Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond: In the rough

Friday, April 1st, 2011 | musiX | 1 Comment

Neil Diamond. Horribly out of place in The Last Waltz. Spoofed brilliantly later by Will Ferrell. Forever associated with two decades of Vegas-style glitz, adult-contemporary pap and unfortunate hair and blouses (the cover of 1972’s Hot August Night sorta says it all). Somewhere along the way he was dubbed “the Jewish Elvis.”

You have to rewind a little further to get to the good stuff. The essential stuff. Released in concert with Diamond’s recent induction into the farce that is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Neil Diamond: The Bang Years 1966-1968 shines a light on the songwriter’s early, can’t-miss pop gems. Diamond signed to Bert Berns’ Bang Records in 1966 after years cutting his teeth in The Brill Building, thus beginning an impressive run of singles—most of which you’ve heard at least once—including “Solitary Man,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” “Kentucky Woman,” “Shiloh,” “Red, Red Wine,” “You Got to Me”—all loaded with tambourine and hand claps, piano and horns, and that smoky rasp. Then there’s “Thank the Lord For the Night Time,” a song that hints at his ’70s kitsch and one whose descending bridge before the chorus continues to tickle my fickle ears. Everything on The Bang Years appears in their original mono mixes, and there are a few tracks (”I’ll Come Running,” “The Time is Now” and “The Long Way Home”) that haven’t seen the light of day since their original release. All I have to say is it’s about time.

But let us not forget that Neil Diamond has been back for some time. I’d like to say it was Saving Silverman—in which Jason Biggs, Jack Black and Steve Zahn spend time in their tribute band Diamonds in the Rough—that made him cool again. Although it was most likely 2005’s 12 Songs that brought him back to form while at the same time introducing Diamond to a younger audience (having the name “Rick Rubin” attached never hurts). Maybe he never actually went away. But in mine eyes and ears, Neil Diamond will forever look like the photo above and sound like the songs below.

“Solitary Man” - Neil Diamond

“Thank the Lord For the Night Time” - Neil Diamond

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2 much rawk 4 me?

Monday, December 8th, 2008 | musiX, pdX | 1 Comment

Live: Blitzen Trapper, Starfucker and The Parson Red Heads at Wonder Ballroom, 12.4.08

The Thermals, Panther and Champagne Champagne at Doug Fir Lounge, 12.5.08

Seeing 2 handsome rock bands in 2 nights might be 2 much 2 handle 4 some. But I went for it. A couple of Portland’s beloveds performed at home after long absences: Blitzen Trapper has been touring the country for the better part of this year, performing on Conan and generally making music-folk weak in the knees. The Thermals have been working on a new record, recruiting a new drummer, signing to a new label and generally making me weak in the knees.

It was my first time seeing Blitzen Trapper, although I’ve watched plenty of live clips. The stuff I had seen always reminded me of the euphoric musicality of The Last Waltz, minus the coke boogers … and Neil Diamond. On this night the Trappers performed like the seasoned road warriors that they are, playing a good portion of the excellent Furr record. Although, it was a short set. Are they, perhaps, experiencing some road fatigue? No matter. They played “Furr,” “God & Suicide” and “Love U,” and I left a full-on Trapper keeper.

The Thermals played their first show in Portland in almost a year. And with that they unleashed nine new songs from their forthcoming release Now We Can See, which will hit iTunes and those old contraptions they call record stores April 7. The title track and “I Let it Go” (hear the demo version on their MySpace) are loaded with rock and hooks, soaked with blood, sweat and tears, slathered in barbecue sauce and … just read about it at SPIN.com (I am not above shameless self-promotion).

I haven’t been able to get enough of The Thermals of late. I think I might have a problem. 1 of the effects is that I start 2 use Prince-isms. Now U can C.

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