Maps of Music

The Feel of Neil Diamond (1966)

Where the lyrics of The Feel of Neil Diamond take you, and where it was really made.

The cover was shot under the Brooklyn Bridge by the singer's 17-year-old cousin, but the credit reads a different name: the cousin's middle name.

Key places

Under the Brooklyn Bridge: cover photo location (1966)

Album cover Brooklyn Bridge — The cover photo was taken under the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The photographer was the singer's first cousin, Len Rapoport, then 17 years old. The marker shows the bridge area, not an exact spot under the span. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• The Feel of Neil Diamond: Neil Diamond's debut studio album
• Released on Bang Records in the US, London Records in the UK, and Stateside Records in Australia
• Includes his first three big hits: "Solitary Man", "Cherry, Cherry", and "Oh No No"
• Artie Butler was arranger and conductor; Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich were producers
• Cover photo credited to Leonard Linton

Background

• Barry and Greenwich kept working together even though they had divorced the previous year
• Nearly all songs were written by Neil Diamond; other writers are credited where noted
• The album has never been released on CD
• The CD The Bang Years 1966–1968 contains all tracks from this album and from Diamond's second album, Just for You

Recording

• Musicians include Neil Diamond on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, and Artie Butler on piano and organ
• Sessions in 1966 took place at Atlantic Records Studios, Century Sound Studios, A&R Studios, and Dick Charles Studio
• The track list includes a version of "La Bamba"

Cover

• The cover photo was taken under the Brooklyn Bridge by Diamond's first cousin Len Rapoport, who was 17 years old at the time
• The credit reads "Photo by Leonard Linton", which was Rapoport's middle name
• He was unsure whether to take a professional name then; later credits used his name Leonard Rapoport
• His photo credits appear on many Diamond Program Books, albums, and other Diamond publications

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• 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.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• The Feel of Neil Diamond was Neil Diamond's debut album, released on 12 August 1966
• Released on Bang Records in the US, London Records in the UK, and Stateside Records in Australia
• The album carried his first three big hits, "Solitary Man", "Cherry, Cherry", and "Oh No No"
• Most songs were written by Neil Diamond; "Red Rubber Ball", "La Bamba", "Hanky Panky", "Monday, Monday", and "New Orleans" are covers credited to other writers
• Artie Butler arranged and conducted the sessions, with Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich as producers
• The Australian version included two additional tracks, "The Boat that I Row" and "Thank the Lord for the Night Time"

Records

• "Solitary Man" reached number 55 on the chart
• "Cherry, Cherry" reached number 6
• "Oh No No" reached number 16
• The album has never been released on CD
• All of its tracks later appeared on the CD The Bang Years 1966–1968, alongside Diamond's second album, Just for You

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• The cover photo credit "Photo by Leonard Linton" used the cousin's middle name, and the cousin was 17 when the photos were taken.
• The Australian version adds "The Boat that I Row" and "Thank the Lord for the Night Time".
• Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich kept producing together after their divorce the year before.
• The original LP back-cover notes were credited to Bert Berns.
• The album was recorded at four studios: Atlantic Records Studios, Century Sound Studios, A&R Studios, and Dick Charles Studio.
• Songs like "Hanky Panky" and "Monday, Monday" are covers written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and John Phillips.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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