Pretty Amazing Grace
Diffidence; Neil Diamond uses the word in the liner notes of his latest CD, Home Before Dark, proving to be articulate. In his excellent lyrics he keep it simple, leaving out words like diffidence. I have a feeling he's got more SAT words up his sleeve. (There are better ways to describe big words, but I teach 15 periods a week of eleventh graders. They took the SATs yesterday. Most of them swear they'll never take the test again. I know that some of them will.) I bought this over the summer along with other that hot off the pressCDs at 7.99 a pop. Diamond's introductory comments are touching. He says that he's still hungry, actually starving. For over a year he was consumed by this album, with birthing and nurturing each of the 12 songs. For 14 months he felt like he was at a pool party, deep underwater, hearing the chatter but absorbed in his own sphere. As I listen I remember well the moments and places where I purchased this album and played it for the first time. As I listen I know that Mr. Diamond is telling the truth. You can hear the heart(ache) that went into each of these songs. Or maybe that's just me.
posted by rabbi neil fleischmann @ 6:56 PM
2 Comments:
Really nice observation.
Appreciation, both from an educated and connected place.
I have used Mr. Diamond's energy in my art for decades.
Mr. Baldini, thanks for this beautiful, articulate comment. It is humbling to be appreciated by someone in the know. I apologize that I did not reply for some time. Your comment stood well alone and yet... Even as I sought to match your dignified style, as time went by I should have at least written - thanks. I enjoyed your site, which I visited right after you commented. I am honored to have you here. Also, I'm curious how you came to find this blog. If you see this, and don't mind, could you further expand on what songs of Neil Diamond, what element of his energy, have been helpful to you?
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