Home Before Dark (Deluxe Edition with DVD) Reviews

• The winning streak continues

  
  By A2ZP8PIYL4EHTP on 2008-05-06
  Wow. Since when does an artist who has been toiling away in the industry for 5 decades challenge his entire catalog by releasing what may be the two strongest albums in his illustrious career? As good as 12 Songs is, it's possible that Home Before Dark may even surpass its achievements. Whether it does so will depend on whether 12 Songs was too stark, too stripped-down, for the listener. Without moving remotely close to the bombast of the 80s, Diamond and Rubin have filled out the sound Home Before Dark with more instrumentation, which may please those for whom 12 Songs was too intimate.
  
  Not for this listener. 12 Songs and Home Before Dark both showcase Diamond's greatest asset: his ability as a songwriter, and in both cases we are presented with the most solid, accomplished cycle of songs since the period that gave us "Moods" and "Stones."
  
  Home Before Dark is a towering achievement, possibly even moreso than 12 Songs, as it shows without a doubt that 12 Songs was no fluke. Neil Diamond may be no spring chicken but he's at the height of his power as an artist. I guarantee you that if you ever loved Neil in the past, this album will remind you of everything you loved him for. It's truly stunning.
  
  

• I really like this new album from Neil Diamond

  
  By AE31M52VLKOG6 on 2008-05-08
  Neil Diamond sounds good on "Home Before Dark". There is so much wisdom and warmth in his voice. These two qualities have always been part of his appeal for me. My favorite track is "The Day Time Forgot". It is a pretty duet that Neil sings with Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks. The keyboard playing by Benmont Tench is beautiful on this track. My other favorite track is "Pretty Amazing Grace". This is a spiritual song about forgiveness. Neil sounds great vocally. He also plays the acoustic guitar superbly on this track. "The Power Of Two" is a good song. I like the violin playing by Chuck Findley on this track. "If I Don't See You Again" is a beautiful tune about friendship. There is a trio of guitar players on this track. They sound so good playing together. Julia Sweeney is creditted with playing the guitar here. "One More Bite Of The Apple" is a very personal song about Neil's longing to make music. "Forgotten" is another song that Neil performs with his guitar. This is a very engaging song and video. I love the musical arrangements and the lyrics of the songs very much.
  
  

• What "12 Songs" Started , "Home Before Dark" Continues

  
  By ATLO3YXU2BC16 on 2008-05-07
  Neil Diamond's last album "12 Songs" was the best he had done in years. The expanded edition of that album featured mostly the songs with just Neil and his guitar. It was a breathe of fresh air. The songs were well written , and to paraphrase a Diamond song , just "A Singer And His Song".....it was great to hear Neil without all the orchestrations and over-production that marred many of his other albums.And this trend , thanfully continues on in "Home Before Dark". Most songs feature just the barest of musical embellishments. And the 4th track , "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" , a duet with Natalie Maines , is in my opinion the absolute most beautiful melody that Neil has EVER produced. It's nice to have the singer-songwriter back. Thanks Neil , for another disc that will spin monthly in my player!
  
  

• A work of art.

  
  By A1TR2CQMTNMC56 on 2008-05-06
  Where has this guy been all of these years? This is the artist Diamond should have been all along. Some of the songs take work to appreciate but ar very well written. "Don't Go There" brings back memories of his album "Velvet Gloves and Spit" from the 60's. The duet with Natalie Maines is incredible. This is a definate for both Diamond, and Rick Rubin, fans.
  
  

• DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH!

  
  By AHQ4BHTO39ZW5 on 2008-05-08
  Neil Diamond's new release "Home Before Dark" is a laid back recording produced by Rick Rubin and although I do not think it reaches the peaks of his early years, I have to say this recording shows Neil writing and singing his songs at a latter day peak. The stripped down production provided by Rick Rubin adds a very organic feel to the music, with Neil's voice, bare and authentic. The soft acoustic tones of Mike Campbell's guitar lays down the perfect backround for Neil Diamond's softened but still robust voice. These are songs of love, life and aging that only someone with Neil's experience can offer.
  
