Beautiful Noise Explained

Beautiful Noise
Type:Album
Artist:Neil Diamond
Cover:Beautifulnoise.jpg
Released:June 11, 1976[1]
Recorded:1975–1976
Studio:Shangri La Studio, Los Angeles; Kendun Recorders, Los Angeles; Village Recorders, Los Angeles
Length:37:40
Label:Columbia
Producer:Robbie Robertson
Prev Title:Serenade
Prev Year:1974
Next Title:And the Singer Sings His Song
Next Year:1976

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.

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 Billboards Easy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on the US Hit Parade.[2] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart,[3] No. 7 in South Africa[4] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[5] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[6]

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."[7] Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.[8]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Neil Diamond, except "Dry Your Eyes" by Diamond and Robbie Robertson.

Personnel

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1976)Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[9] 5
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[10] 6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[11] 4
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[12] 26
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[13] 4
UK Albums (OCC)[14] 42
Chart (1977)Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[15] 18

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20171114143057/http://www.columbiarecords.com/timeline/#!date=1915-06-05_18:57:53!
  2. Book: Jackson, Laura . 2005 . Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion . 143 . . 1550227076 . February 13, 2014.
  3. Book: Jackson, Laura . 2005 . Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion . 145 . . 1550227076 . February 13, 2014.
  4. Web site: South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B). Brian. Currin. Rock.co.za. 2 September 2018.
  5. Web site: INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20. Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. 2 September 2018.
  6. Web site: Neil Diamond - Beautiful Noise - swisscharts.com. Steffen. Hung. Swisscharts.com. 2 September 2018.
  7. News: CashBox Singles Reviews. November 27, 1976. 20. 2021-12-11. Cash Box.
  8. Record World. November 27, 1976. 22. 2023-03-03. Single Picks.
  9. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 428.
  10. Web site: Jahreshitparade Alben 1976 . Hung Medien . October 11, 2021 .
  11. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 1976 . . October 11, 2021 .
  12. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts . . October 11, 2021 .
  13. Web site: Top Selling Albums of 1976 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart . . October 11, 2021 .
  14. December 25, 1976 . Top 50 Albums of 1976 . live . . 14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210309081449/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1976/Music-Week-1976-12-25.pdf . March 9, 2021 . worldradiohistory.com . November 30, 2021.
  15. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts . . October 11, 2021 .