Mention The Jazz Singer<\/em> to Neil Diamond<\/strong><\/a> and it\u2019s more likely to set off some combined reactions. His performing in Richard Fleischer\u2019s 1980 film earned him a Razzie from the Golden Raspberry Awards (a light-hearted ceremony that \u201crewards\u201d Hollywood\u2019s extra questionable moments), however his soundtrack was an unqualified triumph<\/strong><\/a>. To date, it has offered greater than six million copies and is hailed as a basic.<\/p>\n Listen to The Jazz Singer<\/em> on Apple Music<\/a> and Spotify<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s no marvel that Diamond later stated, \u201cI decided while I was doing The Jazz Singer<\/em> that I\u2019d rather be a really good singer than a mediocre actor; that I\u2019d concentrate on my music, my records, and my shows.\u201d<\/p>\n In the movie, a remake of the Al Jolson basic from 1927, New York-born Diamond stars reverse Laurence Olivier as Yussel Rabinovitch, a younger Jewish cantor performing on the synagogue of his overbearing father. Diamond, who was about to show 40 when the movie was made, confirmed appreciable braveness in taking up the problem of performing, particularly when you think about that it got here after a protracted spell in a wheelchair when he had been recuperating after having had a tumor faraway from his backbone. But regardless of the poor reception for the movie, the album, launched on November 10, 1980, was an prompt hit, with chart placings for songs as emotionally potent as \u201cLove On The Rocks,\u201d \u201cHello Again\u201d and the overtly patriotic \u201cAmerica.\u201d<\/p>\n Diamond had robust credentials as a songwriter earlier than he grew to become a solo artist. As a younger school dropout, he made a dwelling as a author on New York\u2019s Tin Pan Alley, throughout which era he realized to play guitar by listening to people group The Weavers.<\/p>\n One of the primary albums he purchased as a teen was by The Everly Brothers, and he significantly beloved a \u201cbeautiful, very melodic song\u201d referred to as \u201cLet It Be Me,\u201d initially written in French by Gilbert B\u00e9caud, a person whose compositions had been lined by Frank Sinatra<\/strong><\/a> and Judy Garland<\/strong><\/a>. Before The Jazz Singer<\/em>, Diamond sought out B\u00e9caud they usually wrote songs collectively, together with 5 for the soundtrack: \u201cLove On The Rocks,\u201d \u201cSummerlove,\u201d \u201cOn The Robert E Lee,\u201d \u201cHey Louise\u201d and \u201cSongs Of Life.\u201d<\/p>\n The most profitable was \u201cLove On The Rocks,\u201d a weepie love track that grew to become one in every of Diamond\u2019s requirements, and which was later successful for Gladys Knight. Elsewhere, \u201cAmerica,\u201d in regards to the hopes and fears of immigrants, performed the patriotic card deftly with lyrics about \u201cthe flag unfurled\u201d and a catchy refrain. It, too, grew to become an everlasting anthem for Diamond.<\/p>\n The album additionally incorporates a Jewish conventional hymn (\u201cAdon Olom\u201d), used as a 30-second interlude among the many 13 snappy songs. Most tracks are beneath three minutes lengthy \u2013 and all pack an emotional punch, channeled by means of his sugary bass voice. Among them, \u201cYou Baby\u201d is bouncy and witty, and the jazzy \u201cOn The Robert E Lee\u201d is quirky, whereas \u201cSummerlove\u201d is a merely a well-constructed pop track. It all mixed to assist the album go platinum 5 instances over.<\/p>\n In addition, the guitar work on The Jazz Singer<\/em> is exemplary, that includes Richard Bennett, who had labored with Mark Knopfler for the previous 23 years. Back within the 70s, Bennett was an everyday in Diamond\u2019s band. His marvelous taking part in can also be a key a part of The Bellamy Brothers\u2019 1975 hit \u201cLet Your Love Flow.\u201d<\/p>\n Diamond preferred to collect musicians of the very best caliber. His long-term bandmate Alan Lindgren \u2013 the arranger on the album who additionally performed synthesizer and piano \u2013 had beforehand labored with Frank Sinatra. Another candy track, referred to as \u201cAcapulco,\u201d was written with guitarist Doug Rhone.<\/p>\n At the time, Diamond grew to become one of many highest-paid debut actors ever for his efficiency in The Jazz Singer<\/em> (scooping $3.5 million), however later instructed Larry King Live<\/em> on CNN that it was not a contented expertise. \u201cI didn\u2019t really understand the process. It was a little scary to me. I had never done it before. And I never did get a real taste for the movies.\u201d<\/p>\n