  Opening with "If I Don't See You Again" and "Pretty Amazing Grace" the foundation of the record is layed before us. Both containing beautiful melodies and the subdued feeling of someone singing from his heart, unconcerned about radio play. Other highlights are the gorgeous duet with Natalie Maines on "Another Day", the never-say die "One More Bite of the Apple", the upbeat "No Words" and the title track. These songs can only get better with time.
  
  Neil Diamond has recorded some of the best songs of his career on "Home Before Dark". It portrays a man who is confident in where he has been and has nothing left to prove-except to himself. And Neil Diamond proves that he can still draw a winning hand without flashing it in your face.
  
  The deluxe edition contains two bonus songs and a DVD of four videos. Is it worth it for the extra money? In my opinion, the DVD is interesting but not something you will be watching more than once or twice. The two extra songs are good, but the heart of the recording lies in those first 12 tracks ending in "Home Before Dark", a fitting closure to this great release.
  
  
• Pretty Amazing Diamond
  By AIMMLTPGSSXN9 on 2008-04-08
  If "Pretty Amazing Grace" (which sounds like it's about Rick Rubin) is any indication of the songs on this new album, I can't WAIT to get it! I pre-ordered mine awhile ago, and I suggest this is THE album to have this year!
  
  
• Solid Improvement Over "12 Songs"
  By AFHDNQ3IE9BFW on 2008-05-06
  When "12 Songs" came out, it was heralded as a major comeback and a chance to hear "relevant" Neil Diamond songs again. While Rick Rubin's name being attached to the album definitely gave it an extra bit of cool, I'll admit that the tunes took a long time to appreciate and I found myself wondering when I was going to latch onto a melody that I'd want to hear over and over (or even hum along with). There were a few, but it stil ended up being an album to appreciate more than enjoy. When I heard that Rubin was producing a follow-up, I had some concerns as to whether the new album would be more of the same. The good news is, the answer is yes and no. It's definitely a Rubin production...you can hear it in the clarity of the instruments and Neil's voice. BUT, there's definitely more tunefulness to the songs this time around, more a sense of a band playing so that you can appreciate their contributions (especally Mssrs. Campbell and Tench). All in all, if you think of "12 Songs" as a dress rehearsal, then "Home Before Dark" becomes the main attraction, and it's a darn good one. I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. Enjoy!
  
  
• Where the words are found by the poet's eye
  By A1HMFSJYURQ5RI on 2008-05-07
  In the beginning there were the words and then the most imposing live act and now 45 years later after the joy and mastery of 12 Songs, comes the triumphant Home Before Dark. The words come from a rare and poetic place and touch the heart and mind in a refreshing and triumphant way. Like 12 songs, the words and voice tell a poignant story of live and love - in Home Before Dark - they come and touch you in many different ways and stay with you. The songs are longer and deserve to be with great words, a great story, beautiful arrangements and a beautiful and hauntingly real duet. These songs will stand the test of time from the master singer songwriter of my lifetime. There are songs on this album which the Neil Diamond band will make concert classics in the months ahead. I can't wait for the Diamond to sing them to us all live in concert. All the songs so far are favourites! Highly recommended 7 *******stars/5.
  
