Tap Root Manuscript - NEIL DIAMOND****

Cracklin' Rosie/Free Life/Coldwater Morning/Done Too Soon/He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother/Childsong/I Am The Lion/Madrigal/Soolaimon/Missa/African Suite/Childsong (Reprise)

Tap Root Manuscript was an ambitious album release from Neil Diamond; the entire second side was given over to a suite of African themed music. Includes the US No. 1 and UK No. 3 hit single Cracklin' Rosie. (US:13 UK:19)

"The cobwebs of Diamond's earlier productions are all swept away, yet the entire second side, African themed, seems ill advised, and the first side is short on the usual feel good progressions you would get from Neil. Apart from the hit single, the only other standout track is Done Too Soon with its name-checking and interesting form (uptempo first half, slow second), a different tack for the artist."

"Ironically, as soon as Neil Diamond hit the big time in 1970, with the superb number one single , the quality of his album output sharply declined. In my opinion, other than the single, Cracklin' Rosie, the rest of this album has to rank as amongst Neil Diamond's least essential stuff. I really don't care for the whole African suite."

"The first half of the album contains some wonderful songs like Cracklin' Rosie and one of the more profound songs Neil ever wrote - Done Too Soon. The second half contains the African suite masterpiece. Rhythms, voices, instruments and lyrics evoke jungles and plains of that continent. Soolaimon is the standout, but the entire suite moves effortlessly. Diamond was still a young songwriter/singer when he made this, which is simply remarkable."

"Oh man, this is weird. An A side filled with workman-like 70s adult pop and a B side filled with African music. Chanting, percussion, odd melodies, mangled English. Get it for the weirdness factor alone. Just don't expect to be playing it too often."

"Side one is pleasant enough early 70's MOR. And, before you groan, this was no mean feat. By 1970, all the giants of 60s 'easy' had traded in their sharp suits, polished Italian shoes and short haircuts (or sculpted toupees) plus their Porter and Bacharach songbooks for denim, sneakers and (if physically possible) perms, to instigate a strange new twist in middle-aged musical hipsterdom ... the recording of songs by Paul Williams, Bread and...Neil Diamond."

"At the time of his greatest popularity, Neil Diamond was quite experimental in some of his albums, which boldly showed his unusual willingness to take chances in pursuit of broadening his musical abilities and interests."