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| 12 Songs | 
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| Artist: Neil Diamond
Label: Sony
Category: Music
List Price: $18.97
Buy New: $3.39
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Avg. Customer Rating:  94 reviews
Sales Rank: 2141
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 77508
UPC: 828767750828
EAN: 0828767750828
ASIN: B000CD0P7S
Release Date: November 8, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: ******BRAND NEW****** ** Over 1.5 million orders shipped worldwide and more than 500 000 items in stock, BUY FROM A TRUSTED SOURCE, ESTABLISHED SINCE 1998 - INETVIDEO ~~~
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| Tracks:
| • | Oh Mary | | • | Hell Yeah | | • | Captain Of A Shipwreck | | • | Evermore | | • | Save Me A Saturday Night | | • | Delirious Love | | • | I'm On To You | | • | What's It Gonna Be | | • | Man Of God | | • | Create Me | | • | Face Me | | • | We |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Forget for a moment that you're a sophisticated consumer of music with a mercilessly low tolerance for schlock: Neil Diamond--"Cracklin' Rosie" and "Forever in Blue Jeans" be damned--is going to break your heart. 12 Songs, the hotly anticipated collaboration between Rick Rubin and the formerly jumpsuited Don Juan, exceeds all hopped-up expectations, deflating fans' concerns that their hero might fall flat on the frames of his huge sunglasses in attempting to turn out something hip and harnessing what sounds like decades' worth of untapped, superior songcraft instead. There it is on "Captain of a Shipwreck," a declaration of love that skims the poetic with its promise that "If you're captain of a shipwreck/I'll be first mate to your shame," and around it comes again on "Hell Yeah," a life-affirming, rumor-debunking anthem fairly bursting with bravado (think "I Am...I Said," but with context). Bravado aside, expect no pulled punches here. Rubin's masterful approach is to let Neil Diamond do what Neil Diamond does best, and that is to strap on a loose guitar and let those teflon-ravaged vocals ride over it. Some rides, of course, are smoother than others--Brian Wilson's guest spot on bonus track "Delirious Love" is so melodic and harmony-rich it ought to have sails attached, while "What's It Gonna Be" sounds like something snatched in a pre-dawn lark from a Leonard Cohen disc. All of it is lovely, every last track. A respectful rescripting of the legend, a la the Rubin-aided recasting of Johnny Cash after 2002's American Recordings, is in order. --Tammy La Gorce
Album Description
One of the year's most heavily-anticipated new releases, 12 Songs pairs the pop music icon with legendary producer Rick Rubin. Producing a Neil Diamond album has been a long-time dream for Rubin, whose extraordinary resume spans the history of hip-hop from LL Cool J to Jay Z, the world of hardcore rock from Slayer to System Of A Down, and the pantheon of mythic stars from Tom Petty and Donovan to Mick Jagger and Johnny Cash's immortal Grammy-winning American Recordings series. "Most of the songs were recorded with Neil playing and singing at the same time," said Rick Rubin in a Rolling Stone article (9/22/05) profiling the producer, "and it's a different animal. It's taking him back to being more of a singer-songwriter. He really blows me away." When it came time to record 12 Songs, Rick Rubin assembled a sympathetic ensemble of musicians to capture the essence of Neil Diamond's extraordinary new songs, each of them a finely-wrought gem, soul-searching, honest, yearning, and powerful. A core group of musicians made up of Mike Campbell (guitar) and Benmont Tench (piano/organ) from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and guitarist Smokey Hormel (Beck, Tom Waits) and other musicians including the renowned Larry Knechtel (piano) and Billy Preston (organ) played on the album. The track listing for 12 Songs is: "Oh Mary," "Hell Yeah," "Captain of a Shipwreck," "Evermore," "Save Me A Saturday Night," "Delirious Love," "I'm On To You," "What's It Gonna Be," "Man of God," "Create Me," "Face Me," and "We." A special digipak edition of 12 Songs features two bonus tracks: "Men Are So Easy" and an alternate version of "Delirious Love" with guest artist Brian Wilson. "….judging by eight finished tracks," wrote Lorraine Ali, previewing 12 Songs for Newsweek (August 1, 2005), "this is the best work Diamond has done in 30 years."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 89 more reviews...