  
• Another disappointment
  By AR8BQV46C7E98 on 2008-05-07
  In Home Before Dark Neil Diamond may have written the first song in pop history to reference a bug stuck in a bowl trying to get out... hardly a poetic image. But he has done it here on his latest outing, once again produced by master producer Rick Rubin. There are some definite "cringe" moments in Home Before Dark, such as when Diamond utilizes the sophmoric commercial device of spelling out the title of one of his songs - Forgotten - letter by letter. He did the same thing in Mission of Love from Three Chord Opera, and also in the title cut from his In My Lifetime collection. When he falls prey to this silly device I think of Hall and Oates singing M-E-T-H-O-D O-F L-O-V-E in their 80's hit Method of Modern Love. I really don't want to think of Hall and Oates at all. Where is the the Neil DIamond who wrote the masterful Stones from 1971, I've Been This Way Before, Lady Magdalene, or Songs of Life. Diamond used to be a great poet, but now one can almost hear the awkward strain of Diamond trying to get a phrase to rhyme in some of these new compositions. Diamond's last several CD's have been billed by his PR as highly personal, intimate, and self revealing. I think most fans have had enough of the intimate, soft side of Diamond. How wonderful would it be if Diamond would release an album of bouncy rock tunes songs that were actually fun to listen to.
  
  
• Possibly the finest recording of Diamond's career
  By A28JI9LW8V84TO on 2008-05-07
  Diamond's second collaboration with Rick Rubin, following on from 12 Songs, sees him embrace, more fully, the stripped down production values that put a premium on songcraft and honesty of delivery. This is a very intimate, personal, lyrical and powerful piece of work. Where Diamond had been a little tentative in his approach to Rubin's uncluttered production values on 12 songs, here he is confident and authoritative and fully committed.
  
  The opening track, If I Don't See You Again, sets the tone for the entire collection. Running to a full 7 minutes it is superbly crafted and lyrically engaging. It is one of those songs that engages fully on first hearing and then improves with every subsequent exposure.
  
  Pretty Amazing Grace, the song Diamond performed recently on American Idol, draws you in, builds beautifully and stays in your head long after it is over.
  
  The Duet with Natalie Maines, Another Day (That Time Forgot), is one of the highlights of this collection. The song is wistful and wonderful and the way their voices complement each other is exquisite.
  
  Forgotten is almost a throwback to Diamond's Bang days, but here is a man who has lived a full life and is not pretending otherwise. The Power Of Two is a power love song in the best Diamond tradition.
  
  I could go on, but you get the picture. This is a collection I would heartily recommend to anyone that enjoys pure songwriting, delivered simply, elegantly, eloquently and with integrity and passion. I thought 12 Songs was one of the records of 2005. This is superior in every way.
  
  
  
  
  
• If You've Liked Neil Diamond at any Stage of his Career
  By A2CO7ZF0B2UBS4 on 2008-05-09
  If you've liked Neil Diamond at any stage of his career, you have got to hear this album. Reviews are not my area of expertise, so when I do write one, it means I was especially moved to write about something.
  
  I have played almost nothing but Neil Diamond in the past 48 hours. I had a little bit of Beatles on in the car, and I also dug out my copy of the 1994 CD "From Crayons to Perfume: The Best of Lulu" because it now contains TWO songs that Neil Diamond has recorded--his own oldie "The Boat That I Row" plus a song written by Harry Nilsson that is called "Without Him" when sung by female artists and "Without Her" when sung by male artists such as Neil Diamond. "Without Her" is one of the two bonus cuts on the CD of the deluxe edition. (Incidentally, this is not to be confused with a song that Nilsson had a big hit with but didn't write called "Without You"!)
  
  And speaking of the deluxe edition, I recommend buying it, but more for the accompanying DVD rather than the two extra songs. "Without Her" is nice to listen to, but the Bob Dylan song that closes the album, "Make You Feel My Love", has so far not made an impression on me. Neil goes further into covering other introspective singer-songwriters when he does Paul Simon's hit from Simon's days with Art Garfunkel, "The Boxer", on the DVD. Of the three songs written by others that are in the deluxe edition, "The Boxer" is my favorite rendition. I wish that DVD's were designed to at least play audio-only on CD players that aren't also DVD players so that I could enjoy this on more of my players!
  
