Neil Diamond’s Wild at Heart: An Epic Closing Act from an Icon

This may be the last time I can review a Neil Diamond track for new music, so I’m going to take advantage of it. Due to health concerns we thought that the days of new music from Neil Diamond were behind us. We would always have the hits and iconic records like Hot August Night to enjoy. But just wait….what’s that….is that Neil Diamond’s music???? The icon makes his way to the ring for one last match in the squared circle and it was worth the wait.

Back in 2007, Neil finished a multi-record project with famed producer Rick Rubin. Known for comeback projects with iconic musicians, Johnny Cash’s American series for example, Rubin decided to sprinkle his magic dust over Neil Diamond. The project languished in post-production and was feared to never see the light of day, but finally the last piece, Wild at Heart, was released roughly a week ago. Both Rubin and Diamond did interviews expressing how happy they were that this record came out and their project together was now available for everyone to enjoy. Diamond stated that this may be the last new studio music he’ll release and he’s proud of the end product. So, for maybe the last time, let’s check out the latest from Neil Diamond.

In these comeback records Rubin generally keeps things simple. Rubin famously said that his production style is making what he likes to hear and is built more on vibes. That simplistic and minimalist attitude has worked wonders for Johnny Cash and Kesha. In some cases it highlights the artist’s talent, while in others it is a fresh change in direction. In Diamond’s case, the stripped back acoustic structure, with keyboard flourishes, harkens back to his folk days with I am I Said and Solitary Man. There are no frills. Just a man and his guitar telling a story. Tambourine and keyboards fill out the sound to give it more of a folky 70s vibe, but still keeping it genuine and fresh. This is a style that best suits Diamond and allows him to thrive.

Lyrically, Diamond is in his wheelhouse…telling stories of personal connection, love and a life lived to the fullest. Singing of being wild at heart is a great choice for this time in his life and career. It is a defiant statement that he is still the same vagabond folky/rocker now as he ever was. He is saying that he can keep up with wild life and he is not going to go quietly. This is similar to Willie Nelson’s late career where he keeps going and refuses to slow down. Vocally you can tell that this was 2007 and not 1975. Diamond’s vocal is weathered, a little raspy and wears the miles he has been on the road. Having said that. it still has the power and clarity you remember from his early records. This gives you a glimpse of the Neil you feel in love with and Rubin gives him enough rope to really go for it.

I love Rick Rubin’s work and hearing that he had a new record with Neil Diamond was very exciting. Going with a stripped back folky vibe, while still keeping Diamond’s epic vocals is an amazing combination. It’s such a joy to get this final studio release from Diamond and have some new music to celebrate.

Listen to Wild at Heart