Beautiful Noise
Studio album by
Neil Diamond
ReleasedJune 11, 1976
Recorded1975–1976
StudioShangri La Studio, Los Angeles; Kendun Recorders, Los Angeles; Village Recorders, Los Angeles
Genre
Length37:40
LabelColumbia
ProducerRobbie Robertson
Neil Diamond chronology
Serenade
(1974) 		Beautiful Noise
(1976) 		And the Singer Sings His Song
(1976)
Singles from Beautiful Noise
  1. "If You Know What I Mean"
    Released: June 1976
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Christgau's Record GuideC+[2]
Diamond performing live in support of Beautiful Noise in 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 Billboard's Easy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on the US Hit Parade.[3] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart,[4] No. 7 in South Africa[5] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[6] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[7]

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."[8] Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.[9]

Track listing

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

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Beautiful Noise"3:24
2."Stargazer"2:41
3."Lady-Oh"3:51
4."Don't Think... Feel"3:26
5."Surviving the Life"3:42
6."If You Know What I Mean"3:30
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Street Life"3:00
2."Home Is a Wounded Heart"2:40
3."Jungletime"3:10
4."Signs"4:17
5."Dry Your Eyes"3:23

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[25] Gold 20,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[26] Platinum 100,000^
Germany (BVMI)[27] Gold 250,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[25] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[28] 5× Gold 37,500^
South Africa (RISA)[25] Gold 25,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[29] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[30] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Beautiful Noise - Neil Diamond - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: D". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  3. ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 143. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  4. ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 145. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  5. ^ Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20". Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  7. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Neil Diamond - Beautiful Noise - swisscharts.com". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  8. ^ "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. November 27, 1976. p. 20. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  9. ^ "Single Picks" (PDF). Record World. November 27, 1976. p. 22. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 428. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  11. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4338a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  14. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "Charts.nz – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  16. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  17. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Neil Diamond Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  19. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 1976". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  20. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1976". Dutch Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  21. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  22. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1976 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "Top 50 Albums of 1976" (PDF). Music Week. December 25, 1976. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved November 30, 2021 – via worldradiohistory.com.
  24. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved October 11, 2021.
  25. ^ a b c "More Diamond Gold" (PDF). Cash Box. July 24, 1976. p. 9. Retrieved November 15, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  26. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". Music Canada. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  27. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Neil Diamond; 'Beautiful Noise')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "Neil Diamond - 5x gold in New Zealand" (PDF). Cash box. August 21, 1976. p. 48. Retrieved December 2, 2019 – via American Radio History.
  29. ^ "British album certifications – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  30. ^ "American album certifications – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 7, 2019.



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