  I am a hopeless oldies relic, who, if asked to sing any song by an all-female group whose name begins with Dixie C, would burst out with, "Going to the chapel and we're/gonna get mar-ar-ar-ied," the opening lines from the huge 1964 hit "Chapel of Love" by the Dixie Cups. Although I was aware of the Dixie Chicks' political controversies over the years, I had not known much about their music. I can now say that I have heard group member Natalie Maines sing. I will take "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", her duet with Neil, over "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" any day. And here is an interesting coincidence--the Dixie Cups were produced by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who produced Neil Diamond's early hits on Bang records, and the Dixie Chicks are produced by Rick Rubin, who has produced Neil's two most recent albums!
  
  Now, let's get back to my original recommendation, that if you've liked Neil Diamond at any stage of his career, you need to hear this album. In the past couple of days, I have alternated "Home Before Dark" with what I think are some of his best recordings over the years. Sometimes, I enjoyed what I was hearing when playing the other albums; other times, I longed to be back with "Home Before Dark". And ironically, "12 Songs", his highly acclaimed album from 2 1/2 years ago, one which I couldn't put away when it first came out, was suddenly, to me, as much of a collection of yesterday's songs as Neil's own song, "Yesterday's Songs", from the early 1980s! But when I played "Classics: The Early Years", covering his hits for Bang Records in the 1960s, and "His 12 Greatest Hits", covering his hits for Uni Records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was a welcome change of pace.
  
  Well, I've posted enough. Time to get back to listening and watching "Home Before Dark".
  
  Oh, one final thing--my favorite song on the album is "No Words", and my second favorite is "Whose Hands Are These". They are consecutive cuts on the album, and sometimes I just play the two of them, back-to-back, over and over again.
  
  
• Is Deluxe Edition worth the extra money?
  By A1DGAYHCDXE7FU on 2008-05-06
  Listening to the clips of the songs (clips available if you go to the page for the standard edition on Amazon), it's clear that this is another great album. But, is it worth 67% extra for only two more songs and four videos, one of which is for something that doesn't even appear on either edition of the CD?
  
  
• Pretty Amazing
  By A43MCGIUFXOYH on 2008-05-07
  Nei is much more relaxed this time around with Rick Rubin as producer. The DVD is an absolute must and shows an inside look at a usually very private performer. The length of the songs is a bit of a distraction but the lyrics dig deeper than your usual radio pap.
  
  
• Disappointed, again
  By A14SWN86TL4FX8 on 2008-05-14
  I'm a die-hard Neil Diamond fan. It took me awhile to figure out why I didn't like his last album, but it is this: I like Neil's music because it makes me feel good. It is upbeat, it is catchy, it's optimistic. I liked the strings, the horns, the drums. This album and the last one are just downright depressing. I can understand Rick Rubin wanting to get Neil back to the craft of songwriting, and leaving out the over-production, but geesh could we at least have a little percussion?! And what happened to the upbeat, catchy songs? Even Neil's slower ones like Captain Sunshine (one of my personal favorites) were more upbeat than these. Where is the old Neil? I miss him.
  
  
• Fantastic Album, But...
  By ADENUJJYKNHPO on 2008-05-20
  I loved this album. I'd have given it 5 stars if not for one problem I had with the DVD. But before I get to that, I want to state for the record (no pun intended) how good this album is. If you loved 12 SONGS, you'll love this one, too. It's that simple. They are done in the same style and Diamond's catchy melodies really work with the expanded band used for this recording. It's pure Diamond. Any Neil Diamond fan knows what I'm talking about. I purchased the version with the bonus tracks and the DVD. As for the bonus tracks the Dylan cover is great the other cover not so much. I don't know if this is due to the fact that both of he bonus tracks are not Diamond compositions so they don't quite gel or what. The Dylan one is very good the other just seems a bit out of place. Perhaps further listenings will correct this.
  
  As for the DVD, it should be great! You get a couple of live performances and a couple of studio performances. My knock against it is that, after the first tune, you can't hear ANY vocals. They are either mixed down to a whisper or were poorly recorded in the first place. On the last tune, The Boxer, they are just gone. You can't hear a word. I thought perhaps my DVD is defective in some way. Has anyone else encountered this problem.
  
