September Morn

by Neil Diamond

Product Description:

Personnel includes: Neil Diamond (vocals, guitar); Richard Bennett, Doug Rhone (guitar); Peter Christlieb, Ernie Watts, Dick "Slyde" Hyde, Jerry Hey, Graham Young, Lou McCreary (horns); Tom Hensley (piano, keyboards); Alan Lindgren (piano, synthesizers); Bob Gaudio (piano); Reinie Press (bass); Dennis St. John (drums); King Errisson (percussion).

Engineers: Ron Hitchcock, Andy Bloch, Rick Ruggieri.

Released at the dawn of the 1980s, SEPTEMBER MORN is very much an update of Neil Diamond's 1960s roots, with a (perhaps ill-advised) disco version of the Motown classic "Dancing in the Street" and a remake of his own "I'm a Believer," heard here complete with faux-reggae rhythm and synthesized steel drums. The album also looks to the past in cuts like producer Bob Gaudio's timeless "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" and the vintage blues song "Stagger Lee." But Diamond shows he's still a master of sentimental balladry in his delivery of songs like the title track and "The Shelter of Your Arms," with an almost chanson-like delivery that blends classic Tin Pan Alley schmaltz with French-style romance.