "Don't Go There" – 6:04
# "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" (feat. Natalie Maines
Natalie Louise Maines (born October 14, 1974) is an American singer. She is the lead vocalist for the all-female country band The Chicks.
In 1995, after leaving Berklee College of Music, Maines was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace their ...
) – 6:12
# "One More Bite of the Apple" – 6:39
# "Forgotten" – 4:22
# "Act Like a Man" – 4:04
# "Whose Hands Are These" – 3:12
# "No Words" – 4:49
# "The Power of Two" – 4:35
# "Slow It Down" – 4:56
# "Home Before Dark" – 6:00
# " Without Her" (Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III (June 15, 1941 – January 15, 1994), sometimes credited as Nilsson, was an American singer-songwriter who reached the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. His work is characterized by pioneering vocal ov ...
) – 4:22
#* Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
# "Make You Feel My Love
"Make You Feel My Love", also known as "To Make You Feel My Love" is a song written by Bob Dylan for his album '' Time Out of Mind'', released in September 1997. It was first released commercially in August 1997 by Billy Joel for his compilation ...
" (Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
) – 4:38
#* Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD
# "Pretty Amazing Grace"
# "If I Don't See You Again"
# "Forgotten"
# "The Boxer
"The Boxer" is a song written by Paul Simon and recorded by the American music duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fifth studio album, '' Bridge over Troubled Water'' (1970). Produced by the duo and Roy Halee, it was released as a standalone si ...
" ( Paul Simon)
Personnel
* Neil Diamond – lead vocals, guitar
* Mike Campbell – guitar, bass guitar
* Smokey Hormel
Smokey Hormel (born circa 1959)Cohen (2017) quotes Hormel as saying he was "4 or 5 ears old when "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles was "a big hit on the radio"; the song was released in America in December 1963. is an American guitarist ...
– guitar, bass guitar
* Jonny Polonsky
Jonny Polonsky (born July 10, 1973) is an American rock guitarist, singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer.
Career
Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in suburban Wilmette, Illinois, Polonsky began writing, recording and self-rel ...
– guitar
* Matt Sweeney
Matt Sweeney (born July 2, 1969) is an American musician and record producer best known as a guitarist of Skunk, Chavez, and supergroup Zwan.
Early life and education
Sweeney was born in New Jersey. His father was John D. Sweeney, a professo ...
– guitar
* Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency "Benmont" Tench III (born September 7, 1953) is an American musician and singer, and a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Early years
Tench was born in Gainesville, Florida, the second child of Benjamin ...
– keyboards
* Marvin B. Gordy – timpani
* David Campbell – horn, string and woodwind arrangements; orchestra leader
* Charlie Bisharat – concertmaster
* Susie Katayama – orchestra contractor
* Rose Corrigan – bassoon
* Ralph Williams – clarinet
* Earl Dumler – English horn, oboe
* Dan Higgins
Dan Higgins (born January 28, 1957 in Boston, Massachusetts) is an American saxophone and woodwind player. He has worked with such artists as John Williams, Seth MacFarlane, Aerosmith, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond, Al Jarreau, Maroon 5, Kenny Loggin ...
– flute
* Larry Klimas – flute (12)
* Steve Kujala – flute
* Robert Shulgold – flute
* Don Markese – alto flute (12)
* Nathan Campbell – French horn
* Joe Meyer – French horn
* Steven Holtman – trombone
* Bill Reichenbach, Jr. – trombone
* Chuck Findley – trumpet
* Gary Grant – trumpet
* Doug Tornquist – tuba
* Larry Corbett – cello
* Rudy Stein – cello
* David Stone – double bass
* Andrew Duckles – viola
* Armen Garabedian – violin
* Julian Hallmark – violin
* Linda Press – backing vocals (3)
* Julia Waters – backing vocals (3)
* Maxine Waters – backing vocals (3)
* Natalie Maines
Natalie Louise Maines (born October 14, 1974) is an American singer. She is the lead vocalist for the all-female country band The Chicks.
In 1995, after leaving Berklee College of Music, Maines was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace their ...
– lead vocals (4)
Production
* Producer – Rick Rubin
* Production Coordination – Lindsay Chase and Sam Cole
* Recorded by Greg Fidelman
Greg Fidelman (born September 4, 1965) is an American record mixer, engineer and record producer. He is a frequent collaborator of producer Rick Rubin, and has worked with many bands in various genres, including Metallica, Slayer, High on Fire, B ...
and Andrew Scheps
* Additional Recording – Bernie Becker, Jason Lader and Dana Nielsen.
* Assistant Engineers – Phillip Broussard, Chris Holmes and Jim "Bud" Monti.
* Recorded at Arch Angel Studios and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Los Angeles, CA); Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA); Punkerpad West (Van Nuys, CA);
* Mixed by Dana Nielsen at Little People Studio (Los Angeles, CA).
* Mastered by Vlado Meller
Vlado Meller is a Slovak audio mastering engineer, currently with Vlado Meller Mastering in Charleston, South Carolina. Meller works across many genres of music, with credits on rock, hip-hop, pop, jazz, metal, dance, opera, Broadway, and classic ...
and Mark Santangelo at Universal Mastering Studios (New York, NY).
* Art Direction – Mary Maurer
* Design – Mary Maurer and Michael Lau-Robles
* Photography – Jesse Diamond
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
References
{{Authority control
2008 albums
Neil Diamond albums
Columbia Records albums
Albums produced by Rick Rubin