  But if you're a Diamond fan and have your eye on the single CD version of the album, then I can't recommend it highly enough. Just be wary of the DVD. It's an exercise in frustration. There's Neil singing his heart out and you can't hear a word!
  
  However the album is one of the best I've heard this year.
  
  
• How many ways do you spell D-I-A-M-O-N-D
  By A335GY54CQ42V9 on 2008-05-09
  How about brilliant, sparkling, multi-faceted, clarity, pure and flawless. And that's just for the first song, "If I Don't See You Again."
  
  As a loyal fan of Diamond's music dating back to the 60s, Home Before Dark is the quintessential conglomerate of this man's talent, creative artistry and confessional soul-bearing. Nothing about Neil is phony ... there are no cubic zirconias anywhere near this Diamond. He is raw, he is honest, he is deep, he is real ... and he is human. His lyrics tell the story of his life and his music caresses and enfolds those words beautifully and masterfully on Home Before Dark. And it leaves you wanting more ... to know him more, to know his music more and to learn more ... about life and human failings and love that is gained and lost and regained again.
  
  If you love a story, and if you love music, then treat yourself to a musical story of life with its ups, downs and all the in-betweens that go along with it. Neil Diamond is a masterful storyteller and interpreter of lyric - second only to the immortal Frank Sinatra in my opinion - but Neil is telling it "his way" today with the same poignancy and depth as Ol' Blue Eyes himself, and with more than just a touch of some "pretty amazing grace."
  
  Run, don't walk to your nearest musical outlet and get this incredible piece of Neil's soul, and then be sure to get home before dark to listen well into the wee small hours of the morning. By daylight, you will be lifted, inspired, entertained and grateful.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• NEEDS MORE
  By A27KTK7T4WUZ6V on 2008-05-09
  12 songs deserved between 4 and 5 stars because it was a return to form. After years of songs and albums that were too polished at times, it was nice to hear Neil return to his simple songwriting days.
  Home Before Dark on the other hand sounds like leftovers from that album. The songs are at times too long with no significant change between chorus and verse. And a lot of them begin to sound alike. I know Rick Rubin and Neil were going for a specific quality and feel, but I think that some edits were required too.
  There are some bright spots though. I really like Pretty Amazing Grace, Forgotten, The Power of Two and Home Before Dark.
  That's why it pains me to write a somewhat negative review of this album, but I think that it is time for Neil to return to the production and songwriting of Tennessee Moon and Three Chord Opera. Those albums presented Mr. Diamond in a contemporary way while also holding on to his roots. We have to remember that Neil is not only a songwriter but also an entertainer. I wasn't that entertained with this album.
  
  
• NOT the Neil Diamond sound of the 60's and 70's.
  By AJIT88JWE7PNS on 2008-05-10
  I am a HUGE Neil Diamond fan, and was excited that Producer Rick Rubin wanted to get Neil Diamond "back to his roots," expecting more songs like "Holly, Holy," "I Am...I Said," or anything from "Moods," "The Jazz Singer," "Beautiful Noise," or "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"; songs that are varied and move seamlessly from lush ballad, clap-along-pop, to driving rock'n roll. Sadly, NONE of these elements are present on this album, with the exception of "Pretty Amazing Grace," which is brilliant.
  
  Shockingly, Producer Rick Rubin thinks that making Neil Diamond "cool" again requires insisting that each song go without drums, strings, or anything else other than barely audible guitar and intermittent piano.
  
  This collection is so incredibly drab and depressing it should have been called, "Music to slit your wrists to," literally.
  
  The problem for Neil is that Producer Rick Rubin is also the head of his record company, so this album has been expertly marketed, resulting in high initial sales as people expect to hear the Neil Diamond sound they love from the 60's and 70's. Unfortunately, that classic sound is nowhere, I repeat NOWHERE, to be found on this absolutely horrendous album.
  
