The new Hugh Jackman/Kate Hudson movie Song Sung Blue tells the true story of a humble Neil Diamond tribute band that hit it big in the '90s, even performing with Eddie Vedder at a Pearl Jam concert at the height of their fame. So I guess the timing is right for another Neil Diamond/Gen X convergence from the archives.
In the 2000s, Diamond released two albums produced by Rick Rubin, 2005's 12 Songs and 2008's Home Before Dark. The latter became Diamond's first #1 album. This was the same era when Rubin was producing stark late-career recordings for Johnny Cash, and he brought a similar stripped-down feeling to the Diamond records, minus the looming specter of death. Though two LPs came out, there was a third album's worth of songs left over, and it's now seeing the light of day.
Diamond and Rubin recorded the songs for his shelved 2007 album Wild At Heart during the sessions for Home Before Dark. They are not billing these tracks as outtakes but rather the conclusion of an album trilogy. "My work with Rick was a labor of love," Diamond says, "and I’m so gratified that these songs will finally be set free into the world to complete our trilogy of work."
Dropping in May, Wild At Heart features nine previously unreleased songs plus an alternate version of the Home After Dark track "Forgotten." Below, hear the title track, watch an album trailer, and check out the tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 "Wild At Heart"
02 "You Can’t Have It All"
03 "Talking It To Death"
04 "Shine On"
05 "The Secret You"
06 "You Never Know"
07 "You’re Getting To Me"
08 "You Still Look Good To Me"
09 "You’re My Favorite Song"
10 "Forgotten"
Wild At Heart is out 5/8 via Capitol/UMe. Pre-order it here.
