Home Before Dark is the twenty-seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Released on May 5, 2008, it was the artist's second album for American Recordings, and also released on Columbia Records. The album was re-released on December 2, 2014 by UMe.
Home Before Dark received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release and topped the national albums charts in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. It has since been accredited with album certifications in several regions.
In May 2008, at the age of 67, Neil Diamond was the oldest performer to have a number one record. This mark was previously held by Bob Dylan in 2006 with his Modern Times album, released when he was 65. However, Bob Dylan's 2009 album, Together Through Life, earned Dylan that position again, because Dylan released his most recent work at 67 years and 11 months compared to Diamond's releasing Home Before Dark at 67 years and 3 months.
The album is Diamond's second to be produced by Rick Rubin, a producer of hip-hop and heavy metal music, who had discovered a talent for re-invigorating the careers of musicians when he produced Aerosmith and a string of albums with Johnny Cash. After Cash's death, Diamond became the next artist to find his career given a shot in the arm via Rubin's production on his 2005 album 12 Songs. The album consists of original works and some remakes and was mixed by Dana Nielsen.The orchestral parts were arranged and conducted by David Campbell.
In May 2026 a second album from the Home Before Dark sessions, Wild at Heart, was released. Track listing All songs were written by Neil Diamond, except where noted. "If I Don't See You Again" – 7:13 "Pretty Amazing Grace" – 4:53 "Don't Go There" – 6:04 "Another Day (That Time Forgot)" (feat. Natalie Maines) – 6:12 "One More Bite of the Apple" – 6:39 "Forgotten" – 4:22 "Act Like a Man" – 4:04 "Whose Hands Are These" – 3:12 "No Words" – 4:49 "The Power of Two" – 4:35 "Slow It Down" – 4:56 "Home Before Dark" – 6:00 "Without Her" (Harry Nilsson) – 4:22 Deluxe Edition Bonus Track "Make You Feel My Love" (Bob Dylan) – 4:38 Deluxe Edition Bonus Track
Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD "Pretty Amazing Grace" "If I Don't See You Again" "Forgotten" "The Boxer" (Paul Simon)
Personnel Neil Diamond – lead vocals, guitars Benmont Tench – keyboards Mike Campbell – guitars, bass guitar Smokey Hormel – guitars, bass guitar Jonny Polonsky – guitars Matt Sweeney – guitars Marvin B. Gordy – timpani David Campbell – horn, string and woodwind arrangements; orchestra leader Charlie Bisharat – concertmaster Susie Katayama – orchestra contractor Rose Corrigan – bassoon Ralph Williams – clarinet Earl Dumler – English horn, oboe Dan Higgins – flute Steve Kujala – flute Robert Shulgold – flute Larry Klimas – flute (12) Don Markese – alto flute (12) Nathan Campbell – French horn Joe Meyer – French horn Steven Holtman – trombone Bill Reichenbach, Jr. – trombone Chuck Findley – trumpet Gary Grant – trumpet Doug Tornquist – tuba Larry Corbett – cello Rudy Stein – cello David Stone – double bass Andrew Duckles – viola Armen Garabedian – violin Julian Hallmark – violin Linda Press – backing vocals (3) Julia Waters – backing vocals (3) Maxine Waters – backing vocals (3) Natalie Maines – lead vocals (4)
Production Producer – Rick Rubin Production Coordination – Lindsay Chase and Sam Cole Recorded by Greg Fidelman and Andrew Scheps Additional Recording – Bernie Becker, Jason Lader and Dana Nielsen. Assistant Engineers – Phillip Broussard, Chris Holmes and Jim "Bud" Monti. Recorded at Arch Angel Studios and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Los Angeles, CA); Conway Studios (Hollywood, CA); Punkerpad West (Van Nuys, CA); Mixed by Dana Nielsen at Little People Studio (Los Angeles, CA). Mastered by Vlado Meller and Mark Santangelo at Universal Mastering Studios (New York, NY). Art Direction – Mary Maurer Design – Mary Maurer and Michael Lau-Robles Photography – Jesse Diamond
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (2008) Peakposition
Year-end charts Chart (2008) PeakpositionDutch Albums (Album Top 100)46New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)38UK Albums (OCC)28US Billboard 200108
Certifications
References