  
• Diamond Not in the Rough with Rubin by His Side for a Second Collaboration
  By A13E0ARAXI6KJW on 2008-05-15
  At an age when most people retire, Neil Diamond managed a truly transcendent return to form with the release of 2005's 12 Songs thanks primarily to the behind-the-scenes work of Rick Rubin, the renegade producer who directed the late Johnny Cash to produce similarly stellar results on his acoustic 1994 return to form, American Recordings. For his latest recording, Diamond has wisely re-teamed with Rubin, and comparisons with the previous stellar effort are inevitable. Although the legendary musician's unique talent as both songwriter and performer are in full evidence, the 2008 result is simply not as revelatory as "12 Songs". The acoustically-oriented arrangements that worked so well before somehow don't seem quite enough this time around because Diamond's newest compositions seem to beg for fuller arrangements. On the upside, the core ensemble of "12 Songs" has thankfully returned and perform strongly - not just Diamond but also Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers and Smokey Hormel on guitars and another Heartbreaker, Benmont Tech, on keyboards.
  
  While all fourteen songs reflect Diamond's sterling craftsmanship, they are somewhat more variable in musical quality than one would hope. The opening track, the declarative "If I Don't See You Again", is a smooth-as-silk transition from "12 Songs" perfectly reflecting Diamond's true pop sensibilities, even if it runs too long at over seven minutes. Moreover, only Diamond could bring such dynamic conviction to his melodramatic ode to love's transcendence, "Pretty Amazing Grace", replete with his aggressively played fretwork at the song's climax. He displays a welcome sense of humor with the clever lyrics on the bluesy "Don't Go There", especially with the emphatic, frog-throated repeat of the chorus. It melds nicely into "Another Day (That Time Forgot)", a haunting duet with the Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines about not getting over a long-lost love. It's suitably heartbreaking, even though Maines' reedy soprano does not make her Diamond's most ideal partner, at least tonally.
  
  Diamond uses every metaphor imaginable for seeking second chances on "One More Bite of the Apple" building to quite a guitar-strumming crescendo. The mood of the recording becomes slightly mercurial at this point with the undeniably catchy "Forgotten" followed by the slow waltz of "Act Like a Man". Despite his bold guitar strumming, the anthem-like "Whose Hands Are These" comes across as a bit too slight to be genuinely memorable, while the Billy Joel-like "No Words" gallops along without really going anywhere. As a classroom example of straight-ahead pop music, "The Power of Two" is refreshing even if the chorus is inane - "We have the power of two...me and you!". Starting out like a country reel, "Slow It Down" takes its title too literally and becomes a dirge. Fortunately, he rebounds with the nominal closing track, as the title tune is classic Diamond - beautiful, full of yearning and lots of pointed references to the open road.
  
  On the Deluxe Edition, two bonus tracks have been included - first, a percussive arrangement of Harry Nilsson's "Without Her", which sounds like an outtake from a 1970's-era recording session as it glides over an abundance of lyrics; and Bob Dylan's melancholy "Make You Feel My Love". Even though Diamond can be a charismatic performer, the accompanying DVD is a decidedly low-key affair. He performs "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "If I Don't See You Again" seated in a dimly lit studio. This is followed by black-and-white footage of Diamond in the recording studio performing "Forgotten" and a rather hurried version of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer".
  
  
• I'm so angry at Neil Diamond for wasting my money...
  By A1GL3M3XLXKG0M on 2008-05-21
  I bought Home Before Dark in anticipation of another great album from one of the greatest artists of all time. What I got was a badly-mixed piece of trash that I could've recorded in my living room. The songs are droll and slow and the lyrics are so simplistic I'm surprised the credits don't list a 5th grader as the primary writer. What was Neil thinking? It sounds like this album was recorded in the '40's on bad equipment. I actually threw the album out my window.
  
