Tap Root Manuscript

Performer: Neil Diamond
Producer: Neil Diamond; Tom Catalano
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Neil Diamond (vocals). Half a straight-ahead pop album and half an exotic song cycle centered on a musical portrait of Africa, TAP ROOT MANUSCRIPT provides prime examples both of Neil Diamond's superlative way with a pop song in the classic "Cracklin' Rosie," and of his ambitious artistic leanings in most of the album's second half. Blending African rhythms and Christian imagery was obviously no problem for this Jewish singer-songwriter from Coney Island, as shown by songs like the LION KING precursor "Soolaimon" and the majestic, gospel-influenced "Missa," while the children's choruses on "Childsong" and "I Am the Lion" are utterly charming. The follow-up to Touching You, Touching Me was an ambitious set of songs, all originals except for a Top 20 cover of "He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother," including the side-long suite "The African Trilogy" (which featured the hit "Soolaimon"), the number one hit "Cracklin' Rosie," and "Done Too Soon." Going gold within two months, this album confirmed Diamond's breakthrough as a recording star. ~ William Ruhlmann

Rolling Stone (4/1/71, p.47) - "...a half step at being artistic....The only trouble is, I haven't any idea who would want to listen to it. Certainly not the audience he has..."

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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