Home Before Dark is the twenty-seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Released on May 5, 2008, it was the artist's second album for American Recordings.
Home Before Dark | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 6, 2008 | (Columbia) December 2, 2014 (UMe)|||
Recorded | October 2007–February 2008 | |||
Genre | Country rock | |||
Length | 63:01 | |||
Label | American/Columbia | |||
Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
Neil Diamond chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Now | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
OMM | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Home Before Dark received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release and topped the national albums charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. It has since been accredited with album certifications in several regions.
In May 2008, at the age of 67, Neil Diamond was the oldest performer to have a number one record. This mark was previously held by Bob Dylan in 2006 with his Modern Times album, released when he was 65. However, Bob Dylan's 2009 album, Together Through Life, earned Dylan that position again, because Dylan released his most recent work at 67 years and 11 months compared to Diamond's releasing Home Before Dark at 67 years and 3 months.
The album is Diamond's second to be produced by Rick Rubin, a producer of hip-hop and heavy metal music, who had discovered a talent for re-invigorating the careers of musicians when he produced Aerosmith and a string of albums with Johnny Cash. After Cash's death, Diamond became the next artist to find his career given a shot in the arm via Rubin's production on his 2005 album 12 Songs. The album consists of original works and some remakes and was mixed by Dana Nielsen. The orchestral parts were arranged and conducted by David Campbell[6][7]
Track listing
editAll songs were written by Neil Diamond, except where noted.
- "If I Don't See You Again" – 7:13
- "Pretty Amazing Grace" – 4:53
- "Don't Go There" – 6:04
- "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" (feat. Natalie Maines) – 6:12
- "One More Bite of the Apple" – 6:39
- "Forgotten" – 4:22
- "Act Like a Man" – 4:04
- "Whose Hands Are These" – 3:12
- "No Words" – 4:49
- "The Power of Two" – 4:35
- "Slow It Down" – 4:56
- "Home Before Dark" – 6:00
- "Without Her" (Harry Nilsson) – 4:22
- Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
- "Make You Feel My Love" (Bob Dylan) – 4:38
- Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD
edit- "Pretty Amazing Grace"
- "If I Don't See You Again"
- "Forgotten"
- "The Boxer" (Paul Simon)
Personnel
edit- Neil Diamond – lead vocals, guitars
- Benmont Tench – keyboards
- Mike Campbell – guitars, bass guitar
- Smokey Hormel – guitars, bass guitar
- Jonny Polonsky – guitars
- Matt Sweeney – guitars
- Marvin B. Gordy – timpani
- David Campbell – horn, string and woodwind arrangements; orchestra leader
- Charlie Bisharat – concertmaster
- Susie Katayama – orchestra contractor
- Rose Corrigan – bassoon
- Ralph Williams – clarinet
- Earl Dumler – English horn, oboe
- Dan Higgins – flute
- Steve Kujala – flute
- Robert Shulgold – flute
- Larry Klimas – flute (12)
- Don Markese – alto flute (12)
- Nathan Campbell – French horn
- Joe Meyer – French horn
- Steven Holtman – trombone
- Bill Reichenbach, Jr. – trombone
- Chuck Findley – trumpet
- Gary Grant – trumpet
- Doug Tornquist – tuba
- Larry Corbett – cello
- Rudy Stein – cello
- David Stone – double bass
- Andrew Duckles – viola
- Armen Garabedian – violin
- Julian Hallmark – violin
- Linda Press – backing vocals (3)
- Julia Waters – backing vocals (3)
- Maxine Waters – backing vocals (3)
- Natalie Maines – lead vocals (4)
Production
edit- Producer – Rick Rubin
- Production Coordination – Lindsay Chase and Sam Cole
- Recorded by Greg Fidelman and Andrew Scheps
- Additional Recording – Bernie Becker, Jason Lader and Dana Nielsen.
- Assistant Engineers – Phillip Broussard, Chris Holmes and Jim "Bud" Monti.
- Recorded at Arch Angel Studios and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Los Angeles, CA); Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA); Punkerpad West (Van Nuys, CA);
- Mixed by Dana Nielsen at Little People Studio (Los Angeles, CA).
- Mastered by Vlado Meller and Mark Santangelo at Universal Mastering Studios (New York, NY).
- Art Direction – Mary Maurer
- Design – Mary Maurer and Michael Lau-Robles
- Photography – Jesse Diamond
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[28] | Gold | 35,000^ |
Ireland (IRMA)[29] | Gold | 7,500^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[30] | Gold | 7,500^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[31] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[32] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ Allmusic review
- ^ "Now review". Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2008.
- ^ OMM review
- ^ Rolling Stone review
- ^ The Times review
- ^ AllMusic 'Home Before Dark' album credits
- ^ Discogs 'Home Before Dark'
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Neil Diamond". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Neil Diamond | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Top Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2008". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2008". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2008". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ^ "The Irish Charts - 2008 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". Radioscope. July 17, 2011. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ^ "British album certifications – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ^ "American album certifications – Neil Diamond – Home Before Dark". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 2, 2013.