 A man and a guitar December 8, 2005
22 out of 27 found this review helpful
A die-hard Neil Diamond fan might like this album from the first listen, but for younger music fans it may take a few repeats to get into it. The simplicity of the man singing to the accompaniment of a guitar might seem quite unusual in this era of loud backing music, but this is Neil Diamond, one of the few who can carry it off in style.
This is a slow, laid-back Sunday afternoon sort of album, with some of the tracks sounding like vintage Diamond of the "Sweet Caroline" and "Song Sung Blue" era.
Songs to take note of are "Evermore", "Delirious Love", "Hell Yeah", "What's It Gonna Be" and "Captain of a Shipwreck."
With this album, we can almost forgive him for that awful rendition of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", but unfortunately it will probably be best remembered as one of the last of the infamous Sony spyware discs, and that would be doing the album a great disservice.
Amanda Richards, December 8, 2005
 The Comeback Kid December 12, 2005
21 out of 24 found this review helpful
THIS REVIEW ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE SONY DIGI-PAK ON NOVEMBER 26, 2005. I AM NOT RECOMMENDING PURCHASE OF THE DIGI-PAK DUE TO THE PROBLEMS CAUSED WITH WINDOWS. INSTEAD, THIS WAS WRITTEN FOR THE AUDIO CD.
Rick Rubin has been around. From rap and hip hop (LL Cool J), hardcore rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a Down), to the sound of legends (Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Mick Jagger) Rubin has lent his skill as a producer to a variety of sounds. (Rumor has it, he is producing the Dixie Chicks, next). Rubin's got an eye and ear for what rings resoundingly for each artist, no matter the genre. He was apparently eager to get Neil Diamond back in the studio to find the songwriter again. Diamond's songwriting skills have disappeared over the decades as he's turned to sequins, larger than life stages, big, big orchestras and an audience that has aged and aged.
I've never been a big fan of Neil Diamond. I recognize that he has talent (sort of like Manilow)but he seems lazy....simplistic lyrics and big arrangements, the same themes over and over. It blew me away when I first heard some noise about "12 Songs", and Diamond returning to his roots.
A friend convinced me to buy by saying it was the best CD he's heard this year. He wasn't far from wrong. Rubin apparently hammered it home to Diamond that what was real was his own guitar and some time taken to really focus and write the songs. And what they've achieved together is a CD that is surprisingly focused and thoughtfully written, and well-performed. Of course, you can get me to buy just about anything that features legends Billy Preston on the Hammond and Larry Knechtal on piano; but the real gem is the acoustics of Diamond's sound and the rasp and reality of his voice. Rubin adds musicians from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and gives us a really strong sound. There are no bad songs in this collection.
There are two bonus tracks: "Men Are So Easy" (a ballad that's not a favorite of mine, because they aren't easy) and an alternate version of "Delirious Love" with guest artist Brian Wilson, who gives the tune an authentic Beach Boys feel.
The highlights?
"Oh, Mary" and "Hell Yeah", the first two tunes, seem to be gtting the most attention. "Hell Yeah" asks the question, "Will you ever take a chance?"...much as Rubin and Diamond did here...and the answer, most assuredly is "Hell, Yeah." There are some acoustic riffs in both songs that are as old as time, and as exciting as if they were fresh and new again. Rubin allows Diamond to raise the temperature in "Hell Yeah", making it a personal anthem....where he "finally got it right".
The CD lights up on track "6" with "Delirious Love". I prefer the first version, Diamond alone with no other voices, to the echo sounds of Brian Wilson in the extra cut...this too, would be picked out by anyone as a Diamond song, but unlike some of his 80's stuff, this song really does have heat, as well as some delicious guitar playing. "I'm On To You" is the lament of a man with a cheating lover....Diamond gets a jazz beat going in the song, and it's a nice flow from "Delirious Love". "I'm On To You" could be a jazz standard in the hands of a number of performers. Diamond goes country in the next track, "What's It Gonna Be", and again, the topic is a cheating love. The back to back positioning of both songs, with such different genres, sharing one topic, is pretty strongly indicative of Rubin's fine hand in the production.
