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SERENADE [CD]

Neil Diamond Audio CD
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Music

Image of album by Neil Diamond

Photos

Image of Neil Diamond

Biography

Biography
by William Ruhlmann

In a career that began in the 1960s, Neil Diamond became a major recording artist, an internationally successful touring act, and a songwriter whose compositions produced hits for himself and others. His earliest recognition, in fact, came as a songwriter associated with the Brill Building era of Tin Pan Alley in the early '60s. But he soon branched ... Read more in Amazon's Neil Diamond Store

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Product details

  • Audio CD (8 Jan 1996)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Sony Music CMG
  • ASIN: B000026AVU
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 93,987 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song Title Time Price
Listen  1. I've Been This Way Before 3:45£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  2. Rosemary's Wine 2:41£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  3. Lady Magdalene 6:58£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  4. The Last Picasso 4:24£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  5. Longfellow Serenade 3:50£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  6. Yes I Will 4:36£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  7. Reggae Strut 3:47£0.89  Buy MP3 
Listen  8. The Gift of Song 2:22£0.89  Buy MP3 


Customer Reviews

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4.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars No Donkey Serenade - Pure Thoroughbred 4 April 2007
Format:Audio CD
Diamond signed for Colombia records for a then worldwide record fee, after leaving MCA with the classic "Moods" album. He then promptly took a sabbatical for a period of years and then decided to return with a soundtrack for a seagull! To say that Colombia was worried is an understatement!
However, they needn't have been. "JLS" was a success, and "Serenade" proved to be a master class, the natural successor to "Moods"
His voice, songs, musical arrangements and diversity are exhilarating. From start to finish, all songs are superb. He gives us pure love songs, religious tinged songs and fun songs. The excellent "Yes I Will" and "Lady Magdelene" are deep and thought provoking, whilst "Longfellow Serenade" is a return to the great singles of "Cracklin' Rosie" and "I Am...I Said".
All the tracks meld into one and leave you feeling on a high. A record of distinct quality and an essential addition to any true Diamond fan's collection
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten brilliance 24 Feb 2006
Format:Audio CD
This album is special. Just eight songs, with a very unusual Latin feel to several of them, but beautifully chosen, fantastic melodies and delivered with none of the schmaltz that crept into some Diamond's later works. It's one of my Neil Diamond favourites and is an essential part of my collection for unwinding.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Diamond bollocks 29 Nov 2007
Format:Audio CD
This is Neil Diamond's last great album, possibly his greatest. After this record, his stage persona would unfortunately take precedence and the genius songwriting became secondary to the performance and image of showman Neil Diamond. But these eight songs see Neil climax on a high. This is Neil's most spiritually potent album, with almost every track emanting a life-affirming, profound vitality. I've Been This Way Before, Lady Magdelene, Rosemary's Wine and The Last Picasso are beyond criticism - superb songs shimmering with the holy spirit and sung and played to perfection. The remaining four are simply good, although on first listen the bogus Jamaican accent on Reggae Strut might provoke a raised eyebrow. But Neil was obviously stoned on some potent marijuana and who can blame him? I prefer Moods as a complete album, but for the sheer power and holy wonder in the aforementioned four tracks, especially the spine-tingling Rosemary's Wine (a nod to Everybody's Talkin'), this album is one of the most spiritually resonant collections of popular music ever laid on tape.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Artist At His Peak 28 April 2010
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This album was made when Neil was at his best in the mid 1970s and does not have a weak track.The songs are meaningful, sung superbly well with the usual emotion and the accompanyment is spot on. A pity then that there's only eight and the CD lasts for a paltry 32 minutes....the usual going rate for Columbia of this period (note their jazz releases).The CD could have comfortably taken "Beautiful Noise" as well.
He was to make only a further two great albums after this one, before the 1980s and 1990s forgettable dross followed. Thankfully he's now restored our faith a bit with the two Rick Rubin -produced works.
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5.0 out of 5 stars brilliand cd 28 Feb 2013
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
its very different from the normal neil diamond. Youll either really llike it or not at all.best to listen to some tracks first
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5.0 out of 5 stars Serenade 19 Feb 2013
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this to replace my old tape version which I bought in the 70s. Having to replace lots as tape deck and turn table not working anymore.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Another shiny Diamond CD 18 July 2011
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a glorious CD, showcasing a range of different types of music and lyrics. This version of I've Been This Way Before is slightly different to more recent renditions and great for that; Rosemary's Wine - yes wonderful too, as are the other six tracks. You might be disappointed to get only 8 tracks, but this CD is well worth the purchase .... sheer Diamond pleasure ....
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4.0 out of 5 stars Between the Brill and the Moody Superstar 22 Nov 2009
By AlanMusicMan TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Neil Diamond. Much derided for his prima-donna approach to pop music, much lauded for having created a great string of pop classics for others. His stint at the Brill Building writing hits with other "hit factory" writers such as Carole King and Jeff Barry has been well documented. His career as a solo performer therefore was hardly a "start-up" affair, he had a launchpad, but he used it to very great effect. His early albums yielded quality pop hits like "Sweet Caroline", "Song Sung Blue" and great feel good stuff like "Thank the Lord for the Nightime", "Shilo" and many many others. Then, a more introspective note of songs like "Brooklyn Roads" became increasingly evident, and a change of labels, a recording hiatus, and eventually this album - Serenade.

When I first heard this as a promo back in 1973 I was not sure Neil was doing the right thing. Gone was that Brill Building touch for "love it right way, sick of it in three weeks" disposable pop. In its place, thoughtful, moody, brooding songs you had to listen to a couple of times to get to know. Complex multi-interpretable lyrics, economical backing tracks that still had depth, and only just one overtly "party" track. Well, luckily, I did play the album again and have been playing it on and off ever since.

I've Been this Way Before - a thoughtful piece about the connectedness of lives and life.

Rosemary's Wine - a song of longing

Lady Magdelene - a love song.

The Last Picasso - a love song dressed up in cultural references

Longfellow Serenade - A love serenade on a grand scale.

Yes, I Will - a promise song.

Reggae Strut - The Party song.

The Gift of song - a "thank you for the music" song.
... Read more ›
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