12 Songs (2 CDS) [Limited Edition]

Neil Diamond | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 12, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000K2UEB8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,894 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Oh Mary

2. Hell Yeah

3. Captain of a Shipwreck

4. Evermore

5. Save Me A Saturday Night

6. Delirious Love

7. I'm On To You

8. What's it Gonna Be

9. Man Of God

10. Create Me

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Oh Mary demo

2. Hell Yeah-early take

3. Captain of a Shipwreck-alternate take

4. Evermore-early take

5. Save Me A Saturday Night-alternate take

6. Delirious Love-early take

7. I'm On To You-demo

8. What's it Gonna Be-alternate take

9. Man Of God-early take

10. Create Me-alternate take

See all 13 tracks on this disc

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 -- This text refers to an earlier release of this album.

Product Description

One of the most critically acclaimed records of the year, Neil Diamond's "12 Songs" is now available in a Deluxe Package (just in time for the holidays). A 2-disc limited edition release of the legendary musician's sparse and soulful original album includes never heard before behind-the-scenes material from the Rick Rubin sessions. Disc One is the original cut of the much heralded album "12 Songs" plus two bonus tracks; 'Men are So Easy' and the amazing single; "Delirious Love" featuring Brian Wilson. Disc Two is the special release "Artist's Cut - 12 Sketches". This music lovers' collectible offers a rare and groundbreaking look into Neil's creative process, featuring alternate takes, demos, early versions and an exclusive insight into his first time collaboration with uber hip producer Rick Rubin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars thanks again, rick rubin!, April 2, 2007

By 

fluffy, the human being. (forest lake, mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 12 Songs (2 CDS) (Audio CD)

neil diamond has always had a great voice. what he hasn't always had is a producer who can take that incredible voice and craft it into a great album. well, rick rubin is as good a producer as can be found. his work with johnny cash was astonshing. now mr diamond gets the same treatment. the resulting album is a stunning piece of work, showcasing a stark, uncluttered sound that is pristine and gorgeous. a great set of songs from beginning to end, sung with breathtaking sensitivity and skill. Q magazine selected this as the 19th best album of 2006. great stuff, indeed.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Neil's Best in a Long Time, January 5, 2007

By 

Kevman (White Plains, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 12 Songs (2 CDS) (Audio CD)

This CD is excellent and is of a quality that sounds like Neil could have done it in the 1960's. Not a clunker in the batch. It's mostly accoustic with little orchestration. The sound qualtiy of the CD is very good. The bonus album of demos and outtakes is excellent and worth the extra few dollars. Highly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12 (or 14) Songs, March 30, 2007

By 

Theodore H. Quock "Ted Quock" (Chofu-shi, Tokyo, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 12 Songs (2 CDS) (Audio CD)

It's been interesting to read the various reviews of Neil Diamond's "12 Songs" album. Opinions are basically unanimous that it's his strongest album in a long time, and I can't disagree with that. Over the last 30 years, the number of albums from which I've really liked most of the songs has been in the minority. That said, there have always been at least a few gems for me, and I've had no trouble remaining a loyal fan, especially since the Internet made it easier for me to attend some concerts (I moved to Japan in 1979 and usually don't come back more than 1-2 times a year). That said, "12 Songs" simply blew me away. Pity to the person who decides to save an insignificant amount of money by buying the 12-song collection: the Brian Wilson-enhanced version of "Delirious Love" (which has amusingly received more mixed reviews than probably any other song on the album) is a historic meeting of musical legends, and I suspect it was a wrenching decision to omit "Men Are So Easy" from the basic set. With only one or two exceptions, every song has something to say to anybody who will take the time to listen. In other words, those willing to give it a chance will find it a revelation; Diamond fans will agree with the Man's opinion that the songs in question are not a radical departure from anything else he's put out over the years. After all, Rick Rubin didn't do any of the writing!

The 2-CD Limited Edition is a revelation, but of course more so for die-hard fans than for casual listeners. Diamond fans will recall having gotten a taste of this in the "In My Lifetime" collection. Speaking as objectively as possible, however, it is a rare insight into the evolution of individual songs, and of an entire album in general. For all the hoopla about Rick Rubin's "unplugged" approach, one of the most fascinating aspects of the Limited Edition is the variety of introductions used. I'm probably not the only Diamond fan whose favorite cut from the original album is "Evermore" because of the sweeping arrangement in the latter part of the song, and I'm glad that this collection gave us the opportunity to hear alternative arrangements for Diamond songs other than live renditions. Granted the Sony anti-dubbing virus was a major put-off (except for Mac users like me), and less-rabid admirers may prefer the more economical route of Internet downloading, but few can deny that either the original set or the Limited Edition present a very welcome addition to any music collection.

To make a long story short, why haven't you checked it out yet?