Beautiful Noise
1976 studio album by Neil Diamond
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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.
| Beautiful Noise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 11, 1976[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1975–1976 | |||
| Studio | Shangri La Studio, Los Angeles; Kendun Recorders, Los Angeles; Village Recorders, Los Angeles | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 37:40 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Producer | Robbie Robertson | |||
| Neil Diamond chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Beautiful Noise | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+[3] |
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.[4] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart,[5] No. 7 in South Africa[6] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[7] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[8]
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."[9] Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.[10]
Track listing
All tracks composed by Neil Diamond, except "Dry Your Eyes" by Diamond and Robbie Robertson.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Beautiful Noise" | 3:24 |
| 2. | "Stargazer" | 2:41 |
| 3. | "Lady-Oh" | 3:51 |
| 4. | "Don't Think... Feel" | 3:26 |
| 5. | "Surviving the Life" | 3:42 |
| 6. | "If You Know What I Mean" | 3:30 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Street Life" | 3:00 |
| 2. | "Home Is a Wounded Heart" | 2:40 |
| 3. | "Jungletime" | 3:10 |
| 4. | "Signs" | 4:17 |
| 5. | "Dry Your Eyes" | 3:23 |
Personnel
- Neil Diamond – vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, dobro
- Richard Bennett, Robbie Robertson, Jesse Ed Davis – 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
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[26] | Gold | 20,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[27] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| Germany (BVMI)[28] | Gold | 250,000^ |
| Netherlands (NVPI)[26] | Gold | 50,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[29] | 5× Gold | 37,500^ |
| South Africa (RISA)[26] | Gold | 25,000* |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[30] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[31] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
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* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||