Customer Reviews

Tennessee Moon

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since this album was released, I've heard - unverified rumor, mind you - that Neil has left his wife of many years. Is Diamond in the midst of a mid-life change? Certainly, the themes of such songs as "Win the World" and "Reminisce for A While" support the notion of a past love gone sour, and those of "Marry Me", "Deep Inside of You" and "Like You Do" suggest a new love found. After all, a singer of Neil's talent wouldn't find inspiration for such just sitting around the house changing guitar strings.

In any case, Mr. Diamond has been my favorite vocalist, male or female, ever since "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" back when we were both much younger. Though his voice has never been "perfect" - and it's beginning to crack around the edges with advancing age - his music and lyrics have consistently matched my biorhythms more than any other artist. It doesn't hurt that the band backing him up has always been superb.

"Tennessee Moon" veers into the genre of Nashville-style country. The change from past repertoire is welcome and nicely done. I've had the privilege of attending a Diamond concert twice in my life, and those relatively recently. Those of us in the audience in our 40's, 50's and 60's, all swaying (creakily) to that "good gospel beat", thank you so very much for the listening pleasure you've given us down through the decades.

The temptation to be an oldies act must be great, but this proves he has greater days ahead. Not a complete home run, but a stand up double with Diamond clearly swinging for the fences. As with much of his work, an external context provides a needed anchor. Never has Diamond revealed more about his personal life, to great effect.

Neil Diamond, a great singer/songwriter from Brooklyn, New York, has had a career that ranged from the 1960s right through to today. If you listen to the radio, you've heard his music - everything from The Monkees' I'm a Believer, through his own Heartlight and Love On The Rocks. This great album came out in 1996, and has 18 great Neil Diamond songs.

This album is what I would call classic Neil Diamond - there's no experimentation here, just that great Neil Diamond sound that I grew to love so many years ago. Overall, I find this a wonderful album to listen to, with Tennessee Moon and Marry Me being my favorites.

I love this album and highly recommend it to everyone. Buy it!

Upon deciding to record a country album, some pop and rock singers decide to go for a traditional album, just to prove that they really can sing country. Neil makes no such attempt, content to record in a contemporary country style typical of the nineties. Bob Gaudio produced most of the album, though guest producers produced three tracks. The extensive credits do not say where the album was recorded though Neil states that almost all the songs were written and recorded under a Tennessee moon. That could include Memphis but I don't think so - this album sounds much more like a Nashville production.

Some tracks have more of a country feel than others including the title track, One good love (an excellent duet with Waylon Jennings) and (most country of all) the closing Blue highway - this is my favorite track here, but if you're not a country music fan, it may be your least favorite.

Apart from Waylon Jennings, there are other guest singers. They are not credited as duets, but they do more than just backup harmony, and they include Beth Nielsen Chapman (Deep inside of you) and Raul Malo of the Mavericks (Reminisce for a while).

If you enjoy Neil's pop music, you will probably enjoy this album. It really isn't that far removed from his normal easy listening style. If you are a country music fan who doesn't like Neil's pop music, it is doubtful if you'll like this - however, if you like his pop music even a little, you might enjoy this. If you are a country music fan who is unfamiliar with Neil's pop music, this will serve as a good introduction.

O.k. I admit it. I'm addicted to Neil Diamond music. I haven't been addicted for very long - just since the A+E "Live By Request", but regardless... I was browsing for some new albums to buy and noticed this one had gotten pretty high ratings. But I thought, "Country?!". I finally decided to take a chance anyway. Boy am I glad I did! The album is not TOO country and it still retains that Neil Diamond-esque feeling to it. And there is not a bad song on here! There are beautiful love songs, some upbeat and one rather humorous tune, as well as some more sad feeling songs. A great mix. An excellent effort and well worth the buy! What more can I say? The man is amazing!

I must admit I was cautious when I bought this CD. I had heard some of Neil's music from the late 80s and early 90s and I was not impressed in the least bit, so when I bought this I wasn't sure what to expect. Let me say I was more than impressed, if not blown away by how much I loved this CD. The songs have a very countryish feel to them that is good, but not over the top pure country. The songs are high-quality original compositions, rather than the standard love song fare. He does do a few duets but they sound good. Plus there are 18 songs, which is a great deal. A well put together album!

A little bit of mix doesn't hurt anyone. Another great CD to add to the collection. Buy it !

I actually used up a cassette of this recording.

I have been an avid fan of Neil since the 60's. I have all his music on 33's and cassettes. I am now, little by little, changing to CD's.

I am driving to Tampa in October to see him for the 6th time.

Thank you for making the CD's available at such reasonable prices.

Nancy Fobes

Neil Diamond is truly a musical genius. A gifted singer, guitarist and lyricist, he started his career with a BANG on Bang Records in 1966 with his runaway train of a gem, "Cherry Cherry!" I just LOVE that one! Makes you want to cruise in a coooooool 1966 Dodge Dart 270 and rock your heart out!

Neil Diamond auditioned for the role of a Monkee in late 1965. As we know, what would have been his role went to another musician named Mike "Wool Hat" Nesmith. Ironically, Neil Diamond ended up writing some of the songs the Monkees performed, including "I'm a Believer" in 1966 and in 1967, "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," which has his stamp all over it. When you listen to "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You," you can hear echoes of "Cherry, Cherry."

Ever the talent, Neil Diamond continues to delight audiences to this day. This gem was released in 1996 and still continues to shine. I just LOVE it!

This is just plain delightful. "Can Anybody Hear Me" is my favorite on this collection. Listeners are treated to 18 songs, all of which are stand alone testaments to talent. Be sure to add this one to your collection.

Country music from Neil Diamond is not really that shocking.A lot of Neil's MCA recordings had a country flavour to them("Aint No Way","Your So Sweet","Memphis Street","New York Boy").Some early reviews called him "The Brooklyn Cowboy".What is shocking is how good these 18 originals(all new except the remake of his "Kentucky Woman").

I'm not a fan of contemporary country music.But lyrically and musically this is a Neil Diamond album.One that rock and pop fans will enjoy as much as country fans.

my favorite song is one of the darkest songs that Neil has ever written called "Open Wide These Prison Doors".An anthemic and deeply moving post-divorce rocker as good as anything on Dylan's

Blood on the tracks.

Tennessee Moon also has something new for Neil-dark humor,in the country-dance waltz "Talkin Optimistic blues(Good Day Today")sample lyrics-"Bills and pills and former wives/past mistakes and former lives/Bank account is overdrawn/out of Prozac,hairline's gone/Dog just died,but what the heck/Nothing worse can happen anyway!"

I also love the duets-Neil and Waylon will break your heart on the beautiful "One Good Love"."Deep Inside Of You" with Beth Neilsen Chapman (and also written by Neil and Beth) is also very pretty love song.

the album closes with the lonesome "Blue Highway" with Chet Atkins on acoustic guitar.A really pretty road song.

Tennessee Moon is Neil's best album of the 1990's by far.