Acoustic Christmas is a new holiday collection from Neil Diamond featuring new recordings of holiday classics and original tracks by Diamond.
“With Acoustic Christmas, Neil has created a classic holiday album that brims with his singular artistry and an intimate warmth that’s so perfectly suited to these timeless Christmas songs,” says Capitol Music Group Chairman & CEO Steve Barnett. “This a great present for the upcoming holiday season, from Neil to all of us.”
This new collection was produced by Don Was (Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan) and Jacknife Lee (U2, R.E.M.), the pair behind Diamond’s 2014 acclaimed Melody Road.
“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: the vibrant expression that lives in the nuances of Neil's singing moves to the forefront and creates a profoundly intimate experience,” says Was. “The vibe in the studio seems inspired by the folk scene of Neil’s early years in Greenwich Village. We had a stellar cast of musicians sitting around in a circle of microphones, eclectic acoustic instruments and Christmas lights! We had a wonderful time making this record and the good vibes permeate every track.”
“He's got such a warm voice, it is like gravy or hot chocolate,” adds Lee. “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,”says Lee of the album’s stripped-down format. “It was like traditional holiday gathering, when small family groups would sing together at home.”