Maps of Music

Moods (1972)

Where the lyrics of Moods take you, and where it was really made.

The album that gave Neil Diamond his second No. 1 song peaked only at No. 5 on the Billboard chart.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

Moods and the follow-up live album Hot August Night are generally regarded as the two most important recording projects of Diamond's career for defining his signature sound
The album came after the highly experimental Tap Root Manuscript and kept some of its stylistic direction
Within the industry, the album is seen as one of Diamond's more creative recordings

Lee Holdridge served as arranger and conductor of the orchestra
Credited as "A Tom Catalano/Neil Diamond Production"
Engineer credit: Armin Steiner
Copyright line reads 1972 MCA Records, Inc., with MCA Records listed as the record company

American singer-songwriter born January 24, 1941, in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Jewish family.
Began as a staff songwriter at Sunbeam Music Publishing and worked in the Brill Building in the 1960s.
Wrote hits for others, including "I'm a Believer" and "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" recorded by the Monkees.
Solo breakthrough with "Sweet Caroline" (1969), followed by "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Song Sung Blue", both No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Live album Hot August Night (1972) recorded at the Greek Theater, Los Angeles.
Starred in the 1980 remake The Jazz Singer and won a Razzie for Worst Actor.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and stopped touring in 2018.

Billboard praised the album highly, saying it contained "brilliant, diversified material."
Record World called the single one of Diamond's most interesting records since "Soolaimón."

Within the music industry and among music professionals, the album is considered one of Diamond's better and more creative recordings
Generally acknowledged, together with Hot August Night, as the two most important recording projects of Diamond's career for defining his signature sound

Entered Billboard on July 15, 1972; peaked at No. 5 in early September
Nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for 1972
"Song Sung Blue" nominated for Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year

Cash Box said the third single, "Walk on Water", sounds a little like Cat Stevens
The Italian track listing has two sides and 11 tracks, all written by Neil Diamond
The first issue came with a stiff-paper custom inner sleeve and a textured cover with a "ragged edge" opening
Pressings from the MCA Pressing Plant in Pinckneyville are marked by an etched "2" and/or a ◈-P-◈ stamp in the runouts