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The Feel of Neil Diamond
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 12, 1966
Recorded1965–66
Genre Pop rock
Length29:51
Label Bang
Producer Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
Neil Diamond chronology
The Feel of Neil Diamond
(1966)
Just for You
(1967)
Singles from The Feel of Neil Diamond
  1. " Solitary Man"
    Released: April 4, 1966
  2. " Cherry, Cherry"
    Released: July 1966
  3. "Oh No, No"
    Released: 1966

The Feel of Neil Diamond is Neil Diamond's debut album, released on Bang Records in the US, London Records in the UK, and Stateside Records in Australia. It includes his first three big hits, " Solitary Man" (#55), " Cherry, Cherry" (#6), and "Oh No No" (#16). Artie Butler was the arranger and conductor; Leonard Linton was the photographer; and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, continuing to work together although they had divorced the previous year, were the producers.

The photo for this album cover was taken under the Brooklyn Bridge by Neil's first cousin Len Rapoport who was only 17 years old when these iconic photos were taken. The photo credit on this Neil's first album, shows photo by: Leonard Linton which was Rapoport's middle name. He wasn't sure if he should take a "stage" name at that time, but later photo credits reverted to his name Leonard Rapoport. His photo credits can be found on many of the Diamond Program Books, albums and other Diamond publications.

Mr. Rapoport shot this photo when he was just 17 years old and also shot the first iconic photos of Neil at his Massapequa, Long Island home. All the photos he shot were also developed and printed by Len at that time and the rights to those photos were passed onto Diamond in the early 1990s by Mr. Rapoport.

It has never been released on CD, but the CD The Bang Years includes all the tracks from this album and from Diamond's second album, Just for You.

The Australian issue had two additional tracks- " The Boat that I Row" and " Thank the Lord for the Night Time".

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic link

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1." Solitary Man"Neil Diamond2:32
2." Red Rubber Ball" Bruce Woodley, Paul Simon2:18
3." La Bamba" Ritchie Valens2:07
4."Do It"Neil Diamond2:24
5." Hanky Panky" Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich2:44
6." Monday, Monday" John Phillips2:56
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."New Orleans" Frank Guida, Joseph Royster2:24
2."Someday Baby" Neil Diamond2:18
3." Oh No No" Neil Diamond2:13
4." I'll Come Running" Neil Diamond2:55
5." Love to Love" Neil Diamond2:18
6." Cherry, Cherry" Neil Diamond2:42

Charts

Chart (1966) Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [1] 137

References