In "Man of God" and "Create Me", Diamond returns to his spiritual roots. Preston is in evidence on the Hammond in "Man of God", on the opening riff, and particularly in the center break. Spanish guitar adds to the drama of "Create Me". It's a powerful ballad, not one of my favorites, but musically rich and full of the escalating word tracks that Diamond gave the world on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers".
The liner notes are Diamond's own words about this recording experience and a lot of black and whites of Diamond working in the studio. Would that they would have included the lyrics instead.
Certainly one of the year's best, and perhaps the best "comeback" album I've heard in a long, long while. Even if you're not a Neil Diamond fan!
they sure don't make albums like this anymore! November 30, 2005
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
12 Songs is a rare treat this holiday season:Not another cynical
Best-Of cd to cash-in.Not another covers cd.And not cold studio-pop.12 Songs is music that goes for the heart in a very honest and natural way.And it does.
Neil's albums have lacked good production for a long time.Otherwise good rock songs softened into easy listening mush in the studio.But with Rubin,like with the 1976 Robbie Robertson-produced Beautiful Noise,a rock producer makes Neil shine! Neil's distinctive deep-bass of a voice and a natural way with hooks and melodies are not burried by orchestras and background singers.
also great are the lyrics.Neil Diamond hasn't run out of things to say at age 64.He has a whole life to reflect on.Lessons to share.Memories that are sometimes happy,sometimes heartbreakingly sad.And Neil is looking ahaid.If only more of his peers stuck in an elevator of pop standards would do the same.The lyrics are gutsy.
here is a track-by review rating of the 12 Songs
"Oh Marry"
a haunting death-ballad against a backdrop of creepy piano that gives me chills.I wonder who 'Mary' is.A metaphor?an angel?A lover from a long time ago?A pretend-lover in those lonely nights?the music?the song is so gentle yet so moving.
"Hell Yeah"
Reminds me of "Lady Magdalane" in that it starts with a guitar and brooding lyrcs,but grows into thunderous intenity and power.In a way,"Hell Yeah" is "I am I Said" over 30 years later.He found the self worth he was searching for.Found peace being lost between two shores.And even offers motivation and hope for listener to not be afraid to follow their dreams.Powerful!
"Captain of a Shipwreck"
"Fear no flood in stormy weather/Fear no fire if winds arise/
Flesh and blood, I'm yours forever/And forever,it never dies",a very poetic and pretty ballad.
"Evermore"
one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard.The way the intensity builds and builds as Neil reflects on how and why relationships die is so powerful.
"Save me A Saturday Night"
the only song that sounds like it could have been written in Neil's Bang days.Has the same kind of vibe as songs like "I Got The Feeling Oh No No" and "Shilo".The dreamy organ and bells.The
beautiful words.I just love this song!
"Delirious Love"
the albums big rocker.But this time Neil rocks with just an acoustic guitar and minimal back up.The melodies and hooks are addictive.The vocals and lyrics express an exciting and fresh relationship.
"I'm On To You"
my favorite song of 2005-just so cool and jazzed-up sexy,even if the lyrics have the "Every Breath You Take" kind of vibe.
"What's It Gonna Be"
"One way or another,You need a new direction/Make a new connection/Hey, what's it gonna be?"
this song has the late-night-only-the-lonely-at-a-jazz-club feel.It is Neil facing his fears and doubts,and making the listener do the same.I love it!
"Man of God"
"Man of God" has a simple beauty that is mesmorising.Like Neil stopping at a southern church singing and making the whole congregation go wild!
"Create Me"
This song would not feel out of place in "Phanton of the Opera".It reminds me of Jonathan Livingston Seagull:The dreamer searching for a higher purpose then our daily boring routines.
