September Morn

Performer: Neil Diamond
Producer: Bob Gaudio
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel includes: Neil Diamond (vocals, guitar); Richard Bennett, Doug Rhone (guitar); Peter Christlieb, Ernie Watts, Dick "Slyde" Hyde, Jerry Hey, Graham Young, Lou McCreary (horns); Tom Hensley (piano, keyboards); Alan Lindgren (piano, synthesizers); Bob Gaudio (piano); Reinie Press (bass); Dennis St. John (drums); King Errisson (percussion). Engineers: Ron Hitchcock, Andy Bloch, Rick Ruggieri. Released at the dawn of the 1980s, SEPTEMBER MORN is very much an update of Neil Diamond's 1960s roots, with a (perhaps ill-advised) disco version of the Motown classic "Dancing in the Street" and a remake of his own "I'm a Believer," heard here complete with faux-reggae rhythm and synthesized steel drums. The album also looks to the past in cuts like producer Bob Gaudio's timeless "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" and the vintage blues song "Stagger Lee." But Diamond shows he's still a master of sentimental balladry in his delivery of songs like the title track and "The Shelter of Your Arms," with an almost chanson-like delivery that blends classic Tin Pan Alley schmaltz with French-style romance. On September Morn, Neil Diamond began to push the borders of easy listening, concentrating more on immaculately polished studiocraft than songcraft. The songs are quite inconsistent, and even the best songs -- "Dancing in the Street," "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore," "Stagger Lee" -- are given inappropriately stiff and colorless arrangements. The title track nearly reaches the adult contemporary heights of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," but overall the record demonstrates little personality. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine On September Morn, Neil Diamond began to push the borders of easy listening, concentrating more on immaculately polished studio craft than songcraft. Even though the songs are a little inconsistent, they have their moments -- "Dancing in the Street," "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore," "Stagger Lee," and especially the title track -- where it all comes together and the music is enjoyable. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

With a career as a hitmaker stretching across the decades, Neil Diamond has purveyed catchy, three-chord pop/rock, progressive singer/songwriter material, middle-of-the-road balladry, and even traditional country. He started out as a Brill Building hitmaker; a songwriter for hire, he worked alongside the likes of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and penned hits for the Monkees and Jay & the Americans. His solo career took off in the mid 1960s and made him one of America's most successful recording artists and concert attractions for a long time to come. Even decades down the road, younger groups such as UB40 in the '80s, Urge Overkill in the '90s, and Smash Mouth in the 2000's were still scoring hits with Diamond's evergreen compositions.

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