Three Chord Opera

Neil Diamond is back, writing and singing his own songs on his new album, 'Three Chord Opera'.

Interestingly, considering Diamond's formidable reputation as the quintessential singer-songwriter, 'Three Chord Opera' marks the first time since 1974's 'Serenade' in which all the words and music were written by Neil. (While the vast majority of Neil's catalog has, of course, been authored by Diamond, there is at least one "cover" or shared song credit on most of his albums. This includes his last collection of original material, 1996's country-flavored Tennessee Moon, which peaked at #3 on the US country charts and earned an RIAA gold certification within six months of its release).

Produced by Peter Asher and Alan Lindgren, 'Three Chord Opera' spotlights what Diamond calls his "gravelly, pothole-filled" vocals. The 12 new songs find him looking simultaneously back into the past and forward to the future.

He explores his roots in pop in the larger-than-life confessional of "I Haven't Played This Song In Years" and mines Nuggets-style garage-rock with the "Incense And Peppermints" psychedelia of "At the Movies." There's a nod to his love of Latin music in the Ben E. King "Spanish Harlem" feel of "Midnight Dream" and "My Special Someone" while his lifelong interest in gospel can be heard in the call-and-response of "A Mission Of Love." Diamond's affection for New Orleans boogie-woogie comes across in the honky-tonk, Band-like thump of "Baby Let's Drive" and the Huey "Piano" Smith barrelhouse keyboards of "A Mission Of Love."

His much-explored inspirational side, which produced such hits as "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" and "Thank the Lord For the Nighttime," shows up on the lullaby for his grandson, "Elijah's Song," the benediction of "Leave A Little Room For God," and the final good-night of "Turn Down The Lights." Diamond dubbed the new album 'Three Chord Opera' as a nod to his early days as a fledgling singer / songwriter. Songs like "I Haven't Played This Song In Years," "Don't Look Down" and "I Believe In Happy Endings" are quintessential Diamond, zeroing in on regret, hope and, above all, his characteristic optimism.