"Face Me"
continues "Create Me"s gothic broadway vibe,a bitter goodbye ballad to an ex.
"We"
a piece of innocent ragtime-pop that could have been sung by Jolson in the 1930's.A heavenly closer.
I'm addicted to this cd.Actually look forward to getting on the train every morning on my way to work,closing my eyes and getting lost in this great album.I hope both Neil and Rick win a grammy!
Just sit down and listen for this veteran songwriter has something to say. December 3, 2005
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
Why do we like the music we like? Music is a very personal thing for some people. To judge a persons musical taste is like telling someone that you think their new bride is ugly. I have read professional reviews of this CD and they seem to be more about Mr. Diamond now being cool or being in with whatever is mainstream today. I like this CD because the song lyrics are very intimate and personal to the songwriter. The real life inspiration that created these songs is clearly reflected in each. Sit down, relax, put your headphones on and just listen to the music. This collection of songs is a quality effort from a veteran songwriter who still has something to say. Neil Diamond has been part of the American pop culture for years and whether you like him or not his music will live on for decades after he is gone. He didn't have to make this kind of CD for he really has nothing left to prove. Like I said before, just listen... you may find that some of these songs really hit home.
Pre-Fab Diamond Hardly in the Rough and in Peak Form Thanks to Rubin December 5, 2005
13 out of 17 found this review helpful
What a genuine surprise to hear a Neil Diamond album that doesn't make me instantly wish I was listening to one of his golden hits of the early 1970's. An expert performer who still draws devoted throngs of baby boomers, Diamond has let his relevance as a singer-songwriter diminish over the past thirty years in favor of easy listening radio and lucrative concert tours. In fact, it's easy to forget that he hasn't done anything that has challenged him artistically since 1976's "Beautiful Noise". Enter Rick Rubin, a renegade producer who has done landmark albums for the likes of the Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and most relevantly, the late Johnny Cash on his acoustic 1994 return to form, "American Recordings". The equally unlikely collaboration between Diamond and Rubin has yielded, hands down, one of the best Neil Diamond recordings ever.
Rubin obviously forced Diamond's hand in abandoning the performer's predilection for overproduction and variety showmanship in favor of a leaner sound that allows him to move toward a more introspective and resonant direction. Such emotional consistency over the course of a full album never reflected Diamond's personality. For instance, in the past, he could not sing a romantic ballad like "Hello Again" without including crowd-pleasing bombast such as "America". However, even with the tonal constraints put on him, Diamond still shows an unfettered knack for composing songs with compelling melodies and sharp hooks. The opening track, "Oh Mary", is a sweet ballad where Diamond repeats the title as a forlorn mantra. The familiar-sounding "Hell Yeah", "Captain of a Shipwreck" and especially "Evermore" (which instantly recalls "I Am I Said") showcase his theatrical sense within an atmosphere of intimacy. He expresses a palpable yearning on the pop ballad, "Save Me a Saturday Night", that aches with a slow dance tempo.
With its powerfully rhythmic guitar chords, my favorite song is the percolating "Delirious Love", which soars with Diamond's testosterone-driven romantic energy. "I'm on to You" brings a nice jazzy vibe to its finger-snapping tale of romantic deceit. The loping, country-twanged beat on ''What's It Gonna Be" reflects a world-weariness in the singer that makes the chorus turn into a resigned ultimatum to a straying lover. Moving toward higher ground, Diamond takes on spiritual renewal with the gospel-tinged "Man of God", and as an appropriate follow-up, Billy Preston's Hammond organ opens the touching "Create Me" as if it's the beginning of a church procession. A Mexican standoff between two lovers marks the romantic melodrama of "Face Me", which sounds eerily like the tumbleweed theme of a Sergio Leone spaghetti western. The Dixieland melody of "We" is the closest Diamond comes to kitsch here, but he keeps it in check with the catchy lyrics. The core ensemble - Diamond, Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers and Smokey Hormel on guitars and another Heartbreaker, Benmont Tech, on keyboards - perform expertly throughout. This is a pop masterwork by a talent too long in the artistic trenches.
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