Neil Diamond will perform at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday.
Neil Diamond will perform at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday.
For a guy who recently charted his first No. 1 record and is currently
tightening his hold on the title of one of America's most bankable, popular
performers, Neil Diamond sure sounds down -- if only temporarily.
It was caused by a reporter's inquiry about the low points of recording his
newest album, "Home Before Dark." But it didn't sound like the Brooklyn native
and showbiz legend was putting up a front or reaching to sound somber.
"My girl(friend) was going through a tough time after having surgery, and while
this album was written she was going through some trouble," Diamond said during
a recent press conference call. "It was hard to create something beautiful while
someone I loved was going through such a difficult time, but through someone
else's graces I was able to do it."
It'd be easy and believable to say the personal worry and uncertainty made
for good album fodder. But Diamond's too genuine to go that route, crediting
steadying influences like producer Rick Rubin and legendary backing band The
Heartbreakers with pulling him through the creation of the album that's brought
him both commercial and critical acclaim.
"The Heartbreakers are amazing musicians who brought these songs to life, and
they'd keep my spirits high when I was down. They'd say, 'It's not bad and we
just have to work and figure it out,'" Diamond said.
"You have this fantasy of how to make music, but when you get in the studio it
can get you down when it doesn't happen right away. They were like a cheering
section the whole time and would not let my spirits flag."
It's important to note that Diamond is very proud of "Home Before Dark," and in
discussing that and all other matters, a warm, upbeat nature shines through.
That's the Diamond fans will get a two-hour dose of Thursday when he brings his
latest tour to The Palace of Auburn Hills. Diamond works to integrate the phases
of his career into the show by mixing hits from the past four decades with
selections from his two recent Rubin albums, "Home After Dark" and 2005's "12
Songs."
"We do things like put some Latin pizzazz in 'Pretty Amazing Grace' and 'Don't
Go There,' because that was a change that seemed to fit very well," he said.
"The audience has responded very well to it because I can spiff them up. We
tried a bunch of different things, and the music is varied. I'm trying to cover
a lifetime of music and want to be as close to the audience as I can be. So the
stage setup and sequencing are based on connecting with them as best I can."
Diamond is unsure what his next step will be after the tour concludes, but he
seemed bullish on his work with Rubin, who's worked with everyone from Slayer
and The Beastie Boys to Johnny Cash and often helps artists redefine their
careers.
Diamond said he was turned off by the idea of collaborating with Rubin at first
(he called him "that hard rock, metal guy" in a Rolling Stone interview) but is
grateful to have had a change of heart. "Rubin is an imposing guy physically and
looks really serious, but he's a pussycat who's totally involved in making the
best music possible," he said. "He hugs you and you kind of get lost in Rick.
"The best thing he does is stay out of the way and leaves it to the musicians
and the songwriter. He'll drop comments along the way, some to the collective
and some just to an individual, but he also knows when to not say anything and
let the music grow of its own power."
Because of Rubin's career-salvaging pedigree, there were lots of raised eyebrows
in 2005 when word got around that Diamond had taken up with the lengthy-bearded,
Zen-influenced producer. Many thought it was a desperate grab at credibility by
an artist who, while legendary, had bid farewell to his best days.
For his part, Diamond said those who accused him of trend-hopping were giving
him too much credit.
"I've never been good enough to follow the trends, because you have to know
what's big and be able to do that," he said. "Instead, I've had to follow my own
thing because that's all I could do, so there are no trends with me. I haven't
been reinventing myself because I like how I was invented. I've been taking
steps all along the way in my career, so I'm not reaching for any audience other
than those who want to listen to the songs I write. There's no thinking or
reaching that goes into that."
It's hard to argue with the results of late: sold-out shows, two of his most
consistent and personal records in decades, and that first-ever trip to the top
of the album charts that Diamond admits felt pretty sweet.
Even if he was certain he'd been there before.
"I thought for sure I had gotten there before, but we looked and it turns out I
only got to No. 2," he said, laughing. "It's a nice feeling to get. I enjoyed
every moment and the fact that people became aware I'd had my first No. 1
record. I was also amazed I was the oldest performer to have a No. 1 record,
though I don't feel very old.
"It's nice that in a market aimed right at young people that an old geezer can
come along and knock them off their perch. We can kick a little butt after all."