12 Songs (Special Edition) [Digipak] (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Neil Diamond (vocals, acoustic guitar); Jonny Polonsky (guitar, upright bass); Mike Campbell , Pat McLaughlin, Smokey Hormel, Jason Sinay (guitar); David Campbell (strings, horns); Benmont Tench (piano, organ); Larry Knechtel, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (piano); Billy Preston (organ, Hammond b-3 organ); Patrick Warren (chamberlin); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Additional personnel: Brian Wilson (vocals).

In the 1990s, producer Rick Rubin (renowned for his work with acts ranging from Run-DMC to Slayer) helped to reinvigorate the career of country legend Johnny Cash by bringing him back to the basics of his sound. On 2005's 12 SONGS, Rubin facilitates a similar streamlining with pop crooner Neil Diamond, a not entirely surprising move, as Rubin steered Cash toward covering Diamond on AMERICAN III: SOLITARY MAN.

The Brooklyn-born performer returns to his singer/songwriter roots, leaving the glitzy bombast of past outings behind, in favor of a warm, organic atmosphere that often highlights Diamond's own acoustic-guitar playing. This setting allows his emotive voice and distinctive phrasing to carry the tunes, whether he's pining away on "Oh Mary" or reveling in unrestrained affirmation on "Hell Yeah." Although many of the tunes are strikingly spare, there is room for contributions by stellar backing musicians, including Billy Preston (organ) and Heartbreakers Mike Campbell (guitar) and Benmont Tench (piano and organ). An assured album that features Diamond playing to his strengths, 12 SONGS is a welcome return to form for a beloved American pop artist. minimize