Neil Diamond Goes Acoustic for New Christmas Album

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Capitol Music GroupAnd on a September morn, it was announced that Neil Diamond is releasing a new Christmas album,

Acoustic Christmas, a 10-song mix of traditional and Diamond-penned tunes, will be out on CD October 28 and on vinyl November 19; a version of the CD with two additional songs will be sold exclusively at Target.

The album was produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee, the team who oversaw the legendary singer-songwriter’s first effort for Capitol Records, Melody Road, in 2014. According to Was, the sound of the Christmas album is a throwback to the 75-year-old Diamond’s early years.

“One need look no further than Neil’s earliest hits to know that something special happens when you set his voice in the middle of a few acoustic guitars,” he said in a statement. “The vibe in the studio seems inspired by the folk scene of Neil’s early years in Greenwich Village.”

“He’s got such a warm voice, it is like gravy or hot chocolate,” Lee added. “The moments that worked so well during those sessions were when Neil sat with us and played the songs on the sofa, with his acoustic guitar, and we’d all pick up instruments that were lying about and join in. It was like traditional holiday gathering, when small family groups would sing together at home.”

This is the legendary singer/songwriter’s fifth holiday offering. His first was 1992’s The Christmas Album, followed by 1994’s The Christmas Album, Volume II; 2009’s A Cherry Cherry Christmas, a compilation of selections from the first two albums and three new songs (including Adam Sandler‘s “The Chanukah Song”); and another collection, 2013’s The Classic Christmas Album.

Here’s the Acoustic Christmas track list:

“O Holy Night”
“Do You Hear What I Hear”
“Christmas Prayers”
“Hark the Herald Angels Sing”
“Mary’s Boy Child”
“Silent Night”
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”
“Children Go Where I Send Thee”
“Christmas in Killarney”
“The Christmas Medley: It’s Almost Day/Make a Happy Song/We Wish You a Merry Christmas”
“#1 Record for Christmas” (Target exclusive)
“We Three Kings” (Target exclusive)

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