  
• I love the CD and What a bonus to have the DVD
  By AXI68N6KCJA9D on 2008-05-09
  I love HBD. The songs are great. The duet with Natalie is just awesome! It is just wonderful. I just can't get Pretty Amazong Grace out of my head. I just love Whose Hands are These. I really love them all. Great music Neil! I love it!
  
  
• OMG!!! I LOVE this album!
  By A19ES2AXTDTO5P on 2008-05-09
  I am listening for the 3rd time in a row! Its more different than you will hear in music today, and its perfect for those who are crying out to hear something different and good. Listen to tracks 2,3,4 and 7 especially. They are f*ing awesome! Way to go Neil!!!
  
  
  
  
• DVD sound is defective
  By A2YY6XVC5QD149 on 2008-05-11
  Has anyone listened to the DVD? The first song is fine, but the last three have the sound out of phase...surprised no one has mentioned that yet. Maybe some discs were released with this flaw while others were not.
  
  I am a huge Neil Diamond fan and like some of the songs on the album, but for me I would like to see more orchestration. I hope Neil goes somewhere in the middle on the next album.
  
  
• Deluxe Edition DVD is poorly mixed on tracks 2-4
  By A16YF0ADF7JG8E on 2008-05-12
  Has anyone else experienced the drowning out of Neil Diamond's voice on DVD tracks 2 through 4? Sounds like the sound board elected to focus on the piano and guitar rather than his voice. I played this DVD on two different DVD players just to be certain it wasn't defective equipment. I have emailed customer feedback at the Columbia / Sony website and am waiting for a reply. Has anyone else tried to contact them and if so, what have the responses been? I'd like it if they would ship out a replacement. I will post here if successful.
  
  
• A touching, beautiful CD.
  By A3UG0WFBVWXXLC on 2008-05-12
  Even after all these years Neil Diamond can still write these amazing, beautiful and honest songs that can touch us so much. Is it worth the extra money to get the deluxe set? Hell Yeah! His voice on "The Boxer" alone is worth it! At this point in his career he sure doesn't have to be working so hard to make these songs come alive but I am so grateful that he does. This is an excellent set of songs with an added bonus of the videos. Don't miss it.
  
  
• A Masterpiece
  By A13LRS5OILRSLG on 2008-05-16
  Home Before Dark (Deluxe Edition) This is probably one of the best Neil Diamond albums, and one of best albums of any artist of the last years. As an effort of an artist with several decades of making music, its really extraordinary that he can still have the inspiration to compose such beautifull music, when young artist who put cd's every month can't.
  P.S. Some people have complain about the sound of the last 2 songs on the dvd, I had no problem with them but let me tell you that the singing did not came out on the front speakers of my sunround system, they can be heard only in the back speakers.
  
  
• "Home Before Dark" As We Continue The Path Of "Glory Road"
  By A30HO0OCO0XX2L on 2008-05-09
  For a long-time fan of Neil Diamond, "Home Before Dark" is just one more gem in his catalogue, gifted to his listeners and followers over the course of forty-plus years. "If I Don't See You Again", for me, would justify the purchase of the album! And then, there's more and more and more! Even the Dylan and Simon covers are fun and acknowledge two more amazing "Boomer contributions" to the history of music. Wow! We are a lucky generation.
  
  For a new fan of Neil Diamond - i.e., you "Idol" watchers! - just purchase "Home Before Dark" and listen backwards, as you discover the catalogue of an artist who has the ability to touch our souls. In my opinion, Neil Diamond addresses the absolute essence of our human emotions; and, I am so thrilled and grateful to just...
  
  "Feel it one more time."
  
  
  
  
• Oustanding CD!
  By A2WFZMYQ4U4X0A on 2008-05-09
  I have to say this CD could only have been written by a well seasoned artist like Neil Diamond. The words reflect the angst of a lifetime, yet each song has it's own catchy hook. The music just flows from song to song. Neil is a master craftsman and one of the best songwriters of all time.
  
