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Love inspires Neil Diamond’s latest album

'Melody Road' star's first studio record of new songs in 6 years

The Columbian
Published: October 25, 2014, 12:00am
2 Photos
Neil Diamond performs on NBC's &quot;Today&quot; show on Monday in New York.
Neil Diamond performs on NBC's "Today" show on Monday in New York. Photo Gallery

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Neil Diamond wrote and recorded his first studio album of new material in six years floating in the heady glow of new love.

The 73-year-old entertainer, who married for the third time in 2012, says happiness with his new bride fueled his work on “Melody Road,” which was released Tuesday.

“There’s no better inspiration or motivation for work than being in love. It’s what you dream of as a creative person,” Diamond said. “I was able to complete this album — start it, write it and complete it — under the spell of love, and I think it shows somehow.”

Not that he allowed his wife, Katie McNeil, in on the making of the songs.

A songwriter since the early 1960s, Diamond has become extremely disciplined about his process. He writes every day, regardless of inspiration or deadlines. He doesn’t listen to, or play, any other music while working on his own material, and he doesn’t preview his songs for anyone until they’ve been recorded.

He spent 18 months holed up making “Melody Road,” a collection of 12 tracks he says tells the story of his life over the past 20 years. There are songs about heartache, about family, and several about finding love.

Diamond is thoughtful and measured as he discusses his work. He takes it seriously and says he really does suffer for his art.

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