Acoustic Christmas

by Neil Diamond

Overview

Re-teaming with Don Was and Jacknife Lee, the pair who produced his 2014 album Melody Road, Neil Diamond cut Acoustic Christmas, his fourth holiday album and first since 2009's A Cherry Cherry Christmas. The title Acoustic Christmas suggests that this 2016 LP will be sparse, but it's hazy and open, consisting of much more than a man and a guitar. Usually he's supported by a full band -- a rhythm section, another guitarist, a keyboardist, and backing vocalists -- and that gives Acoustic Christmas some spunk, which is enough to keep things lively. If Diamond isn't always original -- his version of "Children Go Where I Send Thee" follows the contours of Nick Lowe's 2013 version exactly -- he nevertheless performs with gusto, particularly on the closing "Christmas Medley." That showmanship is ultimately what gives Acoustic Christmas its personality and is the reason to return to the record: it may not align with the spirit of the season, but it's charming nonetheless. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	10/28/2016
Label:	Capitol
UPC:	0602547494719
Rank:	35482

Tracks

1. O Holy Night
2. Do You Hear What I Hear?
3. Christmas Prayers [New Original Song]
4. Hark the Herald Angels Sing
5. Mary's Boy Child
6. Silent Night
7. Go Tell It on the Mountain
8. Children Go Where I Send Thee
9. Christmas in Killarney
10. Christmas Medley: Almost Day/Make a Happy Song/We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neil Diamond   Primary Artist
Davide Rossi   Primary Artist
Eric Gorfain   Conductor,Violin
Kira Ott   Irish Fiddle
Stephanie O'Keefe   French Horn
Joey Waronker   Drums
John Grab   Trombone
Sebastian Steinberg   Bass
Richard Bennett   Guitar
Julia Waters   Vocals (Background)
Matt Rollings   Keyboards
Nick Lane   Euphonium
Hadley Hockensmith   Guitar
Tim Pierce   Guitar
Darrell Leonard   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Eric "Ricky" McKinnie   Vocals (Background)
Paul Beasley   Vocals (Background)
Joey Williams   Vocals (Background)
Robbie Hioki   Trombone (Bass)
Jamie Muhoberac   Keyboards
Oren Waters   Vocals (Background)
Benjamin Moore   Vocals (Background)
Bruce Carver   Bodhran
Maxine Waters   Vocals (Background)
Patrick D'Arcy   Uillean Pipes
Lester Lovitt   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Jimmy Carter   Vocals (Background)
Don Markese   Flute,Ocarina

Technical Credits

Eric Gorfain   Horn Arrangements
Don Markese   Flute Arrangement
Traditional   Composer
Pete Seeger   Composer
Huddie Ledbetter   Composer
Ronnie Gilbert   Composer
Jester Hairston   Composer
Noel Regney   Composer
Matt Bishop   Assistant Engineer
Tom McFall   Engineer
Fred Hellerman   Composer
Don Was   Producer
Lee Hays   Composer
Neil Diamond   Composer,Adaptation
Ivy Skoff   Project Coordinator
Gloria Shayne Baker   Composer
Gloria Shayne   Composer
Sam Cole   Project Coordinator
Todd Gallopo   Art Direction
Nicolas Essig   Engineer
Dale Becker   Mastering Assistant
Ari Michelson   Cover Photo
Micah Diamond   Art Direction
John Redmond   Composer
Matt Tuggle   Engineer
Kyle Stevens   Engineer
Pablo Hernandez   Engineer
Sergio Ruelas Jr.   Mixing Assistant
Bernie Becker   Vocal Engineer,Mastering Engineer
Bob Clearmountain   Mixing
Davide Rossi   String Arrangements
Jacknife Lee   Producer
James Cavanaugh   Composer
Frank Weldon   Composer