  This is an outstanding CD from an outstanding artist.
  
  
• My new favorite album!
  By A8NFG4CJ58SSL on 2008-05-09
  If you're a Neil Diamond fan, get this album. If you aren't a Neil Diamond fan, come out from under your rock and get this album!
  
  On "If I Don't See You Again" Neil sings with so much feeling, that if you aren't moved by this song, you must be dead inside. His voice and the music flow flawlessly together, and the lyrics alone are a work of art.
  
  "Pretty Amazing Grace" is one of the more upbeat songs on the album. Its melody is infectious and I guarantee you will be humming this song to yourself after one listen!
  
  "Don't Go There", another upbeat song, shows the "gritty" side of Neil. It has a wonderful groove to it and is definitely a toe tapper/finger snapper sort of song. And of course, there's the little laugh Neil does in the middle of the song.
  
  Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks is a wonderful addition to "Another Day (That Time Forgot)". Their voices complement each other nicely, and their sincerity shows. It's a very melodic song, and like "Pretty Amazing Grace" it will crawl into your memory and stay there after just one listen.
  
  While "One More Bite Of The Apple" is basically Neil, a guitar, and a piano, it is still a rocker. The lyrics seem to be about one more big tour, but it is definently a motivator song, and it makes you want to do something spectacular.
  
  "Forgotten" is more of a folk/country rocker with a nice little groove. You'll definitely want to sing along to this one, you may even find yourself spelling out the title...
  
  With "Act Like A Man", the music is soft and Neil's rough, yet smooth, voice is enough to lull you into a daydream. Don't expect to get anything done while listening to this song!
  
  "Who's Hands Are These" is another toe tapper. Full of catchy lines and imagery, it's a sweet little song to sing to the love of your life. Or with your little one in the car.
  
  "No Words" is so upbeat and happy that it's hard to not sing and dance. Crank it up and have fun!
  
  "The Power Of Two" has some of the best lyrics Neil has ever written. The way he sings is wonderful, and the song has a great message. So listen up, Neil's gonna explain the mathematics of love.
  
  On "Slow It Down", Neil does just that. It's a good warm-summer-day-on-the-front-porch-just-relaxing type of song. And he's trying to tell you something, so listen to the words and take them to heart, okay?
  
  On "Home Before Dark", the way Neil sings could melt the frozen heart of anyone that doesn't believe in love. It's a lovely song about realizing that you love someone more than you ever thought you could. If you think that Neil wrote this song after he read your mind, and every word describes the one you love, tell that person you love them. It was meant to be.
  
  This version of the album has two bonus cover tracks, Harry Nilsson's "Without Her" and Bob Dylan's "To Make You Feel My Love". Neil puts his own spin on these songs, but stays true to how the songs make you feel.
  
  This version also comes with a DVD with four songs. The first two are "Pretty Amazing Grace" and "If I Don't See You Again" done in an intimate setting. The other two songs are "Forgotten" and Simon and Garfunkle's "The Boxer". These are videos of Neil recording those songs in the studio.
  
  
• Pretty Amazing Neil
  By A50EKAHXD8CVA on 2008-05-09
  5 stars for Home Before Dark. This work is Neil Diamond at his best - poetically, introspectively, and vocally in my humble opinion. The music is mainly guitar and piano and is effective for these melodies and lyrics. The songs are different from his more famous oldies in that they don't rock. They differ from his 1980's and 90's ballads in that the tracks are quite long and each one tells the story of a feeling, honestly and thoroughly. They remind me a lot of his song-writing in the 70's and early 80's, when he got lost in thought and expressed it musically. I love this CD and am delighted with the two extra tracks and the DVD.
  
  

• 12 Songs
• The Essential Neil Diamond
• Home Before Dark
• The Jazz Singer - 25th Anniversary Edition
• Awake Live CD/DVD