Beautiful Noise is the tenth album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, released in 1976. Diamond's third album with Columbia Records, it was produced by Robbie Robertson, known for his work with The Band. Garth Hudson of The Band also contributed organ to several songs on the album. Diamond performed the album track "Dry Your Eyes" with The Band at their farewell show The Last Waltz, which was filmed by director Martin Scorsese and made into a 1978 documentary of the same title.
History Beautiful Noise marked a radical departure in production, style, arrangements and compositional diversity for Diamond. It was billed at the time of its release as something of a "comeback" album for the artist and did mark a new and highly productive phase of his recording and touring career.
The album produced three singles: "If You Know What I Mean", "Don't Think... Feel", and the title track, "Beautiful Noise". "If You Know What I Mean" was a No. 1 hit on Billboard'''s Easy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on the US Hit Parade. "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 7 in South Africa and No. 6 in the then West Germany. It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.Cash Box said of the title song "orchestration begins the tune as Diamond steps in with his well-known vocal style includes a revolving carousel organ." Record World said that "an accordion lends a distinct, atmospheric sound" to the track.
The song "Stargazer" would receive attention in 2026 with its use in the film Project Hail Mary''.
Track listing All tracks composed by Neil Diamond, except "Dry Your Eyes" by Diamond and Robbie Robertson.
Personnel Neil Diamond – vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, dobro Richard Bennett, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson – guitar Bob Boucher – bass guitar, ARP Larry Knechtel – piano, Fender Rhodes Alan Lindgren – piano, synthesizer Dennis St. John – drums, percussion David Paich – Fender Rhodes, piano Garth Hudson – Hammond organ, Lowrey organ Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel – drums Jim Gordon – drums, congas, harmony vocals James Newton Howard – ARP, synthesizer Joe Lala – percussion, tambourine, congas Dr. John – Hammond organ Bob James – piano, arrangement, Fender Rhodes Tommy Morgan – harmonica Bob Findley – trumpet Jerome Richardson – flute, clarinet Linda Press – backing vocals Nick DeCaro – arrangements, accordion Frank DeCaro - music contractor
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1976) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)1
Year-end charts Chart (1976) Peakposition Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) 5 Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) 6 Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 4 German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 26 New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 4 UK Albums (OCC) 42 Chart (1977) Peakposition German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 18
Certifications
References