Diamond performing live in support ofBeautiful Noise in 1976
Beautiful Noise is the tenthalbum by American singer-songwriterNeil Diamond, released in 1976. Diamond's third album withColumbia Records, it was produced byRobbie Robertson, known for his work withThe 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 showThe Last Waltz, which was filmed by directorMartin Scorsese and made into a 1978 documentary of the same title.
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 onBillboard'sEasy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on theUS Hit Parade.[4] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on theUK Singles Chart,[5] No. 7 in South Africa[6] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[7] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[8]
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."[9]Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.[10]
^"Top 50 Albums of 1976"(PDF).Music Week. December 25, 1976. p. 14.Archived(PDF) from the original on March 9, 2021. RetrievedNovember 30, 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
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